Hard Irish by Jennifer Saints Read Free Book Online Page B

dealing you a lethal blow.  Was she worth it?  Did you get her number?”
    Jared groaned and rested his head back as he nursed his nose.  “I didn’t even get her name.”
    “Thought so or you’d be a lot more pissed right now.”  James shifted gears fast and pulled out onto the highway, nearly pushing the Porsche to ninety in mere seconds.
    “What do you mean by that?  And for Christ’s sake slow down.  We can’t afford the ticket or the hospital bill.”
    James downshifted and settled close to the speed limit.  “While you were kissy-facing the woman and bouncing her man, I asked a few questions.”
    “He’s not her man.  He’s her ex.”
    “With a lot more of a bone to pick with her than who gets custody of Fluffy.”
    “Huh?  Are you saying she’s got kids with that jackass?”
    “No.”
    Jared cracked an eye at James.  “Then what?”
    “Her name is Rocky McKenna.  She is currently the R. McKenna running McKenna Construction since her father fell ill last month.  The very company putting us out of business.   And her ex is Collin Brady, the son of her father’s business partner.  She ousted Collin from the company after their divorce three years ago.  He’d apparently been working for the company as long as she has, but she and her father have controlling interest.  According to gossip, she is one hard Irish woman and it isn’t because she wears a hard hat.” 
    Jared pinched his nose as he felt another rush of blood.  “What a clusterfuck.”
    “Actually no,” James said.  “It’s freaking perfect.  Today you were her hero.  And tomorrow, you’re going to waltz into her office and check things out.  You’re going to discover what illegal corners McKenna Construction is cutting.”
    Jared’s denial died in his throat.  He would go see her tomorrow to apologize, but that was it.  Anything else they discovered would have to be done differently.  
     
     
    Nursing a gourmet hot chocolate, Rocky nearly scalded her cleavage when someone pounded on the door.  She had the lights off, curtains drawn and taped shut, her doors locked, and her truck parked in garage.  She had 911 pre-dialed on her cell phone.  All she had to do was press send .  She even had her car keys in her pocket, just in case she needed a quick escape.  She had her shotgun loaded, but it was hidden and would stay hidden.  Shooting was the last measure she didn’t want to ever have to take.
    It wasn’t until after Mack left and Rocky got to reliving what happened in the bar that she realized just how pissed and drunk Collin had been.  She had no doubt that he’d come after her.  Her heart pounded hard and her hand shook so bad she barely got the cup to the coffee table.
    Another pounding knock was followed by a bark.
    “Rocky?  It’s Dessie?  You okay?” 
    Shuddering with relief, Rocky rushed to the door.  “You two are a sight for sore eyes,” she said, giving Dessie and Pebbles a huge hug.
    “Can’t say the same about you.  You look like hell.  What’s going on?” Dessie pressed her palm to Rocky’s forehead.  “Last time your house was dark at nine at night you had the flu, a fever of one-hundred-and-four and needed the hospital.”
    “I wish it was the flu.”  Rocky locked and dead-bolted the door as soon as Dessie and Pebbles were inside— actions that had Dessie raising both brows.
    “Better dish out the whole story fast, girl.  I’m not liking any of this.”
    Rocky spilled it all, starting from her father’s cryptic words, to Collin’s rage and to the stranger’s searing kiss.
    “First thing, there is no point in worrying and wrangling about your parents’ stuff.  Time enough for that when you get your hands on something concrete.  God only knows what drives parents to leave confessions from the grave.  In my opinion if it wasn’t worth saying while alive then they should keep it that way.  Nothing you can do about it tonight, right?”
    Rocky found