Free Sweet Reward by Christy Reece Page A

let us know when you’re coming. Smooches.”
    “Okay. Give my love to Dad.”
    “You know, it wouldn’t hurt for you to call your sister. Blood ties should be stronger than old hurts.”
    Mia shook her head. She’d heard it a thousand times before. They thought she still held a grudge against her sister for stealing her fiancé. That really wasn’t the reason. Lewis had made it more than clear that a political career was in his future. Mia had been a viable candidate, but when she’d told him she wanted a different kind of life, Lewis hadn’t been happy. He’d been ripe for Nadia’s schemes. A brief affair had commenced … one that had ended badly. He was now married to another diplomat’sdaughter and would probably run for the Senate in the next election.
    Even though there was only a two-year age gap between them, Mia and Nadia had never been close. They were too different and had always wanted completely opposite things. Even before the event that had changed her life, Mia had recognized the differences. Nadia thrived on glitz, glamour, and political intrigue. Mia had found some of it enjoyable; for the rest, she had faked her enthusiasm. She had been expected to act a certain way, and she had. But then everything had changed, and so had Mia.
    Telling her parents that she and Nadia heartily disliked each other had never been an option. She let them keep their illusions that they had two children who didn’t hate each other. It just made for a more peaceful existence all around.
    “I’ll try, Mom, but my job’s taking much of my time these days.”
    As expected, a hurried goodbye followed that statement. Any mention of Mia’s job elicited either a change of subject or the end of the conversation. She was used to that, too.
    Mia gave the drab, utilitarian apartment another sweeping glance and assessed what she could do to make it as homey as possible. The place was in desperate need of both color and comfort. She grabbed her jacket and headed toward the door. If she hurried, she might be able to get in a quick workout at LCR. After seeing Jared again, her body needed some kind of physical release. And since what it wanted was never going to happen, she would take second best.
    She had a feeling she was going to be working out a lot in the next few weeks.

     
    Jared ducked, avoiding the fist that came at his head. He whirled, kicked out, and knocked his opponent on his ass. The man was back on his feet in an instant, coming at Jared and tackling him to the ground. Cursing, Jared put his forearm against the man’s sternum and pushed hard, putting several inches between them. Using that space, Jared raised a knee and jabbed his opponent in the inner thigh. His opponent cursed, rolled away, and then jumped to his feet.
    “Hell, man, a couple of inches to the right and you’d have some explaining to do with McKenna,” Lucas growled.
    A smile twitched at Jared’s mouth. The idea of him explaining to McKenna why her husband would be sexually indisposed for a few days was the first humorous thing he’d heard in a while.
    “She’d probably send me a thank-you gift.”
    Lucas snorted. “Don’t count on it. She’s rather fond of me.”
    Yeah, he knew that. In fact, Lucas and McKenna were actually the first couple he’d been around that genuinely loved each other. He’d never seen a good marriage growing up, which might account for his poor decisions in his own.
    Taking a long swallow of water, Jared eyed his friend. This was the first time since his divorce that they had sparred. And it was also the first time that he’d even had Lucas over. He’d bought this old warehouse after leaving IDC, but it wasn’t until his marriage ended that he’d done anything with the place. It had sat empty for years. When he’d made the move back to Paris after his divorce, renovating the giant space into a livable apartment and gym had consumed most of his free time. He hadn’t seen Lucas much. His fault, not