All Good Things Absolved by Alannah Carbonneau Read Free Book Online Page A

witnesses as I stood, crossed the space between us and pulled her into my arms. I held her tightly and her hands moved between my jacket and shirt as she held me back.
    "I want to go home, Jace." She whispered. "Please take me home."
    "Okay," I nodded. I looked to Caleb and he gave me a small tight nod. He would continue looking into it. He would view the tapes and I knew he would look for Bryce Cane in the mass of people. I gathered Olivia into my arms, holding her to my chest as I walked to the door of my office. "Call me, Caleb."
    "You know I will." Caleb replied tightly. From the corner of my eye, I saw Bethany study Olivia through curious eyes but I turned my back and walked out. I was taking Olivia home. If that was where she wanted to be, then that was where we were going. I wouldn't deny her. I couldn't deny her. I fucking loved her more than anything. I knew I would have to show her the photo, because only she could tell me what happened that day when fairytale loves fell to the wayside. But that day wasn't today. She'd gone through enough for one day.

 
    Chapter 5
    I lay awake holding Olivia in my arms. Upon walking through the door to our home she'd gone immediately up the stairs to our bedroom where she stripped from her clothing and crawled into bed. She didn't say anything to me, but throughout the night, I woke to the feel of her body shuddering as she cried. It killed me. I knew there was nothing I could do but hold her - and I did. I held her all night, even when she struggled to move away from me I held her. I refused to allow her to sort through this on her own. I would be here for her and with her through the good and the bad until the very end. I would never walk away from her. Especially while she was in a time of need.
    Now it was morning. Through my slightly dimmed windows, early sunlight spilled onto the floor. Her head was on my chest, her ear over my heartbeat. She always seemed to lay her head on my chest where my heart lay. It was as though her need to hear its sturdy beat was instinctual. It seemed to calm her and that made me feel useful and powerful and just - hers. It sparked a primal feeling within me to know that something so simple was all she needed from me to feel safe and soothed. It was liberating to know only I could give this to her. No one else possessed my heartbeat. It was not something money could buy. But if she wanted it - it was hers.
    I started a slow, rhythmic pattern of circles on the bare skin of her back. I knew she would wake soon and I wanted her to feel as calm as possible. With my heartbeat and the gentle touch of my fingertips over her skin, how could she not? These were two things I had come to know she loved.
    My lips twitched, the corners lifting slightly when she shivered. This was a telltale sign she could feel my touch through her sleep and I knew I only had another few short moments before she was fully awake. I closed my eyes and let myself feel her as she woke. A small moan escaped her lips as she shifted. The feel of her eyelash against my chest as she blinked her first time elicited a reluctant shiver from deep within me. It rocked my bones. She did that to me. She affected me entirely on an almost surreal level. Everything I felt toward her was primal.
    Instinctual.
    Possessive.
    I loved her. She was mine. I'd staked my claim on her and there was no way - come heaven or hell - that I was ever letting her go.
    "Good morning," she murmured against my chest. She shifted and I felt soft, warm lips press against my pecks.
    "Good morning." I replied. My voice was gruff. It had nothing to do with it being early and everything to do with her naked body sprawled over mine - her lips on the skin of my bare chest. I didn't ask her how she slept because I already knew. It had been a shitty night for the both of us.
    Her voice was quiet when she spoke. "I'm sorry."
    "Why?" I sounded angry - and admittedly I was. Why the hell was she sorry?
    "I couldn't stop...crying."