Read Shattered Puppet (Rag Doll) for Free Online Page B

swallowed, “Thank you.”
    Carter nodded. “Sure.”
    After paying the bill, Carter and Cree walked back out to the car.
    “I can walk,” she said. “It’s only two blocks.”
    “Why don’t you come in for the night? I’ll cover your time.”
    She nodded. “Okay.”
    Getting in the car, she was still baffled by what was happening here. Something was happening. She just had no clue what it was.
    On returning to the hotel, he followed her to her room. “I’ll show you a trick.” Showing her how to mark the door with tape, she’d know if someone had been in her room uninvited.
    The sat in the hotel room together. Carter on the small sofa and Cree on the square arm chair, both looking at the other, neither knew what to say.

Chapter 8
    Kendle had big news. The lawyer agreed to take her case and they were moving forward. She would need a statement from Cree as well as Kendle. It was up to Kendle to get her sister to talk. She knew it would be hard, but for the first time in ages she felt in control. She was going to take her life back and put her father behind bars. She’d spiraled out of control for so long, to finally have a path and see a light at the end of the tunnel felt amazing.
    Graham had changed so much about her inside. Giving her the confidence and strength to believe in herself, he stood by her side as she told her story to the lawyer.
    The more they had against him, the better chance they had at making it stick. Also, if her mother would come forward it would help. If not, she could be treated as a hostile witness, since Kendle had gone to her repeatedly seeking help. This was going to get messy, the lawyer warned. It would dig up the past, be painful to live through, and she’d have to repeat her story more than once…but if they followed through, she’d find her justice at the end.
    Now she needed Cree to tell the lawyer her story and give a statement. She’d stop by the following day and talk to her. If she could convince her to stand by her side, together they could take their father down and put him behind bars where he belonged. If she didn’t agree, Kendle would still push. She just hoped her sister would come forward and talk.
    She went by the following day. Kendle knocked on the door. When nobody answered, she figured her sister hadn’t gotten back yet. It was still early. She hoped to see her before she went to sleep for the day. She’d try calling. Kendle dialed her sister’s number, but nobody answered. She’d come back later.

Chapter 9
    Carter drove into the night. He’d intended to go home, to face the fire, but Cree talked him into running away with her. She was an expert at hiding and not being seen. She needed a new start. There was nothing here for her anymore. She needed a new life. Disappearing into the night, she made a mental note to contact Kendle at some point so she didn’t worry.
    It was the kiss that changed his mind. She sat there curled up on the chair talking to him. There was something in her eyes. She needed a shoulder. She needed somebody to lean on. He couldn’t be that guy. He had his own problems. They sat looking at one another, neither wanting the night to end.
    Cree stood and walked to him. Not a word. Climbing over his lap, she straddled him. Her hand moved across his cheek. She leaned in and kissed him. She wasn’t sure what came over her, but everything inside of her pulled her toward him.
    Carter’s hands raked through her hair. Pulling her closer, the couple got lost in the moment. Their mouths locked together, both trying to run from life, both needing to feel like everything would be alright.
    Cree pulled back. Looking into Carter’s eyes, she saw herself and swallowed hard. Before she could change her mind, before she could climb off of his lap, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back in for another kiss.
    Her lips were sweet and soft. A hunger inside wept. She needed someone to believe in, someone to believe in her. Could he be