Deadly Secrets by Jaycee Clark Read Free Book Online Page A

them.”
    When she turned he noticed the skin under her left arm and saw there was a hint of ink next to her breast.
    Now he was fascinated. What was it?
    The speakers hidden in the striped green awnings played the opening chords to “I Dream of You . . .”
    She hummed a few bars. “They worry.”
    “It’s good to have friends who worry about you,” he told her and nodded to her friends again.
    “And brothers?”
    He chuckled. “Upon rare occasion.”
    Hurrying footsteps made him turn so he stood in front of her. “Speaking of.”
    There were two of his brothers now. Aiden and Ian, and dancing—weaving—in front of them was Brody, who was trying to hurry to—him?
    “There he is!” Brody hollered from only feet away.
    “And there is my entourage worried about me.”
    She giggled and slid her hand into his, shocking him for a moment. But he grasped her cool hand and smiled down at her. “We are blessed, sugar.” She pointed over to the darkened corners across the street. “Some aren’t nearly as lucky.”
    Homeless souls sat huddled against closed storefronts.
    “See, told you he was fine.” Brody came up to his other side and slung an arm around his shoulders, almost throwing him off balance. Quin stepped to the side, careful to make certain he didn’t knock over Ella. “And lookie, guyzzzz, he’s wish a pretty girl.” Brody blinked. “I’m drunk, I’m really drunk.” He leaned over Quin and blinked at her. “Is your hair blue?” He turned to Quin. “Dude, I think her hair’s blue.”
    Aiden snickered and pulled Brody off.
    Ian held his hand out. “Sorry, I’m Ian, Quinlan’s older brother.”
    Brody snorted. “One of ’em. Older broshers, that is. Got a bunch. Pain the ashes. Asbes. Asses.” He shook his head.
    “That’s our cousin Brody,” he said to Ella and then nodded to Aiden. “And that’s Aiden.”
    “How many are there?”
    “Two more who are twins and God knows where, though Mom’s practically adopted two others that are with us, somewhere. Or will be. Never mind. There are a lot of us.”
    Ella stuck her hand out. “I’m Ella Ferguson, nice to meet you guys.”
    Aiden and Ian nodded. They were buzzing, as Ian never got more than that, if he was even that far in the inebriation realm. Man had control issues.
    “You did good, man!” Brody said, swaying.
    “Now that we know you’re alive and well,” Ian said, slipping an arm around Brody, “we will leave you in peace. Have fun.”
    He took a deep breath and Ian shook his head. “Not babysitting. He took off after you and refused to go back in. Thus we’re wandering around the Quarter. You’re on your own.”
    “He’s so gonna get some,” Brody mumbled.
    Quinlan slid his eyes closed.
    “We are leaving now.” Aiden took Brody’s other arm.
    “Hey, you guysh. Think she has a pink-haired friend? I like pink,” Brody mumbled. “With a fluffy.” He waved his arms around his neck.
    “Fluffy?” Ella asked, laughter in her voice.
    “Boas,” Aiden told her, turning. “He was last accosting a bachelorette party at the Cat something or other. The women were all wearing pink boas.”
    She laughed. “Fluffies.”
    Ian nodded to him. “Come on, Casanova, let’s find a cab and get you home because I’m not hauling your ass there if you pass out.”
    “No, Junior, we’ll leave you in the gutter,” Aiden said as they walked away.
    “Fuck off, I’m not jchunior. Broooody. That’sh my name.”
    They stood there watching for a moment.
    “Wow,” Ella muttered. “You guys are all handsome and he’s going to feel like . . . well . . . horrible tomorrow.”
    “Oh well.” He turned and led her into Café Du Monde with his hand at the small of her back, the material of her dress silky beneath his touch. He felt a shiver dance down her spine. “Sorry about that.”
    She laughed. “As I said, people who care. At least your brothers left you in peace.” She motioned over to her friends, who had grabbed a