Read Online Shooting Star by Carol Lynne - Free Book Online Page B

cabin.”
    “Priest?” Fuck. Brac wasn’t ready to meet the only man Jessup ever spoke of. “Why? I haven’t seen anyone skulking around. Even Rio and Ryan are starting to look bored out of their minds. I don’t think it’s necessary to bring someone like Priest in.”
    “Because I trust him to keep you safe. And don’t kid yourself. Rio and Ryan used to do the same thing Priest does. The only difference is Priest still hasn’t retired.”
    Brac glanced towards the living room. It was hard to imagine Rio and Ryan as mercenaries. “You sure?”
    “I’m sure. Anyway, Priest’ll be there any second. He wanted me to warn you before he showed up.”
    “Why? You mean so Ryan doesn’t shoot him?”
    “That and because he’s kind of…intimidating when you first see him. There are different types of mercenaries for different jobs. Most of us are blenders because we can ease our way into a situation without attracting attention, but Priest is known as an enforcer. He’s the guy you bring in when you want your opponent to know you’re serious.”
    “You’ve lost me. Is he scary-looking or something?”
    Ryan appeared in the doorway. “There’s a black Range Rover coming down the road.”
    “He’s here,” Brac said into the phone.
    “Who’s here?” Ryan asked.
    “Give the phone to Ryan,” Jessup instructed.
    “But we haven’t finished talking.” Brac wanted to know what was so scary about Priest before he came face to face with the man.
    “You’ll find out soon enough, but I really need to tell Ryan who’s about to walk into the house. Getting my best friend shot isn’t the plan. We’ll talk again later.”
    Brac handed Ryan the phone just as a loud knock seemed to vibrate the entire cabin. “I’ll get it. It’s Jessup’s friend.”
    Ryan grabbed Brac’s arm, keeping him in place. “You’re not going anywhere until I find out what the fuck’s going on.”
    Brac waited while Jessup explained the situation to Ryan.
    “Priest? As in the Priest?” Ryan glanced over his shoulder. “Yeah.” He nodded his head. “Okay, no I’ve never met him, but he’s about to break the door down.” Ryan headed out of the room.
    Brac quickly followed, feeling better. At least it seemed Ryan knew of Priest. That had to be a good sign.
    “Stay back there,” Ryan ordered before returning to his conversation with Jessup. “All right. Talk to you later.” Ryan tossed the phone to Brac . “Brace yourself.”
    Brac’s jaw dropped when Ryan opened the door. Priest was so big and tall that only the lower half of his face was visible beyond the doorframe. He automatically took a step back when Priest ducked and walked into the cabin. Holy shit.
    Ryan tilted his head back and held up his arm. Instead of shaking Priest’s hand, he appeared to show Priest a particular tattoo inked onto his inner forearm. “Ryan Blackfeather . It’s nice to finally meet you.”
    Priest flashed his own inner arm before replying, “Any trouble?”
    “Nothing,” Ryan said with a shake of his head. He turned and gestured to Brac . “Let me introduce you. Brac , this is Priest, the one man you’d never want to cross.”
    “No shit,” Brac mumbled to himself. Priest had to be all of seven foot. With the rest of his body built like a professional wrestler, Priest was the most intimidating man he’d ever met.
    Priest crossed the room to stand in front of Brac . “So you’re Brac .”
    Brac could only nod. He’d never considered his six-foot-one frame small, but damn, he felt like a toddler next to Priest. “Yes, sir,” he answered automatically.
    Priest tossed his head back and laughed. The sound echoed through the cabin, sending chills through Brac . How the hell was he supposed to spend the next three days with a man who fucking terrified him?
    “You’re the first person to call me that. Well, the first person I wasn’t holding a gun on, that is.” Priest held out his hand.
    Brac stared at the oversized hand and