Two Weddings and a Fugitive (The Chanel Series Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

the table and whipped off the lid. He emptied its contents into a fresh glass and slid it over the bar top till it sat in front of me.
    ‘He said he’d meet me here at seven to brief me on the case. That was five minutes ago.’ I picked up my new drink and took a sip.
    ‘Expresso martini,’ Bruce said. ‘And, apart from tonight, what have you ever been on time for…Holy Mother of Batman. Who is that ?’
    I didn’t even need to look over my shoulder to know what he was looking at. ‘Five foot ten, ripped like a swimwear model, blond hair ruffled up like James Dean and brown eyes you could drown in?’
    ‘ That’s Billy?’
    I swivelled on my bar stool, trying to sound nonchalant as I called out, ‘Oi, Bro.’
    He looked in my direction and I waved a hand in the air. Damn him for looking so good in his tight, black jeans. How was that fair?
    ‘Close your mouth Bruce,’ I said as Billy strode towards us. ‘And wipe your chin.’
    ‘Well hello there,’ Bruce said when Billy arrived at my side. ‘Chanel never told me her brother was so good looking.’
    If I could have reached my leg under the bar I would have kicked him.
    ‘You must be Bruce.’ Billy stretched his hand out to shake Bruce’s. ‘Chanel’s told me so much about you.’
    Bruce clasped Billy’s hands with both of his, holding on for just a little too long. Billy didn’t seem to mind. ‘None of it was flattering I’m sure. She can’t handle competition.’
    Billy laughed and looked over at me. ‘What are you drinking?’
    ‘Expresso martini.’ I held it out towards him.
    He slid onto the bar stool next to me and took a sip. Then he swallowed and said, ‘I’ll have what she’s having.’
    ‘Really? It’s not too sweet?’ I hadn’t figured him for the cocktail type.
    He pulled a face and shrugged one shoulder.
    ‘Bruce,’ I called out. ‘Get him a beer as well.’
    ‘So,’ I said when Bruce was out of earshot. ‘What’s this really about?’
    ‘The case?’
    ‘What else would I be talking about?’
    He rested an elbow on the bar and put his head on his hand. ‘Boris escaped.’
    ‘ Russian Mafia Boris ?’
    ‘Shhhhh.’ Billy looked over his shoulder to see if anybody had heard my shriek.
    ‘Huge man, teeth filed to a point, psychotic personality?’ I wanted to be sure we were talking about the same guy.
    ‘The one and only.’ He paused as Bruce appeared on the other side of the bar shaking his cocktail mixer for all he was worth. The mixer sailed up into the air as Bruce crossed his legs and spun around on the spot. He caught it with one hand as it came back down.
    I shook my head. ‘He never does that for me.’
    Bruce tossed it from hand-to-hand a few times before cracking it and pouring the contents into a glass. He passed it to Billy with a wink and a smile.
    ‘He’s straight,’ I yelled after him as he went to get Billy’s beer.
    ‘Does he try to crack on to all of your friends?’ Billy asked.
    ‘Only the gorgeous ones.’ I froze as I realised what I had said. Oh great. Now he knew I thought he was gorgeous. Awkwaaaaard .
    But instead of looking around for the nearest exit he smiled his cute smile and said, ‘And how many gorgeous male friends does my little sister have? Do I need to get a gun?’
    ‘Ha ha,’ I said. ‘You’ve already got one.’
    ‘Yes.’ He took a sip of his cocktail. ‘But that one’s licensed.’
    He was kidding. I think.
    Bruce placed the beer on the table and Billy reached for his wallet.
    ‘Stop.’ Bruce held up his hand. ‘You’re family. Family don’t get to pay for drinks.’
    Billy nodded his head. ‘If you ever need anybody killed, just let me know.’
    Bruce let out a shriek of laughter. ‘Stop it. Hot and funny. You’re too much.’ He looked Billy up and down again and let out a sigh before heading to the other end of the bar.
    ‘What? How? When?’ I couldn’t comprehend that Boris had escaped custody. I mean, I know it happened in movies all the time.