Leverage (The Brannock Siblings) by Jessica Wilde Read Free Book Online Page A

measured up to Lucas?
    I was drying my hands after cleaning the dishes and scolding
myself for being so pathetic when he walked back into the kitchen with dad after
they had chatted in his office for a while.
    "Everything okay?" I asked, my voice a little
higher than normal, giving away my unease. Normally, I wouldn't think anything
of a secret meeting between my father and one of his detectives. It came with
the territory. After this threat, though, I knew they were going to keep some
things from me to protect me and I didn't feel entirely comfortable with that.
    Lucas gave me a tight lipped smile while Dad snagged another
beer out of the fridge.
    "Everything is fine, sweetheart," Dad reassured
me. "Stop your worrying, Lucas won't let anything happen to you and
neither will I."
    "How many times do I have to tell you that it isn't me I'm worried about."
    "Well it's you that we are worried about,"
he stated simply.
    I sighed and threw the towel on the counter before crossing
my arms over my chest and propping myself up with my eyes closed.
    Men.
    Honestly, I don't think they had a cell in their body that
wasn't completely unreasonable.
    I heard my dad chuckle as he walked back out of the kitchen,
but I kept my eyes closed. Lucas was probably leaving and then I could finally
breathe. Maybe I would go for a run and clear my head.
    Then I remembered that I couldn't go alone and I groaned as
I opened my eyes.
    Lucas was standing in front of me, looking down at me with
an amused grin. And when I say he was standing in front of me, I mean he was right in front of me with maybe a foot in between us. It was a miracle I was still on
my feet and hadn't mentally checked out completely.
    "You planning on running tonight?" he asked. His
breath fanning my face, he was so close.
    I couldn't find my voice so I just shrugged.
    "Stay in tonight, Ash. It's been a big day."
    I nodded in agreement. Okay, I'll stay . He didn't
have to tell me twice.
    God, Con and Gus would totally come unglued if they saw
me right now.
    His head jerked as if to say, "Okay, good," then
he turned away and headed for the front door. I followed him so I could lock up
behind him.
    "Goodnight," he said and gave me that infamous
wink.
    This time, I was ready for it and I just smiled.
"Goodnight, Lucas."
    He walked down the porch steps and I started to close the
door, hoping I would be able to catch up on some much needed sleep tonight so I
could be on top of my game the next day while I was with him.
    "Oh, Aislinn?"
    My heart thudded to a stop when I heard him call me by my
full name. His voice was rough and made my crazy name sound like the sexiest
word that had ever passed my ears.
    "Yeah?" I croaked.
    He shoved his hands in his pockets and held my stare.
"I wouldn't mind."
    "What?"
    "Being stuck with you," he said. "No one
could really mind that."
    Then he turned and disappeared down the street, leaving me
breathless and extremely confused.
    "No sleep for Aislinn tonight then," I said to
myself as I shut the door and turned the deadbolt.
    "What was that?" Dad asked from behind me.
    I jumped and slammed into the door. "For God's sake,
Dad. Wear a damn bell or something! I swear you are like a cat."
    He laughed and made his way up the stairs. "Oh I don't
think so, my dear. You just can't pay attention to anything else when that man
is around. Never have been able to."
    "Ugh! I told you already. I'm over it… or I will be…
I'm on my way. Well on my way and there is nothing that will happen to change
my mind."
    "Okay, Ash. Whatever you say," he waved without
looking back at me and his voice was distant as he made it to the top of the
stairs and started to his room.
    "I'm serious, Daddy."
    "Uh huh. I'm sure you are. Goodnight."
    I stomped my foot in frustration because I knew he still
didn't believe me. Hell, I didn't even believe me. Didn't mean I wasn't
going to try. Lucas Shade had too much power over me and I was going to take
that power back. What better time to do