Connected (Twists of Fate #1) by Jolyn Palliata

obscenities was so loud she only managed to catch a word here and there, and through it all, she felt his desperation and fear.
    “He recognized your voice,” she blurted out, wanting to stop the onslaught in her head.
    Her ears pulsed in the sudden silence, but then she heard Xavier’s response, his voice dark and controlled.
    “Who, exactly, recognized my voice?”
    Addison waited for Rhys’ coached-response, and was stunned to get nothing. He was there; she fell him. But…nothing.
    Way to ditch me, asshat!
    “Rhys. It was Rhys that recognized your voice. He… He’s here with me…basically. Yeah.” She shook her head, feeling like the total idiot she was.
    “How do you know about Scripted Lives ? Or about Rhys’ nickname?” Did he not just hear what she said?
    “I told you, Xavier. Rhys is here with me. As in…I can talk to him…um…his spirit…in my head. He tells me stuff. He…ah…told me what to put in the email.” And still nothing from the Afterlife Leech in her head.
    “Ms. Calomino, let me be clear. I just lost my brother. Don’t you even think about playing games with me here.”

    Her brow creased as she reached out to Rhys. Is he threatening me?
    Finally, he answered, sounding more relaxed than what she knew he felt. Naw, he’s all bark.
    She wasn’t so sure. I’ve seen pictures of the man. You can’t tell me there’s no bite there.
    “Ms. Calomino,” Xavier snapped into the phone.
    She prickled at his tone even as she felt empathy for the pain he must be feeling. “It’s Miss , and I have no intentions of playing head games. I wouldn’t do that to someone.” He was quiet a beat. “Perfect. Then you won’t mind answering a few questions.” Her sympathy dimmed in the face of his hard, cocky tone. You with me, Rhys?
    I got your back, sweetheart.
    How reassuring. “All right. What’s your question?”
    “Where did we grow up?” he asked.
    She rolled her eyes, and she swore she felt Rhys roll his. Well…if he’d had eyes. “You want to ask me something I wouldn’t be able to find on the internet? Ya know, something personal that only Rhys would know.”
    “All right, I’ll cut the shit. How old was Rhys when he learned to ride a bike?” Ten, Rhys replied in a tight voice.
    “You were ten?” she asked aloud with a giggle. “Late bloomer, huh?” Shut it.
    Xavier cleared his throat, his voice cranking up a level. “What color was my first car?” Addison listened to Rhys’ reply, her lip curling in disgust. “Ugh. That’s repulsive. Not lime-green, or mint green, but baby-shit green? What the hell’s wrong with you?” He was so proud of that piece-of-shit Charger. I had to knock it.
    “What color was our mother’s minivan?” She read the discomfort in Xavier’s voice.
    Addison listened to Rhys again, and then responded, “She never had a minivan. Who’s playing games now, Xavier?”
    He sighed, the controlled anger slipping into exhaustion. Again she felt the burden of guilt rising to the surface.
    My God, what the man must’ve been going through…
    I bet he’s rubbing his hand on his leg. Rhys flashed an image to accompany the comment.
    She breathed in resignation as she followed Rhys’ lead. “You’re rubbing your palm on your thigh, aren’t you? Your left one.”

    “How did you know that?” he asked, clearly stunned.
    “Rhys says you do that when you’re frustrated, or stressed. I’d say this hits home on both counts.”
    “Look, if you’re for real,” Xavier said, as if allowing for the possibility, “you’ll come do this face-to-face.”
    She swallowed hard, the remorse she felt shifting to the background once again. “Come again.”
    “I’ll pay for the ticket.” He paused. “I’m not taking no for an answer. If you’re for real, then meeting is unavoidable.”
    Might as well do it. The bastard won’t let up until you do.
    Figures. These boys were like two stubborn peas in a pod. Crap. “Fine.”
    “I’ll email you the