Read Online Protecting You (A McCord Family Novel Book 1) by Amanda Siegrist - Free Book Online Page A

remembered eight months ago. That woman had been beautiful with long golden-brown hair that shined brightly in the light. Her face had been lively with striking hazel eyes, and her smile—even as he yelled at her—she had smiled a gorgeous smile at him.
    The woman that stood before him now looked lifeless, her eyes blank and sorrowful. No life shined back. Her face was tear-stained, streaks still marring her pale skin. Gauntly. Nothing but pure bones. He was afraid to breathe, fearful that she would fall over. She looked as if she hadn't eaten in weeks and she stood in front of him saying she wasn't hungry. How could she not be hungry?
    He walked in here prepared for a fight with the vibrant woman he met before, now deflated, as he stared at the horror in front of him. He couldn't fight this. She didn't even look like she wanted to fight him. She looked ready to flee the room.
    "You didn't answer my question. Why aren’t you hungry?"
    "I'm just not," Ava replied softly as she set the picture on the bed.
    He glanced at the picture frame and stepped further into the room to see it. Bristled with a clear blue sky and crystal-edged water, sat three young and carefree teenagers—him, Austin, and Jimmy. Jimmy was holding a fish and had the biggest smile on his face. Their arms interlocked together, pride on their faces at Jimmy's catch of the day.
    "Biggest fish he ever caught. He was never very good at fishing. He usually only tagged along to be with me and Austin. He was so proud of himself that day. It had weighed about twenty pounds. Never caught anything close to that ever again," Zane said, surprised those words slipped from his mouth. That he even shared that momentous day.
    Ava looked surprised as well. "I never fish. I don't even know what kind of fish it is. I like the picture, though. You three look so happy."
    "It's a northern. We were happy that day," Zane said, as he stared at the picture and then looked at her with a hard glare. "Why are you here?"
    Ava glanced away and remained silent.
    "Answer me, damn it." He had the urge to grab her face so she would look at him. Last time they met, he was able to get right into her face and she never faltered once in staring him back down.
    "Because Austin made me come. I don't want to be here anymore than you want me here. I'm thinking my other choice is actually looking better than this one."
    "What other choice did you have? I wasn't told anything. I was just literally told you were here in my house."
    "It was either this, or an in-patient treatment center to make me better," Ava said, daring a look into his eyes.
    Zane was a little surprised by that answer. "Why? What's wrong with you? Besides the fact you're not eating and look like shit."
    Ava gave a small laugh. "Leave it to you to say it straight."
    "Well, it's true. And—"
    "I didn't answer your question, right?"
    Zane almost smiled, but stopped himself. "Yeah, that's right."
    "Nothing's wrong with me, at least not to me. I just want to be left alone, but apparently, Austin and my father think I need help. I can see my father helping, but I'm confused why Austin even cares."
    "Why wouldn't he care? You were friendly with him when Jimmy was around," Zane said, knowing Austin had been concerned for her well-being from the start.
    "I killed your brother, so why would he be friendly now? Why would he care about me?" Ava sighed. "I just want to be left alone. I can't stay here." She grabbed her suitcase still packed by the bed and started for the door.
    Zane stepped in front of her and grabbed her arm. His stomach lurched at the feel of her tiny arm. Nothing but skin and bone. "You killed him, huh? I was told the only thing that killed my brother was the man who pulled the trigger."
    "You don’t blame me? You don't think I killed him?" she asked, staring him in the eye, as a lonely bleakness poured out.
    Zane clenched his teeth, hating the fact she asked him that because she knew the answer, yet hearing her say the