Twisted Stars (Hardest Mistakes #3) by Dannielle Wicks Read Free Book Online

wearing a tidy dress suit.
    “Nice to see you again, Jayden.” She nods her head at me. “Miss Reynolds.” Two soldiers step forward, closing in on us. I back up just as they lunge and grab me, turning me around, forcing my hands behind my back and securing them with plastic ties. “Sit them down while we search the house.” She gives me a harsh once-over as she leaves the room, heading up the stairs.
    The man holding my arms pushes me forward. I stumble as he throws me to the floor in the kitchen beside Jayden, who is lying on his side, puffing. He lifts his sad eyes to mine but doesn’t say anything.
    I lean closer. “Are you okay?” He shakes his head once. “Who are these people?” My hair falls in front of my face, tickling my nose. I flick it away and sit up, squashing my hands against the wall.
    “Paradox.”
    “Who?”
    “A research company. They specialize in genetics.”
    “A group of genetic engineers have a military guard?” I ask, incredulous. “What do they want?” Jayden tilts his head away from me, ignoring the question. I frown. “What are they going to do to us?” He glances over at the man standing guard over us and shrugs. I narrow my eyes on him. Not good enough. He obviously knows what’s going on, and he’s not telling me.
    “I never meant to involve you. I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I knew they would find me eventually. I just thought I had more time.”
    Something bangs from the other side of the house, making me flinch. They’re searching through my stuff. I can hear their loud voices as they talk amongst each other.
    Bringing my legs up to my chest, I lean forward and rest my head on my knees.
    Surely one of the neighbors heard me scream or the glass shattering? Why has no one come? Unless the soldiers have already silenced them.
    No, I can’t do this.
    I should never have let Jayden in my house.
    I should never have kissed him.
    Jayden shifts back around to face me. I glance at him quickly. I’m so angry I could throw something. Glass shatters as the soldiers destroy my home. I can’t stop shaking. I look up as footsteps approach.
    Two of the soldiers enter the room. “On your feet.”
    I stand on shaky legs and look at the ground. One grabs my arm and tugs me along behind him as he leaves the kitchen and leads us into my living room.
    “Right, you lot get them back to the institute. I have some business to take care of in town, and then I’ll meet you there.” The red-haired woman turns her gaze on us, smirks, and then leaves the house through the shattered back door.
    The soldier behind me shoves me forward. I cry out as I hit the ground awkwardly with a thump. Lifting my head, I watch the other soldier force Jayden to his knees across from me. The other two enter the room and circle us.
    “He doesn’t look dangerous,” one man sneers, pushing Jayden forward roughly.
    “You’re right—he doesn’t,” another says, walking over to him and yanking his chin up so he can look at his face. Jayden smirks at him. The soldier frowns and shoves his face away. “So we have to take the girl as well?”
    “That’s what Cait said. No idea why, though.”
    The men all make noises and ready themselves to leave. Jayden looks over at me. I meet his dark gaze and shake my head ever so slightly—don’t let them take us.
    A soldier near me starts whispering to his companion. “I don’t understand what everyone’s scared about. He’s just a kid. How is he a threat?” The man beside him shrugs and walks over to where Jayden is still kneeling. Another one lifts me off the ground. I glance at Jayden, but he’s not looking at me anymore. The soldier grabs a fist full of my hair and pulls my head back roughly.
    “You’re a pretty one, aren’t ya?” His breath is foul, like rotting meat. I nearly gag.
    He pushes me back against the wall and holds me by the throat. I gasp for air. His hand tightens. What is he doing? I try to call out, but the only sound that leaves my