Archer Read Online Free Page A

and asked the other guys to join him. No one who knew them was surprised to hear of their plans.
    They continued to train with the best to provide investigating services, bodyguard duty, and protection for others, standing up for those who didn’t have the power to fight for themselves. She wouldn’t allow them to go head to head with her ex-boyfriend. She couldn’t live with herself if they got hurt because of her.
    Despite how qualified the Beaumont Body Shop guys were, they were only four men. Scott had many men at his fingertips to call in to do his dirty work. Men with no loyalty or integrity. Scott’s men would outnumber the Beaumont guys. She’d heard enough of the rumors and witnessed plenty of unspoken looks to understand that Scott thought he was untouchable. He’d kill anyone who got in his way.
    That’s why she never told Garrett what she stole from Scott when she ran. If the guys knew she was carrying something Scott wanted, something so big he’d kill everyone to get it back, they’d react drastically. As long as Scott needed her alive, she was saving all their lives.
    She took a step toward her brother, but Kage tugged her back to his side, looping his arm around her waist. His hand landed on her hip and stayed. She caught her breath, leaning against him, wanting to leave but knowing she wouldn’t because touching him calmed her soul. Garrett’s eyes went to Kage, and a slow nod passed between the two men. The unspoken conversation confused her, and she didn’t like not knowing what was going on in their heads.
    Lance elbowed Tony, and their eyes landed on Kage too. She frowned.
    “What’s going on?” she asked.
    “It’s about time. That’s all I’m saying,” Lance muttered.
    Lance leaned against the bar beside Garrett, black T-shirt stretched across his broad chest, black jeans, and black cowboy boots. It wasn’t lost on her that his black goatee matched everything about him. Although Lance attracted a lot of women, he couldn’t compare to Kage’s size and quiet strength. Kage made her feel feminine and protected, yet he gave her strength.
    She turned to Kage. “What’s Lance talking about? Time for what?”
    Kage shrugged, pulling her tighter against him. His hand low on her back forced her to place her own hand on his hard abdomen to keep her balance, but she didn’t try to pull away. She stayed there because, at the moment, without him acting like an anchor, she might cry over how disconnected she felt from everyone and how long she’d been gone from home. She’d missed out on their lives—and that was the last thing she had wanted to do. Not getting any clues from the others, she looked at Tony for an answer.
    But the most talkative of them all waved his hands in front of his chest and smiled, showing off the dimple in his left cheek. She inhaled deeply for the first time since stepping into the bar. Tony was her buddy, the one who always made her laugh. It was impossible to stay upset with his laid-back attitude. His blond, sun-streaked hair and tanned skin looked like he could’ve walked right off the beach carrying a surfboard, yet he wore a leather jacket and boots. Despite his calm disposition, she knew Tony’s carefree demeanor could turn ugly. Years ago, she’d run to him for help when she saw a man beating a dog at one of the houses in town. She watched Tony return the favor, beating the dog’s owner bloody. Kage was there too, holding her back from entering the fray and getting into trouble. Tony had saved the dog, assisted Jane in treating its wounds, and helped her find a new home for the poor thing.
    “Whatever.” She pushed against Kage, but he refused to let her go. “You all have fun with your man jokes at my expense. I can see nothing has changed around here.”
    The smiles disappeared. Lance stepped forward. Kage’s body stiffened beside her, causing Lance to move back, hands up and grinning big. Before she could give any thought to what passed around