The Hometown Hero Returns Read Online Free PDF

You’re shaking. I’m sorry—”
    â€œWhat’s going on, Mari?”
    Mari’s eyes widened at the sound of the hard voice behind them. She looked over Marc’s right shoulder and saw Eric standing there, looking furious. Marc twisted his chin around.
    â€œOh, look,” Marc muttered with subdued sarcasm. “If it isn’t the other victim, here to save Mari from the beast. What are you going to do, Reyes? Start a brawl with me in the parking lot?”
    â€œMarc—” Mari called out warningly, sensing the volatility inherent to the moment.
    â€œNo, Kavanaugh. That’d be your M.O., if I recall correctly,” Eric replied.
    She grabbed hold of Marc’s shoulders and tried to get him to face her when he turned toward Eric. “Marc—”
    â€œI’m betting he never bothered to tell you about that. Did he, Mari?” Eric asked. “I know Ryan wanted to keep that story from you—how Kavanaugh clobbered your brother in the parking lot of the courthouse after the judge made his final decision about the lawsuit?” His upper lip curled in contempt, Eric glanced at Marc.
    Marc closed his eyes in what appeared to be frustration and mounting anger. After a second, he met her stare. She read regret on his features.
    â€œI thought Ryan would have told you,” he said, for her ears only. “I thought maybe that was part of the reason you avoided me all these years.”
    Something about her expression must have told him the truth—that Ryan never had told his little sister about their fight.
    â€œI was twenty-two years old at the time, Mari. It was a long time ago.”
    Marc and Ryan used to be inseparable, the best of friends. A powerful sadness swept over her.
    â€œIs there a problem?” someone called out sharply.
    Eric turned and saw the youngest male Kavanaugh stalking toward them. Mari had heard from Marc that Liam had become a decorated police detective. She could easily believe it was true. He looked like he was about to make a drug bust in a Chicago alley as he stormed toward them.
    â€œWalk away, Reyes,” Liam barked, blue eyes blazing. “Why don’t you hurry back to that slick house on Buena Vista Drive that my mom’s money paid for?”
    Eric’s mouth dropped open in shock. “You son of a—”
    â€œI wouldn’t finish that if I were you,” Liam muttered, jaw rigid.
    Mari was distantly aware of Jake’s front door opening and closing again, but her attention was on the sparks flying between Liam and Eric. Eric’s hands were still balled into furious fists.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, Reyes? Worried about bruising those delicate surgeon’s hands?” Liam taunted softly. His cocky grin dared Eric to hit him.
    Mari groaned when she saw the flash of fury in Eric’s dark eyes as he started toward Liam.
    â€œEric, don’t—” Mari called out, but Marc was already moving to intercept them.
    â€œCut it out, you two,” Marc barked. He reached to restrain Eric, his muscles flexing hard beneath his shirt.
    But someone else got to Eric first. A hand tapped him on the shoulder. Eric turned, his back to Mari. He remained firmly planted on his feet, but jerked when someone landed a punch on his jaw.
    â€œLeave my brothers alone, Reyes.”
    Mari gaped when she recognized Colleen Kavanaugh.
    â€œGet her inside right now,” Marc growled at Liam, his eyes blazing.
    Liam looked like he was chewing nails as he regarded Eric. For a second, Mari worried he’d refuse to obey Marc’s taut command, but then he grabbed his sister’s arm and murmured to her.
    Colleen stumbled on the gravel, her sandaled feet moving reluctantly as Liam led her back to the bar. She twisted around and pinned Eric with a baleful stare. He didn’t move, just stood there as if frozen, gazing after the retreating Kavanaughs. Mari heard him curse softlybeneath his breath