Read Who Glares Wins (Lexi Graves Mysteries) for Free Online Page B

tightening in my stomach.
    "He wants to sleep with you, " Lily decided. The knot got tighter.
    "I don't even want to think about that. Maddox gets my heart rate up enough as it is."
    Lily's eyes focused on something over my shoulder. "Don't look now , but your brothers just walked in."
    "Shoot. I hoped we'd have already left by the time they got here." I turned around and waved , and e ach of my three brothers waved back . Turning to Lily, I said, "I hope you're not man - hunting tonight. These three will ruin it for you."
    "One of them is unmarried," she said, and waved . H er face lit up as soon as she saw Jord, the youngest of my brothers and the object of her unreturned affection .
    It would have been rude to ignore my brothers after that , so Lily and I moved over to a larger booth, sitting with them. Somehow , Lily angled herself in so that she got to sit beside Jord, who, come to think of it, didn't look to o unhappy about it. After ten years of Lily ’s unconcealed overtures , perhaps he was finally warming up to her. Miracles did happen.
    "I hear you're playing baseball with Maddox," I told them.
    Daniel flexed his knuckles and grinned wickedly. "Yeah," he said. "We joined Garrett's team especially for the event."
    "Please don't damage him," I said. "He has to fight crime and do... other stuff." Sex stuff wouldn't sit well with the family , but Maddox's abilities weren't to be knocked. Not that we're prudes, and I'm fairly certain they kn e w all about the birds and the bees . I mean, Garrett and Daniel have five children between them and Jord chases anything in a skirt except Lily. They just don't think anyone is good enough for me. Also, our sister , Serena , married an ass and they don't want to end up related to another one, which is fair enough.
    "Figured you dumped him," said Jord, signaling to the waitress and curling his hand so it looked like he was holding a mug , then he held up three fingers. She nodded and scooted to the bar.
    "Why's that?"
    "You two look like you're on a girls - only night."
    "We are. You three are crashing it. Besides, I may have a boyfriend, but I'm not dead."
    Jord raised an eyebrow. "Boyfriend, huh?" He made kissy noises and pretended to vomit.
    "You cannot hurt him," I emphasi z ed. "Plus , he's your superior."
    "Garrett, you rank, you'll have to hurt him," said Jord , winking at me. "Only playing with you, sis."
    "Yeah," agreed Garrett, which was reassuring until he added, " w e wouldn't warn you first."
    "Shouldn't you two be at home , putting the kids to bed?" I asked.
    Daniel checked his watch. "Not until eight."
    "The teenager doesn't sleep until the daylight hours," added Garrett. "And I'm not due home for an hour."
    "What about you, Jord?" Lily asked. "Out all night?"
    We all sat back as the waitress slid three beer mugs from her tray onto the table and took Jord’s money.
    "Maybe, maybe not. Haven't decided."
    "I'd try and persuade you," I said, taking in his jeans and shirt. "But unless you're going home to put on a cute dress and heels, you can't come with us tonight."
    "The only dress and heels that make it into my apartment leaves in the morning," laughed Jord , clinking his glass against Daniel's. Garrett laughed too. I cut a glance at Lily , who was quietly sipping her wine, not commenting. I aimed and kicked Jord hard under the table.
    He winced as my foot connected with his shin. "What the...!"
    "Oops," I said. "Sorry."
    Jord glanced at Lily and back to me, his face a little paler as she pretended to read the label of our bottle . Well , strike me down with the sensitivity stick! "No worries, easily done " he said. "Actually , I was planning on studying for my exams. Can't be a beat cop forever."
    "Really? Good for you. Mom and Dad will be proud."
    Jord pinked a little a s he swallowed his beer.
    I reached for my purse. "Guys, this has been fun, but you're cramping our style. Time to go, Lily."
    "You bet," she said. "Been nice seeing you all." She was out of the