Hardboiled: Not Your Average Detective Story (The Lillim Callina Chronicles Book 5) by J.A. Cipriano Read Free Book Online Page A

that was mostly annoyed and only slightly amused. “Look, you don’t have to lie and make up some crazy story now.”
    “Connor,” I said, blushing because I knew how ridiculous my request was. “Do you want to go look in my closet?”
    “What?”
    “Evidently, I have somehow convinced you that I am a raging slut who wants you because of your parents’ money. So stop the car and let’s go up to my room. I’ll let you look in my closet,” I said, my voice cold and empty. It was weird because I’ve been angry before, but not like this. Never before had someone made me so… so… “Besides, I planned on paying you back.”
    “Um…” he said, looking over at me as pretty much every emotion in the world swam across his face.
    “I thought you were a nice guy. A little forward maybe, but a nice guy nonetheless.” I turned away from him and stared out the window. “But you aren’t. You’re just messed up in the head.”
    “I am a nice guy. It’s why I’m taking you to buy clothing.”
    “Whatever,” I said.
    “Look, Lillim,” he swallowed, “my parents own the biggest car dealership in the state. I’ve had lots of people pretend to be my friend just because they’re so rich. I even had a girl come knock on my door wearing nothing but whipped cream.”
    “I’m pretty sure that’s a made up story,” I said, glancing at him. His cheeks were bright red.
    “You keep thinking that,” he said, and for some reason, I didn’t think he was lying.

Chapter 5
    A couple hours later, we were at school. I was dressed in jeans and a grey t-shirt that said Orange. I’ll admit I didn’t quite understand the new shirt, but Connor had insisted on it because the cute blonde sales girl had insisted on it first. Evidently, orange was the new pink.
    “Are you sure we shouldn’t be heading to class?” I asked as we sat in his car in the very farthest corner of the parking lot.
    “Look Lillim, we’re already late. The best option is to just wait for the next period to start and walk in like nothing happened. Do you really think the teachers are going to notice you were gone?” He smiled at me, trying to be comforting. Instead, he just made me feel ridiculous. “You’ve been here all of one day, after all. Most of the teachers have a hundred and fifty different kids. Even with your hair, you’re hardly noticeable. Welcome to facelessville, population us.”
    I was about to respond to that as soon as I thought of something to say, honest. I was opening my mouth, words on the tip of my tongue when a scream ripped through my mind. It obliterated my senses, throwing me backward against the seat. I grabbed onto the ‘oh crap’ handle above the door for support as what felt like a nuclear bomb went off inside my skull.
    I sucked in a breath through clenched teeth as Connor stared at me, open-mouthed. “What, what is it?” he asked, voice high-pitched and scared. His hands reaching out to… what? I’m not sure.
    “I’m fine,” I whispered, forcing the words out even as my stomach filled with dread. There was so much power radiating from the main building I could scarcely see. Everything was tinged with a sort of reddish, green haze. I yanked open the car door and staggered outside like a drunk. The sunlight was so bright in my eyes, I had to squint. Connor threw open his door and clambered out of the car.
    “You don’t seem fine, Lillim,” he said, stepping up to me and taking my hand in his. Which, while a little unexpected, actually helped me calm down. “Let me take you to the nurse.”
    “She…” I gritted my teeth together. “She won’t be able to help,” I finished, turning toward him as I pulled my hand away and clapped it down on his shoulder. “Stay here, Connor. Promise me. You’ll stay here where it’s safe. I don’t want you to get in my way, you could get hurt.”
    “Um…” he said, his eyes going as wide as dinner plates as he stared at me, mouth threatening to twitch into a