Tension Read Online Free

“Patrick?! Where the fuck is that bastard?!”
    The surprise in her mother’s eyes was quite comical and George actually started laughing. “They had a bit of a falling out, Mrs. Murphy.”
    Her mother scowled. “Well, if I was the one to give them pictures, it wouldn’t be the ones they’re using. Undoubtedly, there were tons of pictures on Jamie’s website of you and him. Several are of you in very tiny, inappropriate bikinis.” She shook her head and her face looked as if she had tasted something awful. “I would’ve chosen more tasteful photographs of my daughter.”
    “El, you were the only one who lived,” George announced, handing her a coffee. “They’re calling you a hero. It’s been the top story for weeks.”
    “Fucking ‘FBI Beauty,’” her dad muttered. He took the coffee offered by George and stomped out of the room without another word.
    Stella watched him go and then she turned her gaze toward George. “Wait…what do you mean, I’m the only one who lived?”
    “Love, the other three people in the office at the time of the blast died. You were the only one who lived.” George pointed toward the door. “The FBI has had two agents assigned to the room since you’ve been here. They’ve been trying to talk to you since you woke up, but your dad has been out there beating them away.”
    Numb. Stella couldn’t understand her detachment from the situation. She didn’t feel anything. She looked at her mother and then down at her hands. “This is all so ludicrous. I’m not a hero. I got shot. I didn’t save anyone. I didn’t apprehend anyone.”
    “Well, according to the news, you’re a hero for surviving. Especially since one of the guys left many identifying marks on you and your clothes,” George sneered. “And by the way,” he attempted a smirk, “your whole backstory is very tragic.”
    “No shit,” Stella agreed as she looked at her mom. Her mom nodded, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. Stella turned back to George. “What do you mean, marks?”
    “Well, he left fibers all over your clothes and skin,” George answered, not making eye contact.
    “Who—”she started. “Oh,” was the only response Stella could muster as the information sank in. Fibers on your clothes and skin. You’re a lawyer, you know what that indicates… Stella shook her head, clearing away the cobwebs, trying to remember what happened before she was shot.
    George cleared his throat and changed the subject. “There was a really funny bit where an entertainment tabloid show went to your house and Patrick answered the door without a shirt on. It was quite funny and has gotten tons of airtime. You should’ve seen him go off. I’ll show you the You Tube video later.”
    “I don’t understand.” Stella ran her hands over her face. “Why are me and all my friends all over the media and why are there agents at the door?”
    “Because they haven’t caught them,” her mother answered softly.
    “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Caught who? You just said everyone else died.” Stella blew her bangs out of her face. “I need a fucking haircut.”
    “Yes, you do.” Her mom smoothed her black bob into place. “And language, please. I didn’t raise you to speak like a trucker.”
    George spit his coffee across the room. “I hope you cut your bangs so you don’t have to blow them like that.”
    Stella glared at him. Men.

    Stella finished her Bloody Mary and contemplated going back into the house to make another, but instead she sat down at the bottom of the stairs that led to the back porch of the house they were renting from her parents’ friend, toes still blissful in the sand. She gazed out at the water.
    “Coop!” Stella called from the stairs. Cooper came running at full speed, stopped in front of the stairs, and shook all the water and sand from his fur. “Damn it, Coop.” Stella laughed. He flopped down on her feet, panting from the exertion of running in the waves. She scooped out