Jobe: Alvarez Security Series by Maryann Jordan Read Free Book Online Page B

nodded behind her and said, “And this is Jobe. Jobe Delaro.”
    She knew she had to glance behind her but for all the world, she could not bring herself to do it. Maybe he’ll just disappear. Be gone. Maybe he was just an illusion.
    “Hello Mackenna,” came the very real voice behind her. His simple words moved over her like lava. Smooth, flowing. And fucking will burn me if I let them!
    Taking a fortifying breath, she turned back around avoiding his gaze. Show him I don’t care. She lifted her eyes to his penetrating stare and her mind stumbled as much as the words trying to come out of her mouth.
    “H…Hi…um…hello, Jobe.”
    He stared back into the face of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her red-blonde hair still appeared to be a lion’s mane. She’d put on a couple of pounds since college but from where he was standing they looked great on her. Light, brown eyes that tried to focus anywhere but at him. Fuck! Of course, they would want to look anywhere but at him. His mind locked up, wondering what he could possibly say to her.
    “Ms. Dunn?” came a woman’s voice from inside the building. “Are they gone?”
    The group in the front turned and saw a young pregnant woman standing in the hallway, fear present on her face.
    Mackenna pushed past the others, running into the house, dropping the baseball bat at the same time. Encircling the girl in her arms, she reassured, “Gabby, it’s fine. They’re gone.”
    Jenita and Carla came down the stairs, pale but smiling. “You are one badass mama,” Jenita said.
    Jobe growled as he followed her inside. “Don’t encourage her. That was a stupid, senseless move and you know it,” he said, punching each word out.
    Mackenna turned and stared coldly at him. “I do what I have to do to make sure those punks stay on the street and outta my building.”
    “And you think some tiny girl with a baseball bat is going to do that?” he roared. “Fuck, Mackenna, those guys could pull out a gun and shoot you right on the front stoop or jump out and knife you.”
    “I’m doing what I can and part of that is letting them know they don’t scare me!” she yelled back.
    “They don’t give a fuck what you think, but if you disrespect them, they will come after you!”
    Mackenna was shaking with anger and Jennifer grabbed Gabe’s arm, hoping he would stop the screaming match, but Tony beat him to it, taking charge of the situation.
    “Ms. Dunn, we’re here to help and so let’s sit down and discuss what your needs are.” Turning to Gabe and Vinny, he said, “You two continue the building inspection and report back here when you have a cursory idea of what we can provide. Jobe, you’ll join me with Ms. Dunn.”
    “It’s Mackenna, and why can’t Gabe stay?” she answered boldly, her chest still heaving with exertion.
    “My company, my rules, Mackenna,” Tony stated plainly.
    The look in his eyes brooked no argument as she drew herself up, the professional façade back on her face. “Of course. If you’ll follow me to the kitchen, there’s a table large enough for us to sit at. Rose, take Gabby back into the classroom. Carla and Jenita, please continue with what you were doing.”
    Moving down the hall, she led them to the table where she sat gracefully as though she had not a care in the world. Inside she was seething. And aching.
    Heart pounding, Jobe felt out of his element. And I never feel out of my fucking element! He noticed that Tony and Mackenna sat across from each other, so he slid into the seat next to her. Better to survey her without having to see the censure in her eyes.
    “Okay, first things first,” Tony said. “Never, under any circumstances, run out of here with a bat. That was completely foolish and dangerous.”
    Mackenna started to protest, but he interrupted.
    “They could have hopped out the car, been up on your stoop in probably five seconds, had that bat out of your hand and beat you to death with it.”
    She blinked