Read Online Secured Secret by Charity Parkerson - Free Book Online

knowing was too much. When he finally laid eyes upon her, he thought his heart would stop. Now that he was touching her, and knew she would be okay, he also knew he’d never be able to leave her side again for any length of time, which was really going to play hell on his business, but nothing else mattered in the world but her.
    She was crying and that was killing him, but he knew the tears weren’t hers alone. Jacob was patting her foot just to have some contact with her, but Shannon found himself unable to back away long enough to let anyone else in.
    “The doctor says I’m going to live,” she rasped out through dry lips. “But right now it doesn’t feel like it.”
    Jacob, who was still dancing in place trying to find a way to be of use, jumped in. “Do you need pain medicine?” Feeling around her bed, he looked to see if there was a pain pump. “Do I need to find a nurse? Doesn’t anyone work around here?”
    “I’m fine,” Genie croaked, bringing Jacob’s pacing to an end. “Have you called mom and dad?”
    “Shit. I forgot,” Jacob, muttered leaving the room to make the call.
    As soon as he was out the door, Shannon touched his lips to Genie’s, and then, because he couldn’t stop himself, he did it again. “I love you so much baby. I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
    She started crying and babbling at his words. “Oh baby, I love you too, and from now on, wherever you go, I go. I don’t give a shit how we have to work it out. When I woke up, I didn’t know where I was, and all I wanted was to find you. I’m pretty sure my cell phone got it in the blast, and Steven is dead,” she added before her voice seemed to give out.
    “Oh my god,” the air left his lungs making his chest tighten. “And Bradley?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “Barely a scratch. It was the way we were standing huddled together when the blast hit. Bradley was standing in front of me looking down at our honeymoon pictures, and Steven was standing behind me looking over my shoulder, so Steven took the majority of the blast and we both, for the most part, shielded Bradley.”
    Bob, like everyone else, was engrossed in the scene playing out in front of him. He had never seen Shannon like this, and as happy as he was for his lifelong friend and as relieved as he was that Genie was going to be alright, his heart was still breaking for his brother.
    Shannon’s forehead was resting on Genie’s and his eyes were closed as if he were simply breathing in her scent. Jacob glanced away obviously uncomfortable with intruding on the couple. “Hey, wasn’t there two of you?”
    At Jacob’s words Bob turned back finding Weave gone. Bob took off in pursuit, knowing he couldn’t have gotten far. After questioning a couple of nurses, Bob found Weave sitting inside the hospital’s chapel. They were alone, and Bob slid into the seat next to Weave’s. He held his silence, since, as usual, he didn’t know what to say to ease his brother’s pain. Weave spoke without turning to look at him. “Did you know?”
    “About which part?” Bob asked, unwilling to shoot himself in the foot.
    Weave snorted at the obvious evasion. “I guess that answers that.”
    “She couldn’t fix you,” Bob told him gently. “No one can fix you; believe me we have all tried, including Genie. She offered you a different life. She gave you a chance to turn it all around, but you didn’t want it. You have to fix yourself. I know that misery loves company, but Dude, you have to let other people be happy even if you don’t want to be. Did you expect her to never find anyone else? Did you expect Shannon to hold your hand through your depression for the rest of his life? Do you think you’re the only one to blame?” His chest felt heavy at the look of shock and hurt that crossed his twin’s face, but it was time for Weave to face the facts. “I killed that boy just as surely as you did. You were there and you know the truth. That kid