Anabel Unraveled by Amanda Romine Lynch Read Free Book Online Page B

I can only surmise that he was still in love with her and perhaps felt guilty for how her life turned out. However, Jonathan was never the type to accept responsibility, and he would never admit that he did something wrong. Therefore, he decided his best course of action would be to punish the doctor. After pulling some strings, Kevin was brought to Caereon so Jonathan could keep an eye on him. I think he thought that if he had Kevin here, he could penalize him for his misdeeds. Even though he and Cassidy weren’t together anymore, I believe he still thought that she belonged to him. So in his mind, Kevin took her away from him. And seeing me with Kevin, especially with how much I look like her, pushed him over the edge.
    As for me, I could not hate Kevin. I was simply glad that he had been there for my mother in her last moments. Having my only memories of my mom being a pocket of warmth in the back of my mind, I sincerely hoped that she was at peace.
    I took a few deep breaths, pulling myself together, and rinsed my mouth out in the sink. I had a suspicion that my fifteen minutes were almost up. I wiped off my face, opened the door and practically raced out of it—only to almost collide with the man from the hearing.
    “Oh, goodness, I’m so sorry,” I gasped. He caught my arm and helped me steady myself, and I found myself staring into two very kind brown eyes.
    “Are you okay?” He seemed concerned.
    “I’m fine, just glad I didn’t barrel you over,” I smiled at him. “I’m Anabel Martin.”
    “I know,” he stated, looking away.
    “I suppose everybody does, I stand out a bit,” I attempted to joke.
    “I’m Matt, Anabel. I work for your brother,” he revealed. “Look, you’d better get back in there—just do me a favor.”
    I was surprised. Nobody ever asked me to do anything. “What’s that?”
    “Watch your back with Jared Sorensen. He isn’t to be trusted.”
    I laughed mirthlessly. “Thank you for telling me that. Maybe I’ll actually listen to you, as I haven’t done so with anyone else.” I flipped my hair a little and looked up at him.
    He studied me, and then he nodded. “I’m sure you hear it a lot, but believe me, you should stay away from him.”
    “Matt, I won’t have any problems with that.” He held the door for me, and I retook my place next to Sam. I turned back to smile at him, but he wasn’t looking my way. Oh well. At least it was my turn to talk again.
    ***
    A few days after the whole cottage fiasco, I was furious at Jared and was about to call my brother—but Sam beat me to it.
    “And how is my favorite baby sister?”
    “Don’t you sweet talk me, mister. What’s going on with this Jared guy? Why is he here? And why aren’t you? You promised me two months ago you would come visit me soon,” I whined into the telephone. Normally I would have slammed Sam for the “baby sister” comment, but too much was going on.
    Sam sighed. “Is he that intolerable?”
    I paused. “Well, no,” I replied. “It’s just I’m used to you giving me a heads up over what goes on here. The only reason I knew that Jared was coming at all was because I was eavesdropping outside of Jonathan’s study.”
    I heard him laugh. “That’s a terrible habit, Annie. Impressive though. I may have to have you work for me. I think the Director of the CIA wants to retire within the next year.”
    “Oh please do. I’m so sick of it here. I hate everything.” The words were out of my mouth before I really thought about them.
    “Is it really that horrible, Anabel?” he asked gently.
    My eyes welled up. “Yes, it is. Do you realize how dysfunctional I am? Jared’s the first person close to my own age who I’ve met in years! I’ve spent my entire life around adults, and now that I am one I feel awkward and ill-equipped to deal with—well Jared, for instance. I don’t know what to say to him, and Jonathan keeps making me babysit him.”
    “Interesting,” noted Sam. “Go