Two Times the Trouble by Mellanie Szereto Read Free Book Online Page B

quitting?” A mix of anger and disbelief surged through Ivan’s blood. “ You signed the goddamned contract! You’re not leaving me here to follow through because you decided you’re ready to move on to something else.”
    Liam shook his head and strode past Ivan. “Seems to me moving on is the only choice I have.”
    Grabbing his brother’s arm, Ivan yanked him to a stop. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
    Liam jerked away. “Fuck off. Oh, but then you already did, didn’t you?”
    He knows. A cramp stabbed through Ivan’s gut. “Shit.”
    The night sky lit up Liam’s face, revealing contempt, hurt, and something Ivan had never seen from his brother, friend, and partner before. Distance. Then Liam continued toward the trailer. “Yeah.”

Chapter 6
     
    The smell of ham, eggs, and hash browns permeated the hall between the kitchen and the dining room, but the aroma of strong black coffee convinced Liam that he could survive eating breakfast with Ivan and Jolán. He aimed for the nearest empty seat, resisting the urge to scan the table for the couple. Seeing them together would ruin his appetite, and he needed all the energy he could muster to spend the day working on a roof in the blistering sun. He hadn’t slept worth a damn after last night’s X-rated show and the argument with his stepbrother.
    Just a few more days.
    “Good morning, Mr. Pattison.” Romána Macska nodded at him as she walked toward the head of the table.
    “Good morning, ma’am.” His ingrained manners saved him from asking what the hell was good about it.
    One of the younger women stopped at his chair with a carafe in her hand. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
    “That’d be great. Thanks.” He took the offered cup and inhaled the fragrant steam.
    “Can I get an IV of that coffee?”
    Ivan’s teasing tone sent a muscle spasm through Liam’s shoulders to settle in a tense knot in his neck. Since Ivan hadn’t slept in the camper, Liam could only assume he’d spent the night with Jolán. Half of him longed to hear her lyrical voice, while the other half wanted to plug his ears.
    “Plywood doesn’t make a very comfortable mattress.”
    Plywood? Ivan hadn’t held her in his arms all night?
    The girl with the carafe giggled and poured another mug. “No IVs, but I’ll be sure to refill your cup often.”
    Ivan sauntered to a seat near Romána. “Perfect. Thanks. Morning, ma’am.”
    “Good morning, Mr. Janokov. Are you in need of a bed?”
    Liam’s jaw tightened at Romána’s question. He had no desire to discuss his and Ivan’s disagreement with his client.
    “Nah. I felt like sleeping under the stars last night instead of in the camper. Mm, that’s good coffee.”
    Staring into the liquid caffeine, Liam separated the layers of voices as more of the Macskas entered the dining room. He recognized several from yesterday’s conversations, but none matched Jolán’s distinct musical timbre. Several women set platters of food on the table before taking their seats.
    Half an hour later, he laid his napkin on his empty plate and pushed his chair back to stand. “Time to get to work. Thanks for another delicious meal.”
    His words sounded stilted to his own ears, but he couldn’t muster any real enthusiasm for the food churning in his stomach, the job he longer wanted to do, or the company he could do without.
    Amalric rose, following Liam to the door. “Ranulf and I will bring casks for drinking water.”
    So you can keep an eye on the trespassers? “Great. I appreciate it.”
    Not waiting for a response, Liam strode out of the room and down the hallway. Rather than cutting through the kitchen to the back door, he headed for front door. He rolled his shoulders to loosen the tension as he rounded the north corner of the mansion. It didn’t help. The sooner he finished the roofing part of the contract the better.
    He dug his cell phone out of the case clipped to his belt to dial the employee he’d put in