Dark Paradise Read Online Free Page A

sit down. “He’s never said two words to me, but he struts around campus like he’s the king and we’re subjects who must bow down before him. He’s an arrogant jerk.”
    Landry watches me, Georgie, like I’m a deer he’s tracking. I shiver, rubbing my arms. I’ve had boys interested in me before. Some hate me. Others are scared or curious because of the witchy rumors. But Landry…he creeps me out but also strangely fascinates me. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, and the touch of his eyes on my skin feels…electric, like when thunder rumbles overhead just before lightning strikes. I hate it.
    George follows and sits beside me. His arm brushes mine. “Sounds about right from what I know of Landry, but Lainey was a good person.” I can’t see his eyes, but I feel his gaze fall on me. “You know, Mala, you’ve never gone out of your way to try to get to know folks. Not everyone has it out for you.”
    I tense up. Of all people, he knows better than anyone the sort of special hell my life has been. “Maybe if I hadn’t been bullied all through high school, I’d be more social, Georgie. I can’t help that I didn’t always have clean clothes, let alone name brands…” I trail off, feeling hot and sticky. Hellfire! Arguing over the body of a dead girl. How low could I get? “Look, I have my reasons for not liking Landry, but this is his sister, and I don’t mean to disrespect the dead.”
    George blows out a breath, running a shaky hand through his hair. “No, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s not the time or place.”
    â€œBut you did say it.”
    â€œYeah, I did. ’Cause it’s true. And life’s kind of short to leave things unsaid, don’t you think?”
    No, I’ve never thought that. I draw in a deep breath. His fresh, clean scent washes away the scent of decay. George bumps his shoulder into mine, and I almost tumble off the log.
    â€œDamn it, Georgie.” I jab my elbow into his side. “How about if we agree to disagree on this issue and call it even?”
    George’s mouth opens. I can tell by the set look on his face that he has an argument prepared and ready to launch. Then his eyes follow mine. When his gaze lands on Lainey, he shudders. The radio connected to his belt crackles. He speaks quietly into the microphone attached to his lapel and then turns to me.
    â€œWe’ll finish this discussion later. Sheriff Keyes, Detective Caine, and Coroner Rathbone are at your house with the crime scene techs. You okay to get them alone?”
    â€œSure, if you aren’t too scared to stay here by yourself. I think you’ll be fine. Just march around and make a lot of noise to scare off any critters. Don’t get trigger happy when we return and shoot us on accident,” I tease with a flashlight-enhanced grin, then shut off the light to fade ghostlike into the brush.
    *  *  *
    The moon lets in faint light through the treetops. I allow my eyes to adjust, then lead my group toward the crime scene. Sheriff Keyes, the parish coroner Dr. James Rathbone, Detective Bessie Caine, and two crime scene technicians with their large flashlights and bags of equipment follow like the pack of stampeding buffalo that caused the traffic accident.
    Damn. I’m sick of this crawling, choking feeling of dread. It smothers me with each step. My breaths quicken. I desperately try to take my mind off of seeing Lainey again. I really, really don’t want to go back. But I owe it to George to suck it up. Only a selfish loser would abandon him when he’s waiting for me. Plus it’s part of the job description.
    Sheriff Keyes pats my shoulder, and I flinch. “Are you doing okay?” he asks.
    My voice cracks, but I manage a shaky smile as I say, “Well, sir, stumbling across that girl’s body tonight certainly put