The Deepest Red Read Online Free

and more than that I’ve developed a soft spot in my heart for her. She has a high kick like you wouldn’t believe for a nine year old, that is.
    My heart starts to soften toward the girl in the pale pink dress in front of me. I know better but I can’t seem to help myself. Idiotic, but before I can process what I am about to do, my voice whispers out to her.
    “Go hide,” I implore. My voice carries on the sharp wind and I wonder if she would think me a ghost.
    Her head snaps in my direction. She reaches behind her back and leisurely pulls out a gleaming long knife. It’s jagged on one side and smooth on the other. She holds the weapon in front of her in a basic fighting stance, her face pulled in concentration. Oh great, I think, she knows how to use it too.
    “Come out, footprint, let me see you,” she says in a nervous voice.
    For a second, I debate if I should obey then find myself rising from my hiding spot for the second time today. This has to be the worse day of my life. Her eyes immediately go to the weapon in my dirty hand. Holding out my knife, I wince at the pain that shoots up my arm. I don’t know if I could even win a knife fight right now in the condition I’m in. I scold myself. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.
    In the full moonlight, I observe relief fill her small features as she stares at me. A thankful smile plays on her child face; her eyes lighting up.
    “It is about time you show up,” she remarks in a confident voice.
    I stand confused by her statement. She was waiting on me? Wait, no she is looking beyond me. I move to spin my body to face who is behind me but I’m slow from my injuries and stiff from hiding for so long. I haven’t even brought my weapon all the way up before he has knocked it from my hand- his knife already pressed against my bare skin. The warmth of his grip at the base of my neck sends a chill through my rigid body. The bark of the live oak scraps my back as the stranger pushes me up against it, trapping me with the weight of his toned body. I can feel the muscles of his chest against mine as I breathe him in.
    Panic rushes in as I wrestle with staying calm. I start to remember my training. In an instance, I take my left arm and push the blade from my throat, catching him by surprise. Two of my right fingers find the hollow of his neck and I release all my strength into pushing him off of me. Dazed he lets out a choking cough but before he can regain his senses, I sweep out my foot knocking his legs out from beneath him. His body drops to the ground with a thud, followed by a curse.
    I turn to run but his arm shoots out grabbing my foot and tripping me. My whole being seems to hurl itself onto the ground. Pain bursts throughout my arms and legs. The death grip on my ankle drags me through the dirt toward him. Twisting my waist, I position myself to strike out toward his face but he catches my other leg knowingly. With in a moment, I find myself trapped under him. His torso blankets me, his hands holding mine above my head. His face is mere inches from mine with eyes that glare menacingly into my soul, his breath tangling with my own. The unfamiliar man stares at me a moment- the strands of his hair brushing my face.
    “I don’t feel like watching you smile as you slice me up, so don’t be too disappointed when I kick your ass,” I quip with as much spunk as I can muster.
    He leans into me while one side of his lips quirk up, mockery shining in his eyes.
    “By all means, I don’t think I’ve ever had my ass licked before,” he states matter of factly.
    “Kicked, not licked, you jackass!” I scream into his face. With renewed strength, I struggle beneath him.
    “Okay, okay, okay,” he whispers in a soothing voice. The gentleness I hear seeping in his gritty tone sends a shiver throughout my restrained body.
    “Calm down. I’m joking.” He pauses for a moment. “You don’t attack me and I won’t attack you, unless you ask me too.” I stop my