Page 100 of Shephard

“Meaning what?” Hunter laughed.

“You never enter a city without picking up a chick or two. Employees are off limits.” Jagger glared at him.

“I’m not fucking anyone, bro. In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been working sixteen-hour days since we got here. I can’t say the same for either one of you.”

Jagger puffed up. “Don’t fuck with me. You’re not my keeper.”

“Stop the crap. Both of you. We don’t need to be at each other’s throats.” I couldn’t believe I’d made the statement. I wasn’t apeacemaker no matter what my mother had tried to instill in me all those years ago.

“You’re the oldest. They look up to you. Make peace, not war.”

I’d laughed at her words then and I was laughing at them now.

I was shocked both shut up after my exclamation.

They also watched as I took a power swig of my drink and checked my watch.

“I have a toast,” Hunter stated. He’d already lifted his glass. “Don’t fuck with me on this.”

I had to laugh. Today had turned out entirely different than I’d thought it would. I followed the gesture, smirking at Jagger.

“What’s the toast?” Jag asked.

“Here’s to new beginnings. May we find happiness and love in this little town of Danger Falls.”

Hunter was the optimist of all three of us. Love.

Since when did bad men get a chance on loving someone?

CHAPTER 26

Denise

One day.

That’s all it had taken to see a significant change in Shephard. I wasn’t suggesting it was just because of my crazy, passionate, and amazing ability to fuck the man. Or that my compassion had blown him away. It was also because he was gloriously excited about being back in the world where dangerous men ruled.

And bloodshed was an everyday occurrence.

I knew that to be the case because both he and his brother were way too excited about challenging Cane. I couldn’t lie that after all the shit I’d gone through with the man that I wasn’t interested in watching him squirm. However, I also wasn’t prepared to lose my job at this point.

No matter how rich Shephard was, or how enjoyable it would be for him to keep me tied to his bed.

It was near dusk and for a change, both of us were officially off duty. Thankfully, the other associate had returned looking all happy from a fabulous honeymoon.

Something I could never see happening. Nor was I certain I wanted one.

Cane liked a particular dive bar. When I’d told the two giants of men the news of where he was, I’d be damned if the two of them didn’t dress like they were in a recent remake ofDeliverance. I might just have fun with this.

The moment I’d met Jagger, I couldn’t help but notice the resemblance was crazy. No wonder the single women in town were falling all over themselves for a chance at one of the other two.

The rumor mills were still active, the entire town assuming I was taken. Or more to the point, the hunky man with the broad shoulders and dazzling eyes had been stolen. Women could be so catty.

We stood outside the bar for a few seconds. Jagger had ridden a Harley to the monumental event, which I’d thought hysterical. He still looked like a real mountain man, his shoulder-length hair and longer beard sexy, but adding to his dangerous persona. The brothers were very much alike.

“Just remember, don’t break his bones. A little blood is fine.”

“You heard the lady,” Shephard stated. “However, we’re here for a reason. We don’t leave until Cane tells us what we want to know.”