Read Online The Secret by Elizabeth Hunter - Free Book Online

sick fuckers in the world.” He lit another cigarette and looked toward the kitchen where one of the maids was bringing out another French press filled with coffee and two more cups. “Ah, there she is. And Ava, I never liked you hoppin’ around all over the place.”
    “Yeah, you’re one to talk.”
    “I speak from experience.” He nodded toward Malachi. “I guess if you’re gonna do it, good you have someone with you.”
    “Thanks. Jasper—”
    “Hey.” He interrupted her again while he waved the maid away and poured the coffee. “I wanted to talk to you about the Malibu house.”
    “You mean your house?”
    “No. It’s your house. It’s been in your name for over a year now.”
    “Jasper, I already have—”
    “Move your stuff from Lena’s place. Live there when you’re in LA. You can consider it my wedding present, if you want. But you need your own base, baby girl. Not a crash pad.”  
    He refused to meet her eyes. It was an old argument, and one Ava didn’t feel like having again. Jasper had already given her too much. The trust fund alone was in the multimillions. He had more money than God and was constantly trying to give her things. Cars. Jewelry. Houses. She didn’t want that stuff. Didn’t need it.
    “I don’t need a big house. I can stay with Mom when I’m in California.”
    He gave her his worried look. “This place—have you even been there?”
    “Luis sent me pictures.”
    “It’s quiet, Ava. I picked it myself. Secluded. Lots of acreage. Overlooks the ocean. You know…” He glanced away again. “Quiet. I know you need that.”
    And there it was. The knowledge she’d been skirting around ever since she’d found the Irin. Found the real reason she heard those voices in her head. Jasper had been one of the few she’d never had to hide around. She’d known, even as a child, that the man who heard beautiful music in his head—was tormented by it at times—would understand the isolated girl she’d been.
    Jasper had known all along. Somehow, he’d known.
    “Jasper.”  
    His hand shook as he lifted the cigarette. He was getting worse before her eyes. The demons were waking up despite the warm Italian sun and the peaceful garden.  
    “Just take the house, Ava. I want to give it to you.”
    “Dad—”
    “I told you”—his eyes flared as they met hers, a flash of gold behind the brown—“you don’t have to call me that. I mean, you can, but… you don’t have to. I never expected that. I know I wasn’t…”
    There was something going on. She felt Malachi’s hand tighten on hers. “Jasper, I need to ask about your family. My family.”
    His face went out of focus for a second. When she blinked, it was back to normal. A trick of light and shadow. For a second, his skin had appeared luminous.
    Jasper’s voice was harder when he answered. “I told you I don’t know much about them. Foster care, remember?”
    He was lying. Ava knew it. She opened her senses to listen to his soul’s voice.
    Jasper’s voice was the other reason Ava had always trusted him, even as a child. Though not as pure as Malachi’s, it nonetheless had a resonance that had been soothing to her as a child. Jasper’s voice had always made her feel safe. She’d put it down to him being an artist. He created beautiful music; why wouldn’t it resonate from his mind?
    Now that voice sounded broken. Halting.
    “Malachi,” Jasper asked the man at her side. “You have family?”
    “I did. My parents are both dead now.”
    A hollow longing tone rang in his mind. “Sorry to hear that. My mom died when I was young.”
    A lie. Ava was positive.
    Jasper continued, “That’s why I don’t know much about my family, you know? She was alone.” He glanced at Ava. “On her own. Glad… I’m glad Ava met you.”
    Ava leaned forward. “Jasper, I wanted to know—”
    “Nothing to know.” He leaned toward her and cupped her face in his hands. “Beautiful girl. Beautiful Ava.” His thumb