Pack Dynamics by Julie Frost Read Free Book Online

Janni was working the case tonight; let’s find out what she’s got for me and see what we can do about it. But we should stop off in the kitchen first, because I’m starving and Ben will be, too.” Alex levered himself off the bed and nearly tipped right over before Megan scrambled to get a shoulder under him, easing him back down.
    “You know, for a certified genius, you’re such an idiot. You nearly died less than four hours ago, Alex. Use some sense.” She pointed at a wheelchair someone had placed beside the bed.
    “What, no, screw that. I can walk. It’s just up the hall.”
    “It’s fifty feet up the hall and down three levels. Why you need such a big house—” Megan got in his face, back to being pissed off. “Get in the chair, or I let you fall flat on your ass next time.”
    She wouldn’t … Okay, maybe she would, because, upon a closer look, her eyebrows were lower than usual and her lips were tight and bloodless. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, defeated, and let her help him into the chair. She wheeled him deftly to the elevator, and they entered the kitchen a couple of minutes later.
    Alex motioned toward a cabinet beside the fridge, one of those extra-large, double-wide doored models preferred by those who loved to entertain large groups or just wealthy enough to afford it. “That cabinet right there, the protein and wheat-grass shake mix.”
    Megan grimaced but nevertheless got it out and dumped the powder, along with some milk and a dubious-looking banana, into the blender on the counter just below. “I can’t believe you drink this nasty sludge. Real food, Alex. Look into it.” As the blender whirred, she opened another cupboard behind him, above the island that split the room in half, and pulled out two drinking glasses, setting them on the counter next to the blender.
    “Make enough for Ben, too,” Alex instructed. “It’s the fastest way to mainline nutrition, and he’ll need it.”
    Megan dumped the resulting “sludge” into a couple of glasses and handed them to him. He drank about half of his on the way the yellow guest room and felt immediately better.
    Alex tapped on the door and pushed it open upon Janni’s invitation, and Megan remained standing behind him after wheeling him into the room, leaning on the back of the chair.
    “Mr. Jarrett,” Janni said. Her hand stroked Ben’s hair, and her eyes were puffy.
    “Ms. Miller. How is he?” Alex nodded at Ben, who slept on his side, his head pillowed on Janni’s lap.
    “Resting comfortably. Actually sleeping, now.” A muscle in Janni’s jaw jumped. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. Ben has a desk job at the firm, mostly. He went for milk . He shouldn’t be a target like this.”
    No, he shouldn’t. Alex clenched his teeth. He really did not like when people, especially his people, got hurt on his behalf. “You get a line on them?”
    “Apparently,” Janni said. “Although I didn’t know I was this close.”
    Alex crossed his arms. “Well, now we do.”
    “Only sort of—we still don’t have specifics. And that’s a problem.”
    “Yeah. This has an odd tone.” Alex ran his hand over his goatee. “Honestly, I thought it might be terrorists at first.”
    “Wait, you sent us after terrorists ? What the hell, why didn’t you call the FBI?” Janni said, fisting her hand in Ben’s hair.
    “Hey, I’d like to keep some of that,” Ben said.
    She released him abruptly. “Oh, you’re awake again. Did I hurt you?”
    One side of his mouth turned up. “The magic of oxycontin, honey. Can’t feel a thing.”
    “Liar.”
    “Okay, yes, I’m in a ridiculous amount of pain. Are you going to kiss it and make it better?”
    “Why don’t you banter with me like that?” Alex asked Megan out of the corner of his mouth, over his shoulder.
    “Because I’m your personal assistant and not your girlfriend,” she shot back. “Also, because more often than not you put yourself in situations where you’re likely to