Read Online Irresistible Knight by Tierney O’Malley - Free Book Online Page B

her.”
    “Doubt it. She's new here, too. Well, good day, Bors. Thanks for the slippers.”
    “You sure?”
    “Yes.” The look Bors gave her nearly undid her. It had been a long time since someone looked at her with concern in their eyes.
    “If your friend doesn't show up, call me.” He handed her a business card bearing two sets of cell phone numbers. “The first number is mine.”
    “And the second one?”
    “My supervisor's. Call either one, and you'll reach me.”
    Taylor stared at the card. It was simple. The numbers were embossed and printed in black ink, but no name, business name, fax number, or physical or website address. Odd, she thought. “Thank you.”
    “How about if I wait until your friend arrives?”
    “Oh, no. You'll end up waiting ... I mean, you don't have to. I'm good. You can go.”
    A G550 SUV Mercedes Benz, the exact kind Jean drove, pulled up to the curb. Taylor gasped, realizing with a shiver of panic that Jean had found her. Instinctively, she inched closer to Bors, then slowly moved toward his back. If Bors noticed her action, he didn't say a thing. He just stood there, looking at the car.
    * * * *
    Teejay surprised him by hiding behind his back, but he didn't show it. When she touched his jacket and he felt her tremble, he didn't move. Who did she think was in the driver's seat? And why did she hide? That little fact didn't sit well in his stomach. No woman should feel fear for her safety or her life.
    Not perfectly clear, but little things made sense now. First, her broken heel, her pale face when she checked her cell phone, and lack of money. For a woman wearing expensive jewelry who evidently shopped at Barney's New York instead of JC Penny's , it was confounding the she didn't have money in her bank or three dollars in her purse. It was obvious. She was running from someone.
    Bors reached behind him to hold Teejay's fisted hand. He gave her a reassuring squeeze, but didn't let go. He wanted to let her know that it was okay. Damn it, who is after her?
    “Teejay, I know the driver,” he said without looking at her. Teejay didn't say anything. He wasn't sure if she heard him.
    The driver got out of the car. “Damn, bro, you look horrible. Aren't you tired of sleeping in a dumpster?” Gawain sauntered toward them with a grin on his face and angled his head, trying to see who was behind him.
    “Glad to see you, too, Gawain. Shouldn't you park your car in the parking lot? You're blocking the shoppers.” Bors felt Teejay's hold on him loosen and her hand relaxed beneath his palm. Still he didn't let go.
    “Who's going to arrest me? You? Fuckin’ eh, you rank.” Gawain punched his shoulder.
    “You owe the jar a dollar. What are you doing in town?”
    “Bors, it's Friday. I always come home every Friday afternoon. Unlike you and Percy, I have no excuse not to come home. And Mom's big six-o is on Sunday. Or you forgot?” Gawain raised his brows in silent question.
    Damn. How could he forget his mother's birthday? Simms said he'd be here Sunday—to attend the party. Sleep deprivation had been eating his brain away. Maybe he should take Simms's advice and take a nap.
    Teejay tugged her hand. He stepped aside to reveal her to Gawain. “Gawain, this is Teejay. My brother, Gawain.”
    Visible relief was obvious on Teejay's face as she looked at Gawain and then she broke into an open, enchanting smile. “Hello, Gawain.”
    “Please to meet you, Teejay. I didn't know my brother was acquainted with the goddess Venus.”
    “You mean a goddess that was tossed out of Olympus and landed in the garbage dump?” Teejay looked at him. “That was how your brother described me.”
    Gawain shook his head. “Don't mind him. He's not use to facing beautiful women when he's sober and outside the realm of bedrooms. Simply clueless.”
    “Is that why he looks like he just won the contest, Stomp the Garbage ?”
    Gawain let out a hoot of laughter. “Funny, Teejay.”
    Bors joined his brother. He