Read Never Say Never, Part Three (Second Chance Romance, Book 3) for Free Online Page B

mommy, sweetheart. Open up.”  
    The door swung inwards and both Becci and Jared rushed out and into her arms. She hugged them close, then separated them and checked for marks or bruises.  
    “Did he touch you? Did he hurt you?”  
    But they shook their heads and Jared pointed back into the house, coolness leaked out of it from the air con over the staircase.  
    Becci was half-hysterical. “Mommy, I’m scared. He hurt Amanda, he hurt her.”  
    “Hush now sweetheart,” she said and hugged the girl to her chest. “Jared, what happened? Tell me everything.”  
    The boy, wise beyond his years, took a deep shuddering breath. “Amanda was making us PB and J sandwiches in the kitchen when he came home. He walked in and just started screaming. Then he hit her across the face. I took Becci upstairs.” He scrunched up his eyes, hiding the tears from her, though he wanted to cry.  
    Brave boy.  
    “You did very well, Jared. Where’s Amanda?”  
    “In – I think she’s still in the kitchen,” he answered, swallowing hard.  
    “Thank you. Now, listen carefully. I’m not allowed to take you away yet, but I will be able to soon, all right? I need you to be brave and stay out of your father’s way no matter what. Do you understand?”  
    “Why, mommy?”  
    “Because your father has a temper and I don’t want you to get hurt. You do exactly what he says, unless he wants to make you do something wrong, and you stay on his good side. Is that clear? I’m counting on you.”  
    “Yes, mommy,” the children said in tandem.  
    “All right, now go up to your rooms and play. Everything is going to be just fine.”  
    “Can’t you come with us?”  
    “No, my love, I have to help Amanda. Off you go now.” She gave them each a final hug and they hurried off up the stairs.  
    She didn’t waste time getting to the kitchen. She entered through the living room and stood there for a minute, gasping for breath, refusing to accept the sight which met her,  
    Amanda was sprawled on the tiles, supine, eyes half-open. Her face was undamaged, but the bastard had broken her arm. It hung at a strange angle. Her breathing was light.
    Emily dropped down beside her and checked her vitals. She had a pulse and she was semi-conscious, but the woman needed an ambulance. She peeled back her torn blouse and gasped. A patchwork of deep black bruises covered her torso and abdomen. He’d kicked her obviously.  
    Emily whipped out her cell and dialed 911.  
    “911, what is your emergency?”  
    “Hi, I’ve got a woman here, a victim of domestic abuse, I need you to –” but Amanda’s eyes had fluttered open. She reached up and grabbed at Emily’s arm.  
    “No,” she whispered. “No ambulance.”  
    “Ma’am, can you please repeat? What is your emergency and where are you located?”  
    She cupped her hand over the microphone and levelled Amanda with disbelief. “You need medical attention.”  
    “Not 911. Take me in your car. Please, I beg you. Please.”  
    “Ma’am?”  
    She hesitated, staring at her high school friend for a moment longer. She didn’t want the domestic abuse part to go down, did she? Emily ground her teeth. Looked like Brian would get away with it again.  
    “Please,” Amanda pleaded. She met Emily’s gaze and the horrifying mix of fear and desperation turned her stomach into Jell-O. How could Amanda allow this? But then, Emily already had the answer to that. She’d done the same for years.  
    Emily uncovered the phone. “I’m sorry, I was mistaken. Everything is fine here.” She hung up.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

    A week had passed since Emily had dropped Amanda off at the hospital, and she still hadn’t heard a thing. She couldn’t call in case it spurred on another outburst from her murderous ex-husband, but she’d followed the kids to school one day and seen they were unharmed.
    Amanda was another story. She had no idea what had become of her friend, but she was