Read Online In the Crossfire (Bloodhaven) by Lynn Graeme - Free Book Online Page A

the circumstances that had brought Naley into her life. Isobel adored the girl like no other.
    So she knew she couldn’t have harassed Naley’s coach or done anything to cause her embarrassment, at least not without good reason. The only interaction Isobel could recall having with Coach Raleigh was a casual chat while waiting for Naley to say goodbye to her friends after practice.
    She frowned. “I only suggested a couple of strategies he could use to better utilize his players.”
    Naley gave her a dry look. “I don’t think he took it as a suggestion. ”
    “Well, that’s his prerogative. I can’t help it if a grown man can’t handle simple feedback.”
    Naley scraped the mish-mash of an omelet onto a waiting plate. “His left eye still twitches whenever I mention your name.”
    “Not the first time I’ve heard that.”
    “It’s his good eye.”
    Isobel reached for the plate and divided the portion in half with a fork. “You don’t need that many eggs.”
    “You mean you haven’t had breakfast yet.” But Naley looked pleased to be able to proffer food, and she fetched another plate on which Isobel could slide her half of the omelet. “You shouldn’t skip meals. Coach says breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
    “Does he now?” Isobel smiled. “I should stop by the school for a chat. He seems like a very intelligent man.”
    “Aunt Iz. . . .”
    “Just to express my support. That’s all. So I can let him know how much I appreciate his motivating his students.”
    Naley looked unamused. Isobel winked. They ate their breakfast in silence.
    Then, in a too-casual tone, Naley asked, “Do you want me to go to Gran and Opa’s?”
    Damn. Isobel set down her fork.
    Naley kept her head lowered as she poked at her food. “I heard you talking to Mom.”
    Isobel strove to keep her tone light. “And to think I thought the glass doors to the deck were soundproof.”
    “I might have slid them open an inch while the two of you were talking. Just for a couple of seconds.”
    “And I didn’t pick up on that? Some Council agent I am.”
    Naley surreptitiously peeked at her aunt. “You were too busy yelling.”
    Isobel winced. “Oh, cub.”
    Naley looked away and took a bite of her eggs.
    “Your mother loves you, cub.”
    Not a word of acknowledgment.
    “Do you want to talk about i—”
    “ No. ” The word was a vicious stab.
    Isobel studied her niece. “Do you want to visit Gran and Opa?”
    She knew her parents loved Naley. She was their only grandchild. They showered her with gifts every chance they got. In person, however, they didn’t always know how to display their affection.
    Naley shrugged, trying so hard to look nonchalant. “I get it. You’re busy. I just dropped in outta nowhere. You don’t need one more thing on your plate to worry about.”
    “Naley.” Isobel left her seat and stepped around the kitchen island. She stopped beside the girl, who had hunched over as if mentally bracing herself.
    How could this smart, talented, beautiful young girl whose laugh brought so much joy into Isobel’s life—and who killed so ferociously on the soccer field while feeding so generously in the kitchen—doubt herself this much?
    Isobel gently placed her hand on Naley’s shoulder. Naley didn’t move. “Cub. I love you. You know that. I want you on my plate to worry about.”
    “I screw up your schedule every time I visit.”
    “ I’m the one who wants to adjust my schedule so that I can spend more time with you. If the Council doesn’t like it, it can suck balls.”
    Naley sent her a startled look, then quickly ducked her head, but not before Isobel saw her smile.
    “Don’t tell your Opa I said that.”
    “How about Gran?”
    “Her you can tell.” Isobel imagined the expression on her mother’s face and grinned. Then she wrapped her arms completely around Naley and squeezed. “I like having you around, cub. You know that. The question is, do you want to stay? Or do you