Love's Protector: A Maverick's Shield Novel by Charisma Chloe Read Free Book Online

would be excited to hear of a woman doing what some would call man’s work.”
    Amour smiled when her eyes met Jason’s, giving him a silent “Thank you.” She’d wondered why he was so quiet. Was he uncomfortable? He didn’t seem to want to be here with her but she’d hoped that wasn’t the case. The last thing she wanted was for any of them to be uncomfortable around her. When he smiled back at her, she felt more at ease. She wondered where this sudden burst of emotion in her behalf came from, especially considering an hour ago it didn’t seem like he even wanted to talk to her.
    “I guess,” Chandra said with a shrug.
    “We’re here,” Mack blurted out as he pulled into the parking lot of Jakes. It was obvious he didn’t want this conversation to go any further.
    “Great!” Thank God . Amour thought to herself. She was happy to be at their destination, the car ride was beginning to get rather awkward.
     
    Jake’s Bar and Grill was in the middle of downtown surrounded by lots of tall buildings and shops. From what she could tell during the drive there, this city’s downtown area wasn’t quite as nice as most places but from the looks of this particular area along with a few others, it seemed to be getting a major overhaul. The part of it in which the bar was located had a nice urban feel to it that reminded her of when she visited Manhattan a few years back. As they entered the bar they immediately headed towards two other men; one blonde and one brunette, at a table towards the back and joined them.
    “Hey!” the blonde man said as the four of them approached.
    “What’s up?”  Mack said shortly after.
    “Chandra! Long time no see,” the brunette man said before sipping his bottle of beer.
    “I know it’s been a while. How are you guys?”
    “We’re good,” the two men replied simultaneously. “And you?”
    “Great,” Chandra said as Mack pulled out her chair before sitting himself and then the two of them studied the menu.
    “Everyone, this is Amour. She’s joining us for lunch today,” Jason announced while attempting to pull out her chair as well but she grabbed it before he could get the chance. “Amour this is Alex Demarco and Jackson Blake, my other two friends and co-workers.”
    “Hello,” she said. She wasn’t aware that there would be other people besides the four of them; that made her a little uneasy again.
    The two other men greeted her as the waitress approached them to take their orders. “Hey guys! What will it be today?” she asked holding an empty tray.
    The six of them gave her their orders but she barely comprehended them. She seemed to have been distracted by Mack and Chandra’s interaction. Her eyes
    lowered onto Mack especially and her jaw clenched. Amour wasn’t sure what was going on between them exactly but from what she could tell, the waitress was not happy with what she was observing.
    “Shyla?” Alex said trying to get her attention.
    After his second time calling her name, she finally responded. “What is it?”
    “This is Amour, Jason’s friend.”
    “Oh, hi I’m Shyla, his sister,” she said while nodding her head towards Alex.
    Amour had come to that conclusion when she’d noticed how much the two of them favored one another. They both had the same honey blond hair and sapphire blue eyes. “Nice to meet you.”
    “Likewise,” Shyla replied and then left to fill their orders.
    “So where on earth did you manage to meet a lovely lady such as this Jason?” Jackson asked with a sarcastic smirk and his eyes lowered.
    “At the police station actually.”
    Alex put his drink down on the table and then faced Amour. “The police station?” He wasn’t bailing you out was he?” he asked with a smirk.
    She laughed. “No sir, I was there getting some information and my car broke down. Jason and Mack were kind enough to help me out.”
    “Cool,” Jackson said with a nod and then focused his attention on the large flat screened