Free Best Man For The Job (The Men of Fear Incorporated Book 1) by Melinda Valentine

things with him.”
    “Thank you sweet baby Jesus!” Bella pumped her fist in the air before twirling around in circles doing her happy dance.
    The scene brought on a burst of laughter from Sloane. The last time she had seen Bella this happy was when Foster proposed. Her laughter was contagious. Sloane couldn’t not join in when it was this sincere. But like a switch that had been flipped, Bella’s face took on a solemn expression and she fixed her gaze on Sloane.
    “Oh, honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t even ask how you’re taking this.”
    “I need to go out. Like, tonight. I wanna get dressed up and paint the town. I need to forget all about him. Even if it’s only for a few hours with a good lookin’ stranger.”
    “Now you’re talkin’, sister.” She craned her neck and raised her voice. “Hey, Foster!”
    Mirabella yelled loud enough to make Sloane wince and wonder if she’d ever regain all her hearing in her right ear. She was rubbing her sore ear when Foster, followed by Max, came strolling in the bedroom. At least Max wasn’t wearing that sexy smile while gazing at his phone anymore.
    “You called, my dear?” Foster kissed Bella’s cheek and slipped his arm around her.
    “Yes. Sloane and I are going out tonight. I just wanted you to know.” She moved out from under Foster’s embrace. She stood next to Sloane, looping her arm over Sloane’s shoulder in a show of sisterly solidarity. Her smile bright as could be.
    “Tonight?”
    “Yup, she got rid of Mr. Wrong and tonight she’s gonna find Mr. Right Now.”
    “Not a good idea,” Max piped in immediately. Sloane wanted to punch him in the mouth.
    “And why not?” She put her fists on her hips. Who did he think he was? Her father?
    “Because it might not be safe,” he answered smugly. Well the hell with that.
    “Hey, Foster, why don’t you call some of your friends and we can go as a group. I’ll be safe as can be among all of you lawmen.” Sloane winked at him and gave him what she hoped was her best smile.
    “Actually, that sounds pretty cool. I’ll send a mass text message. What time?”
    “The Void at eight sharp.”
    Bella grabbed both of Sloane’s hands, once again twirling in her happy dance after Foster confirmed his message was sent. Max looked like he’d just finished sucking on a lemon. Where was that seductive little smile now? Ha! The men went back to whatever it was they’d been doing downstairs as the girls discussed important things like hair and makeup.
     
    ***
     
    Max
     
    Well shit , Max thought, trailing Foster back downstairs. He had already made plans to see Charlie tonight to relieve a little stress. Maybe Foster wouldn’t mind dropping Sloane off at his place afterward for him. Even after thinking it, it sounded like a shitty thing to ask. Since he wasn’t sure what time he would be back there.
    “Nice, Mother and Tank are in,” Foster called behind him.
    “Cool. So, dude, I kinda had a date tonight.” Max squirmed, waiting for a reaction.
    “Really? I’d assumed—I thought—you had a thing for Sloane? She’s single now. Did you miss that part?”
    “She’s great, but we both know I’m not one to settle down yet.” Although the more Max said it, the less he believed it.
    Foster shrugged. “It’s your life. Since you appointed yourself as her unofficial bodyguard, I’d thought that you would be with her at all times.” Foster took a seat on the couch. “Oh, well…that’s all right. She wouldn’t want to be a burden to you. Anyway, between me, Mother, and Tank, she’ll be fine. Sloane can stay here tonight. You know…if she needs a place.”
    Foster checked his phone again while Max thought of what “if she needs a place” could mean. Max ignored the blatant accusation of him leaving Sloane alone since Foster had been the one adamantly against it in the first place…Wait, Foster didn’t think she’d let a strange man take her home tonight, did he? That’s sure as hell what it’d