Losing Nuka (Litmus Book 1) by Kayla Howarth Read Free Book Online Page B

match. The sound of the door is soft and quiet, but so are we so we all hear it.
    There, trying to close the door as quietly as possible before tiptoeing her way to the left staircase, is someone I can only assume is Sasha. She’s young, has the same colour hair as me—although she has a pink and blue thin stripe running down the right side of hers—she’s in a sequined mini skirt and a top that doesn’t leave much to the imagination. She’s also carrying her giant high heels to avoid making noise on the tiles. I have no doubt in my mind this is my sister.
    Drake swears under his breath.
    “Who was on Sasha duty tonight?” my mother asks.
    “We were kind of held up in your other pressing matter,” Drake says, running one of his hands through his hair, while gesturing to me with the other.
    “And she didn’t have a scheduled outing planned,” Brett adds.
    “Sasha, you get your butt in here, young lady,” our mother yells at her.
    Now it’s Sasha’s turn to swear. She walks into the room—more like stumbles really—her head held low.
    “You know you’re not allowed out without one of your guards with you,” my mother says in a surprisingly calm tone.
    “I know,” Sasha says, her head still down.
    “Where were you?” our mother asks.
    “At a friend’s house,” Sasha answers.
    Wearing that? Yeah, right.
    “Okay, well, you should go to bed now. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
    That’s her punishment?
    Sasha nods, and as she turns to walk away, I don’t miss the smirk on her face. She doesn’t acknowledge me as her eyes finds mine but more stares at me like she’s saying, “Yep, I rule this house.”
    The guys were right—she is a spoiled brat.
    “So that was my sister,” I say as she heads up the stairs and disappears.
    My mother turns towards me. “Sorry. I should’ve introduced you, but I didn’t want to reward her after her behaviour. You can get to know each other at a more reasonable hour.”
    “Uh … okay.”
    “Can I get one of the boys to drive you home?” she asks.
    That’s it? She’s met me, now she’s sending me on my way?
    “I don’t really have a home,” I mumble as I look down at my feet. And I can’t really go back to Dec’s tonight—he’s probably with Cassia, no doubt. When I look up again, all three of them are looking at me blankly.
    “You don’t?” my mother asks.
    “That would explain why we followed you for most of today looking for apartments,” Drake says.
    “You followed me then, too?” I ask, a little pissed off.
    “They were just doing their job. I asked them to do it. I was wondering why a young woman and a cop were looking for me. Part of me was hoping it was you, but the purple eyes threw everyone off. I thought it couldn’t have been you.” She purses her lips in thought. “You can … I mean … we can put you up here if you need it. I’m sure it will be fine with Jonas. Uh … my husband.”
    “Thank you, but I don’t want to impose.” Not that I really have another option right now.
    “It’s no trouble. Brett, can you take her to one of the rooms in your wing, also find one of the maid’s supply rooms and get her some toiletries and things?”
    Brett nods at her.
    “Drake, you’re off the clock now, but I still expect you to be back here at 7:00 AM for your day shift. You’re welcome to stay too, save having to drive all the way back to that shack you live in.”
    She refers to that giant house I was at yesterday as a shack? How much money does this woman have?
    “I’m going to go back to bed.” My mother leaves the room and heads up the right staircase without even so much as a goodnight.
    “That’s it?” I ask myself more than the guys. I turn to them. “Why do I get the impression that could’ve gone a lot better?”
    “What, were you expecting long-lost reunions of hugs and apologies? Hate to say it, but you’ll be waiting forever if you want her to be that type of mother,” Brett says. “But I guess you’re