Beautifully Brutal (Southern Boy Mafia #1) Read Online Free Page B

to listen to the conversation, she moved closer, squeezing between the other guests lingering in the ballroom.
    “Where’s your backup?” Trace asked.
    “Two stationed at the front, two at the back.”
    “If they are, they’re invisible.” Conner’s rough grumble resounded in Courtney’s ear. Her oldest brother was stationed outside, keeping an eye on things with Z, one of Sniper 1’s tenured operators, along with RT’s brother, Colby.
    “I’m taking her into protective custody, Kogan. Nothing you can do to stop me.”
    A chill washed over her when Courtney heard her brother’s answering growl. “Over my dead fucking body.”
    “This isn’t your call. She’s in danger, and you’re putting her there.”
    “You’re the only danger to her, Duchein.”
    “What the fuck are you talkin’ about?”
    Yep, definitely guilty. Duchein’s defensive counterpoint had come out far too quickly.
    “I’m on your six,” Courtney said, smiling sweetly as she squeezed past another couple standing directly behind Marissa. “I’m escorting Marissa to Z.”
    “Confirmed,” Z responded in her ear.
    The conversation between Trace and Duchein continued, but Courtney tuned them out, focusing solely on getting her best friend to safety. Peering around Marissa, Courtney saw Z standing at one of the sets of doors leading out onto the terrace. Gripping Marissa’s wrist firmly, Courtney led her to Z, not releasing her until Z had her.
    “I’ve got Marissa. Conner’s with us. Escorting her out.” Z’s monotone drawl was in stereo—she heard him speak directly in front of her, and it echoed in her earpiece.
    Nodding her head, she turned as they disappeared outside. “I’m on my way back to you,” Courtney told Trace.
    Courtney noticed people were beginning to focus on the heated squabble, other guests now circling the men arguing as they watched the verbal spar. She knew they needed to find somewhere private to deal with this issue. And fast.
    “Gentlemen,” Courtney said, injecting as much saccharin in her tone as she could, “why don’t we take this somewhere with a little more privacy. Our gracious host has offered his office.” It was a lie, but she figured it was a safe one. She knew without a doubt that Max did not want this to take place in public.
    “After you,” Trace told Duchein, signaling for him to lead the way.
    Unfortunately, it didn’t appear that Duchein was worried about other eyes watching them because he didn’t move. That blatant disrespect for Max sent warning bells clanging. If the man knew what was best for him, he wouldn’t cross the one man who would eliminate him right here, right now, witnesses be damned.
    “Where is she?” Duchein barked. “Where is Marissa Trexler?”
    “ Who ?”
    The sound of Max’s voice had Courtney’s entire body going on high alert. The venom dripping from the single word told her that he’d passed the point of calm. And when he placed his hand at the small of her back, she sucked in a breath. His touch had always done that to her, and clearly she wasn’t as immune to him as she’d hoped.
    No one replied to Max, and when he spoke again, there wasn’t an ounce of request in his tone. “Gentlemen, either we relocate this conversation to my office or things are about to get real ugly.”
    “Lead the way, Mr. Adorite,” RT stated in response.
    Courtney had no choice but to walk when Max pressed her forward, the warmth of his hand searing her back. Those sensations she’d worked so hard to stop thinking about once again rioted inside her. Unfortunately, and despite knowing what was best for her, Courtney feared her body would always belong to Max. No other man would ever be able to touch her the way he did.
    As Courtney walked close to their gracious host, she heard him when he leaned over and spoke to RT. “If anything happens to her, I’ll kill you myself.”
    Courtney rolled her eyes, knowing Max was referring to her. From the moment she had met