Prototype Read Online Free

I dig clean clothes out of my bag: dark jeans, white tee, and black leather jacket. Under one pant leg, I strap on the only weapon I own—a knife, in case things go horribly wrong—then slick my hair into a low-hanging ponytail.
    In the hotel’s casino, amid the ringing of slots and clicking of chips, I patrol the tables until I find an unguarded cell phone beside a patron. His chips are stacked high to one side and his laugh soars above everyone else’s. I lean on the table as if I have an interest in the game, smile at the man, who has crooked yellow teeth, and slide his cell off the edge.
    “Good luck,” I tell him as I walk away, hoping he does not notice the flush in my cheeks. One thing I never do is steal from others, but I have little choice. I cannot have my call traced to this location. With the cell phone, the best they can do is locate the nearest call receptor.
    “Leaving so soon?” the man yells, but I never look back.
    I find a shadowed corner near a large plant and slip behind, keeping my attention on everyone in the vicinity. With shaking fingers, I dial a number I wish I could forget as easily as my past.
    A man answers the phone on the second ring. “Declan Burke’s office.”

CHAPTER 3
    I recognize the voice on the other end of the line as Declan’s assistant, Armand Tulley. “I need to speak with Declan Burke,” I tell him.
    “I’m sorry, miss, but—”
    “This is Emma Burke.” I press a knuckle into my temple, feeling the start of a headache coming on. “Put my husband on the phone.”
    The words feel foreign and wrong, but they do the job. The line goes quiet, leaving me to listen to the pleased laughter and groans of loss all around me. Sweat tickles my brow and I fan my shirt to cool my hot skin as I wait for Declan to answer. How will he act? Despite what he has told the world, he may want me dead. After all, I tried to kill him.
    “Emma?” Declan’s deep voice, filled with worry, causes me to jump.
    I take a moment to wet my dry lips before responding. “Why are you doing this?”
    “Doing what? Searching for my wife?” He sounds almost angry now. “I should be asking you the same question.”
    I grip the phone tighter. I have not been his wife since before Noah deleted all records of our union at Her behest. Something Noah explained to me a long time ago but apparently a fact Declan refuses to believe. “I am not your wife. Our marriage was erased years ago, remember?”
    Silence envelopes both ends of the line. I imagine he searches for a new lie he hopes will lure me back. I lift the wedding band hanging heavy around my neck and slip it onto the end of my index finger. The diamonds catch and reflect the fluorescent lights and remind me how everything he represents is nothing more than a set of chains.
    Finally, he says, “You were happy with me . . . before all this madness. I know you loved me just as I love you.”
    “After how things ended, I cannot believe you can so easily forgive. There is no reason why I should trust you to let me live.”
    “I’ve had a lot of time to consider what happened between us, and I understand why you felt compelled to act as you did. I understand why you were angry, and you had every right.”
    I lost my husband and daughter because of him. I lost my rightful place in this unforgivable world. What I feel goes beyond anger. “Tell me something, Declan. If I were to return, would we work through our issues like normal people?” I already know the answer, but I need to hear him say it.
    “We aren’t normal people. Would it be so bad to forget all that’s happened? To get back to where we were?”
    “You mean to the lies and deception?” Tears sting the backs of my eyes. Whether they are from anger or disappointment, I do not know. “I cannot live like that again, but I cannot live my life on the run either. Please rescind the offer for my return. I am no threat to you or your company. I am only trying to find some