Free If You Leave: The Beautifully Broken Series: Book 2 by Courtney Cole

about what she said to me.
    Maddy might seem like a bitch, but I promise you that she’s not.
    Why the hell would she say that? Maddy doesn’t seem like a bitch to me, but then again, I think I know why she’s acting so cold. I know, sort of, what happened last night. No one else here does. They must all think she’s snubbing me for no reason.
    The sound of Jacey’s cajoling brings my attention back to the present, where my sister is practically sitting in Brand’s lap as she tries to coerce him into telling her stories from combat.
    Brand shoots me another desperate look over her head, so I take pity and rescue him. Brand might be an incredible hulk of muscle, but Jacey’s always turned him into knots. He just thinks that no one knows that.
    “Jace, you know he can’t talk about that. That shit’s all classified. And you don’t have the security clearance level to hear it.”
    Jacey glares at me. “I don’t have a security clearance at all.”
    I smile at her. “That’s my point. Give the guy a break. Besides, I’m sure we should probably leave. We’re taking up a table.”
    “Don’t go yet,” Jace whines, picking up another bite of her cake. “I’ve missed you guys. A lot. And I hardly ever get to see you, even now that you’ve been home for months. Don’t you find that weird?” She pauses, takes another bite, then turns to me. “Just have one more cup of coffee,” she tells me bossily. “I’ll even make it decaf.”
    She scoots off Brand’s lap and darts off for the kitchen before I can even answer.
    Brand grins at me. “Some things never change. Jacey’s still got you wrapped around her little finger.”
    I shake my head. “Whatever. She was sitting on
your
lap. Seriously, though. You know I feel bad for her. She always thinks our dad is going to change—that he’ll miraculously take an interest in her and then when he doesn’t, she’s devastated. She’s never gonna learn.”
    “So you’re always gonna be there to take his place,” Brand adds. “And do the shit he doesn’t. I know you, dude. And I respect the hell out of that. I do. I’m sure Jacey does too, even if she doesn’t show it.”
    “My sister’s tougher than she looks,” I answer thoughtfully, watching as she stops to talk to some guy who just walked in the restaurant. “She tries not to get all gushy and shit, but I know she appreciates you too.”
    Brand follows my gaze to Jacey, freezing on the guy who is standing with her. Something about the guy seems off. He’s wearing dirty work clothes and he’s muscled and stout. Clearly he does some sort of manual labor. He’s also clearly pissed.
    “Who’s that?” Brand asks with sharp interest. I shake my head.
    “No clue.”
    I can’t hear what they’re saying, but they seem to be in a heated discussion and the guy’s face turns red. Jacey shakes her head, rolls her eyes and turns to walk away.
    And then the guy grabs her arm.
    The second he touches her, anger flashes through me, red and hot. Like lightning, Brand and I both shove back from the table, lunging to our feet. I reach my sister in a few strides, with Brand right beside me.
    “If you want to keep your hand, I suggest you let go of my sister,” I say calmly. There’s no need to raise my voice. I know how intimidating I am. And standing together, Brand and I are like a wall. We tower over this little punk.
    He looks up at us and I can see fear in his eyes, even if he doesn’t want to show it. He takes his time, but he makes a show of slowly and exaggeratedly releasing Jacey’s arm, then holding his empty hand in the air.
    “That’s better,” Brand tells him. “I would suggest you not do that again.”
    “Fuck off,” the guy spits angrily. “This isn’t your business.”
    “Jared, just leave,” Jacey interjects. “Seriously. You need to go.”
    Jared smiles. “This is a public place. I need some dinner. And I want you to serve me.”
    “No fucking way,” Jacey tells him. “Get