The End of Games by Tara Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

him." He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, making me jump a bit when he reached for it. He passed me the paper. I gagged when I saw it.
    " BRING MY WIFE HERE!"
    The paper dropped from my fingertips, "How? How did he not die? You all shot him. How?" I would have known the writing anywhere.
    He sighed, "So it is James' writing?"
    I nodded blankly, desperate for answers. My body had a want for a bunch of bad things; Servario was still close to the top of the list, but at the very top was bitter hate and a need for revenge.
    "For fuck's sake. How did he get Servario?"
    He shook his head, "We got jumped in Venice. He has his hair long, a new plane, and no one knew we were there. I didn’t understand or see it coming, and I know he didn’t either. They tasered and beat the crap out of me, and tranqued him. He was gone when I woke up."
    I looked around, "What if they followed you?"
    He shook his head, "Impossible. I used the machine to check myself for bugs and trackers. Then I went to our secret house. No one can track you out of the place. It's an underground tunnel. Trust me, no one tracked me here. When I got back to the US, I hitchhiked, walked and rode a motorcycle in a circle for two weeks before I got here. I stayed for a week in the woods in a cabin I knew about."
    It wasn’t enough. My heart was in my throat. I turned and sprinted from the alley to the school as the bell was ringing. Jules ran for me. She had a painting she wanted to show me. I ignored her, dragging her to the older side of the school. I couldn’t grip her small hand hard enough. Mitch rolled his eyes and walked by me. I followed him until we were where Luce, Jack and Coop were standing on the road, all breathing heavily and giving me a brutal look. Steve was next to Jack so I brought Jules to Luce and grabbed Mitch's arm. Jules instantly started showing Luce her painting.
    I dragged Mitch to where Coop was standing and let it fall out of my mouth, "We are in trouble. Big trouble. I can’t lie anymore. Your dad cheated on me. He had affairs with everyone we knew. He never loved me and that isn’t your fault. He loved you, but he never loved me. He never was true to me." It felt low and seedy doing it, but I had to let him in on the whole story.
    Mitch's face twisted, but I watched as a light came on. He remembered something. I could see it. Tears left his eyes, but instead of running away, he ran to me. I wrapped my arms around him, "We have another issue. He also cheated the American government. Our job lets us have access to highly-sensitive material. He sold information about something very big to some very bad people. I can't tell you anything else, but I have to tell you, we are in some danger. Montana is probably safe but I need your help. I need you to keep an eye on Jules and help Grandma. She knows about it all, she knows what to do. If she tells you to run, you do it, okay?" It was such a heavy burden to place on such small shoulders.
    He nodded as he sobbed, "I hate him."
    I nodded, "Me too, baby." I took the low road.
    Mitch wiped his face and sniffled, "I hate him. I'm glad he's dead." He turned and stalked off, towards the house. I stood there hating myself. It was the easy way. Instead of being the better parent and earning their love, I besmirched their father's name and let them see behind the curtain. No matter how hard I believed I was protecting them, it didn’t feel like that. It looked petty and it felt worse.
    Coop gave me a look, "Really?"
    I shook my head, "I didn’t know what else to do. I need him to know how serious this all is."
    He stalked away from me, after Mitch. I walked to Jules and Luce and headed home.
    Mom gave me a look when we got there. I kissed Jules on the head, "Go wash up." She kissed my mom and bounced off.
    "What?" Mom asked.
    I swallowed, "Servario's man, Steve is here in town. He was tracking a pair of shoes I lent to Luce. He says no one followed him, but I can't be sure." I sighed and slumped