Read Yours to Keep for Free Online Page A

not—”
    Something stopped her. She wasn’t sure, afterward, if it was the look on Theo’s face—naked plea—or her own terror at having to explain herself. Or maybe it was a grim streak of pride. With a prickly sense of shame, she’d gone out of her way this morning to dress for aforay into the heart of Beacon. For—she admitted to herself—another encounter with Ethan Hansen. Her best jeans, a real blouse, ballet flats stolen from her sister’s closet. A touch of makeup, also poached from Cara’s collection. She couldn’t do anything about her shabby backpack, but it was hidden from view behind her. She’d convinced at least one person that she belonged here.
    “He wasn’t wearing a helmet,” the cop informed her.
    She eyed Theo’s unkempt dark hair. She knew the wall the policeman meant. It butted right up against traffic. If he’d slipped—Jesus! This kid had a serious self-destructive streak.
    “I didn’t book him, but I came damn close. He could have been killed. He could have gotten someone else killed. I want you to promise me that you’ll have a long talk with him. And keep a better eye on him. You can consider this a warning.”
    Had Theo told the cop straight out that she was his stepmother? He certainly wasn’t doing anything to correct the misconception.
    She took a deep breath. Now was the time to clear things up. I’m not his stepmother, I’m just the Spanish tutor.
    If she said that, things would get a whole lot more complicated. She was pretty sure the cop couldn’t leave Theo with her based on her word that she was the tutor. Theo had never met her before. The cop would have to call Ethan for confirmation. He’d probably need to see a photo ID.…
    ¡Que Dios me ayude! She never prayed, but the moment called for it.
    God was silent.
    She took a deep breath. “We will, sir. You’ll never see him doing something like that again.” She said it with a conviction born of genuine gratitude. Bargaining with God. If we escape this time, we’ll be good. We promise.
    Theo shifted from foot to foot and said nothing.
    Oh, he was a piece of work! If he’d been one of her nephews, she’d have had his hide for putting her in this situation. Of course, her nephews would have known better. Neither of them would ever do anything to bring the police home. Because they knew, had known since they could talk, that the police had the power to make their mother, aunt, and uncle disappear. Forever.
    But this boy—he had no clue. He was a stubborn, spoiled suburban kid, trying out arebellion against his father. He didn’t have the foggiest notion what a luxury it was to be him. Man, she’d like to shake some sense into him.
    Her anger drowned her fear. “Give me a moment?” she asked the cop.
    He looked surprised, but he nodded.
    She grabbed Theo’s arm and tugged him onto the lawn out of earshot. “And you, mister? I think you have some things to say to that cop.”
    “I don’t have anything to say to him.” His voice was a man’s, not a boy’s.
    “You sure do. You’re going to thank him for saving your life. And thank him for going easy on you. And you’re going to promise him you’re never, ever going to do anything that stupid again.”
    As she said it, as her anger overrode her good sense, she knew that she was crazy. If he decided not to obey her, if he decided to kick up a stink, to tell the cop that he didn’t know her from Moses, then she’d be well and completely screwed. Shipped off.
    But, to her surprise and overwhelming relief, he stepped back toward the cop and said, “Thank you, sir.”
    Sir! So he did have some sense.
    The cop shot her a glance that might have contained grudging admiration.
    “Thank you for getting me out of danger and for going easy on me. I promise I won’t do anything that stupid again.” Theo even managed to make eye contact and put an ounce of conviction in it.
    The cop sighed. “I hope that’s true, son.”
    As the cop returned to his car,