Ally Carter Books Novels & Stories

Jake regards me over the top of his walnut desk, both feet planked on the surface as Arrick leans against the row of tall wide windows and the New York skyline. We’re in Jake’s office at Carrero Corp and Arry has just finished explaining what it is I want to do with my life, and all the ground rules Arrick has placed on the agreement.

On Wednesday my personal email pinged around dinnertime. It flashed up as Carter & sons. I was confused. I walked out of the office into the side office to read the email. Dear Leah Garrison, Thank you for your application for the Legal Secretary role at Carter & Sons. We would like to invite you to an interview with Mr. Jack Carter, Senior partner. The interview will be an hour in length. Please contact the office to arrange a suitable time. Sincerely Carter & Sons HR

Her heavy chest jiggled hard with the movement, and she quickly crossed her arms over them. Her mom gave her a tired look. “I know you’re not. That’s why I’m worried.” The front door opened before they could argue more. Aunt Carla came out first, smiling wide, wearing a sundress that showed she still had the family curves. Behind her, Jackson stepped out. Fuck.

"But if I was going to get toys, I'd probably get dinosaurs. And maybe some cars." "And books." August said it from his position across the room. First words he'd spoken directly to Carter beyond the initial question about whether he liked books. "You said you love books. You should have the space dog book at your house." Carter's hands were shaking. I could see it from where I stood, see him press his palms flat against his thighs to still them. "You're right. I should definitely have that book. It sounds like an important one."

I heard the door to the car open as I dug around in the cardboard box and I looked up to see Daniel and Jai walk in, both of them staring at me. Jai caught sight of the books sitting next to me and he walked over slowly and picked one up. It was the green one, the one entitled The Occult Truth of Lycanthropy. The look he gave me was indecipherable. "A little light reading?" He asked sarcastically, thumbing through the huge, five-hundred page book. I wished in that moment that I could have been small enough to fit in that box and disappear. How embarrassing. "It was just something I found on his shelves," I said, as if that justified it.

It was a bit large on him, revealing his collarbone despite being closed to the last button. “It had been wonderful. I didn’t have so much fun in… I don’t even know how long.” Carter looked at me for a few seconds then he turned to check around the room, taking in my football trophies and medals along stuffies I kept on the shelves with some school and crime books. Then he saw a family album and stretched his hand to place his palm on it, spinning his head to look at me. “May I?” He asked, having me help him climb into the bed when I nodded my head in agreement.

Carter's roar silenced the entire office. "Tell the family I'm going to bring my wife back." As the Gulfstream G650 climbed into the stratosphere, I was in my suite at Claridge's, signing for a special delivery. I opened the package. Inside were fourteen booklets, neatly arranged. Seven marriage certificates and their seven corresponding divorce decrees. There was also a casually written note from Ava: "Found these in a hidden compartment in Carter's safe. Apparently, he thought that as long as he kept these, you'd always belong to him. Sick, right?"

“I'm fine… I just need to take my drugs now. Also I think I'm good without the bandage now. I can take it off, right?” “Yeah, of course.” I nodded and watched her leave. As if waiting for me to be left alone, Carter stormed in. He wasn't smiling and didn't look anything like who he was when he apologised yesterday. “What are you doing here?” “Giving you a book is now a bad idea?” He shifted his gaze to where the book was lying on the floor before returning it back to me. “I could have accepted anything, Carter. But giving me a book when I was desperate to find one looks more like a trap to me. Besides, do you eavesdrop on my conversation with Mirian?”

To a stranger, it looked like a weathered rock with two small, oval craters—just natural erosion. I opened my locket and pulled out the tiny, intricate key. My hands were trembling so much I almost dropped it. I pressed the key into the center of the craters and turned. Click. A small, perfectly concealed stone flap groaned open. Inside, wrapped in heavy plastic to protect it from the Pennsylvania damp, was a thick, leather-bound book. Carter’s Ledger. I pulled it out, my breath catching in my throat. I opened the first page, the ink faded but legible.

“Just allergies. Dust in here is crazy lol.” Carter didn't laugh. He stepped closer, dropping his usual arrogant front entirely. He reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out a crumpled spiral notebook, tossing it gently onto the piano bench next to me. “What is this?” I asked, confused. “My notes,” Carter said flatly. “I actually studied for once. I read the whole chapter so you wouldn't have to stress about teaching me the basics for our class tonight.” I stared at the notebook, completely shocked. Carter Graham... studying on his own?