Cassidy Jones and the Seventh Attendant (Cassidy Jones Adventures, Book Three) by Elise Stokes Read Free Book Online

distinguishable.
    “This is nuts,” Ben said. “No, he’s nuts. I can’t believe it.”
    “Drake, did they tell you how?” Mom’s voice was fraught with worry. “How did he escape?”
    Ben’s statement and Mom’s question provided all the information I needed. Arthur King Jr. had escaped from prison.
     
    ~~~
     
    Everyone was still in Dad’s office when the girls and Bobby went home. Jared was spending the night, since his mom was gone on a business trip overnight. He had spent the night most weekends before my blunder had estranged us. Needless to say, it was nice having things back to normal.
    Nate, Jared, and Chazz went into the family room to play Xbox while I remained in the living room, eavesdropping.
    To sum it up, Arthur King Jr. had escaped from prison during a riot and was presently at large. My mom was concerned he would seek revenge, since the testimonies of Dad, Serena, and Emery had put him behind bars. Serena kept silent while the men and Emery reassured my mom that there was no need to worry. I took Serena’s silence to mean she was worried about Junior, too. Finally, she spoke up.
    “It is not the son we need to concern ourselves with,” she warned.
    It’s the father , I finished, a chill scurrying up my spine.
    “Serena,” Mr. Phillips said, but at the same time I heard my name spoken, which yanked my attention from the office.
    “Cassy?”
    I practically jumped out of my skin. Jared stood in front of me.
    “Oh, geez.” I placed my hand over my heart. “Where’d you come from?”
    His mouth turned up in the corners the way I loved.
    “Question is, where were you?” He plopped down on the sofa next to me, so close our thighs touched. For some crazy reason, I inched away. He didn’t seem to notice, though. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone thinking that hard before,” he remarked, grinning. All at once, the smile disappeared, and he asked intently, “Are you worried about the top-secret meeting?”
    I nodded and gulped a breath, pulling in his intoxicating scent. His fragrance danced across my tongue and clung deliciously to the back of my throat. I’d die if he knew I could smell his scent like a bloodhound. Blushing at the thought, I averted my gaze to the Elliot Bay Bookstore bag on his lap. “What’s in the bag?”
    “For you.” He handed me the bag. “Sorry it isn’t wrapped.”
    I stared at it, computing. “It’s a gift?” I deduced.
    “What else?” His eyes glided over my burning cheeks. He seemed pleased. “Take a look.”
    “Why didn’t you give it to me earlier?” I rubbed my forehead. The blush was even hot to the touch. I probably looked like a lobster.
    “Will you just open it? Never mind, I’ll do it for you.” He made a grab for the bag, which I easily dodged. Jamming my hand inside, I pulled out a book: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall .
    My throat tightened with emotion. This was perhaps the kindest gesture anyone had ever made toward me.
    “You didn’t mention that Brontë sister,” Jared explained quickly.
    A few weeks back, I had rambled on and on to him about Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre and felt like a complete imbecile afterward. I was sure he thought I was the lamest girl on the planet, and now he’d done this.
    “Th-this,” I groped for words. “This—” My arms were around his neck before I had time to think better of it. “Thank you,” I whispered, breathing in his wonderful smell.
    Tentatively, his hands touched my back. He cleared his throat. “Glad you like it,” he said, his voice strained. He cleared his throat again. “Um, don’t take this wrong, but I can’t breathe.”
    “What?” I gasped, and realized I was choking him. Letting go, I asked anxiously, “Did I hurt you?” How could I be so irresponsible?
    “Man—” Jared tilted his head from side to side to stretch muscles. “You’ve got quite a grip. Love you to death, huh?” he teased.
    Despite myself, I laughed, and he laughed, and then we were