Beautifully Broken (The Broken Series Book 2) by K.S. Ruff Read Free Book Online Page A

reading the Bible?” he asked with some concern.
    My
eyes met his. “I thought it might help.” I glanced back down at the Bible. Of
all the questions that had been concerning me, there was one question that
troubled me most. Michael had threatened thousands of lives in an effort to
force me here. He renewed that threat when we landed in Paris. I knew what
could happen if I refused to cooperate. As horrifying and manipulative as that
threat was, I made the choice to walk away from Kadyn, my friends, and my
family in an effort to protect them and countless others. I couldn’t live with
the knowledge that my selfishness might cost others their lives, but I was
still questioning whether I could do this in the long term. Could I walk away
from my life, my values, and self-respect and give Michael everything ?
Would God expect this of me if it meant saving others?
    After
reading through the scriptures and praying, I had found my answer. God had
sacrificed his own son to save millions. Jesus sacrificed everything. My
sacrifice would be nothing compared to that. Besides, there was still the
remote possibility that if I cooperated and gave Michael everything he asked
for, that he would no longer enjoy the challenge that my resistance presented.
He could tire of me and let me go.
    I
looked back down at Michael. Concern was now etched across his handsome face. Did
he suspect my moral dilemma? I set the Bible aside with a small sigh, still
hesitant to accept my fate.
    Michael
frowned as he eyed the untouched food. “ Ma chérie, surely you will not
make me beg for you to eat?” He pulled the phone from his pocket and sent a
quick text before pulling me to my feet. “Come, I want to show you something.
The cook will bring a warm tray up for the both of us.”
    Michael
twined his fingers with mine as he led me into the garden terrace. I stumbled
when I saw the glass ceiling. Michael steadied me. “Do you like it?”
    I
stood gaping at the breathtaking array of flowering plants. When I finally looked
down to see what had caused me to lose my footing, I found the flooring had
been replaced by grass. Smooth stepping stones led in three different
directions. “It’s beautiful,” I breathed.
    Michael
smiled, obviously pleased with my response. He nudged me forward so we could
wander through cascading roses, orchids, and hibiscus. The floral scented air
was intoxicating. We walked through the entire garden before Michael navigated me
to a mosaic table and two intricately designed chairs that were secreted next
to a large rock waterfall. A tray of food was sitting on the table.
    Michael
pulled a chair out for me before settling into the other chair. He opened the
lid to the tray and handed me a small plate with a savory smelling omelet. He took
the second omelet for himself before moving the tray to a rock ledge next to
the table. He glanced at me as he poured the coffee.
    I
scowled at the small cup. “Why are your coffee cups so small?”
    Michael
laughed as he handed me one of the cups. “This is a demitasse . French
coffee is much stronger and richer than the coffee served in the United States.
We don’t water it down like you do, so we don’t need large cups. I think you’ll
find this coffee is far superior to the coffee you’ve been drinking. Trust me. You
won’t miss the large cups.”
    I
set the cup down. I wasn’t about to give Michael the satisfaction of seeing
just how much I enjoyed the coffee, which I had already sampled in the library.
I was a bit annoyed with his condescending response, but I at least recognized
my own rudeness in criticizing the cups. I glanced at Michael as I cut into the
omelet. “ B on appétit, ”
I murmured in some misguided attempt to remedy my previous rudeness.
    Michael
smiled as he cut into his own omelet. “ B on
appétit. ”
    I
watched the bright orange and white Koi swim lazily through the water at the
base of the waterfall while we quietly ate. I was hesitant to ruin the