Corinne (Book One of The Red Diamond Saga) by Jennifer Janne Page A

shot a warning glare in Aaron's direction. “You saw me today with Sam, which must have upset you.” He gestured toward his office. “Come in and sit down, I can explain everything.” His patient tone was very convincing, but Corinne could not lose sight of the memories she now shared with Aaron, or the fact that Conner had influenced Daniel's mind.
    “There's no way to explain it.” Corinne insisted as she folded her arms across her chest and refused to budge from where she stood.
    Conner took a calming breath and reminded himself inwardly that he needed to tread carefully around Corinne.
    “I hired Sam because you were placed in the system before I could get to you Corinne. Once you were in foster care it was hard to find you. I hired a police officer to help me find you, and when he did, I continued to pay him to keep track of you.
    At that point if I tried to take you out of the system it would expose our work, something that the world is not ready to understand.” He sighed as he leaned back against the doorway of his office and watched her steadily. It still amazed him that she was standing before him.
    “I had no idea of his activities, I swear to you.” He shook his head remorsefully. “I would never have allowed him near you, if I had known.”
    Corinne frowned as Conner's words sank in. His story made sense to her. It also explained why she was never adopted, she was sure that Conner had something to do with preventing that. Although her entire childhood was riddled with deception, Conner's story actually made her feel a subtle warmth inside. For her entire life she had assumed that there was no one else out there that had any interest in her well-being. It was comforting to think that Conner had done his best to protect her.
    “You know what he did now.” Corinne pointed out, not completely swayed. “And still you broke him out of jail. Why?” Corinne reached up and touched her cheek lightly as she recalled the beating she had suffered at the hands of the only man she had ever envisioned as a parental figure. She did not overlook a mark that resided in a similar place on Aaron's cheek.
    Conner folded his hands in front of him in a pleading manner. “Sam knew too much, Corinne.” He grimaced as he thought of the mistake he had made by hiring the man. “He knew my name, your name, and that there was a connection between us. He had ideas about this place. If I had let him sit in jail for too long, he would have begun talking. How can I risk all we have learned, all we have worked so hard for?”
    Aaron shifted uncomfortably as he felt a surge of annoyance. Conner was rambling about the research, and the work, but had not once mentioned the safety of Aaron or Lisa. He was showing, as usual, what his priorities were. Corinne did not notice this.
    Instead she was being drawn in by Conner's words. She could believe what he said about the risk that Sam posed. She could even forgive him for it. Still the memories she had felt of Aaron's plagued her. The control he had exerted over Daniel infuriated her. She needed him to prove that he was not running a prison rather than a research facility.
    “If everything you are saying is true, then I am free to leave?” She asked as she began to turn away.
    “Of course.” Conner said in a friendly tone. “Though I would rather you stayed, at least for a little while.”
    Corinne smiled pleasantly as she took a step back, until she was side by side with Aaron. She reached up and placed her hand gently on his forearm, which tensed instantly beneath her touch. She knew that reaction. She knew what it meant, when even a soft touch frightened you into anticipating violence and pain.
    “Well, I would prefer to leave. In fact, I was hoping Aaron and I could spend some time together.”
    Conner raised his eyebrows swiftly as he realized her intentions.
    “Uh, that's not such a good idea.” Conner argued, he had not anticipated this turn of events. “If you want to