Read Online Colters' Gift by Maya Banks - Free Book Online

Liam. Or Max. Or anyone else. But she knew the moment she gave up her secret that she’d be forced to act on it, and she wasn’t ready to face her past. Maybe she’d never be ready.
    She was a coward. She readily admitted that. But in no way did she ever want to see Joel again, and were she to confess to anyone what she’d taken away when she ran from Joel and begged her brother for help, there would be no way around having to face him.
    Just the thought was enough to strike fear in her heart and send a chill down her spine. She shivered and rubbed her arms.
    “Are you cold?”
    Seth’s question jerked her from her thoughts. She yanked her head up to see that he’d returned to his office again and was staring at her.
    She stilled her hands so they rested on her arms, and shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”
    He took a seat behind his desk and riffled through a stack of papers, evidently finding what he was looking for. He sat back, studying it for a long moment, and then he glanced her way again.
    Then he put the paper down and leaned forward so his forearms rested on his desk.
    “You know if you ever need help, with anything, that you only have to ask.”
    She nodded.
    Seth hesitated a moment, fiddled with a pen on his desk and then looked back at her again, as if he was trying to figure out the best way to broach the subject he wanted to discuss.
    “Noah and Liam . . . are these guys you’re comfortable with? I can talk to Max. We can work out something else if you’d rather they go back to New York.”
    She surged forward. “No! I mean no, it’s okay, they’re fine, I mean. It’s just that I was caught off guard. But really, they’ve been great. They were so sweet to me right after . . . you know, when what happened happened. Thank you, though. I appreciate what you and all your family have done for me.”
    “You’re family, Lauren. And the Colters always look after family.”
    She smiled. “I know. It’s one of the things I love the most about all of you. Max and I didn’t have that. I mean, we did, but it was just us and Mom for so long, and then we lost her. I was in awe of all of you when I first came here. To have such a large, close-knit family is pretty special.”
    “You’re a part of that now,” Seth said. “Don’t forget that.”
    Warmth filled her heart. It felt good to be a part of something as loving and wonderful as the Colter family.
    Seth glanced toward the door and then turned back to her. “Looks like Noah and Liam are back for you. They’re out front. Come on, I’ll walk you up.”
    She stood. “No need. Thanks for letting me stay and I’m sorry to be such a bother. Please give Lily my love and tell her I’ll see her when I can. I’m not sure how much freedom I’m going to have going forward,” she added ruefully.
    “We’ll make it happen. She enjoys spending time with you and Callie. She won’t be able to go that long without getting together with you.”
    “Thanks again. See you later,” she said as she exited his office.
    Down the hall she saw Noah and Liam standing in the small reception area. They looked relieved when they saw her. Where did they think she’d go?
    Noah reached for her hand as soon as she got close enough. To her surprise, he laced his fingers through hers, squeezed and then pulled her toward the door.
    Liam followed them across the street, and Noah never let loose as they climbed the steps to her apartment. When he pushed inside, he kept ahold of her hand and led her to the love seat.
    He seemed nervous. Ill at ease. Even Liam looked a little . . . unsure.
    “Is something wrong?” she blurted. “You both look worried. Is it Joel?”
    Liam got up, shoved her coffee table out of the way and dropped down onto one knee in front of her.
    “No, baby. I don’t want you to worry about Joel, okay? We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure you never have to see him again.”
    “We wanted to talk to you about something