Explosive (The Black Opals) Read Online Free Page A

in-laws.”
    Jayce cracked one eye open and saw his sister for the first time that night, though he’d spent several hours with her earlier. Weariness darkened the delicate skin beneath her eyes and clouded her normally bright gaze. Her shoulders, scant as they were, slumped ever-so-slightly as she curled herself into the large chair. She looked small, and as much as he hated to admit it, fragile.
    All the reasons he’d insisted on staying with her pushed through his own problems to bring swift and immediate concern. Mom said this time of year was hard on Jordan. The memories dragged her down. Jasmine’s wedding couldn’t be helping things either. Lowering his elbows to his knees, he leaned forward to study her more closely. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on with you?”
    She gave him a meek smile. “I’d rather talk about you.”
    “Nuh-huh.” He reached across the distance between them, clasped her hand, and gently squeezed. “You okay, sis?”
    Jordan ’s soft chuckle filled the quiet of the house. “I’m fine , Jayce. Really. I don’t know why you think I wouldn’t be. It was ten years ago. I’ve moved beyond the rape.”
    Right. That’s why she still slept with the lights on. Why she did nothing but dance. Why the only people she spent real time with were her fellow members of the Denver Ballet Company. Why she hadn’t had one serious relationship in ten years.
    He squeezed her hand again before letting go. “You don’t look so fine.”
    She lifted her shoulders in a nonchalant shrug. “I’m a little sad. What single girl wouldn’t be in the midst of her sister’s wedding? Jasmine’s exhausting me—she kept me on the phone for an hour when I got home, panicked over the fact Harlow’s sister is allergic to roses and roses are in the bridesmaids’ bouquets.”
    Ugh. Weddings. Jayce couldn’t hold in a grimace. Even at twenty he’d been smart enough to plan an elopement.
    A wry grin tugged at one corner of Jordan’s mouth. “What are you grimacing about? The groom gets it easy. Pretty much all you have to do is show up.”
    Unerringly, Jordan knew how to pull him out of a funk and employed the tactic with ease. He chuckled as bent over to ease off his dress shoes. “It’s even easier to stay single.” One loafer in hand, he frowned at Jordan in puzzlement. “How can Jasmine stand that guy anyway? He’s like…Pee-Wee-Herman…only without the hair. She could break him in half if she tripped over his foot.”
    Jordan ’s grin broadened. “Have you seen how obsessed he is about his appearance?”
    Jayce cocked an eyebrow in reproach.
    “Watch next time.” She let out a soft giggle that served to ease some of his concern. “He’s constantly fiddling with his tie, checking for spots on his cuffs, picking lint off his lapels. I bet you they divorce in a month once he realizes she won’t give up her dog.”
    “Or make her get a rooster so he can sing alongside it.”
    At that, Jordan’s giggles morphed into full-out laughter. “She can’t possibly be our sister.”
    “I’ve been saying that for years. Did you just come to the realization?”
    In less time that it took to blink, Jordan’s amusement faded, and her expression turned somber. “It’s nice having you around again, Jayce. When you leave, would you at least invite me to visit this time? Phone calls just aren’t the same.”
    He breathed deeply and exhaled long and slow. This was the difficult part—lying to his sister, the person he was closest to. He hated to mislead her. “My job, Jordan…”
    She nodded. “I know. You’re gone a lot.”
    Though she didn’t say it, though she would never in a hundred lifetimes utter the accusation Jayce heard, it echoed in his head. He’d been gone then too. Wrapped up in his own personal hell while his sister suffered through a sham of a trial and was forced to watch her rapist go free. He’d failed her once. Somehow, he’d failed Alyssa as well. Whatever had