Forgiven by Jana Oliver Read Free Book Online Page A

girl!’ he countered. ‘You were, what, fifteen? Your dad would have torn him apart if he’d touched you. Beck had no other choice.’
    ‘He didn’t have to be so mean.’
    ‘God, will you listen to yourself?’ Peter retorted.
    ‘You have no idea how much he hurt me.’
    ‘Give it up, will you? You’re my best friend, but you can be a real self-centred asshat sometimes.’
    Ouch. That was the equivalent of a Peter backhand.
    Riley blew out a long stream of air to gain control of her temper. Other than her parents, he was only other person who could get away with talking to her like that. Peter never lied to her, he never treated her like she was stupid, but he never cut her any slack, either.
    Her friend returned to the blanket, so upset he kept popping his knuckles. When he ran out of fingers, he seemed to settle down.
    ‘What will the hunters do to you?’ he asked, quieter now.
    ‘I don’t know. Probably ask me a lot of questions.’ Or worse.
    ‘Beck wouldn’t have called them. That’s not his style.’
    ‘He’s never going to forgive me for what I did with the angel.’
    ‘He’ll still have your back.’
    Riley doubted that. ‘Are you mad at me for what I did?’ That was really important to her. She’d lost about everything else. To have her best friend turn his back on her would be a mortal wound.
    ‘I’m not looking to date you,’ Peter replied. ‘How I feel about this is totally different.’
    ‘That’s not an answer.’
    He tried to pop another knuckle, but failed. ‘I’m not mad at you.’
    God, I like this guy so much. It was a pity they’d never found each other dating material.
    Peter peered down at the recycling plant, then back at her. ‘I’m very worried about you,’ he said, his eyes revealing that concern went heart deep. ‘Too many things are going wrong in your life, Riley. I’m afraid I’m going lose you, one way or another.’
    The tears came before she could stop them, surprising her. As she wept, Peter’s arms went round her and she laid her head on his shoulder, tears coursing down her cheeks, wetting his jacket.
    ‘I thought he loved me. I never would have . . .’
    ‘I know.’
    She snuffled. ‘The deal I made with Heaven was for Simon’s life. That’s why he didn’t die.’
    Peter took in a sharp breath. ‘Does he know that?’ he asked coolly.
    ‘No. He won’t believe it anyway. He’s sure I work for Hell.’
    ‘Could he have told the hunters you were at Beck’s?’ Peter asked.
    ‘No.’ Only Backwoods Boy knew where she was this morning.
    ‘Why does this feel like a bad episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer ?’
    Riley smiled through tears. ‘What would Buffy do now?’
    Peter thought for a moment. ‘She’d kick some ass, and look smoking hot doing it.’
    ‘I’m worried you’ll get caught up in all this, Peter. I don’t want you hurt.’
    ‘A little late for that. Ayden said I needed to be there for you, that what you were facing was off the scale scary, though she wasn’t exactly sure what it was.’ He gave a lengthy sigh. ‘She doesn’t exaggerate, does she?’
    ‘No.’ Riley blew her nose on a tissue. ‘She’s going to be totally pissed I was so stupid with the angel.’
    ‘No comment,’ he replied. Another truck pulled in at that moment and Peter let her go, turning his attention to the job at hand.
    Now he knows it all. Well, most of it. It appeared that her best friend wasn’t going to walk away and let her swing in the wind.
    Please God, don’t let him get hurt because of me.

Chapter Six

    Peter needed to leave a little after ten, as late as he dared and not get busted by his dad. He tried to get her to come with him, arguing that it wasn’t safe for her to be on the roof alone.
    ‘It’s not safe for me anywhere,’ she’d replied. ‘Not any more.’
    Peter swore under his breath, then shot a look heavenward. ‘Hey, you up there,’ he called out, as if anyone was actually listening. ‘If Riley is that