A Simple Twist of Fate by Helenkay Dimon Read Free Book Online

here?” Declan asked.
    She waved them both off as she executed the perfect dodge around the swing set and headed for the back porch. With one last glance over her shoulder, she shot Beck a glance somewhere between stunned confusion and blame. “I’ll be back tomorrow to take care of the kitchen.”
    Birds chirped and leaves rustled as the warm wind blew through the towering trees outlining the backyard following Sophie’s great escape. Only the humans stayed quiet. This far from the road you couldn’t hear road noise, but Beck decided the whooshing of blood in his head could be blocking it.
    “You scared her off.” Declan stood in the middle of the grassy area and watched Sophie go.
    Beck thought his brother was taking a bit too long staring. “I’m pretty sure you jumping out of nowhere did that.”
    When he turned around, Declan’s face consisted mostly of a smart-ass smirk. “Here’s a thought: maybe you could actually ask her out and stop this sad display of male misfiring.”
    Beck spent hours each day thinking about exactly that. The rest of the time, he crafted argument after argument on why it could never happen. “She’s our employee.”
    “Really? That’s your excuse for striking out?”
    “There was an incident earlier today.” One he had to apologize for and never repeat . . . at least not in front of one of his idiot brothers.
    “What kind?”
    “I’m sure Callen will fill you in.” Beck could almost hear the conversation now. “Until then I need your help.”
    This was the good part. Call it younger-brother revenge or whatever, but Beck wanted to savor each word.
    Declan flashed a smile. “With women?”
    Shithead
. “No.”
    “You sure?”
    Clearly a reminder was in order. Funny how Declan now played the role of sure, sophisticated boyfriend and wise middle brother when a month ago he could barely put two brain cells together when Leah was in the room. “Don’t make me give you crap about how Cal and I had to convince you to get your head out of your ass and not let Leah leave you.”
    Declan smacked his lips together as he shook his head. “That’s not how I remember it.”
    “Of course not.”
    “Do you really want my help with Sophie?”
    “Hell, no.” Beck went in for the smirk-killing attack. “But someone should check in on the skunks.”
    All signs of amusement faded from Declan’s face. “I vote you.”
    “I’m in charge of legal.” Beck put his hand against his chest then reached out and shoved against Declan’s. “You’re in charge of housing.”
    “Since when?”
    “You’re the one who insisted we keep the house.”
    “I wanted the house to get to the girl. Leah loved the house. I love her. It was simple math.” Declan set out each point as if solving an equation.
    “Yeah, well, you get the skunks, too.”

Chapter Five
    Sophie opened the door to her temporary studio apartment and sighed. Taking in the familiar sights and smells, the tension ran out of her body. Actually raced down her limbs until she waited for it to drip on the floor.
    Something about the cozy space made the rest of her life make sense, if only for the few hours a day when she was there. Today she didn’t even mind trudging up the fifteen steps to her place above the garage or her upcoming date with a “chicken fiesta” frozen dinner.
    Going several rounds with the Hanover brothers had sucked the life out of her. Skunks, seeing Beck naked . . . yeah, it had been a full day.
    At least she wouldn’t have to pretend in bed tonight. She knew
exactly
what he looked like, down to the scar high on his upper thigh. Thinking about Beck had her glancing at the unmade bed to her right. Her housekeeping skills really did suck.
    She judged the distance to the kitchen on the far wall and decided that was about ten steps too far. The walk would take too much energy, and she had none right now. Dumping her bag on the fluffy round area rug, she headed for the small love seat in front of her