Deadly Target [IAD Agency 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free PDF Page A

table of giggling women sitting in the front of the bar.
    “Good. Not that some of them aren’t nice, but they seriously get on my nerves when they group up like that,” Katie said, turning to Mikayla with a sheepish smile. “Sorry, small-town gossip. Most of the women in town treat me and Roz like we’re misfits.”
    Roz snorted before she drank from her own beer. “Those bitches don’t like me ‘cause I tell it like it is. And Katie here doesn’t get out much. Her family keeps a pretty tight leash on her.”
    “It’s true. I know I don’t fit in with them. They think I’m a tomboy, which, I guess I sort of am. That’s what I get for living with two overly protective older brothers and our cousin. Our mom died when I was eight and my dad raised us until he died of cancer a few years ago,” Katie said. “It’s just hard in a small town when most of the women want to be my friend just to get close to the men in my family.”
    Mikayla was at a loss for what to say, so she repeated her earlier statement. “That’s not going to be an issue.”
    Katie smiled. “I know. Besides, I met you first. Anyways, most of the people in town hang out here at the bar so you’ll get a feel for everyone pretty quick.”
    “I don’t think I’m going to be in town long,” Mikayla said after as she finished the last bite of her cheeseburger.
    “Oh, that’s a shame,” Katie said. The sincerity in her voice baffled Mikayla. She had just met these women five minutes ago and yet the younger woman was acting as if she was abandoning her. Katie forced a smile onto her face. “Well, your food is on me. Consider it my apology for Wulf,” Katie said.
    “There’s no need for that—” Mikayla began.
    Roz groaned. “Aw hell, did you bring that beast with you?”
    “Don’t worry, I left him in your mud room,” Katie said quickly.
    “I’m surprised he let you put him in there.” Roz frowned at her friend then her brows furrowed with concern as she turned to Mikayla. “Did that big beast attack you?”
    “No, actually he knocked her down in the parking lot and licked her,” Katie replied, much to the amazement of the other woman.
    “That’s…”
    “Amazing, I know,” Katie finished. “I’ve never seen anything like it. The only one he is that friendly with is my brother, Gage.”
    At the reminder of the dangerous man playing pool Mikayla finished her beer and set the empty glass down on the table. “It was nice meeting you both, but I have to get going. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again soon.” She pulled out some bills and set it down on the bar top.
    “Oh no! Please let me pay. I have to make up for what Wulf did!”
    Mikayla was about to answer when she saw the man from the shadows approaching them out of her periphery. She had to hold back a shiver of awareness as she felt the heat of his body against her side.
    “What did Wulf do?”
    His voice was a deep, rough timbre that vibrated through Mikayla’s body. It annoyed her to have such a visceral reaction to a man she didn’t even know. She turned her head to see Gage Stark standing next to her, his left side turned away from her, but she could still see the faint hint of scars. His dark beauty was even more potent up close and personal. Once again their eyes locked and held for a moment before those intense green eyes slid over to his sister.
    “What did Wulf do, Katie? And what are you doing here? You were supposed to take Wulf home after the appointment with the vet.” Gage’s voice held a natural thread of command that told Mikayla he was used to being obeyed. There was something about that hint of irritation in his voice that had her narrowing her eyes at him. Mikayla couldn’t stop herself from interceding when she saw the cowed look on the younger woman’s face.
    “Seems to me if Wulf is your dog, maybe you should be the one to take him home instead of treating your sister like your slave,” Mikayla said casually as she accepted the