Hunting Human by Amanda E. Alvarez Read Free Book Online

Braden’s face down for a kiss. “Hiya, handsome.”
    “Out! This kitchen isn’t big enough for everyone.”
    Braden opened his mouth to protest.
    “Edwards…” Angie brandished her soup spoon in his direction, sending red droplets flying. He knew, without a doubt, she’d whack him with it.
    “Okay, okay. I’ll go.” Braden let his dimples flash in a wicked grin at Angie’s smug expression. “As soon as Beth tells me what time to pick her up tomorrow.”
    Beth paused in the middle of loading the sandwiches onto an empty display tray. “What?”
    “Our date? You. Me. Steak. Tomorrow night, remember?”
    Beth grasped the tray of sandwiches and made for the door. “I don’t think…”
    Braden took a small step to block her path. “I’m not leaving until you say yes. Say yes, Beth.”
    “Yes.” Her eyes went wide and her mouth fell open, as though shocked by her own answer. Before she could take it back, Braden charged ahead.
    “Perfect. How’s seven?”
    “Seven’s good. Where should I meet you?”
    “I’ll pick you up. Let me just get a piece of paper to jot down your address.”
    “I can meet you.”
    “I don’t mind.” But even as he said it, he knew for some reason she did mind. It hardly mattered—she’d agreed to dinner, he didn’t care where he picked her up. “Okay, why don’t I meet you here? The Chop House is only a few streets up. If the weather cooperates we can walk.”
    Marianne let out a low whistle.
    Red blossomed across Beth’s cheeks, as though she’d just realized they had an audience. “Okay.”
    Braden smiled, he would have gone for broke and given her a hug and a casual kiss goodbye but she had that stupid serving tray clutched in front of her like a shield. “Tomorrow, then.” He stepped fully out of her way and watched as Marianne followed Beth through the door, already shooting questions.
    His laughter died in his throat when he caught Angie’s expression.
    “Braden…” Angie let the threat hang in the air, lips pressed tight in disapproval.
    “Relax, Angie. She’s a big girl.” His phone beeped twice, indicating a text message. He pulled it out and quickly checked the message.
    Shit.
    “Look, I’ve got to take care of this.” Angie’s expression didn’t change. Dammit, he didn’t have time for this. “I like her, okay? It’s only dinner. Would it make you feel better if I promised to have her back by midnight?”
    “That’s not necessary.” Angie turned back to her soup, adjusted the temperature of the stove and began stirring furiously.
    Regretting the sarcasm, Braden leaned over and gave Angie a quick hug and a soft kiss, “I’ll be careful, I promise.”
    Angie glanced up at him, her face serious. “I can’t talk you out of this?”
    “No.” The last of his humor fled. “Not this time.”
    Something in his tone or expression settled her, because she gave him a quick nod of approval and removed a large plastic container from the cabinet next to the stove. “Give me a minute and I’ll send some soup home for you.”

Chapter Six
    It took ten minutes for Braden to walk to his car from Angie’s; enough time to run the brief text message through his head fifty or sixty times.
    “Eighty-seventh and Foster. Need pick up. C.”
    According to Braden’s GPS, he’d have time to run the message through his head a couple hundred more times before he caught up with his brother. There was nothing menacing about the message, no 911 at the end indicating an emergency. The same text from any other member of his family would have sparked only an idle curiosity, maybe the anticipation of an entertaining story. But from Chase? It had him wondering how many stitches would be necessary.
    Braden pressed the call button on the steering wheel and growled, “Dial Chase.” His call went straight to voice mail. Just like the last three times he’d tried. “Dammit, Chase.” He cranked the volume and let the Rolling Stones distract him as he drove across