His Human Hellion (Ultimate Passage Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

room. She was still worried about Asazi tracing her. Now more than ever since that one chased her. She didn’t want to stay in a car either. A hot shower and a soft bed sounded perfect.
    She wondered if she could contact Belle. When she left town, Belle wasn’t happy about the restaurant closing. Marissa hadn’t stayed in touch with her because Finn said that it would be best for Belle. Probably better not to involve her.
    A thought flashed through Marissa’s head. Ugh. Her brother. Really? She didn’t want to talk to him, but then another part of her said she should, plus now her brother would be an uncle, and Marissa didn’t have other family. Maybe for the baby’s sake she should forgive her brother. Make amends.
    She called his number, hoped he hadn’t changed it. He answered on the third ring, his voice questioning, and she wasn’t surprised since this was a number he wouldn’t recognize.
    “Danny.”
    “Marissa? Is that really you?”
    “Yes. Can we talk for a bit?”
    “Well yes, but you—the cops said you were—I thought you had—I’m surprised, I guess I didn’t think you were around.”
    Clearly he thought that with the whole missing person thing, when she vanished with Finn, that she’d died . . . or something.
    “Is the Starbucks around the corner from your house okay?”
    “Sure. When? Tomorrow night is good for me.”
    Stunned , she couldn’t answer for a moment. Tomorrow night? “No, I was thinking like in the next thirty minutes.”
    “Well, the game’s going to start . . .”
    “A sport? On TV?” Was he serious? He was becoming exactly who she thought he always was. Exactly who he’d always been. “I really need to see you now, if possible.”
    On the other end, he sighed. “Okay. I’ll be there. Not sure I can stay long though.”
    Marissa almost talked herself out of going, but comfort and hygiene called. She drove to the Starbucks and picked up a coffee, waited in the corner.
    Dan walked up to the counter, corporate haircut and shoes intact. Dressed like the up -and-coming urban professional that he was. He ordered, flirted with the barista, not the one with the tattoos and piercings, the one that looked like she would evolve into a soccer mom in a few years. Giving her his card, he turned and scanned the lobby. Seeing Marissa, he nodded an acknowledgment and joined her.
    “Hey, what’s up? You look like hell.”
    Wow. What could she say to that? Thanks? “Yes, it’s been a rough couple of days.”
    “Couple of days? You’ve been gone a couple of months. Where have you been? The cops came by checking on you. They mentioned that they thought you were involved with drugs. One detective has been very regular at keeping me updated. He said you vanished in thin air, like addicts generally do. ”
    “What?” Where the hell was this coming from? “I’m not into drugs. I never have been. You know better.”
    “So where have you been then?”
    “Traveling with a friend.” Now she sounded shifty.
    “Does your friend have a name?”
    Marissa found herself not wanting to tell him. Alarm bells were going off. But yet, this was her brother. Her blood. “I need a place for a night. That’s it. Was hoping you could help out. I’m passing through.”
    “Where are you passing through to?” He took a drink of his hot coffee concoction, fastidious, careful not to get milk foam on his face.
    He had to ask that. Didn’t he? “I’m pregnant.”
    “What? What the hell? With some dealer or pimp’s baby?” His voice was loud, and as if he realized it, he lowered it mid-sentence.
    “Jesus. No. What are you thinking?”
    “Then whose is it?”
    “My boyfriend’s.”
    “Yeah, right.” Doubt colored his voice. “Same old Marissa, getting into shit and wanting someone to bail you out. Always, huh?”
    “I’m not involved in any kind of shit, Dan.”
    “That’s not what Detective Jones said. He also said that you were involved in a ring and I should let him know if I hear