Force of Nature by Kathi S. Barton Read Free Book Online

to her and he wasn’t happy that her lawyer wasn’t doing what he’d wanted. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving and he wanted her to meet his family. Frustrated with himself, he tried again to tell himself that he didn’t want to see her only to make stupid plans like having her over for dinner in the next breath.
    He looked at his cell when a text came through. It was his brother Dallas. He nearly leapt with joy when he read what he’d sent.
    “Found her. She’s at the bar The Jewel . Remember the job we did for old man Carson? She has the apartment upstairs. Good luck.”
    Austin rounded the house and went to the garage. He’d explain later and was out on the street when he stopped and answered his brother.
    “Thanks. Coming home or do I have to come and kick your ass again?”

    His phone rang when he sent it. “No, I’ll be there. I have a few things to work out before I can leave.” Dallas had something on his mind and Austin knew it.
    “Tell me. You know you want to so spill it.” He drove toward the bar with the headset on and waited.
    “I did a little background on your mate. You should know that her father made quite a scene a few years back. He hated CJ. I don’t mean in the ‘I wanted a son and have you,’ but really hated the girl kind of hate. He apparently beat her mom because she’d had the nerve to get ‘with child,’ as he’d told the courts, and he’d not wanted a kid. He hit CJ at her mom’s funeral and told her he never wanted to see her again.”
    Austin pulled over to the side of the road. “Why? Why did he hate her? I mean, I can see him hating the woman…well, not really. A child, Dallas. Why would a man not want a child?”
    “He seemed to think with a kid he’d not inherit anything from the family, her mom’s family, not his. He was more of a bastard than we’d thought.”
    For his brother to say that, it meant a lot. Dallas had sworn that he’d hate the man until his dying day. Unfortunately, the man died before Dallas had a chance to see him brought to trial.
    “Are you going to bring what you have with you tonight? I’d like to read it all. I’m…I’m not saying that I’m going to mate with her, but I do plan to see her. We have to talk.”
    Austin wasn’t happy when his brother snorted, but chose to ignore it. After several more minutes of conversation where neither of them said much, Austin told his brother he’d see him tonight. Austin started up the car again and pulled out into traffic. He pulled up in the parking lot of the bar five minutes later.
    There were two cars in the lot; he didn’t know either. One was a small red sports car the other a monster of an SUV, both with temporary tags. He went around to the stairs he knew were in the back and climbed them. He was just about to knock when the door was opened. Phil Campbell stood there with a huge grin on his face.
    “She’s in the bathroom. I’m betting she doesn’t know you found her yet, huh?” Austin looked at the man, wondering what he meant. “Oh I know your brother found her. Had I not wanted him to, he wouldn’t have. Come in.”
    Austin walked in the door and looked around. She’d made it hers. There was brilliant color everywhere including the kitchen where they now stood. He walked over to the living room area and ran his hand along the soft blanket that lay on the back of the couch. Austin turned to look at Phil.
    “You helped him how exactly? And what the hell are you doing here all cozy?” Austin flushed when Phil laughed. “Sorry, that didn’t come out right.”
    “I didn’t hide her in tons of paper work and false names. That’s how her father never found her. I’ve been around enough to know how to do that. As for me being cozy? She’s not my mate, but my friend. You’d do well to remember that, wolf.”
    Austin felt the small surge of power from man before him. “Vampire. You’re a vamp. I don’t understand. How is that even possible?”
    “I’m assuming that you mean