Free Cravings (Fierce Hearts) by Lynn Crandall

others, the members of the colony, dictated. There were a lot of pieces to look at, and she needed time and space to do that. But she probably wasn’t going to get it. From what she knew about her parents and The Nexus Group, they’d soon be making another move to get her back.
    • • •
    Michelle handed Asher a mug of hot coffee. “Thanks, Michelle. You don’t need to wait on me.” He jumped up to follow her into the kitchen. “You grab your own coffee, and I’ll pass these other two mugs to Casey and Kennedy.”
    Coffee all around, Asher settled on the couch again with Kennedy. Despite the touchy subjects they’d been discussing, the mood in the room swathed around the space, filling it with a sense of well-being. He’d learned so much last night about Kennedy’s life, hard stuff that could tear apart a person’s sanity, yet more questions niggled at him. What was her role in The Nexus Group’s next plans? Did she truly trust him, or was she faking?
    He slanted his head in Kennedy’s direction. “Have you ever worked? You know, had a job?”
    She laughed, a beautiful, bubbly laugh that made him smile. “Yes. I had to take online college courses.” She dipped her head. “My parents didn’t want me out on my own to attend classes on a university campus. My degree is in computer engineering. I mainly performed system analysis of my parents’ companies. My mother is a self-employed psychiatrist and my father is a Laurelwood County prosecutor. He also owns Solutions International, which is a company that assists leading businesses to enter international markets in the infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology sectors.”
    Asher knitted his brow. Her description of her parents came out in a flat, almost-rehearsed manner. It made his skin crawl.
    Casey lifted his mug to sip a steamy, dark roast, then swallowed thoughtfully. “We’re running research for more details about the Novaks, Kennedy. Meanwhile, how would you feel about meeting your biological parents?”
    When she remained silent, Asher couldn’t help but fill the space. “These are the people who raised Casey, you know. I think he makes a good example of the kind of people they are.”
    “I don’t disagree.” She bobbed her head from side to side, her eyes contemplative. “But they did give me away.”
    Asher’s heart sunk as he watched Casey’s face sadden. All the air went out of the room.
    “Is that what you think?” Casey rubbed his hand across his face.
    “I was told my birth parents had died in an accident. Then later my mother told me the truth was they put me up for adoption when they discovered I was a were-lynx.”
    “That had to hurt you very much,” Casey said. “But it’s not the truth. Neither one of those explanations. You were stolen by The Nexus Group the day you were born. Our parents were told their baby had died. They never even got to see you.” A low growl rumbled deep in his chest. “That’s the kind of thing that group does. Steals babies and then raises them to be who knows what? I don’t know. But the little of what you’ve described as your life sure hasn’t painted a pretty picture for you.”
    Casey slammed his fist on the chair and eyed Asher. He got the message. Casey needed help. He focused his attention on the liquid energy in his center and tucked in suggestions.
You want to remain calm, but firm. Kennedy has no sour intentions.
Then he directed the energy on to Casey.
    Casey breathed in a deep breath and let it out again. “I apologize for that. There was no excuse for getting so riled, Kennedy. I respect your relationship with Jonathan and Kathryn Novak. But I hope you’ll give our parents the benefit of the doubt, considering your parents have proven to be less than kind and truthful with you.”
    She sat silent again, her face pensive, and Asher wondered what thoughts filled her mind right now. Uneasiness spread like fingers, reaching through his body and twisting around his