Star Crossed Hurricane Read Online Free Page B

S.O.L,” Kelly giggled, dancing out of the way when Savannah swiped at her half-heartedly.
    They slowed to a walk, although the mysterious mansion was still nowhere in sight. “Do you think we’re lost?” Savannah asked.
    “He’s following the road. Don’t think we’re lost,” Sawyer said from right behind her. She jumped, closing her eyes and praying for strength.
    His voice was different than usual — no laughing, no jokes. It was quiet, serious. Yeah, she’d seen him that way plenty of times, but she hadn’t been expecting it now.
    Unless he knew he’d hurt her. And he was sorry.
    Of course he’s sorry, you idiot. Sawyer is a nice guy. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone, and you were crying in front of him.
    Besides, he’s never hurt you before.
    He’d always been a sweetheart. Her lucky charm.
    What did that mean?
    She sighed, shoving her damp hair out of her face.
    “Getting tired, Savvy?” Beckett asked. “Want me to carry you?”
    She shook her head. “No, Beck. I’m good.” I’m a big girl, you know.
    “Well yeah. But that’s not what I asked.”
    She forced a laugh, rolling her eyes. It was too much emotional energy to try to pretend everything was fine. As much as she wanted to explore this “legendary” mansion, she’d far rather do it by herself.
    “I don’t like haunted things,” Laura said, staring off into the growing shadows nervously.
    “I’ll protect you, Laura,” Liam said quickly.
    “She doesn’t need your protection.” Aaron glared at him over the top of Laura’s head.
    Savannah hid a smile. “That’s right. Because I already said I’d protect her.”
    Laura grinned as both boys struggled to come up with a response. Savannah winked at her and went back to the angst in her head.
    “I don’t think the storm is past. I can’t see the skies through all the trees, though.” She could hear Sawyer muttering, but no one was listening. She, of course, hung on his every word, no matter how hard she tried not to.
    Besides that, he would know a hurricane better than the rest of them. He was the only one who had grown up on the coast. But Dara’s new friends had said they didn’t get hurricanes on this side of the country. And they would know, wouldn’t they?
    “Holy crap,” Laura breathed. Savannah had been listening to Sawyer and staring at her feet, and hadn’t even realized the overgrown road they were jogging down had widened into a massive yard. Or, what had been a yard, once. Hedges grew out of control, rose bushes tangled themselves around fences. Grass fought weeds for control of the lawns — lawns that were easily as big as football fields.
    “How does no one own this place?” she asked. Dara’s friend, the blond one, not the redhead, glanced back at her.
    “I told you. It’s haunted.”
    “Oh. Of course.” She nodded, pretending like she really did believe in ghosts.
    She didn’t. Not even close. But he was their guide. Probably best not to openly mock him. “So… there’s a house somewhere around here?”
    “Yeah.” He seemed pleased that she believed his ghost story. “Still a ways up, though. Let’s go.”
    The wind had started to pick up again, although the trees still blocked the skies. Every smart fiber in Savannah’s body screamed that they should go back to the hotel. But urban exploring was like a drug to her. She couldn’t walk away, not until she’d seen the house. Dug through its secrets. She bounced on her toes, finally shoving past everyone else and bounding up the driveway.
    “I told you she’s got a thing for old buildings,” she heard Beckett say.
    The rest of them hurried with her, which meant she nearly got run over when she saw the tunnel and skidded to a halt. Her eyes threatened to fall out of her head. “It’s a carriage house. I’ve never seen one of these before!” Squealing, she ran through it, pausing underneath to try to study everything around her. She spun in circles, trying to take it all in as fast as