Lydia's Secret (The Secret Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

though.”
    The little girl grinned. “Did he pull his gun on you?”
    Lydia ran her hand along her daughter’s forehead. She was cooler than she’d like. “No such luck. Turns out I wasn’t the bad guy.”
    Jacie’s sigh broke into a jaw-popping yawn before she jerked her arms out and slammed them on top of the blanket.
    Lydia drew the covers up to her chin. “It’s time for you to go to sleep, baby.”
    “I’m really not—” Another yawn stole the end of her sentence.
    “Me either. But I’m supposed to rest and so are you.”
    “Okay.” Jacie reached under the covers and pulled out her stuffed bat. “Say goodnight to Fangton.”
    Lydia gave the stuffed animal’s fluffy black nose a loud kiss.
    Jacie held her little arms up, and Lydia wrapped her in a hug before tucking her back in.
    “I love you, Mama.”
    “I love you too, kiddo. Get some shut-eye.” Experience told her Jacie wouldn’t sleep until she left the room. She’d always been that way.
    “Oh, wait. My letter to Baltha is on the desk. You have to mail it tomorrow, okay?”
    “Will do.” Lydia gave a two-fingered salute and grabbed the sealed envelope on her way out. Jacie’s eyes were closed by the time she turned back around.
    “Good night, kiddo.” She quietly exited the room, easing the door shut behind her.
    Her fingers traced the meticulously drawn address on the envelope. Baltha. North Star . She folded it up and stuck it in her pocket to look at later when she was alone.
    Lydia trailed back into the living room in time to see Jeanie wrapping a scarf around her neck as Roman towered over her slight frame, holding out her jacket.
    “You were right about the storm. I’m not going to make it if I don’t leave now.” Jeanie shrugged into the coat and gave a half nod to Roman. “Every hour.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “Every hour what?” Lydia was relieved Jeanie wasn’t pushing to stay. Even if Lydia could afford it, the last thing she wanted was the constant feeling of being watched on top of everything else that had happened earlier.
    Jeanie glanced at her. “You have to be woken up periodically when you sleep.”
    Lydia gaped at Roman. She was about to argue before that blessed warmth once again invaded her mind, calming her thoughts.
    The brunette continued. “He’s too far away from his home to make it before the storm hits. Look outside. The snow is dropping in massive clumps. And you won’t let me stay.” She headed toward the door, and Lydia reached it in time to open it for her.
    Jeanie tugged on her gloves and pulled on her beanie cap. “See you soon.”
    Wind and snow pelted them as Lydia opened the door. The frigid air stealing into the room stole her breath.
    “I’ll call if I get snowed in.” Jeanie waved, maneuvering her way down the driveway to her little beat-up car sitting next to the street. Lydia waited until she saw Jeanie’s headlights come on before closing the door.
    She engaged the lock and turned to her last-minute guest. Roman leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, still wearing his coat. Her gaze traveled down to his socked feet and back up. His face was smudged and his clothes were stained from the fight in the alley. She doubted she had anything in storage that would fit him. He looked so at ease in her home.
    * * * * *
    Simon held the scarf against his face, savoring the scent of her skin lingering in the cloth. Lydia
    Snow and wind fought a war in the streets below as he perched on a nearby roof, nestled in a wind break. The weather was only a minor inconvenience.
    People rushed home despite the icy roads, and metal crunched in the distance from a fender bender, leaving voices raised in fury. He didn’t care. He was focused intently on the little house with Christmas lights and the warm glow of a lamp coming from one of the rooms.
    The silhouette of a man walked past a window, and Simon’s lip curled over a fang. Roman. Bitterness roiled through his mind, and the demon of