TheFugitivesSexyBrother Read Online Free

conversation. Emily’s face fell. She bit her lip and
searched for an apology, but Neva shook her head before Emily could come up
with any appropriate words. “I get it, Emily. You’re pursuing a career, not
looking for marriage. But I have to say that it sounds pretty nice to have a
guy who wants to protect me.”
    “Matthew didn’t really want to protect me. He wanted to
undermine me.”
    “That’s you, Emily. I’m not strong like you.”
    “Yes, you are, Neva!”
    Neva raised one plucked eyebrow and tilted her head to the
side. The delicate lines of her nose and cheekbones made her seem like
something breakable. “I just look things up for Guy.”
    “Do you really think that, Neva? I know better and so does
Guy. You’re a good skiptracer. You’ve given me invaluable leads on tons of
jobs. You know where to look for things and what to do with what you find.
Remember that guy a couple months ago? You went to the DMV and figured out he
owned a motorcycle we didn’t know about? I’d never have found him if I hadn’t
put the word out to watch for that motorcycle.”
    “Don’t flatter me. A real skiptracer knows hacking. I can
use a computer, but only for basic things.”
    Emily frowned. How many times had she let herself get
demoralized because of her ideas of what a “real” bounty hunter ought to do and
know? “What you do works, Neva. And I wouldn’t trade it. I don’t like hearing
you put yourself down.”
    Her friend sighed, flipping one long earring off her
shoulder. “Matthew said I shouldn’t let my job stress me out so much. He said
Guy asks too much of me, and I stay at the office too late.”
    “Was he trying to get you to join him for happy hour at the
time?”
    Neva pursed her lips but didn’t reply.
    “Listen,” Emily said, “I don’t begrudge you him. He’s a
great-looking guy. He’s good in bed, if you’re into what he’s into. I’m not
going to try to talk you out of going after him. But I have to ask if you’re
sure about what you’re doing. Guy wasn’t happy that you called Matthew about
the Bonavita job. I think it shook his trust a little.”
    “His trust ? You say it like Guy even knows my name.”
    “Of course he knows your name. You’re great at what you do.
I’ve been trying to tell you that. But it’s not just that…” Emily hesitated,
not sure whether she ought to finish her sentence.
    “What?” Neva examined her fingernails. Too casual. Emily bit
her lip, then decided to take the plunge.
    “The reason you called Matthew was pretty clear. I think Guy
was a little hurt.”
    Neva’s eyes snapped up. “Emily, do you have to bring that
old crush up? Guy’s had his chance. I fawned over him for three years and he
never made a move. I’m not going to let myself waste away. I’m looking forward,
not back.”
    The tremble in Neva’s hands betrayed her brave words, but
Emily didn’t have the heart to call her on it. Her own body clearly hadn’t
gotten the memo about Matthew. “Suit yourself. But I didn’t bring this up to
get into all that. Really, I wanted to ask if our usual deal is in place for
this job. Since Matthew seems to want to steal it from me.”
    “Emily! How could you think I’d sell you out for him? You
know I’m always good for what we agreed—my administrative help in exchange for
ten percent of whatever you end up taking home.”
    “That’s the deal.” Emily tried not to let her voice go grim.
She believed in doing right by Neva, but that ten percent always hurt. By the
time Emily paid Neva, passed out a reasonable number of bribes and put gas in
her tank, she usually didn’t have much left to take home. Her dire financial
situation made her press Neva harder than she otherwise would have. “Do you
want to make the same deal for Bonavita? I’d love your help, but I don’t want
you to feel caught in the middle.”
    Neva shook her head firmly. “I wouldn’t let you down, Emily.
You’ve never taken a job like this before. If