A Controller's Destiny (Unit Matched #3) by Mary Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

see while we’re down there. I can feel excitement and jubilation rolling off her. She told me how she booked a hotel for us right down in the French Quarter and she can’t wait to go shopping for shoes. Of course, she will have to wait to wear them until after her pregnancy.
    I listen to her every word while I eat. I hear Thaddeus and Graham talking about some football team. Or maybe it was basketball? Either way, they weren’t paying attention to us. It gives me a few moments of clarity, a glimpse of what a normal life could have looked like.
    But, I know that I will never have that.
    “Gia, you’re crying.” Xaviera reaches out and touches my hand.
    “Oh,” I wipe the wetness from my eye. “I must have an eyelash or dust in my eye.” I wave her hand away. “Graham, are you finished? I’m kind of tired.”
    Graham nods and pays for the bill. I swiftly hug Xaviera and wave to Thaddeus before heading out the door. We ride in silence back to our house.
    “Want to tell me what’s going on?” Graham asks the moment we step into the house.
    “I’m tired.”
    “You’re lying. Tell me the truth. What did the King and Queen want?”
    I sigh. “To talk about Xaviera’s baby shower,” I lie again.
    “Why didn’t you tell the Princess?”
    “Because it’s supposed to be a surprise shower, Graham. I don’t want to ruin that for Xaviera.” I walk into the kitchen, away from his eyes boring into me.
    “Why do I feel like something is amiss?”
    “What do you mean?” I grab a bottle of water from the fridge.
    “You’re not telling me something and I want to know what it is.”
    I take a long swig from the plastic bottle, letting it wet my dry mouth.
    “Graham, you must be as tired as I am. I don’t know what you’re talking about or what you think is wrong . But, everything is fine.” I pat his shoulder and walk back into the living room. “I’m going to get some grading done and then go to bed.”
    “Gia.”
    I turn to him.
    “You’re not keeping secrets from me, right?” he searches my face.
    I step right up to him, raising my head up. “I’m not. I promise.” It kills me to lie to him, and I know that it will come back to haunt me, but it needs to be done for now.
    He stares at me for another moment and then finally nods.
    I smile at him and head up the stairs.
     
    ~~~
     
    Friday can’t come fast enough for me. I plan not doing anything all weekend long. I am caught up on all my work, and I’m going to lounge around with my kindle and rest. I have earned it.
    I picked up a pizza for dinner since cooking isn’t on my agenda this weekend and head home. I’m surprised to see Graham’s truck in the driveway when I get home, and I’m a little excited to think that he might have another date night planned for us.
    “Shorty, did you get the text?”
    I didn’t even make it all the way into the house before he bombards me.
    “My phone is on silent. I haven’t checked it.” I sit the pizza down on the kitchen counter.
    “Come on, the King wants us.”
    I stop. I can’t breathe. All the air has left the room. Oh no, is he going to tell everyone today?
    “Shorty, come on; he wants us now.”
    I nod and force my legs to follow Graham out to his truck. I climb in and try my best to quit shaking as we head across town to the King and Queen’s house. I see Thaddeus’ Audi and Oliver’s Escalade in the driveway.
    Yep, he’s going to do it today. I try to mentally prepare myself for the moment. It’s all going to come crashing down in an instant. I know that it is.
    “Gia. Graham. Please, come in,” the Queen greets us. “Everyone is in the office.”
    I follow Graham as we head toward the back of the house. I try to calm my racing heart when I see everyone standing in the King’s office.
    “Gia. Graham.” The King nods at us.
    “I apologize, Your Highness. I didn’t receive your text until I got home,” I rush out.
    “It’s not a problem. Everyone has just arrived, anyway.”