The Forbidden Trilogy by Kimberly Kinrade Read Free Book Online Page A

absence
did make for an awkward dynamic with the three of us, plus my Gar shadow, who
just stood and watched and never said a word. While Tommy's dad presented a
respectable and attractive front, something about him made my skin crawl. Yet
he'd been incredibly generous, hospitable and kind since my arrival—at least
when he was actually present.
    Though I had decided not to pursue the assignment, I
couldn't help dipping into his thoughts from time to time. Money and work
consumed his mental focus. He didn't give much airtime to family or anything
else, really, which sucked for Tommy but wasn't a crime. It did strike me as
odd that he'd taken us all to the fair today, though. He wasn't the kind of man
who enjoyed spending the day with his son, while they ate sugary treats
together.
    We inched up in line, and Mr. Beaumont pulled out $200 and
handed it to me. "Sam, would you mind taking care of Tommy for a bit? I
need to find a bathroom and make a call. Just get him whatever he wants and
take him on some rides."
    Tommy's face fell when he realized his dad planned to ditch
us.
    I covered my anger with a smile and took the money.
"Sure. Will you be joining us later?"
    His eyes glazed over and he didn't make eye contact,
distracted by something else. "I'll catch up with you two in a bit."
    And in that moment, I became the world's most expensive
babysitter... on his partner's dime. Rent-A-Kid charged at least $150,000 a day
for my time. That worked out to $6,250 per hour if you count sleep. I didn't
see all that money, obviously, but still... I had to laugh at the absurdity of
it. I would've felt worse for Mr. Dollinger if he weren't such a jerk. The only
person I cared about in all of this was Tommy, and so I would do my best to
protect him.
    To that end, I slipped into his father's mind as I paid for
Tommy's pink- and blue-swirled sugar high.
    'Too bad Tommy's a boy... girl would have been better...
easier to... ah yes... nice fresh meat... mustn't touch... just look... until
later... later I can touch that innocent flesh... when no one is around...
tomorrow night... they promised me a young one, I can't wait to—'
    Enough! My stomach clenched and bile rose in my
throat. The air around me thickened until it became hard to breathe. My world
narrowed to a pinpoint, as though I would pass out at any moment. I couldn't
just hear his thoughts; I could see the images playing around in his mind. In
that moment I wanted to gouge out my third eye.
    Large hands held me upright and tiny hands tugged at my
sweater. "Sam! Sam! Are you okay? What's wrong, Sam?"
    My vision focused on Tommy's big eyes widened in fear. Gar
stood behind me to keep me from falling.
    I composed myself and found the ground under my feet.
"I'm okay. I just got dizzy for a second. Probably just need to eat
something."
    Tommy nodded as if all of life's problems could be solved
with food. He pulled me toward the food court. "Come on, we'll get you a
hotdog. They are the best ever!"
    Gar stood just inches from me with a look that I could have
mistaken as concern, if I thought he cared at all. "Are you okay? Did you
get something on the father?"
    I didn't try to hide my surprise. He hadn't expressed any
interest in my assignment until that moment, but it helped to have him on my
side.
    I nodded. "It's bad. Can I use your phone?"
    He narrowed his eyes but pulled it out of his jacket pocket.
"Who are you calling?"
    "Dollinger."
    I dialed the number from memory and tapped my foot as it
rang. "Keep an eye on Tommy, okay?"
    Gar's face squished together as though I'd asked him to
change a dirty diaper, but he moved his eyes to Tommy, who was busy eating his
treat—at least that part of it not smeared across his face.
    My client's voice came on the line. "This is Sam. I
have what you need to take down Beaumont." I told him what I'd overheard
in the man's mind.
    I hated to hurt Tommy this way, but leaving him in the care
of that monster would have been worse.
    Once I filled