JARED: The Justice Brothers Series Read Online Free PDF Page B

I said earlier, I take responsibility for the fact that you were on the mission.” Again, he raised his hand stopping her objection. “If I’d paid more attention to the weather report and knowing our thick forests are challenging to navigate—especially for a newbie—I wouldn’t have included you on the op.”
    Seeing Hailey’s flushed cheeks and downcast eyes that were no doubt brimming with moisture, Jared broke in.
    “C’mon, Bro, lighten up. Yeah, we’re going to have to realign our strategy. Getting outed by the rookie has just forced us to speed up our timeline. Hell, if you think about it, if anyone was going to see me, it’s lucky the Valley Girl did. If I’m reading her expression right, all you have to do to keep her quiet is continue looking at her the way you are now. Shit, man, I’ve seen cornered baby fawns facing a Ten Point Carbon Xtra CLS crossbow who look less scared than the rookie does.”
    As if seeing Hailey’s strained expression and obvious fear for the first time, Jake relented. Huffing a hard sigh, he nodded to his brother.
    “You’re right, Jared.” Turning to Hailey, he said apologetically, “Look, Hailey, Agent Justice is correct. In truth, nothing that you did tonight has caused irreparable harm. Either to the operation or to your standing in my eyes. You’re a good cop, and you will be even better. And yes, you need seasoning, but for Christ’s sake, you’ve only been here for a month.” He snorted, and shot his brother a reproachful glare. “Hell, Officer Michels, you did what half the female population of our fair city has been unable to do: you bowled over my infamously elusive baby brother. Damn, you actually brought him to ground.” He shrugged and flashed Jared a grin. “Although I did notice that the ‘grounding’ appeared to be mutual.”

Chapter 4
    J ared chuckled and gave his brother a mock salute as he walked over to the bar and replenished his drink. Turning to Hailey, he raised his glass.
    “Yeah, rookie, I gotta tell you, as if you didn’t know, you surprised the hell out of me tonight.” Eyeing her outstretched body he flashed a cocky grin, “In more ways than one. It’s not every night that a bodacious babe tumbles down a hill into my arms.” He added with a dismissive snort, “But as good as that roll down the hill was, it’s got repercussions that we need to deal with.”
    Jake agreed with a hard sigh. “The understatement of the year, Bro.” Yanking his phone from its holster, Jake checked the i.d. then nodded to Jared and Sully.
    “I need to take this.” He pinned a hard frown on Jared and said. “As for you, Bro, behave yourself. I think Officer Michels has had enough excitement for one night.”
    Jared chuckled then turned to see Hailey studying the photograph on the fireplace mantel. He nodded at the picture with a grin.
    “Believe it or not, that’s me at the ripe old age of eighteen. The Judge insisted that we get a picture of all four brothers before I went off to college. Guess he thought once I fled the nest I might not come back.”
    He added with a rueful grin, “At the time that wasn’t unthinkable. Although I confess that as I grew out of my rebellious teens, my appreciation for my family has grown exponentially. I never realized how close my brothers and I were until they weren’t harassing my ass on a daily basis.”
    Hailey studied the picture of the four Hollywood handsome young men clowning for the camera. She was stunned at how gorgeous they were. Trying to hide her amazement, she said, “Obviously I know Lt. Justice, and I met your brother Jorden, the District Attorney, the first time I testified in court.” Glancing at the man next to Jared she said, “I knew you had three brothers but I’ve never met him.” She studied the dark haired, green eyed man then met Jared’s gaze. “He almost looks like your twin.”
    “So we’ve been told for years. That’s Jude. He’s two years older than I am and as you