Ex-Con: Bad Boy Romance by Shiloh Walker, M. S. Parker Read Free Book Online

wanted it to be me. Even the small bit of time I'd known her, I knew I'd never be able to convince her otherwise. So I had to convince Jake and Ryan. She might listen to them.
    “Y’all realize I know nothing about being a bodyguard,” I pointed out. I had another glass of that bourbon, Angel’s Envy, in my hand. It was like liquid gold and definitely worth having the discussion. Tipping my glass at Carly, I said, “Asking me to do this is like asking some lightweight boxer to join your team. Just because somebody is strong and knows how to take a hit and throw a punch doesn’t mean jack.”
    “There is a lot more to it than taking a hit and throwing a punch,” Jake agreed. “And you proved you’re aware of that. This job takes intelligence. An awareness of your surroundings. An awareness of the people around you. You figured out on your own that Carly needed protection, and although it didn’t concern you, you fought your way through to get to her and provide that protection. Takes guts, smarts and heart to do that.”
    He slid his gaze toward Ryan and the two of them shared a long look before he turned his eyes toward Carly. None of them spared me a glance. I got the feeling the three of them were having a silent conversation...about me.
    Carly all but glowed as Jake gave her a terse nod.
    She spun to face me.
    “So. Five thousand for a week’s work...how does that sound to you?” She stared at me with those bright blue eyes and a dazzling smile on her pretty face, as though she knew without a doubt I wouldn’t say no.
    “I think,” I said slowly. “It sounds like you’re crazy.”
    I turned to go. I knew if I stayed any longer, I'd give in. I'd had too much shit in my life, and I could use something good.

Chapter 4
    Even a no-good piece of white trash like me knows this simple truth of life: money talks.
    And in some cases, it screams. Especially desperate situations such as mine.
    I was exhausted. Ryan and I ended up having a ‘healthy discussion’ over how I’d get home last night. He’d insisted it was no problem to drive me. I’d asked him what kind of car he drove. When the word Lexus came up, I told him hell no and he’d decided he hadn’t liked my tone. I’d then proceeded to tell him to shove it up his ass. Not my fault the dumb-ass hadn’t gotten the fact that a Lexus on my side of the city was very much a problem, or at least it would be one for me.
    I didn’t need my parole officer hearing about the pricey ride I’d been cruising around in. My current PO was a decent guy, more or less, but I didn’t want him thinking I’d hooked up with the local drug dealers or pimps. Nor did I need some of those local assholes giving Ryan grief after he dropped me off, forcing me to do things my PO would definitely disapprove of.
    In the end, we’d compromised. Or I made him think we’d compromised. He suggested a cab, and said he’d cover the fare. I’d told him fine. Then I had the driver drop me off a few miles from home and given him most of the cash Ryan had stuffed in my hand. I’d used the rest of it to catch the bus.
    I’d only gotten a few hours of sleep before the sound of a fist pounding on the door this morning woke me up.
    It was Ryan.
    Apparently, Carly’s suits weren’t just pretty faces.
    Carly hadn’t taken no for an answer, and really, I hadn’t tried that hard, not after the promise of five thousand dollars had been made. But I also hadn’t told any of them where I lived. Apparently, someone had dug it up on their own.
    While I was still trying to wake up, Ryan proceeded to tell me they needed to get me some clothes, since I’d be escorting Carly to several business and formal events.
    I was blaming my lack of coffee for not protesting more as Ryan waited for me to get dressed and join him in the car. We’d joined Carly and Jake before heading out to go shopping.
    I expected many things, but I hadn’t expected this trip to this ritzy area of Louisville. It was