Obsession by Bonnie Vanak Read Free Book Online Page A

possessed, Alexa had warned Jessica on the phone. “He’s a little different, but he’s a good kid,” she’d said.
    Alexa’s parents greeted her warmly. Francis, Alexa’s father, looked much better than when she’d met him at graduation from the University of Florida. His skin was no longer pasty and he stood straight, and looked as if he’d finally put on a few pounds. Patricia, Alexa’s mother, still walked slowly, as if stricken with arthritis, but there was a sparkle in her eye previously lacking.
    She’d always liked Alexa’s parents.
    But Daniel…
    He broke her heart. He stood aloof and alone, away from the others, as if he sensed he was different. When Alexa introduced him, he simply mumbled and looked away. Jessica had dealt with shy, awkward teenagers before, but the vulnerability in Daniel’s dark eyes got to her.
    She knew what it felt like to be on the outside, never quite fitting in, looking for your place in the world.
    So she refused to give him space. Instead, she nodded at his cotton T-shirt logo featuring a wolf wearing a spacesuit.
    “Gamer, huh?”
    Daniel plucked at the black fabric and remained silent. Alexa pasted a bright smile on her face. “Jessica’s a gamer too, Daniel.”
    “But Space Wolf always got the best of me. Can’t kick those gremlins on Level 4. They always pop up when I least expect it and my ship malfunctions and my avatar loses control of the aft thrusters,” she told him.
    A small white lie to break the ice. Daniel thawed. “That’s because you have to check the cargo bay. They always hide there.”
    “Oh yeah? Good tip. I’ll have to try that.” Jessica grinned. “I thought they hid out in the engine room.”
    “Too easy. They hide in the cargo bay and make their way to the engine room through the chutes. Check the chutes too, after takeoff.”
    “Thanks! Useful advice.”
    He looked a little hopeful, and less like a kicked dog. “Yeah?”
    “Maybe when I’m here, you can show me a few tricks.”
    “Cool.” He jammed his hands into his pockets and a quick grin touched his face.
    Alexa gave her hand a quick squeeze and murmured thanks. Francis left with the excuse he needed to rest and Patricia accompanied him. Alexa, Jessica and Daniel climbed into the waiting golf cart and rode to the arena J.J. had built to host the rodeo. It sat on a wide swath of land about a mile from the ranch.
    Alexa chatted the entire time while she drove, with Daniel in the back seat. When they arrived at the rodeo grounds, Jessica felt a sense of sheer awe. Red railings encircled the 8,000 square foot arena. Metal bleachers ringed it, and overhead a metal roof protected the area from the sun and rain.
    They walked inside to the shaded arena and Alexa climbed the bottom run of the red railing.
    “J.J. had this constructed a few months ago when he decided to host a rodeo for the locals. It gives his cowboys a reason to blow off steam, and gathers the local ranchers and Lupine ranching packs together. It’s an event for Skins and shifters alike, so there are strict rules. No magick. And Aiden Mitchell is coming all the way from Montana with his cowboys, just to participate.”
    Jessica turned to Daniel with a smile, determined to draw him into the conversation. The kid hung back, staring at the ground. “Do you like horseback riding?”
    He glanced up beneath long, dark lashes. Again, the vulnerability on his face kicked her in the stomach. “Aunt Alexa’s teaching me to ride. I wanted J.J. to show me, but he’s too busy.”
    At the comment, Alexa’s smile seemed strained. “J.J. is in the middle of a huge business deal and preparations for the rodeo, sweetie. When it’s over, he’ll have more time.”
    She felt bad for Daniel, who has spoken with a note of longing in his voice. “Sure, and in the meantime, you can show me those tips on Space Wolves.”
    As she patted his shoulder, an odd feeling rippled through her, as if she’d touched an electrical cord and