Unlike Any Other (Unexpected #1) Read Online Free

life crumble right in front of my eyes.
    What did JC mean when he said, complicated?
    As my heart and my brain battle for who should prevail, the one that says to head back or the one that says confront the issue at hand, I admire the compound. We drive at least another mile from the gate to the hacienda-style house. Oaks, pines, and flowers adorn the landscape and I spot a big pool.
    Mason parks the car right in front of the main entrance, tells me to wait for him, walks around the car and opens the door for me.
    Such a gentleman.
    “The heroine has arrived safely,” he says, taking Breezy out of her confinement.
    “Heroines shouldn’t have to be rescued,” I point out and take Breezy out of his hands. “Thank you for the ride. How did you know?”
    “That’s what sentinels do at night or very early in the morning; keep a watchful eye to rescue pretty girls,” he pokes my nose. “I wish I could stay around, but I have things to do.”
    “What is it? A new video game to play, your couch is lonely.” I tilt my head to the side and raise an eyebrow. I’ve always been curious to know what this crazy geek does for a living. And I have fun trying to guess.
    “Something like that, Nine.” He kisses my cheek and a grin tugs at his full lips. “Stay out of trouble and call if you need me.”
    I spin around and take a few steps finding myself in front of a majestic main door that is fit for a palace—carved wood. Before I knock on the door, a beautiful woman—correction—the blonde of the picture with that swollen belly opens the door. She’s around my age, early twenties with a petite, slim frame—Hollywood anorexic, as my brothers call it. Yet her baby bump points boldly at me.
    “May I help you?”
    Suddenly my bravado dissipates and my voice runs away. Quickly I look over my shoulder searching for the getaway vehicle, but Mason has pulled away.
    Damn.

2015
    Be brave.
    “I’m here for Gabriel.” Like a spoiled brat, I walk around her and enter the house screaming his name. “Gabriel!”
    Our parents taught us to call them by their name outside of our house. Another one of those rules I never liked or understood.
    “Wait. You can’t just waltz into the house as if it belongs to you,” her shrill voice makes my blood boil.
    I bet Hollywood Barbie doesn’t know I’m the half-sister of the thing she is carrying. Unbelievable. He hasn’t told her about us. Freaking crazy but not surprising.
    “Watch me,” I slash her with my words.
    “Gabriel!” I yell. “Gabriel, where are you?”
    As if I had said abracadabra, he appears. It’s all in the tone I use. His blue eyes glare at me as if he’s trying to reprimand me for something. Then again, he seems to be debating if he should hug me. He’s a great actor, but I know him pretty well, and he’s fighting hard to resist my presence. Resist the ‘cuteness factor’ was what my parents and grandparents used to say while growing up.
    “Follow me,” he orders, no hello or greeting involved. Before he takes a step, he looks at his new woman. “Make sure no one interrupts us, Nikki, including you.”
    “Is she a reporter?” the weary woman asks, covering her tummy.
    “No, don’t worry about her,” he responds. “In fact, you never saw her.”
    “Now I’m down to imaginary status,” I blurt out. No inside voice modulators are working at the moment. “You don’t seem surprised to see me.”
    “The bank called earlier to inform me that Miss Colthurst spent twenty-five thousand dollars in one swipe and to confirm that I authorized the transaction. You haven’t used your card in a long time and suddenly you spend thousands of dollars in just minutes.” We enter a large room with wall to wall bookcases that span from the floor up to the ceiling. Behind a mahogany desk, there is a majestic panoramic window that faces the ocean. A familiar setting, but I’m positive that I’ve never been here before. Gabriel closes the door behind us and resumes