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His Brother's Keeper: The Johansson Brothers, #2
His Brother's Keeper: The Johansson Brothers, #2
His Brother's Keeper: The Johansson Brothers, #2
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His Brother's Keeper: The Johansson Brothers, #2

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Brand Johansson wasn’t overly interested in getting to know his brothers and his uncle. As a child, he was adopted because his mother abandoned him. His adoptive parents decided he wasn’t what they wanted. Twice betrayed, he didn’t have a whole lot of use for family and little patience with other people. Most often, anger drove him, but that didn’t get in the way of his job as a private investigator.

When Brand’s younger brother sets his sights on Shawnita Taylor, Brand knows it isn’t a good idea. He figures the best way to foil his brother’s plans is to seduce her himself. Not an easy task when Brand’s bad attitude causes him to insult her loud enough for an entire room full of people to hear.

Soon Brand realizes Shawnita is the perfect lover. He can’t get enough of her of sweet body or her sassy mouth. The question is will she trust him once he reveals a secret that could destroy the tenuous relationship between his brothers?

LanguageEnglish
Release dateAug 23, 2017
ISBN9781386660408
His Brother's Keeper: The Johansson Brothers, #2

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    Book preview

    His Brother's Keeper - Tressie Lockwood

    Chapter 1

    Brand pushed both hands through his hair, trying in vain to smooth down the curly ends. He knew it was high time for a trim but didn’t care enough about it to actually do it. What did it matter anyway when he wasn’t trying to make a power statement like Arik or to stand out like Cael? Nondescript worked for him—bad boy all the more. No, not bad boy. That would imply he wanted to capture the attention of a woman who wanted something that was clearly not good for her. All he desired was to blend into the background, to observe, and to keep his distance .

    Brand!

    He ground his teeth. So much for going unnoticed. Cael bound into the room, shouting too loud as usual and trying to draw attention to himself. A note of impatience stirred in Brand. He considered ignoring the man and slipping out a side door. After all, he had a few phone calls to make and some information to follow up on.

    Before he could make a final decision, Cael was on him, throwing an arm about his shoulders and grinning. Have you seen Shawnita?

    Who? Brand knew who Shawnita was, and of course he’d seen her. His sister-in-law’s sister had come to the mansion the same as they all did, for the celebration Reinhart threw for the couple that had eloped. Arik and Chevelle were just back in town after honeymooning in Europe.

    Reinhart amused Brand with his rant because Arik and Chevelle had defied his wishes and run off to get married without the family. He wouldn’t be denied for long because as soon as he’d heard they were back, he threw together the party and invited them all. Brand, against his better judgment, had come.

    She’s beautiful, isn’t she? Cael said, a glazed look in his eyes as if he pictured the aforementioned woman naked. I wanted a double wedding, but I’ll settle for something big and elaborate that Uncle Reinhart arranges.

    Brand scowled at him, but he didn’t shake Cael’s arm off. You’re not even seeing her.

    A matter of time.

    Brand decided not to argue with him. He concentrated instead on the scotch his uncle had fixed him as soon as he arrived. Swirling the liquid in his glass, he peered over at Karina, their hostess, who had stayed behind in the ballroom to instruct the caterer on one last arrangement. Then she swirled around in a cloud of silk and lace and hurried to exit the room. Voices in the hall sounded like his oldest brother and his new wife plus Chevelle’s sister.

    Music started up from somewhere overhead, drowning out the low hum of the guests’ voices. It surprised Brand because he assumed Uncle Reinhart would hire a live band. Maybe there just wasn’t room for them and they were elsewhere in the mansion. The ballroom overflowed with guests he assumed were known to either his uncle or Arik. Most of the faces were unfamiliar.

    Soon the happy couple appeared, and the crowd broke out into applause and cheers. Cael released Brand and hooted the loudest. Brand didn’t understand how he insisted on vying for the most attention, even when the situation had nothing to do with him. Then again, Cael’s antics allowed him to stay out of the limelight when they were together.

    He drained the last of his drink, not bothering to clap or cheer. Not that he wasn’t happy for Arik. He was. From the first moment he saw his oldest brother with Chevelle, he knew how Arik felt about her. At the same time, anyone with eyes could see Arik resisted it and was therefore blind to how much he suffered when he left her. So Brand had no problem plotting to ruin Arik’s plans. After all, he made a living getting into other people’s business and keeping them out of his.

    Brand let his gaze flick over his brother, noting he wore a dark suit, but he switched quickly to Chevelle. She was always sexy, wearing a purple tank dress that stopped just above the knee. He considered her to be the perfect size a woman should be with a face that would draw any man’s notice. For himself, he had never considered making love to an African American woman, but he could see how Arik had given in to temptation.

    Then Shawnita stepped out from behind her sister. At his side, Cael made a few noises of appreciation. Unlike Chevelle, Shawnita was less trim. Perhaps because she had had children. Her hips were wider, her breasts heavier. In contrast to the form-fitting dress Chevelle wore that was designed to show off her curves, Shawnita’s outfit seemed to be made to downplay the extra softness to her figure.

    Shawnita turned to whisper something to her sister, and Brand got a view of her ass. He had to admit it was more impressive than Chevelle’s being well-rounded and simply—big. Raising his glass to his lips, he remembered too late he’d finished his drink.

    She’s got a body on her, doesn’t she? Cael said.

    Irritation stirred in Brand. He tightened the grip he held on his empty glass. She’s not as pretty as Chevelle.

    All eyes swiveled to him, and he froze. That’s when he realized he chose the worst time to speak. Uncle Reinhart must have turned the music down and signaled for everyone to be quiet so he could make an announcement. Brand’s words echoed around the room loud enough for everyone—including Shawnita—to hear.

    Damn!

    If she had the power in her eyes, he would be a smoldering pile of ash at that moment. She stared at him with an expression of extreme dislike. He expected her to come back with some scathing remark because he’d heard she had a mouth on her, but she said nothing in the pause before Uncle Reinhart started speaking again. Perhaps he’d get what was coming to him later.

    Brand’s cell phone rang, and he checked the display. He needed to take this call. Hold on, he said when he mashed the connect button and weaved his way through the crowd, headed for the back garden. Once he’d left the partiers behind, he strolled between two rows of blue rose bushes and pressed his phone to his ear again. Go ahead.

    I have an address for you.

    Good, give it to me.

    You have something to write it down with?

    He grumbled under his breath. Just give it to me. I’ll remember. He did have a good memory, especially for small details. It came in handy with his work when he picked up a tip but couldn’t check on it until later.

    555 Circumferential.

    What kind of street name is that? Is that the south side?

    Southeast. Better hurry. I’m not sure if he’s just crashing with someone or subleasing. And I’m expecting a bonus for this information. You can’t imagine what I did to get it.

    Brand snorted. If it’s anything like what you did to get the job with me, I’m not surprised, and it wouldn’t be the first time.

    She cursed over the line. Brand, have I told you lately you’re an asshole? If I haven’t, then please know that you are. No wonder we’re not together anymore.

    And yet you keep trying to get me back.

    He made light of her words and his, but what he said was true. His ex worked for him, and if he didn’t feel he owed her, he would have fired her long ago. Mainly because she wasn’t over him. This time she sounded almost normal as she spoke with him, but he knew from experience it wouldn’t last.

    Brand didn’t like to get serious with women. He didn’t remember his mother, nor her rejection of them. As far as Brand was concerned, she was just another stranger. He didn’t discuss his issues with his family no matter how much they pushed to get to know him better. He kept them at arms length, the safest distance.

    I’m not trying to get you back! Zoe shouted. You have the information. Good-bye!

    If she could, he was sure she would have slammed the phone down in his ear. Since she used a cell phone, there was no effect other than total silence after she ended the call. He tucked his phone into a pocket and considered whether he wanted to walk around the mansion outside until he reached his car. He was sure Zoe hadn’t warned him to hurry for nothing. The person he searched for had given him the slip several times, but he found it interesting that the man didn’t just leave town. Perhaps finances had something to do with it, which of course brought up more questions in Brand’s mind.

    He decided he would leave after all and turned right in the garden toward the front of the mansion. No one would miss him, and they were probably used to him coming and going as he pleased.

    Slinking out?

    He stopped walking after coming face to face with Shawnita. Anger simmered in the almond shaped chocolate brown eyes. She pursed full lips and planted a hand on her hip. She stood not more than ten feet from him, and yet he towered above her. He put her at five foot five at the most, shorter than her sister.

    I don’t slink, he said as he searched for words to apologize for his insult.

    She tilted her head to the side studying him. He had the feeling she thought about how best to cut him down to size. Shawnita came off as the kind of woman who would take retaliation farther than the initial offense just because she could. Sure you do. A man like you, the snaky kind, you always slink.

    He didn’t flinch at her calling him a snake but stood silent.

    You’re at every function, but no one knows anything about you. You always know everybody’s business, but no one knows yours.

    He shrugged. Anyone can look me up. I don’t have anything to hide.

    That’s what they say when they’ve already covered their tracks.

    He shot one of his eyebrows skyward. She was interesting. He’d give her that. "There are ways to gain information.

    Whatever. I don’t care about you. I came out here to tell you if you have something to say about me, say it to my face. You don’t like me or the way I look, I don’t give a damn. Your opinion doesn’t mean a thing to me. Got it? But I’ve been compared to my sister all my life, and it does hurt Chevelle. So you can keep your opinion to yourself.

    I didn’t mean for anyone to overhear me.

    She stepped closer to him, and he noticed her dress wasn’t as modest as he first thought. Her position beneath him allowed him a clear view down the front of her dress. The swell of her large breasts distracted him for a millisecond, and he forced his attention back to her face.

    Fire licked the depths of her eyes. She’d noticed. You think I’m ugly, but you’re staring at my boobs? You’re a piece of work. You know that?

    I never said you’re ugly.

    Whatever, jerkoff. As if anyone cares about what you think. She stared him up and down. You’re no dime, and I bet it would take a real desperate woman to give you the time of day. As far as I’m concerned, you can kiss my ass.

    He frowned. You’ve got a big mouth.

    Yeah, so do you!

    She started to walk away, but despite himself he grabbed her arm and yanked her back to face him. He might have expected surprise or even fear, but she didn’t miss a beat. She kicked him hard in the shin. He winced in pain, and his grip loosened. Before he could recover himself she was gone. He stood there looking like a fool and wondering how he’d gotten himself in the middle of that drama.

    Chapter 2

    Shawnita threw herself on Chevelle’s bed and upended several bags. Oh my God, girl, you hit the jackpot with Arik. I can’t believe how many clothes he let you buy. This dress is four hundred dollars !

    Chevelle, who’d wiggled out of her dress and was standing in bra and panties while she studied her closet, wrinkled her nose. Hit the jackpot? Really, Nita? You make it sound like I married Arik for money.

    Shawnita rolled her eyes and held up a hot pink dress with a deep V at the neck and several inches of fringe for a hem. She wouldn’t be able to fit her hips into it unfortunately. Nobody knows like I know what you had to do to get that idiot to the altar.

    Nita!

    You know it’s true. He gave you the runaround like crazy. I was two seconds off his ass, about to teach him how he needed to treat my sister. He might have married you, but tell him I’m still watching him.

    Chevelle laughed. You never stop.

    And I never will. You’re my baby sister, and I’ll do whatever I need to do to protect you.

    Chevelle grew serious and sat down on the bed beside her. I feel the same way. Nita, about Brand… You can’t listen to anything he says. I like him—in a way—but sometimes I think he’s colder than Arik was. Don’t let anything he says get to you, okay?

    I don’t care about him. Shawnita put the dress back inside its bag and looked through more items her sister purchased.

    I know you, sis. You’re sensitive about your weight.

    "Everybody doesn’t have to be Miss Skinny Minnie like you. Wait ’til you have babies.

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