Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks Read Free Book Online Page A

whispered.
    Caitlyn blinked back her tears. “Sweetie, you are good.”
    â€œIf we’re good, why did that bad thing happen to us?” Raquel cried.
    Caitlyn winced. She was in seriously over her head. “I don’t know. It shouldn’t have happened to you. I’m so sorry that it did.”
    Coco burst into tears and threw her arms around Caitlyn’s neck. Raquel sidled closer, looking hesitant to ask for comfort.
    â€œCome here.” Caitlyn pulled the older girl onto her right knee. Her own tears spilled over as she listened to the girls’ soft cries and felt their small bodies tremble.
    Great job, she chided herself. Instead of making them happy, she’d brought them to tears.
    She thought back to when she’d been stationed in Thailand and she’d visited the Tiger Temple. She’d asked a Buddhist monk the same question Raquel had asked her. He’d simply smiled and said it was better to consider all that was good in the world that brought love and joy. She pointed out that he’d avoided giving her a real answer.
    â€œSometimes there are no words to answer. Only love,” he replied. “And love is always the best answer.”
    So she sat silently, hugging the girls and hoping it was enough to give them some comfort.
    Slowly, a sense of purpose and completionseeped into her. She’d been fired from the State Department because she’d interfered with local customs in order to help an innocent woman. She didn’t regret her actions. She’d do it again in a second.
    Maybe that was her true mission in life. Protect the innocent. She was here at this moment because these girls needed her. Her whole life had been a maze of turns and decisions, all leading to this.
    â€œI’m going to be here for you,” she whispered to the girls in Portuguese. She wouldn’t let anyone harm them because they were different.
    â€œYou know our language?” a deep masculine voice asked in Portuguese.
    With a gasp, she turned her head. Good God, it was him. The gorgeous mystery man. The vampire.
    Carlos.

Chapter Four
    C aitlyn dragged in a shaky breath. What was it about this man that made her feel so raw and ragged? It was as if every nerve cell was exposed and vulnerable. And instead of frightening her, it excited her.
    He stepped out of the shadows, moving so stealthily and quietly she wondered how long he’d been there. How much of their conversation did he hear? Since he obviously spoke Portuguese, he would have understood the girls.
    â€œUncle!” Coco scrambled off the bench, ran to him and flung her arms around his waist.
    Uncle? Caitlyn watched as he patted the girl on her back. Was the uncle an honorary title? Coco had said her family members were dead.
    Raquel approached him slowly, as if afraid her need for affection would be rejected.
    Caitlyn exhaled with relief when he drew thegirl closer. Somehow, he didn’t display the same gracefulness he had while playing basketball. His movements seemed hesitant and awkward.
    â€œAre you all right?” he asked quietly in English.
    â€œYes.” Raquel motioned toward Caitlyn. “We made a new friend.”
    His gaze shifted to Caitlyn and his eyes narrowed. “Yes, I know.”
    She had a strange suspicion that he was annoyed with her, but that didn’t make any sense. “How do you do? I’m Caitlyn Whelan.”
    â€œYes, I know.”
    She waited for him to introduce himself, but he simply watched her, his amber eyes gleaming and intense, as if he were sizing up his prey. Maybe to a vampire, she was prey. She suppressed a shiver. “You’re Coco’s uncle?”
    His mouth thinned. “I’m her guardian. We need to get back to the party. Thank you for your assistance.”
    He was annoyed. Why would he object to her helping the girls? Caitlyn looked at Coco and Raquel. “If you ever need to talk again, I’ll be happy to