Read Online Most Precious Blood by Susan Beth Pfeffer - Free Book Online Page A

It never works that way.”
    Val nodded. “I guess I wasn’t thinking,” she said. “This whole business has been real upsetting. Just being this angry at Michelle is upsetting. And I’ve never really thought about adoption before.”
    Caroline looked away from Val, then turned back to face her. “You might as well know what they’re saying,” she declared. “You’ll hear it anyway, and I don’t think Kit will tell you.”
    â€œWhat?” Val asked. “What are they saying?” What could be left to say?
    â€œI’m sure it isn’t true,” Caroline said. “Michelle certainly hasn’t said it. It’s just a rumor. You know how rumors are. Maybe I shouldn’t even tell you.”
    â€œYou began already, so finish,” Val said.
    Caroline nodded. “They’re saying, well, because of who your father is, they’re saying maybe you weren’t adopted,” she replied. “Not the way I was, I mean. They’re saying maybe your parents were so desperate for a baby, they did something illegal to get one.”
    â€œIllegal?” Val asked.
    â€œKidnapping,” Caroline said. “Maybe they kidnapped a baby. Or even killed someone to get one. I’m sure they’re wrong. I mean, how could they know, unless Michelle said something, and she didn’t. Or maybe Kit, and she certainly didn’t. It’s just gossip because of your father’s reputation.”
    â€œWhat reputation?” Val asked, even though she knew the answer.
    â€œThat he’s connected,” Caroline said. “With the mob. Well, you know.”
    Val nodded. In a life filled with things she wasn’t supposed to know, that was the one thing she did.
    Caroline got up. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ve probably handled all this really badly. The other girls, they just thought we should talk, because I’m adopted, and now I guess you are too. And I’m sure when you talk to your father, you’ll find out everything is okay. That you were adopted from an agency, the same as me, I mean. I don’t think you were kidnapped. I probably never should have even mentioned it.”
    â€œNo,” Val said. “You probably shouldn’t have.”
    Caroline gave Val a look so strange it took her a moment to realize it was fear. “Forget I said anything, all right,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean it.”
    Val nodded. She watched as Caroline ran back to her safe circle of friends, the girls who never invited Val to their parties. Then she looked down at the half-eaten remains of her lunch, and willed herself to ignore the horror that was growing like a tumor inside her.

Chapter 5
    Kit kept her distance from Val the rest of the school day, but Val didn’t mind. When the final bell rang, Val walked over to her and said, “I want to go to your house.”
    â€œThat’s not such a good idea,” Kit replied, looking down at her desk.
    Val was aware that everyone in the classroom, including Sister Gina Marie, was staring at her. “Please,” she whispered. “I can’t go home.”
    Kit looked up. “All right,” she said. She followed Val out of the room and to their lockers. Val noticed Michelle standing by hers, looking ill at ease. She wished worse than that for Michelle. She wished her half the pain she was currently feeling.
    She and Kit walked out of the school silently, and found Bruno waiting for them. “I’m going to Kit’s,” Val told him.
    â€œFine,” Bruno said. “Hop in, girls.”
    So they did. Kit stared out the window. Val asked Bruno how his day had been.
    â€œAverage,” Bruno replied, which was the best Val could hope for. An average day meant he hadn’t spent it worrying about her. And that meant another day before she would have to confront her father. Or was he her kidnapper?
    Bruno dropped