Read Online Rough and Ready [Men for Hire 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Jane Jamison - Free Book Online

leaving Alex’s mother was even worse. Avery had the same dark hair and light-brown eyes as her, but he didn’t have Alex’s responsible and caring manner.
    He was a known gambler and had hit up everyone she knew and some she didn’t for loan after loan, swearing on the Good Book that he’d get their money back once he hit it big. As far as she knew, none of those loans had ever been repaid.
    He’d burned Alex too many times during her teens and into her early twenties using his good looks and charm to win her over. Somehow, someway, he’d make her forget the last time she’d helped him out, and after she’d forked over the cash, he’d disappear, leaving her to wonder how she could be so foolish yet again.
    He had a smile that was as bright as Jeff’s, but there’s where the similarity ended. While Jeff’s smile was sincere, Avery’s held a hint of the con man, like he was already thinking how much money he could scam.
    She vowed she wouldn’t fall for his winning ways yet another time.
    “I’ll ask you again, what do you want?” She crossed her arms and glared.
    “Wow, sis, tough greeting.” He tunneled his fingers through his hair. “Okay, fine. I need your help.”
    “So what else is new?”
    “Come on, sis.” He flashed his big smile again. “You know you’re my favorite sister. Don’t be that way.”
    “I’m your only sister. A half sister at that, and I don’t know any other way to be with you.” How many times had he let her down? But that didn’t matter any longer. What mattered was keeping him from letting her down one more time.
    “I don’t blame you. I deserve whatever shit you want to throw at me.”
    What was he up to? She hated it when he acted humble and remorseful. That was when he was at his most dangerous.
    “Sis, I need money.”
    She let out a caustic laugh. “It’s always the same old, same old with you, isn’t it?”
    “Not exactly. This time I want to work for it. Although I could use a little walking-around cash in my back pocket.”
    She’d never heard him even come close to admitting that he’d taken handouts instead of earning the money she’d given him. It had to be a trick. “What’s your angle?”
    He let out a long-suffering sigh. “I don’t blame you for being suspicious, but I heard about the kind of work you’re doing down here and I wondered if you could use a hand.”
    “A hand doing what? Are you talking about real work?” He’d held odd jobs off and on, but none had ever lasted more than a couple of weeks. And none of them had involved using his hands. He’d never wanted to get them dirty. At least not with actual dirt.
    “I’m trying to turn over a new leaf, Alex. I heard about the tornado these poor people went through and thought I could lend a hand in the cleanup.”
    She still didn’t get it. He sounded so sincere. “Are you talking about doing manual labor?” She tried not to appear to be weakening, but she couldn’t help it. She’d long for the day when he’d finally grow up and become a real man. Was this that day?
    “If you could help me out, maybe I could help someone else. What do you say, sis? Is there anything I could do around Destiny to earn a few bucks while giving back? I swear I’ll make you proud.”
    He was playing her. She knew it in her gut. Yet the hope she still had for him wouldn’t be denied. She couldn’t deny a dream if it had even a tiny chance of coming true. “Most of the cleanup from the storm is finished. But I’ll ask around and see what I can find. As long as you’re willing to do anything.” She hardened her gaze. “And I do mean anything.”
    “Just name it.”
    “Trust me, I will.” Destiny had only one bank and one ATM. “We can go to the bank tomorrow and get you a few bucks. Until then, I’ll give you what I have. But Avery, you’d better not be scamming me again.”
    He crossed his heart. “I’m not. I promise you.”
    “I’ve heard all the promises I can stand. I want to