Bad Boy Brawler (Alpha Bad Boy Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

Devyn’s eyes get big.
    “Oh no. Cover your ears James.” He jumps from the couch and takes off around the corner.
    What in the hell?
    “Devyn O’Dare, you big dumb stupid son of a bitch. Get your ass in here boy, now!” It’s a woman’s voice but she sounds older. I cup my hands around James’ ears. Her voice softens so that I can’t hear it. I can only assume that Devyn is telling her he has company.
    After a few moments I hear some footsteps and she rounds the corner with a huge smile plastered to her face. My suspicions were correct. She looks to be in her sixties. Her hair is dark black with shiny silver roots and she can’t be more than five-four. Her face is warm and inviting, motherly. The volume of her voice more than makes up for her petite size.
    I let go of James’ ears and he grins at the woman.
    “Who do we have here? Devyn, you didn’t tell me we have such handsome company in the house. I could just squeeze those cheeks right off of you, boy.”
    She reaches out both hands and places her palms on James’ face.
    “And such a pretty young lady.”
    I blush a little at her words as she holds out her hand. “I’m Bernice.”
    “Carly.”
    “Pardon my outburst earlier. I didn’t realize we had company.” She turns to Devyn and his towering frame shrinks away slightly. “But…you see James…Mr. O’Dare over there is usually a good, respectful young man. But he got himself into a little bit of trouble last night. He was a baaad boy.” She glares back at Devyn again and he brushes his hands down his jeans. Bernice turns back to James. “What do you think we ought to do with him?”
    “I usually get in trouble with Mommy when I’m bad.”
    “Well, it sounds like you have a good mommy then who does what’s best for you. Huh?” She winks at me and I return it with a smile, loving this lady more every minute.
    “I guess so. But Devyn let me watch cartoons and got me McDonald’s. So you should go easy on him.”
    Devyn gives James a thumbs up and then whips to attention like a soldier when Bernice turns back to him. I cover my mouth trying not to laugh.
    “Devyn O’Dare! Buying off children with cartoons and McDonald’s.” She draws out her syllables and her arm shoots back to James with her palm open. “This is a growing man. He needs nutrition and exercise. And you try to gain this poor young man’s favor with junk ?”
    Devyn smiles and shrugs.
    “Boy, don’t you give me that handsome grin. I will knock your block off. You understand me?”
    “Yes ma’am.”
    James is grinning as Bernice turns back to him, her face softening from a sour frown into a warm smile. “I will cook you some dinner boy. But first, we are going outside to play, okay? There are woods and trees and all kinds of stuff to get into out here instead of staring at that devil box all day. Does that sound fun?”
    “Yes.”
    “Come again, James?”
    Devyn mouths ‘ma’am’ to him from behind her shoulder.
    “Yes ma’am,” James says.
    “Well, c’mon then. I’m gonna show you all the hiding places around here.”
    James sprints toward the front door and Bernice scowls at Devyn then turns back to me. “It’s nice to meet you, Carly. Take yourself a break. I got this.” She turns to Devyn and lowers her voice. “This shit ain’t over with you and me. I don’t care what day of the year it was. Understand me, boy?”
    “Yes ma’am.” Devyn stares at the ground.
    “You kids have fun now.” Bernice smiles at me and chases after James. “I’m coming boy. My bones are old so you’re gonna have to slow down a little.”
    Their voices fade and then I hear the door close.
    Devyn walks back to the couch and sits down next to me. “So yeah, that’s Bernice.” He grins.
    “I gathered. She’s wonderful.” The words come out before I can stop them. “Well, other than ripping you a new one anyway.”
    “I deserve it. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
    “I take it she’s not your