Bearing Secrets by Marissa Dobson Read Free Book Online Page B

begun, and I’m already tired.”
    “Tired is one thing, but what
you’re not doing is giving up. She’s depending on us and I don’t care if you
hate me, we’re not letting her down.”
    The unusual authority in
Trey’s voice had Turi turning to him in surprise. “I don’t hate you.”
    “You just wish I was more like
you.”
    “Sometimes, but when you were
with Ivy I realized there was so much more to you. You comforted her while I
was being an ass.” He dragged his hand through his hair. “Maybe we’re two sides
of the same coin. You show the fun and softer side that I keep hidden, while
I’m the one always worried about the next threat and I’m always business.”
    “Have you considered that
might be the reason you doubt all of this now?” When Turi didn’t answer, Trey
added, “Don’t worry, Ivy and I will help you let your wild side loose.”
    “Dad won’t know what to do if
I start acting like you,” Turi teased. “Speaking of Dad, we’ll have to tell
him, but no one else can know about Ivy’s heritage. I’m sure the sleuth will
handle it better than I did, but we need to keep it as quiet as we can. Anyone
else who might know is a risk to us and in danger themselves.”
    “I think the immediate family
has a right to know. Taber, Thorben, Tad, and Theodore are out there risking
their lives every day to make this world better for all of us. We’re key
players when it comes to taking down Randolph. They need to know the whole
story.”
    “We’d be putting them in more
danger.”
    “They’re already in danger. So
they should know so they can act accordingly. Mom should know too.”
    Turi relented with a nod.
“We’ll tell them in the morning, let them enjoy the party tonight.”
    “Don’t you think Ty must
know?”
    “I don’t know, but we’re going
to find out just how much he does.” Turi grabbed the beer bottle he’d set aside
earlier and polished off the last gulp. “You did well tonight with Tad and Aunt
Bev.”
    “Thanks.” Trey gave Turi one
of his trademark grins, sending a twinkle to his eyes. “They’ve got to work out
their problems eventually.”
    “There’s no problem except
Tad’s guilt. Aunt Bev doesn’t hold what happened with Rosemarie against him.
But after the crap with John going with Travis the night he was killed, it did
bring up some of the old emotions. Aunt Bev was worried she had lost her only
living child that night. Now if only we could get Tad to give up the ghost.”
    “Maybe mating will help.”
    “If anyone can do it, then
Courtney and Milo can. We should get some sleep, tomorrow I want to put
together a plan to keep Ivy safe and see what we can do to find her brother.”
Turi stepped away from the banister and looked at his brother. The resentment
of always having to deal with sleuth business while Trey did his own thing was
nearly gone. Maybe the mating was going to fix things completely between them.
    I can only hope.

Chapter Nine
     
    Ivy woke with fear icing her
veins. Something had hauled her out of a deep sleep. She glanced around the
dark room and found nothing. Too terrified to move, she lay there listening,
waiting for something or someone to attack. Convinced Randolph or his men had
come back for her, she couldn’t breathe.
    Scooting up in bed, she
pressed her back against the beautifully carved wood headboard and wished for
some of Chad’s courage. He wouldn’t stay in bed scared of whatever went bump in
the night; he’d face it head-on, even if it meant his death.
    “At least then I’ll die on my
own terms and with courage.” She could hear his voice in
her head as if he was right beside her, repeating the line he had told her
numerous times.
    Chad might have jumped out of
bed, ready to take on whatever was waiting, but he had two key things she
didn’t—the ability to shift and a gun. She glanced to the nightstand checking
for anything she could use as a weapon. Her gaze quickly passed over the alarm
clock, her cell