Read Shatter Me (The Jaded Series, #1) for Free Online Page A

teenage kids now. The hero of the story gets kidnapped and tortured while doing a tour overseas. Throughout the book it shows glimpses of the couple’s life together. It may sound like it won’t end well, but I know it does. I always peek at the end of a book, just to make sure. I only read happily ever after books. I’m already living a life that will have a terrible ending. I don’t want to read about bad endings as well. Nope, only happy endings for me.
    I’m so caught up in my book that I don’t realize how late it is getting. I glance at my phone and shoot up out of my chair. It’s already 2:30! Crap! Thank God the town’s small or I’ll never make it in time for my first day of work.
    I reluctantly stuff my book back in my purse and make my way towards the exit. On my way out the door, I note a small shelf of books. On top of the shelf is a box that has a sign on top of it. It advertises free books with a donation. Pulling out four precious quarters, I drop them in the box and pick out a book. I’m almost finished with my current book and it’s my last one. I know I shouldn’t spend the money, even though it is only a dollar, but I need the relief and release the books give me. After carefully putting the book away in my purse, I make my way out the door and quickly walk the couple of blocks back to my car.

Chapter Four
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    I purposely wear my hair down, hoping that no one will say anything. I know Jaxon told me I had to wear it up, but until he or Mia tells me again, I’m leaving it down. I’ve come to realize that I can be stubborn when I want and feel safe enough to be.
    I pull my car around the back of the bar, where I’m assuming employees park. There is a little black four-door Audi A4 and a black motorcycle already sitting in two parking spaces. I park my car beside the Audi, shut off my car, and get out. After locking my door, I dump my keys in my purse and make my way to the front of the building. I try the door in the back but apparently it locks from the inside.
    I ascend the steps that lead to the front door. My first thought as I walk inside is that the place looks a lot different during the day. There is no music playing and it seems brighter than it did last night. All of the chairs are flipped upside down and placed on the tables. The sign out front says they open at two, but there are only two patrons inside. One is at the bar and the other in the far corner. I slowly approach the bar where I see Mia wiping down some glasses.
    “Hey,” I say.
    She glances up and unhurriedly turns her body towards me. The first place her eyes land is on my hair. Please don’t say anything. Please don’t say anything, I chant over and over in my head. God must have heard my prayers because she simply shrugs her shoulders and continues drying the glasses.
    After two more glasses she puts down her rag and walks to the end of the bar, lifts a portion of it, and motions with her other hand for me to come behind the counter with her. Once I’m standing beside her, she lowers the partition. It looks entirely different being on this side of the bar. There are tons of drying racks that house several different size glasses. There are also several small refrigerators.
    “You can put your purse under the bar there,” Mia says while gesturing towards a small cubby hole underneath the bar. A small purse is already lying there, which I assume is Mia’s. I bend down to place mine beside hers. When I stand back up Jaxon is standing right in front of me on the other side of the counter. I jump and yelp.
    While I try to calm my racing heart, I notice today he’s wearing a black thermal shirt with the sleeves pushed up to just below the elbows. His vibrant tattoos are peeking out. I can also see he has tattoos that run over his fingers as well. He’s still wearing his necklace and wristband. I can’t see below his waist, but I bet he’s wearing jeans again. He seems like a jeans kind of guy.