RISE - Part Three (The RISE Series Book 3) by Deborah Bladon Read Free Book Online Page B

attorney called me this morning." He shifts on the small chair in the crowded café we're sitting in.
    He'd called just as I was leaving Gabriel's office. He told me that he had something to talk about that was better discussed face-to-face. Since I haven't spoken to anyone in my family yet today about my father's upcoming arraignment hearing tomorrow, I'd panicked.
    When I asked him point blank about my father, he had assured me that everything was on track. He didn’t anticipate any hiccups. He simply wanted to go over something with me in person before he left for Boston in the morning.
    "Why would he want to see me?"
    "I can think of any number of reasons," he says calmly. "Your lives have intersected on many levels, Tess."
    "Am I allowed to talk to him?" It's a genuine question. I've thought about going to see him myself more than once. It's never been about lashing out at him over what happened with my father, or Landon. My pull towards him has always been to understand more about the man who single handily ruined so many people's lives only to return on a whim.
    "I don't see why not." He glances at the silver wristwatch on his arm. "Do you want me to arrange that for you?"
    I answer before I have time to consider the far reaching consequences of what I'm agreeing to. "Yes. I want to see him. Make it happen."

Chapter 15
    ––––––––
    "I thought you'd bring Landon with you." My father pats my shoulder. "I want to meet him."
    I feared when my father walked into his favorite pub in Boston with a grin on his face from ear-to-ear that it would disappear as soon as someone brought up Landon's name.
    To avoid it, I'd gathered my siblings and my mother together near the bar before he arrived. I'd prefaced my confession with tender words about how cherished and adored I feel when I'm around Landon. I explained that he's a pilot and has only been kind and considerate to me.
    I knew that the words of congratulations would vanish when I told them his last name. Both of my brothers had walked off in a huff, their hands flying in the air along with harsh words about my loyalties. My sister hadn't said anything before she turned towards the bar, ordering herself a shot of whiskey.
    My mother had been the only one who pulled me into her arms and away from the fray. Her words about fate and circumstance comforted me and as she told me to follow my heart, I thought about her own heart and how it had brought her out of her shell and back into my father's life.
    I don't know enough about his relationship with Gianna to share it with anyone, including my mom. I stood silently, letting her embrace fuel me enough that I stayed to celebrate with my dad.
    "Is he working?" His eyes dart past me to the crowded pub.
    "He has to fly tomorrow," I stop myself when I realize I have no idea where Landon is going. In the excitement of my father's release, I hadn't asked.
    His hands grasp mine, his thumbs running over my palms. "He's not staying away because of what his old man did, is he? I don't place blame on the son for his father's sins."
    "No," I say assuredly. "He's not like that. If he could have been here, he would have."
    "I'll meet him soon then." He nods his chin towards the bar where both my brothers are sitting, each nursing their second beer of the day. "I know they're not happy about it, Tess."
    I look over at them. They're the same two boys I grew up with. The only difference now is that they have families of their own to think about. Their reactions are based solely on that. They don't want anything threatening our family again and to them, Landon and his father compromise a single entity based on their shared last name.
    "They don't know him."
    My dad squeezes my hands. "They don't live your life. You make your own choices. No one can tell you who to love. Only your heart can do that."
    I know that logically he's right and my heart does want to love Landon. The only thing holding me back is the nagging feeling that