Read Can't Shake You for Free Online

what?”
    Josh grunted. “Is that all you called for? Because I got a lot more important shit to deal with today.”
    His brother paused just long enough for Josh to know he was gonna regret the remark.
    “Come on, Dan, I ain’t got all day.”
    “I hate to add more to your plate, but I can’t get ahold of Fletcher. You’re the next best option, bro.” Another pause, then... “Alex Kelly’s scamming Carissa.”
    Josh froze, his hackles raised. It wasn’t his concern if his competition was running bad business. But this was Carissa they were talking about, regardless of whether or not she’d told him exactly where he could stick his concern.
    He’d probably regret it, but... “I’m listening.”

Chapter Four
    A lex and his crew arrived at the flip just before ten o’clock. And only after two calls from a very pissed off, soon-to-be-homeless Carissa.
    By early afternoon, her emotions were hanging by a thread and it certainly didn’t help that the crew was was rushing through the rewiring in the living room like frat boys stringing up Christmas lights in September. When they began to install the new drywall, she broke out her cojones and spoke up.
    “Maybe I heard wrong, but doesn’t Reed have to inspect the new wiring before you wall it up?” She bit at her lip as Alex and one of his crew members placed a new sheet of drywall over a spider web of wires and junctions.
    Alex flashed a smile over his shoulder and took his time fastening every last screw before he answered. “You don’t doubt my work, do you?”
    His partner snickered, muttered something in Spanish, and went to retrieve another sheet.
    “Reed said he needed to see the wiring before you put the new walls up,” she reminded him.
    Drill in hand, Alex eyed her suspiciously. The man had the darkest, most ethereal green eyes she’d ever seen.
    She shivered. She barely knew him and she’d pushed aside her uncertainty in hiring him when he’d come in with the most affordable bid and a schedule that aligned with hers. Now she was second-guessing the way she’d prioritized her hiring criteria.
    “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were looking forward to seeing the good inspector again. Thinking of rekindling the old flame, are you?” His grin turned mischievous and Carissa felt her guard skyrocket.
    “I don’t want any trouble, Alex. I can’t afford any trouble.”
    He flashed another unsettling grin. “No trouble here, Car, I promise. You trust me, right?”
    Carissa let out a slow breath and thought about the yellow piece of paper currently stapled to her apartment door. She needed this house done ASAP. Therefore she had to trust him, didn’t she?
    “Okay, fine. Whatever. I’m going to do some work outside.” If Reed showed up, these shenanigans would be on Alex, not her.
    “Sure thing, darlin’.” His wink sent another wave of chills creeping down her spine and she made fast tracks to the old flower garden in the backyard.
    She hit her knees and began yanking weeds, shocked when tears started to burn behind her eyelids. Her father’s face flashed through her mind and she hated that so much had changed. That she could no longer call him when she found herself in tough situations like this.
    The old Clay Brandt would know how to make this right. The new one wouldn’t be able to pull his mouth from the bottle long enough to give a shit.
    Sniffling, she cursed her weakness. She didn’t need him. Or anyone else for that matter. This would all be fine. She would be fine. She just needed faith. And maybe a drink of her own.
    ***
    J osh clicked off his phone and tossed it onto the console of his truck. Resting his head against the back of the seat, he closed his eyes.
    He’d done the right thing. He knew he had. Didn’t mean he felt good about it. Sure as hell didn’t mean he looked forward to the wrath that was sure to follow.
    He didn’t want this rift between him and Carissa, dammit. But if protecting her—again—also