Read Online KENNICK: A Bad Boy Romance Novel by Meg Jackson - Free Book Online

week,” he explained. “Baba Surry has
trouble reading expiration dates.”

 
    Left alone in the trailer, Kennick gestured to one of
the benches and Kim took a seat, appreciating the way Kennick’s large body
moved with feline grace as he took the seat opposite.

 
    “So,” he said, raising his eyebrows and lifting his
palms in a sweeping gesture across the table. Kim waited for him to continue
with whatever he had planned to say, but apparently the single word and the
hand gesture were all he planned to offer.

 
    “I wanted to come by and…well, I know it wasn’t
really, you know….I just wanted to apologize for Mayor Gunderson,” she said,
feeling his eyes dancing over her, his expression playful. “At the bar the
other night…”

 
    Kennick waved his hand in front of his face.

 
    “You can’t help the opinions of others,” he said. “I
won’t take an apology on someone else’s behalf. But thanks all the same.”

 
    Kim bit her lip. She had more questions, but she was
afraid how they’d be received. As though sensing her hesitation, Kennick leaned
across the table, a smile on his lips and in his eyes.

 
    “You’ll find I’m pretty hard to offend, Kim,” he said.
She could smell him; his breath had a hint of cinnamon, and his body was
fragrant with sandalwood. A heady combination that awakened parts of Kim that
she wished would stay asleep until the conversation was over. There was no
denying that the part of her that was attracted to Kennick was automatic,
animalistic…bold. The feeling was such a departure from her usual self that she
found herself welcoming it wholeheartedly.

 
    “Well, I suppose…I was wondering about your…plans
here. I looked over those applications. It’s an…interesting medley. Are you and
your brothers in charge of all of those places? Must be a lot to deal with.”

 
    “No,” he said, leaning back and studying her as though
he knew there would be more questions to follow. Less pleasant ones. “Cristov,
he’ll run the tattoo parlor. My Aunt Ana – Beebi is Romani for Aunt – she runs
the grocery. Peta Kristena, she’s our resident vet. Had to marry her into the
equation; Rom aren’t exactly known for our pursuit of higher education. The
Surrys run the gentleman’s club and the hairdresser.”

 
    “What about the cheese shop?” Kim asked, trying to
keep it all straight in her mind. Kennick smiled again, wide and open this
time.

 
    “Damon,” he said shaking his head. “He’s got a knack
for pairings, believe it or not.”

 
    Kim thought of the huge, burly man she’d just watch
pretend to beat the snot out of his brother. She didn’t believe it. Not for a moment.

 
    “And what’s your role in all this?” she asked,
realizing he’d never laid claim to any of the businesses himself. “Or do you
just get to sit back and take the ride?”

 
    He laughed, as though it was the funniest thing he’d
ever heard.

 
    “I’m r om baro,” he
said. “Leader. Kind of like…I don’t know, President, or something. I kind of
look after it all. Make sure everyone’s happy. Make the big decisions about the kumpania. ”

 
    She nodded. Somehow, it made sense. When you looked
into Kennick Volanis’ eyes, you got the feeling he knew what you should be
doing better than you knew it yourself. He just had that way about him; a way
that made you hungry to trust him. Follow him.

 
    “And I guess most people, well, you all work there
together, I guess, right? Like, all the people who live here work at one place
or another?”

 
    Kennick nodded.

 
    “We find it doesn’t pay to outsource our labor, most
of the time,” he said. “There’s about thirty people in our kumpania. A lot are too young or too old to work. The ones who can work,
work their butts off, and we more or less share the money between ourselves.
We’ll hire a few locals, though. Kids to help in the grocery, any local talent
for the tattoo parlor