Montana D-Force (Brotherhood Protectors Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

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    Mia chewed on her lip. “I have a gun. I just haven’t had a chance to dig it out of my suitcase.”
    “Do you know how to use it?” Hank asked.
    “I do. I’ve been to the firing range many times, and I have a concealed carry license for the state of California.”
    “Sweetie, I think that’s great,” Sadie said. “But you need someone who has your back until we find out who kicked in that door and who was responsible for the rape all those years ago.”
    For a long moment, Mia stared into Sadie’s eyes. “All these years, I swore I wouldn’t let my fear run my life.”
    “You’re not hiding anymore, Mia,” Hank said.
    “You’re taking matters into your own hands,” Sadie said, running a soothing hand down Mia’s arm. “Hiring a bodyguard is just one way of doing that.”
    Mia nodded. “Okay. I’ll do it.”
    “Good.” Hank faced Bear. “I’ll talk to Swede when he gets back. I know he’ll be on board. How about you, Bear?”
    “I’m all for finding the lowlife.” Bear’s fists ached for the opportunity to pound the son of a bitch into the ground.
    Hank shook his head. “Swede and I will take the lead on the investigation. If Mia’s okay with it, I’d like you to be her bodyguard.”
    Bear’s gaze shot to Mia. “I’m not so sure she’d want me to be, not after what happened.”
    Mia gave him a crooked smile. “If Sadie and Hank think you’re the man for the job, I’m okay with it. To make it official, will you be my bodyguard?”
    Bear’s lips twitched at the corners. “I don’t know. I’m not sure my shins and ankles can take it.”
    Mia raised her hand. “I promise not to kick or hit you, as long as you promise not to grab me in the dark.” Then she held out her hand. “Deal?”
    Bear didn’t hesitate. He closed the distance between them and shook. “Deal.” The protector in him couldn’t let her go back to that house alone. His brows furrowed. “You know, it might be best if we don’t advertise that we’re looking for the rapist.”
    Hank nodded. “It might work even better if no one knows Bear is actually Mia’s bodyguard.”
    Bear grunted. “Right. Whoever he is has gotten away with the crime all these years. He might be trying to scare Mia away so that she doesn’t out him.”
    Mia nodded. “I could say that I hired Bear to renovate my family home.” She glanced at him. “Have you ever done any carpentry?”
    Bear nodded. “A little, when I spent summers at my grandfather’s farm.”
    “Good enough. As soon as I have internet, we can look up whatever needs to be done. That is, if you don’t mind doing some handiwork while I’m writing…”
    Bear grinned. “Beats standing around, and it keeps me close to the house in case you need me.”
    “Then, it’s settled,” Hank said. “You’ve got yourself a bodyguard-handyman, and we have some work to do finding your attacker.”
    Sadie smiled at Mia. “But tonight, you’re staying here. Tomorrow, your handyman can fix the doorjamb and the lock.”
    Mia hugged Sadie. “I’ll sleep on the couch, if that’s okay.”
    Bear shook his head. “Take my room. I can’t sleep in a real bed anyway.”
    “Sorry,” Hank smirked. “I don’t have a foxhole handy for you.”
    Bear snorted. “Watch it, frogman.”
    “Boys,” Sadie warned. “Let’s call it a night. Tomorrow will be a busy day. Come on, Mia. I’ll show you to the room.”
    “Just shove my stuff to the side.”
    Mia started to pass Bear and stopped, touching him on the arm.
    A jolt of electricity shot through his arm and into his chest.
    “Are you sure you don’t want the bed?” Mia asked.
    “I’m sure. I couldn’t sleep, anyway.”
    “That’s right. You were on the porch when I drove up.” She frowned. “Why?”
    He rubbed his leg. “Guess I needed some air.”
    Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t push for more answers.
    If she knew he was disabled, would she change her mind about him being her bodyguard?
    Bear hoped not.