Read Online New Beginnings by Brandy L Rivers - Free Book Online Page A

own.”
She slammed the phone down and marched into her bedroom, forgetting
whatever she was doing in the kitchen.
    She smelled the sharp tang of Liam.
Something wasn’t right with him, but Slater wouldn’t listen. She
stayed hidden in the trees, watching as Liam flittered along the
edges of the forest. It looked as if he were considering paying
Jess a visit.
    As much as she hated using the darker tricks
in her repertoire, she knew she had to do something to protect the
woman, whether or not she needed it. She melded into the shadows
and closed the distance. She was weightless and formless but knew
the perfect way to freak the bastard out.
    She swirled up around him like a black
whirlwind, whispering, “Run, Liam, run for your life. She is
protected. You are no match. Run.”
    His dark beady eyes darted around, searching
for her. He broke out into a sweat and began to tremble. She almost
felt bad when he started mumbling incoherently, but at least he ran
for the road this time, and not the cabin.
    She dropped the shadows and ran after him to
make sure he indeed went home. Something was very wrong with that
wolf, and she wished she knew what.
     
    * * * *
     
    Jess sat in a booth at Edenton’s Best Diner,
which was the only diner in town. Instead of the white Formica and
red vinyl booths, it felt more like a country inn. She took a deep
breath and savored the aroma of fresh ingredients and home
cooking.
    A young man with dark hair brought her a
menu. He gave her a shy smile. “Evening Ma’am.”
    “Just Jess.” She answered pleasantly.
    Even with his coffee and cream skin, he
blushed. “I’m Lincoln.” He shoved his hands in his back pockets and
ducked his head. Thick dark lashes framed his pale green eyes and
freckles were scattered across his face. He was long and lean and
almost too pretty. Maybe it was his shy demeanor. “I hear you’re
the one getting ready to reopen the bar?”
    She nodded. “I am, just as soon as I finish
remodeling.”
    “Let me know when you’re ready to order.” He
walked over to help a couple in another booth.
    Dropping her eyes, she looked through the
menu for a few minutes.
    She settled on what she wanted and looked up
in time to find Lincoln stepping up to the end of the table. He was
quick and efficient. Hmm, maybe she could convince him to leave the
diner and work at the bar.
    Lincoln looked young, but she was willing to
bet he was older than he appeared. She could scent something
different about him, but she couldn’t place it.
    “How old are you Lincoln?”
    “Twenty-five.”
    “What are you?”
    He glanced at the empty seat next to her.
“May I?”
    She nodded.
    Lincoln sat. His eyes scanned the room
though his head never moved, and then he leaned in close to whisper
in her ear, “Nephalim, but no one knows. Please don’t tell
anyone.”
    Her eyes opened wide and she blinked a few
times. She never knew anyone with angel blood, and was a little
surprised that he trusted her with the secret. She would honor it
to her dying day. “I won’t tell a soul.” Aww, he was blushing
again.
    “Thank you.”
    “So, do you like working here?”
    His gaze darted to the kitchen and back
before he barely shook his head no.
    “Think I might be able to steal you away
from here, and you could work at the bar?”
    He nodded slowly. “I think I’d like that.
Mom is too protective of me and.” He took another look around and
whispered, “I’m tired of her always watching over me.”
    She struggled not to widen her eyes.
Twenty-five and working under mom’s ever watchful gaze. No wonder
the young man was shy. “Come by the bar tomorrow and we can discuss
it.”
    “Alright,” his eyes sparkled when he smiled.
“I need to get back to work.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Liam stepped into the diner and watched as
Jess charmed Lincoln. Not that it ever took much to charm sissy
boy. That kid was always dazzled.
    The smile Jess gave the girly-man pissed
Liam off. Why was she so friendly to