Saving Me (Finding You #3) by Amanda Mackey Read Free Book Online Page B

hours it was time to face her troubles head on.
    “I can’t.” She couldn’t even look at me.
    “I know it’s hard for you. Seeing this footage may put your mind at rest though. If you don’t find out who delivered that envelope you’ll continue to live in fear.”
    “And what if I recognize John? I’ll be living in fear anyway. I don’t want to have to think about this. Not today. Not ever.” Her breathing became louder as she gripped the door’s armrest.
    “I know. I’m here for you, beautiful. You don’t have to face this alone. Once we figure out who delivered the rose, we’ll decide what to do. He’s not going to hurt you, I promise.”
    “How can you make promises you may not be able to keep?”
    “He’s only one man. Unless he’s superhuman, we can deal with him.”
    All I could manage was a meek smile before I turned and stared out the window.
    One man that seems to have the power to wreak havoc.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
     
    Dakota
     
    Daniel was waiting at the gate when my Lexus pulled into the temporary pick-up bay in front of the school. Traffic had been thick, causing us to arrive ten minutes late. There were still a few students milling around in the front waiting for buses and parents but apart from that, the usual muddled madhouse was manageable.
    Daniel smiled and waved as he walked over to the car and got in.
    “Hey champ!” Kyle enthused, turning to give Daniel a high five. “How was school?”
    The five foot six thirteen year old glowed. His hunger for knowledge and high IQ meant he excelled at every subject, especially science. He also absorbed the affection and attention we lavished on him like a sponge. It was something that he’d never had but desperately needed.
    “It was great today. I passed my English test with a B+.”
    I pushed my unease aside, not wanting Daniel to pick up on it. It was a hard call though because no matter what, we shared a special bond and Daniel could sense my moods with great accuracy.
    “That’s awesome, Daniel! B+ is amazing, considering you’ve had to teach yourself English from text books. I’m so proud of you.” I meant every word. Watching Daniel flourish, using his intelligence to follow his dreams of becoming a doctor, confirmed to me that he belonged in society and not on a prehistoric island catching fish and picking berries.
    The boy beamed, filling the car with light. His smile was infectious and I couldn’t help but genuinely smile back. The white of his teeth seemed enhanced by his olive skin and ebony curls.
    “Where are we going?” asked Daniel when we passed the usual turnoff to the apartment.
    “We’re going to see my parents and have dinner. We haven’t been over there for a while and they really want to see you again.” Kyle looked in the rearview mirror at Daniel.
    “Yay!” Daniel loved Joseph and Cheryl. Ever since he’d met them the day he’d arrived in Los Angeles with me he’d taken a liking to them. They’d let him watch television and given him nice clothes to wear and treated him as part of the family. “Do you think I’d be allowed to climb the tree out front and play on the swing?”
    “Sure, champ, and I’m sure if you ask Mom really nicely she’ll make you that super-duper ice cream sundae with the works that you had last time.”
    Daniel’s face was one giant smile. Out of all the things he’d tried since moving to Los Angeles, ice cream was his all-time favorite, especially the way Cheryl sprinkled shaved chocolate over the caramel sauce and whipped cream.
    For the rest of the journey the car was quiet. We all appeared lost to our own thoughts. The car seemed to drive itself on auto-pilot through the maze of traffic until it veered off the freeway towards the suburb of La Habra Heights. The rural community was situated on the border of Los Angeles and Orange County, but the Rutherfords’ house was one of the few residences not on a huge plot of land. The street