Damaged and the Knight by Bijou Hunter Read Free Book Online Page B

How many men like Judd wouldn’t consider himself lucky to have a chance at a little jailbait? I heard men bragging about the young women they nailed before the girls were legal. Judd wasn’t like them. He was special, but he just didn’t know it yet.
    Smiling for most of the drive, I couldn’t imagine looking at Judd for the rest of my life. I always assumed I’d be lucky to live long enough to have any man. Never did I dream of one as beautiful as Judd. Strong and brave too. The way he dealt with Tommy was like he wasn’t afraid at all. I could be strong too, if I had a man like him at my side.
    My smile faded as we reached Ellsberg and I realized I would see Farah within minutes. Suddenly, I was terrified.
    “We’ve been apart for a month,” I said after Judd called Cooper to say we were nearly there. “While Farah made a great life for herself, I was letting myself starve to death in a shit motel. I’ll ruin everything for her and she’ll stop loving me.”
    “Angel, your sister needs you too.”
    “No, she doesn’t,” I said, panicking now. “She’s got Cooper. She’s got school and friends. I’m not good at anything. I’ll mess everything up.”
    “Farah sees what I do and that’s why she needs you.”
    Staring at him through my wet eyes, I reached for his hand. “She’s the only person who’s ever loved me. My parents said they did, but it was a lie. Farah’s all I’ve ever had and she’ll reject me once she remembers how I really am.”
    Judd swallowed hard. “You’re killing me saying shit like that.”
    “I just want to be loved,” I whispered as we turned down another street, one block closer to Farah.
    Judd nodded, saying nothing. Finally, we made a last turn and he squeezed my hand.
    “It’s on the left.”
    Staring at the huge houses, I couldn’t believe Farah lived in one. Then, I saw her and the houses faded away. I didn’t see the big trees or the large man on the porch next to her. I only saw my sister who looked more beautiful than I remembered. Her face was fuller and she looked healthy. Happy too, but a little scared. Maybe she was afraid I would ruin things too.
    We pulled into the driveway and Farah ran for the car. She missed me and I needed her to know I missed her too. Struggling with the seatbelt, I fought to free myself until Judd clicked the button. Suddenly, I was out of the car and in Farah’s arms.
    Until the moment I felt her against me, I didn’t really believe I would see her again. While I’d promised myself I would, I often lied. Honesty was for stronger people. The truth was for those with hope and I had none. Yet, somehow I was back with my sister.
    Crying against each other, Farah soothed me with promises. She believed hers though. We were safe and free now. Life would be great and we would always be together. Farah said the words like they were etched in stone. I wanted so much to believe them, but I felt the men watching us. Glancing in their direction while still wrapped in Farah’s arms, I wasn’t bothered by Judd’s gaze on me. Cooper was the one who scared me.
    From Farah’s descriptions, I knew he was tall, muscular, and handsome. With his blond hair shaved short and powerful tattooed arms crossed tightly, he was intimidating. A frown on his face, Cooper dissected me with his dark eyes like I was trash that would dirty his house. Even knowing he loved Farah, I couldn’t imagine him loving anyone. Unlike Judd, who hid behind those cold eyes, Cooper didn’t hide anything. He was just a dark figure, enduring me for the sake of Farah’s happiness.
    Farah noticed me watching him and she knew I was scared. She wasn’t always the best at reading people, but she knew what I was thinking even when I didn’t. Pulling me to my feet, Farah led me towards Cooper who showed no reaction.
    “This is Tawny,” she said excitedly like he would be happy to meet me.
    Then, Cooper smiled and did look happy. Maybe not at having me there, but he was