Deliverance (The Maverick Defense #1) by L.A. Cotton, Jenny Siegel Read Free Book Online

judging by Donnie’s expensive watch and designer suit, it might have cleaned up its act.
    “I’ll see you tonight.” He smiled and walked away.
    “I don’t know.” Mikey chewed on his finger. “I don’t think it’s such a good idea.”
    “Aw, man, come on.” Lex turned to him and gripped him by the shoulders, kneading them with his hand. “After today, we all need to let loose and blow off some steam.” He paused and a sly smile spread across his face. “I bet there are girls. With a name like Shakers, there has to be girls, right?” He nodded at Mikey, who still looked unenthusiastic.
    “Am I right?” Excitement written all over his face.
    “Something like that,” Mikey muttered and walked away.
    “Looks like we’re going to Shakers tonight.” Lex turned back to me barely able to contain his excitement.
    “Looks like it.” I stifled a groan because Shakers was the last place I wanted to be.

T roy closed the door to the Escalade and climbed in the driver’s seat. He didn’t speak. He never did. As the SUV purred to life, I leaned my head back on the leather.
    Sherri said, “You holding up okay, darlin’?”
    Stupid question.
    I hadn’t been all right for a long time.
    The buzz of the alcohol numbed everything but not enough. Only one thing could do that—the thing I hated most about myself. “Do we have to go?” My words were slurred, my hold on reality slipping.
    “Shit, Joy, how much did you drink?”
    “Enough,” I garbled.
    “Donnie will kill me. Troy, hand me some water. Lyla, make sure she doesn’t fall asleep.”
    A hand laid on my bare arm rocking me gently. “Joy, stay with us. She’s out of it, Sherri.”
    “She’ll be fine …”
    I could hear their voices. Words. Sounds.
    “Fine. I’m fine …” Was that my voice? I couldn’t be sure as everything started to blur together.
    “We need to sober her up pronto. We’re almost at the club.”
    “Joy? Joy, take a sip of this, darlin’. Come on.” Something cold pressed to my lips. “Shit, Lyla, open the window.”
    A blast of cool air rushed across my face, and I started to fall forward, water splashing around my face.
    “Shit, fuck, grab the bottle, Ly.”
    A hand steadied me as the car ground to a halt.
    Are we here already?
    No.
    No!
    Troy grumbled something. Words. But my mind was playing tricks because he didn’t talk. Not to Donnie’s girls.
    “Give us a few minutes to get her cleaned up. Please,” Sherri said softly.
    Another grumble and then the door opened and closed.
    “Ly, get her face cleaned up.”
    My face? What was wrong with my face?
    Lyla huffed and shuffled beside me. “Hold still and if you puke on me, you owe me.”
    “Joy, hon, keep your eyes shut but open your mouth. Sip this water for me.” Something poked at my lips. “Open, darlin’.”
    I willed my mouth to take the straw and suck. Ice-cold liquid soothed my throat clearing some of the fog clouding my head. Hands brushed the hair away from my face and something damp wiped my eyes.
    The cool air, cold water, and stillness began to sober me and I flickered my eyes open. “Lyla, I’m good.”
    She smirked and backed away from me. “Fine, clean up your own face.”
    “Lyla, go easy on her,” Sherri snapped.
    “Why? Because she can’t hold her liquor? She’s not the only one who feels his wrath, you know. It’s bad for all of us.”
    Guilt uncoiled in my stomach. Although it could have also been the half bottle of Johnny Walker I drank at Sherri’s.
    “Enough,” Sherri said in her motherly tone. “We need to get inside before he comes looking for her.” She turned her attention to me. “You think you can walk?” I nodded. Suddenly, I felt very sober. “We’ll go straight to the girls’ changing room and get you cleaned up proper. You look like shit.” She flicked her head at Lyla. “Ly, you go and buy us some time.”
    “Me? What in the hell am I supposed to do?”
    Sherri rolled her eyes. “Tell your boss about