Rourk (Keegan's Chronicles Series Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

chuckled. “Anytime he gets overly excited or angry, the weather changes. The news is blaming it on Mother Nature and global warming, when really it’s an out-of-control six year old. Dad doesn’t know what to do with him. None of his normal tricks are working.”
    Keegan felt a wave of sadness wash over her. Her baby brother was growing up, and she was missing it all. “I wish I were there to witness it. I’ll have to come visit soon.”
    “You really should. They all miss you.” He paused for a beat. “The house is so quiet now. I almost even miss your horrible singing.”
    Keegan’s eyes widened in mock surprise, and she held her hand to her chest. “Really?” She belted out a couple of lines from her favorite song, and Thaddeus glared at her.
    “Okay, maybe I wouldn’t go that far.”
    Keegan nudged his shoulder. “We should sing a duet.”
    “That will never happen.”
    “Pizza.” Thaddeus jumped to his feet seconds before the doorbell chimed.
    Having Thaddeus visit helped get her mind off how much she missed Rourk. Just thinking his name brought the pain back to the surface. He’d only been gone two weeks, and it already felt like a lifetime.
    Keegan looked up and noticed her brothers face looked paler than usual. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    “I kinda did.” He set the pizza down on the table and dropped into the chair.
    “Wh—“ Keegan stopped herself once it hit her what her brother meant. “Did you tell him?”
    He shook his head no. “I know you think I’m a horrible person, but you don’t understand. Move one piece of the puzzle and you never know what you will change. What can be set in motion. Gods, why did I have to be born with this hell?” He dropped his head into his hands.
    Keegan was momentarily stunned into silence. Thaddeus never let his emotions show. He was the master at keeping his face still. It was strange to see his walls collapse before her eyes. “I don’t think you’re horrible at all.”
    She sat in the seat next to him, resting her hand on his shoulder. “It’s not your fault. You can’t save everyone.”
    “I know that.” He snapped.
    “What’s his fate?” Keegan asked, not meeting his eyes.
    “I shouldn’t even be talking to you about this.” Thaddeus grumbled.
    Keegan sat back in the chair. She could clearly see the anguish in his face. She couldn’t imagine living with that every single day of her life. “I understand. I shouldn’t have asked.”
    Slowly, he lifted his head. “Gun shot to the chest. He’s going to deliver a pizza to a party…It’s an accident. But if I told him not to deliver to that address, not only would he think I was crazy and probably call the cops, but someone else could get sent in his place to deliver. Someone whose time isn’t up.” 
    Unconsciously, Keegan pulled on the hem of her dress, and said softly. “Life is as long or as short as it needs to be.”
    Thaddeus looked down at his hands. “It’s not always easy to remember that.” He leaned across the table and flipped the pizza box open. “Especially, when it happens to someone you care about.”
    Was she reading more into his words then he meant? Maybe he was referring to the time when Keegan’s life had been in the balance. Keegan pushed the thought aside and thought about the boy who would lose his life and the family that would grieve for him. And then her thoughts shifted back to her own family.
    “I worry about Nanny. She’s getting older and seems tired when we talk.” Keegan said sadly.
    “She’ll be around for a while.”
    She turned in surprise. Her brother had never been so open with her before, and it was making her nervous. “Why are you telling me?”
    He shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought you might find comfort in it. Call her more often, enjoy the time you have with loved ones. Corny, I know. I guess just seeing that young kid and knowing his life is going to come to an end tonight made me sentimental.” He