Concealment (The Cassano Series Book 1) by Scarlet Wolfe Read Free Book Online Page B

drive.
    The mountains of red formations are a bold wonder to the surrounding desert, and the sandstones stretch thousands of feet high.
    Limestone formed when the canyon was in an ocean basin millions of years ago, so there are thousands of feet of the grey stone present along the loop of pavement we’re following.
    I smile when I think of how nature meets fashion, the colors complimenting each other beautifully.
    Adrian pulls off the side of the road, bringing the Mustang to a stop.
    “Maybe we should wait until we reach a pull out to park. We’re barely off the road,” I say, once again worrying about the car.
    “This is one of the best spots.” He gets out to look around, so I do, too.
    “I guess we could hike,” he says.
    I jerk my head toward him. “And leave the Mustang?”
    “I was joking. I knew that would be your first thought.” He’s chuckling as I hold my hand up to my forehead to shield my eyes from the sun. I take in the sight of him in navy shorts and a white t-shirt.
    His midnight shade of hair shines, and naturally tanned skin makes him a stunning addition to the background.
    One side of his mouth tips upward. Adrian knows damn well I’m checking him out, so I twist my upper body the opposite direction to study a rock instead.
    Feeling him next to me, I drag in a breath.
    “Cool, huh?” he asks near my ear. “To think it took millions of years to look like this is fascinating. It would be amazing to watch the time-lapse of the transformation on film.”
    “The colors are what fascinate me,” I reply. “I understand the science of it … minerals oxidizing, creating the red, orange, brown and yellow, but all I see is a miracle.
    “It’s as if they match the sunsets on purpose, a higher power painting a mirror portrait of beauty,” I say, finally feeling comfortable to breathe in his presence.
    “Poignant words, Victoria.”
    As nervous as he makes me, I also have this strange insight that he gets me. He understands my random, deep thoughts.
    They’re only mine, but somehow when he listens, they feel meaningful enough for the whole world to hear.
    I’m in a mesmerizing state, encompassed by beauty and truth unlike the false pretense I’m delivering to Adrian. He doesn’t deserve it.
    I don’t deserve his company. He doesn’t seem dishonest. Loyal, yes. Caring, yes. Evil or underhanded, no.
    First I feel the rush of heat. Then, the peppering of pebbles from the earth as the pickup truck barrels past us.
    I spin around, and my hands ball into fists as I yell and run toward it. Picking up a big rock off the side of the road, I launch it at the old truck.
    The shattering sound echoes in my ear as the tires screech. The truck comes to a stop, and I want to hurt whoever is in it.

Chapter Nine
    Adrian
     
    The events happen so fast, I can hardly process them. Victoria launches a rock at a truck that sped by, covering us in dust and rocks.
    It comes to an abrupt stop, and I know we’re in deep shit. What was she thinking?
    There she stands in front of me, screaming profanities. Her petite hands are in fists, arms stiff next to her.
    White jeans hug her little ankles as she practically rolls back onto the heels of her tennis shoes from how rigid her body is.
    As two men climb out, she begins running toward them. I sprint to catch up and grab her wrist.
    She tries to pull free, so I wrap both arms around her biceps, picking her up off the ground. Her legs are flailing, her hands trying to pry my arms open.
    “You crazy, bitch!” one of the men shouts.
    Fuck, is she trying to get us murdered?
    “Yeah, well, you’re an asshole driving that reckless through here—”
    “Victoria, shut up,” I say into her ear with a growl.
    “No, these dickheads need to pay for your car. I’m sure it’s damaged!”
    The driver looks well over six feet tall but is extremely out of shape. He’s in a dirty, white t-shirt that barely covers his round stomach.
    The other guy is shorter than me but fairly