Shadows of New York by Heather Fraser Brainerd Read Free Book Online

fence about what to do with you. This seals it.” He looked Aiden square in the face. “You’re out.”
    “What?” Aiden jumped up from his place next to Josh. “Just like that? I don’t even get to explain?”
    Cleo, Britney, and Lindsay all stood up to watch the action.
    “I’m pulling you out of the Cooper house. Effective immediately.” Siegfried turned on his heel and stalked toward his office. As he passed the reception desk, he barked, “Cleo, call the kid a cab.”
    “No!” This one word from Josh stopped Siegfried in his tracks. He turned back to glare at Josh, who was standing beside Aiden, looking defiant.
    “What did you say, son?” Siegfried’s voice was eerily soft. Aiden had heard that tone before. It was a sign that Siegfried’s temper could surface at any moment. Acting on instinct, he stepped in front of Josh.
    “You can’t take Aiden away from us, you just can’t,” Josh said, pushing his way out from behind his protector. For a kid who didn’t like to talk to strangers, Aiden knew this was pretty out-of-character. Josh had strong feelings on the topic.
    Instead of going into his office, Siegfried stomped back past the waiting area and went into the conference room, motioning for Josh and Aiden to follow. As soon as the door shut behind them, Siegfried asked in his quiet voice, “And just why is it that I can’t take Aiden away?”
    “Because we need him.” Josh’s voice trembled. “He’d do anything to keep us safe.”
    “Josh, it’s okay,” Aiden said softly. “He’s my boss. I have to do what he says. You guys will be all right without me.”
    “No, we won’t!” Josh cried, his eyes filling with tears. The poor kid looked like he was struggling to keep them in check. “There’s a lot of scary stuff out there. I never really thought about it before, but I’m starting to see how much danger is all around us, every day. We need you, Aiden, and not just to protect us. You can teach us how to protect ourselves .”
    Aiden knelt down to look Josh in the eye. “I’m sorry, buddy, but it’s not my call.”
    Josh’s lower lip trembled.
    “That’s right,” Siegfried spoke up. “It’s my call. And I say you get one more shot. That’s what I had decided anyway. I found those punks from the other night. They were out looking for a fight. As much as I hate to admit it, you did the right thing.”
    “So what was this all about?” Aiden made a circular motion with his hand that included Siegfried, Josh, and himself.
    “I just wanted to see the kid’s reaction when I fired you. You’re bonding with the pack already. That’s good.” Siegfried stood and wrenched the door open. “My main concern right now,” he said, “is that the kid knows too much. I’m tempted to call for a memory wipe.”
    “That’s okay,” countered Aiden. “We talked about it, and Josh knows to keep his mouth shut.”
    Josh felt like Siegfried’s eyes were boring into him. He couldn’t maintain eye contact and instead stared at the diamond-shaped pattern of the carpet.
    “Alright, fine, but he’s your responsibility, Lynch,” Siegfried said, his voice gruff. “If he goes around talking, it’s on you. Now you two get out of here.”
    “You mean it, sir?” Josh looked up at the grizzled old guy. “He gets to stay?”
    “For now.” Siegfried gave Aiden his sternest look. “Just don’t screw it up.” He left the conference room, stomping his way across the building, and slamming his office door shut behind him.
    Aiden stood looking at Josh for a long while and then commented, “That was a pretty nice thing you said.”
    “Oh, that.” Josh bit his lip, trying not to laugh.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “Nothing.” Josh threw a quick glance at Siegfried’s door then said, “I sort of made all that up about us needing you to keep us safe.” He gave a sheepish grin. “I heard you on the phone the other night, and it sounded like our safety is supposed to be the most