Red Rock Rises; Sexy Romantic Suspense; Book 1: The Red Rock Series (The Red Rock Seies) Read Online Free Page B

over. His quick grin reminded her of her tousled hair and shorty pajamas. She could only imagine what she looked like. At the most she’d had thirty minutes of sleep. She’d spent most of the night pounding her pillow in fury, and the rest of it burying her head under the covers trying to blot out the horrible night. Her momentary embarrassment fled when she acknowledged that this loathsome man, the cause of her hideous night was casually standing in her kitchen at 7:05 in the morning.
    She jerked back letting her gun slide down against her leg, and glared at him. She was glad her voice was strong given that her knees felt like rubber at the sight of him.
    “What the hell are you doing here?”
    Trey jumped forward, reaching out to her, his face tight with concern.
    “No, Mom. It’s okay. You don’t understand. This… this man is Police Chief Macarios… he came to our school and talked to us about drugs and stuff….”
    Jesse waved off her son with her free hand and continued to glare at Dameon.
    “I know who the asshole is.” Speaking directly to Dameon she added, “Get the fuck out of my house!”
    Trey was clearly horrified. “Mom! It’s… not—”
    Dameon broke in.
    “It’s okay, Trey. Your mother and I had a disagreement last night. I came to apologize to her.” Taking a careful step toward Jesse, he held her gaze. His voice was casual, professional.
    “Tell you what, Major. If you put that gun down on the counter, I’ll put this peace offering I brought down on the table.” When she didn’t answer, he smiled and gestured to the cardboard tray he was holding. “How about it? Is that a fair exchange? Your gun for a Vente Skinny Caramel Latte Extra Hot No Foam and a cranberry orange scone? Is that a good trade for a gun?”
    Leaning over, without taking his gaze off of her, he carefully placed the tray on the kitchen table. At one level Jesse knew that Macarios thought he was trying to reason with a distraught woman holding a loaded gun, but she didn’t care. She didn’t want to be reasonable, rational. Of course she was distraught. What the fuck did he expect? Something in her face must have warned him because his expression hardened.
    He held up his hands and motioned to her with a jerk of his head.
    “On the counter. NOW.”
    Jesse hesitated in reflexive protest, then slapped her gun on the counter, glaring at him.
    She motioned to her son. “Trey, come over here by me.” Whirling back to face Dameon, she shot out, “And you! Go. Now!”
    Dameon glanced at his watch. As if she hadn’t spoken he turned to Trey.
    “Trey, it’s ten after seven. You’re going to miss that bus if you don’t leave now. You know Sally Hermosa doesn’t wait for anyone.” His voice was comforting. “It’s okay, son. I’ve got your mother covered. She’s fine. I’ll take care of her.”
    Jesse audibly gasped, shocked at his outrageous assertion. Only the pained look on Trey’s face kept her from screaming at Macarios to leave now.
    Glancing from his mother to Dameon, Trey wavered. Obviously upset, his lip trembled.
    Tears hovering on his thick dark lashes, he appealed to the big man.
    “You don’t understand, Sir.” His voice cracked. “My mom…. She’s been hurt. I’ve been trying to get her to go to the emergency room. But she won’t go. I… I don’t want to leave her here….”
    Jesse’s protest died in her throat when Dameon frowned at her and held up his hand. Turning back to Trey, he was calm, assertive.
    “That makes it even more imperative that you go, Trey. Look, Son, I’ll make sure your mother gets to a hospital if she needs to go. And, I’ll take care of her injuries if they’re not serious. That’s what I’m trained to do, just like your mother is. But when you’re the one who’s hurt,” he added, gesturing toward Jesse, “you’re not as good at diagnosing your injuries. I’ll take care of her, Trey. I promise you that.” When the young boy wavered, Dameon added,