Read Online Hollow (Perfect Little Pieces) by Ava Conway - Free Book Online

beautiful. I had no idea that someone that big and menacing could move with such gentleness.
    By the time Rose took us into ‘Settling’, I felt completely out of place.
    “How do we feel?” Rose asked when we finished.
    I wasn’t sure how I felt about this. It obviously worked for some of the patients—Carter in particular—but I wasn’t sure it was for me.
    “Wonderful,” Carter said. He seemed surprised that he had spoken aloud.
    Rose beamed at him. “I’m glad you liked it, Carter. You’re definitely improving.” She turned away and began to collect her things.
    Carter looked as if he was going to say something more, but instead turned and quickly left the room.
    “What’s wrong with him?” I asked Jayden.
    Jayden glanced at Carter’s retreating form. “Ah, that’s normal. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
    “What do you mean?”
    Jayden wrapped his arm around my shoulders and steered me toward the exit.
    “He has difficulty talking to girls—especially pretty ones,” he whispered. “Instead he stares at them like some wild animal. I’m trying to break him of that habit, but it’s been a difficult road.” He tapped his temple. “The voices in his head compel him to stare at people.”
    Well, that explained a lot. It didn’t take away the creepy feeling, but at least I understood it. “Is that all he does—stare?”
    “He’s harmless, most of the time. We all are.” He winked at me. “Come on, I’ll get you some ice cream before bed.”
    I didn’t really want ice cream, but I wasn’t quite ready to leave his side just yet. I let him lead me, fully aware at how he kept me close. It felt good to be next to him. There was something about his possessiveness that made me feel safe.
    “There you are,” Flynn said as we stepped out into the hall. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
    “What is it?” Jayden slipped his arm from my shoulders.
    Flynn glanced at me then refocused on Jayden. “It’s Nesto. He’s not well. He attacked some of the staff, and…” He let his voice trail off as he glanced at me. I felt Jayden stiffen at my side.
    “Go on. I’ll be okay.” I patted Jayden’s side, wishing I could run my fingers over the ripple of muscle I discovered there.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yeah.” Steeling my jaw, I stepped out from under his arm. This was obviously important to him, and it seemed like whatever was going on was to be kept private.
    “I’m sure Nesto doesn’t need me. He gets in these moods every once in a while where he lashes out…” He tried to be reassuring, but I could see the worry in his eyes.
    “It’s okay, you two go ahead.” I took another step back. “We can catch up later.”
    “I’ll come visit after.”
    I shook my head. “It will be after lights-out and I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
    “Tomorrow, then.” He winked. “I owe you ice cream.”
    My skin heated under his gaze. “Okay.”
    “Come on.” Flynn tapped Jayden on his back. “Elias is with him now, but I’m not sure…”
    Flynn’s voice trailed off as they walked down the hall.
    “J-Jayden likes you.”
    I spun around at the low rumble behind me. Carter stood off to my right, staring at Jayden and Flynn’s retreating forms.
    He’s harmless. Jayden’s words filtered through my head, but they offered no comfort. I hated confrontation. Besides, this guy could probably out-muscle me in a fight with one hand tied behind his back.
    “You think so?” I asked.
    He turned and met my gaze. “He deserves to be happy, after….”
    “After what?” I asked when he didn’t continue.
    He flexed his fingers at his sides. “Just don’t break his heart, okay?”
    I remembered what Jayden had said. Carter was afraid to talk to women. It must have taken him a lot of courage to confront me.
    “This is important to you, isn’t it?” I asked.
    His gaze darkened and something ticked in his jaw. “He helped me once. Some of us deserve happiness more than