Read His Forever (His #3) for Free Online

entire day.
    “I went to visit Steve to see if he knew anything that could help me get to the bottom of this damn mystery.  He tried hard to help but he really doesn’t know any more than we do, so it was an exercise in futility.”
    “Oh… how is Steve?”
    “He’ s homeless and destitute,” Hayden replied, his sharp tone making it clear he was still irritated with me for questioning Steve Martel’s integrity.  “He’s been sleeping on the street downtown and looks a mess…and it’s all because he was trying to help me.  It kills me to see him that way, Daniella.  I feel so guilty and Steve doesn’t deserve to live like that.  Not that I expect you to care.” 
    I sighed , feeling like we were going around in circles.  It was dizzying, a ride I’d never wanted to be on in the first place.  “I care,” I assured him.  “When I questioned Steve’s motives I was just playing devil’s advocate, trying to offer some perspective.  I didn’t mean to imply he’s a bad person.”
    “If you say so,” Hayden replied, sounding unconvinced.
    I chose to ignore his tone.  “Were you at least able to give him some money?” I asked, hoping to steer the conversation in a slightly more positive direction. 
    “No.  All I was able to give him was my watch to sell.  My father wouldn’t tell me where to find him until I handed over all the cash I had on me.  Can you believe that man?  He takes my mother away and then he takes Steve away.”  Hayden was practically seething with anger.  “He’s such a twisted control freak!”
    I said nothing.  I’d always been outspoken but I sensed that now wasn’t the time.  Hayden didn’t want to hear about my eye opening conversation with his father or attempt to appreciate a different perspective.  He wanted to vent.  So I let him.
    “Can you believe he had the audacity to say my mother was an addict and he was trying to protect me from her when he sent her away?” Hayden spat.  I could practically see the rage coming off him in waves.  “How dare he?”
    “Do you think the addict part was at least true?” I asked cautiously.
    “No,” Hayden replied immediately.  “Well…maybe.  I was pretty young but I do remember she was sick a lot.  She’d always tell me she was taking her medicine…”  He trailed off then, looking pained.  “ Maybe she did abuse prescription pills,” he finally relented.  “But that doesn’t make what my father did right, cutting my mother right out of my life with no warning and then sending me off to boarding school.”
    “You’re right,” I agreed.  “It doesn’t.   Do you think maybe he believed he was protecting you?”
    “ Who knows?  Ugh,” Hayden said, standing and beginning to pace.  “Being back here close to my father just makes me so crazy.  I feel like I’m coming unhinged.  But you always have a way of putting me back together when I fall apart, Daniella.  I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
    “I’m the one who insisted we come here,” I reminded him guiltily.  “Do you think we should go?  If you want to leave, just say the word.  I’ll follow you anywhere.”
    “I’d love to tell you I think we should leave,” Hayden said, laughing bitterly.  “Believe me, I want out of here!  But if I’m to be completely honest, I think you made the right call, Daniella.  This is where we’re safest, and I’ll do anything to keep you safe – even put up with my father.”
    I climbed to my feet then and stood in Hayden’s path so he’d have to stop pacing.  He came to a standstill in front of me, his tall frame towering over me.  He put his hands on my arms, stared into my eyes and then leaned down, kissing me like he never wanted to let go.  And that was fine by me.
    As our lips and tongues engaged in a slow, sensuous dance, I made up my mind.  Regardless of my own reservations and cautious nature, I knew that Hayden cared deeply for Steve Martel.  I knew that