Read Unravel Me: The Juliette Chronicles Book 2 for Free Online

the table just to rest on my lap, just to slip down my thigh, and I almost lose control of my vocabulary before he leaves a light kiss in my hair. I swallow too hard, almost drop my fork on the floor. It takes me a moment to remember that he hasn’t actually answered my question. It’s not until he’s looked away, staring at his food, when he finally nods, says, “I’m okay.” But I’m not breathing and his hand is still tracing patterns on my leg.
    “Ms. Ferrars? Mr. Kent?”
    I sit up so fast I slam my knuckles under the table at the sound of Castle’s voice. There’s something about his presence that makes me feel like he’s my teacher, like I’ve been caught misbehaving in class. Adam, on the other hand, doesn’t seem remotely startled.
    I cling to Adam’s fingers as I lift my head.
    Castle is standing over our table and Kenji is leaving to deposit his bowl in the kitchen. He claps Castle on the back like they’re old friends and Castle flashes Kenji a warm smile as he passes.
    “I’ll be right back,” Kenji shouts over his shoulder, twisting to flash us an overly enthusiastic thumbs-up. “Try not to get naked in front of everyone, okay? There are kids in here.”
    I cringe and glance at Adam but he seems oddly focused on his food. He hasn’t said a word since Castle arrived.
    I decide to answer for the both of us. Paste on a bright smile. “Good morning.”
    Castle nods, touches the lapel of his blazer; his stature is strong and poised. He beams at me. “I just came to say hello and to check in. I’m so happy to see that you’re expanding your circle of friends, Ms. Ferrars.”
    “Oh. Thank you. But I can’t take credit for the idea,” I point out. “You’re the one who told me to sit with Kenji.”
    Castle’s smile is a little too tight. “Yes. Well,” he says, “I’m happy to see that you took my advice.”
    I nod at my food. Rub absently at my forehead. Adam looks like he’s not even breathing. I’m about to say something when Castle cuts me off. “So, Mr. Kent,” he says. “Did Ms. Ferrars tell you she’ll be training with Kenji now? I’m hoping it will help her progress.”
    Adam doesn’t answer.
    Castle soldiers on. “I actually thought it might be interesting for her to work with you, too. As long as I’m there to supervise.”
    Adam’s eyes snap up to attention. Alarmed. “What are you talking about?”
    “Well—” Castle pauses. I watch his gaze shift between the two of us. “I thought it would be interesting to run some tests on you and her. Together.”
    Adam stands up so quickly he almost bangs his knee into the table. “Absolutely not.”
    “Mr. Kent—,” Castle starts.
    “There’s no chance in hell —”
    “It’s her choice to make—”
    “I don’t want to discuss this here—”
    I jump to my feet. Adam looks ready to set something on fire. His fists are clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed into a tight glare; his forehead is taut, his entire frame shaking with energy and anxiety.
    “What is going on?” I demand.
    Castle shakes his head. He’s not addressing me when he speaks. “I only want to see what happens when she touches you. That’s it.”
    “Are you insane —”
    “This is for her ,” Castle continues, his voice careful, extra calm. “It has nothing to do with your progress—”
    “What progress?” I cut in.
    “We’re just trying to help her figure out how to affect nonliving organisms,” Castle is saying. “Animals and humans we’ve figured out—we know one touch is sufficient. Plants don’t seem to factor into her abilities at all. But everything else? It’s . . . different. She doesn’t know how to handle that part yet, and I want to help her. That’s all we’re doing,” he says. “Helping Ms. Ferrars.”
    Adam takes a step closer to me. “If you’re helping her figure out how to destroy nonliving things, why do you need me?”
    For a second Castle actually looks defeated. “I don’t really know,” he