Read Online Shattered Puppet (Rag Doll) by Ava Catori - Free Book Online Page A

warned. He shook his head. “I can’t believe you turned against your own family.”
    “I’m her. I’m the girl.” The words were out before she could stop them. “I’m Crystal.”
    “That’s not Crystal,” his dad said.
    “I am,” she insisted. “It’s me you want.”  Cree’s heart raced. She’d sacrifice herself. If Carter went back without the girl, what would happen?
    “Dad, she’s not Crystal. Don’t listen to her.” He turned to Cree. “What are you doing? You can’t fool around like this, not with my family.”
    “Eh, watch your mouth, I’m right here,” his father shot.
    “I’m Crystal,” she said. She stared at Carter’s father. “Take me.”
    His father laughed. “You’re not Crystal.”
    “I am. How do you know?” She wanted to be brave, but it was getting harder.
    “I know Crystal. You’re not her.” He turned his attention back to his son. “Tomorrow, you show up tomorrow, no more of this nonsense. It’s time to be a man.” With that he turned and left.
    Cree’s voice fell to a whisper. “Don’t go,” she urged Carter. “What will happen? Please don’t go.” The truth was before her. She didn’t want to lose Carter. She didn’t even know how it happened. All she knew is the thought of something happening to him turned her stomach. She cared what happened. She cared.
    Carter looked to Cree. He saw it, felt it. Her words. They were important. Carter brought Cree closer and kissed her forehead. “It will be alright. I need to do this.”
    “Then I’m going with you,” she blurted out.
    He shook his head. “No way; I’m not involving you in this anymore.” Ironically he involved her in the beginning. Only he couldn’t have known he’d fall in love with the girl. Wow. Love. Was he in love?
    Driving back to the hotel, there was silence again as each was wrapped in their own thoughts. After parking the car in the lot Carter finally spoke. “I’ve kept you distracted for too long. It’s time for me to leave. I’ll be back for you, okay? It might take me a while, but either way, I’ll be back.”
    “And what if you’re not?” She swallowed hard. “What if you never come back?” Tears welled up in her eyes. “What if I lose you?”
    “You will never lose me.” He was touched. He knew they were words she didn’t take lightly. “You, me, we’re a thing now. I’m going to leave you some cash before I go. This should cover you for a while. Promise me you won’t go back. Not now. Not that we’ve been together.”
    “I can’t make promises.” She turned away. “It’s not about the money.” She was embarrassed and felt bad hurting him.
    He reached out to Cree. “I know, baby, but you don’t need that anymore. You have me.”
    “Promise me you’ll come back.” Her voice cracked. She couldn’t hide the worry. What if they…no, don’t think like that .
    “I will be back.” He looked into her eyes. “Do you hear me? I will be back.” The intensity in his stare told her what she needed to know. The look smoldered. Carter’s breathing was slow and steady. “I will be back,” he whispered.
    “I’m scared,” she admitted.
    He reached to her, pulling her closer. “Let’s go inside,” he said after a brief hug.
    Cree unlocked the door and went in, Carter right behind her. “Let’s go to bed,” she suggested. She wanted nothing more than to lie naked with him, their bodies pressed together tightly. “I want to feel you against me.”
    Carter was cautious with his arm as he pulled it out of his sleeve. Undressed, he climb ed into bed with his new lover and drew his fingers through her dark hair, taking in every detail of her face. She was a beautiful woman. He wanted to memorize every single detail…something to hold on to in case he didn’t make it back.
    How did it happen? How did he fall in love? That wasn’t the plan; it through a wrench into everything. He didn’t want her involved, and yet it started with Cree. She should