Read Online The Lion's Den (Faraway Book 2) by Eliza Freed - Free Book Online Page A

caused show on my face. “I promise. I’m here in this glorious mansion alone every night.” Lynn’s face turned to stone. “What’s wrong?”
    “If there’s no one else, then it’s me. You’re really just leaving me. I’m the only one to blame.” Meredith always said I would be blamed.
    “No. It’s not your fault. It’s all me, Lynn. I wish I could go back in time and—”
    “And what?” she screamed. “And not marry me? Not have our children?”
    “God no. I wish I could—”
    “What?” she snapped, cutting me off. I saw it then. The hate in her eyes was as clear as a winter sky. She hated me. With every cell in her body, my wife hated me.
    “I don’t know.” I wouldn’t hurt her anymore. I wouldn’t tell her I should never have married her. I wouldn’t discount our children in any way. They were my life, now more than ever before.
    “Sure you don’t.” She walked out the bedroom door and ran down the stairs, sending a rush of creaks throughout the house. The sound of the side door slamming caused the walls of the ancient structure to shake. I stood still, looking around the house that should probably have been torn down. Even if I were never with Meredith again, I couldn’t be with Lynn. Our separation was right. It just wasn’t painless.
    I checked my watch. It was nine thirty at night. What’s Brad Walsh doing while his family is away? I grabbed my keys off the box near my bed and descended the stairs two at a time. I’d just drive by.

    Meredith’s house was exactly four point eight miles from town in an impressive neighborhood. Meredith didn’t like it here. She struggled with being grateful for what she felt others would appreciate, but she’d never wanted.
    Each lot was at least an acre and had mature trees surrounding the houses, making it private despite being in a neighborhood. Her house backed up to the woods, which surround the whole development.
    I’d trekked through those woods to sneak into her kitchen. I’d wrapped a tarp around myself and rolled over the snow in her back yard so I wouldn’t leave footprints. I’d turned off the lights in her house so we couldn’t even be seen with a telescope. I’d done everything she’d asked in order to protect her. To protect us.
    The neighborhood was a large circle with fifty houses in it. I drove the long way around, and when I approached Meredith’s house, Brad was stopped in the opposite direction with his signal on, waiting to turn in his driveway. I blocked it with my truck and lowered my window.
    “How’s Meredith?” I didn’t say hello or ask how he was, because I wanted him to be gone.
    “Chief Pratt, you’re out late.”
    “Is she feeling any better? Has she remembered anything?”
    Anything besides being with me at the pool. That came back when I saw her at the shore. Did she tell you that?
    I hated him.
    “It’s late. I’m just getting home from work.” Brad didn’t seem like he was just getting home from work. His hair was a mess, his shirt was buttoned only halfway up, and his eyes were glassy. As much as Meredith wasn’t the type to have an affair, Brad absolutely was. And he still hadn’t answered my questions.
    I ignored his statements. I preferred to ignore him for the rest of my life, but I wasn’t going to. He was going to feel my presence every second he was near Meredith. She would never be hurt again. When she remembered . . . when I found out what he’d done to her, he would feel my presence until he begged me for mercy. “Just so we’re clear, I’m concerned about Meredith living here.”
    “What the fuck are you talking about? My wife fell.”
    I didn’t respond. I didn’t stop staring at the piece of shit who’d probably never deserved her.
    Brad Walsh smiled, and I thought he was drunk. At least slightly. He straightened in his car seat. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to enter my property.”
    I glared at him. When I couldn’t stand the sight of him a minute longer, I