Read Online JoshuasMistake by A.S. Fenichel - Free Book Online

happened over the past two
days doesn’t make you angry? Because if you are I say that’s bullshit.”
    “Getting angry doesn’t do anyone any good. I stay even. It’s
safer for everyone around me if I don’t let any strong emotions get the better
of me. I’ve been keeping it all in check for so long I hardly notice anymore.”
    There was something incredibly sad about the statement.
Tessa got up and crossed to where he was standing looking out the high window.
She could barely see out and all that was there was darkness. “Are you telling
me you don’t feel joy, happiness, hate, nothing?”
    “I feel them, but not the way most people do. I control the
input and the output otherwise things can get dangerous.”
    “What about love?”
    He turned toward her. “What about it?”
    “Do you feel it?”
    His eyes narrowed. “I love my brother. I’m very close to my
sister-in-law and her family. I would mourn any one of them if they were gone.”
    “But you would control that sorrow.”
    “Yes.”
    “Because you’re dangerous?”
    “Are you making fun of me?”
    She flinched away from him. He was not exactly angry, but he
was not happy either. Still, it kind of pleased her to have elicited a response
from him. “No. I just don’t know if that’s a great way to live.”
    “Why?” He was facing her now with his hands crossed over his
broad chest.
    Maybe she should have been afraid, but he’d had plenty of
opportunity to harm her if he’d wanted to. “If you never release any emotion,
you’re missing out on all the good in life.”
    “Some things can’t be helped. If I lost control things could
go bad fast.”
    She didn’t know what to say. But the idea he didn’t
experience any of the emotions that made life worth living broke her heart.
    He changed the subject. “I’ll put some feelers out in the
morning and try to find out what’s in the wind about us. You can shower if you
want. The bathroom is just next door. I’ll bet Will has something in the closet
you can put on. Help yourself to whatever you need.”
    She wanted to stop him. Tell him he was wrong, she had felt
emotion when they’d been linked. He may not allow it out, but it was in there
lying in wait for the right moment to burst free. “Okay. Thanks. I will.”
    He nodded and walked out the door to the main part of the
house. She still sensed his being there, but as he walked toward the kitchen
area it became harder and harder to hold on to his presence. What was it about
Joshua Lakeland that made her want to touch him? He was right about one thing,
he was dangerous.

Chapter Four
     
    “Um, Josh, I don’t want to pry, but what’s the deal with
Tessa and you?” Will’s face was awash with concern.
    The two men sat at the dining table. Will cleaned a Glock 41
handgun while they talked.
    “There is no deal. I met her less than forty-eight hours ago
when all of this started.” Once he saw Tessa cross the short hallway into the
bathroom, he’d given Will a brief outline of the events following his arrival
at the beach house.
    “Yeah, you said as much. But there is definitely something
up between the two of you.”
    “You’re nuts. I just met her and look at all the trouble she’s
caused me. I could be home sleeping in my own bed, or better, over at Kane’s
letting Lena and her grandmother feed me.” That reminded him he needed to call
his brother and check on the Flacks. He’d “borrowed” a cell phone while Tessa
waited in the wooded area. The call to Kane had been short. Basically he’d said
there was trouble and to check on Peggy and Bill.
    Kane was smart, he’d smell trouble before it struck and get
his family to safety. Joshua had his own issues to deal with. Kane could take
care of himself.
    “And yet you have not taken your eyes off the bathroom door
for more than two seconds since she went in there.”
    It may have been the truth, but that didn’t mean he wanted
to hear it. “Will, are you trying to piss me