Runaway Heiress by Melody Anne Read Free Book Online Page A

was on a boat in the middle of the perfect storm. She turned to see all four men shooting daggers at both her and Chad. Good – she’d gotten the reaction she wanted. It helped calm her thundering heart.
                  “So, what , Trenton? Young? Masculine?” Bree mocked. She gave them a Cheshire cat smile as she turned back to the counter and pulled down six coffee mugs. She set them on the table as if nothing was wrong, then began pouring hot liquid into each cup.
                  Trenton was in shock at Bree’s behavior but he finally pulled himself together and sent first her and then Chad a smile. It was obvious Chad didn’t appreciate being used. He could instantly see Bree was playing them all and he wasn’t giving her the victory of knowing she’d done a great job of causing him more stress. He grabbed his cup and took a large gulp, not even wincing when the hot liquid burned his tongue and throat.
                  “I don’t care how you react, Bree. You need someone to protect you and Mark and Uncle Joseph both vouch for Chad so it looks like you’re stuck with him. If you want to act that way, have at it,” Trenton said, calling her on her bluff. Her shoulders slumped as her plan backfired. She forgot how good her brothers were at one-upmanship.
                  “Fine, as you can see, we’re just comfy cozy here. There’s no need for all of you to hang around, too,” she said as she sat down.
                  “Sorry for hassling you, Chad, but we tend to worry about Bree,” Max said, further shocking Bree. It seemed they were deciding it was smarter to team up with Chad than to fight against him. She figured they knew if he was their buddy, she would no longer want to side with him. He’d become more of an enemy than a friend. They were right.
                  “I’d feel the same way if it were my family. Mark is like a brother to me, and Bree being his cousin is a good enough reason for me to want to protect her,” Chad answered, all his animosity seeming to evaporate. Great, just great , Bree thought, next they were going to sing ‘Save the World’ and start a bonfire.
                  “Has anything happened since you got here?” Alex asked. Bree tensed, not wanting Chad to talk about the break-in. He ignored her as he looked at the men.
                  “Someone broke into her house,” he answered, which had all four men sitting up straight in their seats again.
                  “What the hell, Bree! Why didn’t you say anything sooner,” Trenton shouted. She expected that kind of response from him.
                  “First of all, I didn’t tell you because it just happened today. Secondly, I’m a big girl and can take care of myself. Finally, you guys hired this over-the-top bodyguard for me, so no one has a chance of getting near me, anyway.”
                  “Someone came pretty damn close,” Max interrupted.
                  “I wasn’t here,” Bree fought back.
                  “This is getting ridiculous. I should just throw you over my shoulder and drag you home, whether you like it or not,” Trenton threatened.
                  “Over my dead body,” Bree shouted.
                  “You’re not going to be acting so tough when some maniac knocks you over the head and drags you away,” Charlie said, speaking up for the first time in a while.
                  “That’s not going to happen. You all need to settle down. I’ve agreed to let Chad stick around, so cool your jets.”
                  “Your stubbornness is going to get you in too much trouble one of these times,” Max stated.
                  “I’m trying to have a normal life. I don’t think I’m asking for too much. Give me a chance to live a little, then I’ll be the good little