Free Protecting You (A McCord Family Novel Book 1) by Amanda Siegrist

Jimmy. I made it for myself when I was a teenager. I can be around them, be friends with them, but I could never date one. Let alone marry one. It's just not happening."
    "So, that means I have no chance." Jimmy grinned at her, a hand over his heart as if he was in serious pain.
    Ava laughed. "I didn't know you were interested." Ava looped her arm through his. "Seriously, though, you're the brother I never had. I think that's the closest I'll get to another man right now. I'm not into dating. Work keeps me busy."
    "I know, I was kidding. You're my annoying little sister I never had. I see a good match for you with someone I know. Wanna know who?" Jimmy asked with a sly grin.
    "No. Keep it to yourself and quit with the matchmaking. Hey, have you seen Tiffany lately?" Ava asked devilishly.
    "Point taken. Conversation's over." Jimmy laughed as they continued to O'Hares anyway.
    ***
    She continued to push her food around the plate as her thoughts strayed back to the man across from her. He probably had no idea the shock he'd seen on her face was more from the pleasure of his touch than him picking her up. After he slammed the door shut, she laid in bed trying to figure out what just happened. It happened so quickly. The whole incident made her want to flee even more because now she worried about Zane touching her again. Igniting a fire through her body that she didn't want to feel from him. It just couldn't happen again. She shouldn't feel anything with Jimmy gone.
    Austin had come for her thirty minutes after Zane's disturbing visit. She still had been lying in the bed when he knocked on the door. He had asked her what happened as Eleanor told him she heard some shouting and door-slamming going on. Just like the time Jimmy asked her what his brother said to her and she refused to divulge that information, she did the same to Austin. She could tell it bothered him, but he let it go. Why did she keep protecting Zane from his brothers with the cruel words he spoke to her? Or was she trying to protect them from Zane? Not the other way around.
    "These are some good pork chops, Eleanor. You always outdo yourself." Austin grinned deviously.
    "Oh, stop you. You're just saying that because of our company," Eleanor said with a smile, enjoying the compliment.
    "Not true. I always enjoy your meals and you know it. How do you like it, Ava?" Austin asked as he looked at her, touching her arm gently.
    Ava looked at him with blank eyes as she pushed her fork, moving the food to another position on the plate.
    ***
    "Just eat it already. You can't move here and not come to Coney Island to have a Nathan's Famous Hot Dog. It's blasphemous," Ava exclaimed as she handed the hot dog to Jimmy.
    Markus raised an eyebrow at him. "Eat up, man. No New Yorker worth his salt denies one of these babies."
    "Didn't you live on a farm?" Ashley asked seriously.
    Jimmy looked perplexed. "Yes, I did, but that doesn't have anything to do with having a hot dog, Ash." Jimmy sighed at Ava as he took it from her outstretched hand. "I was never a fan of hot dogs is all."
    "This isn't just any hot dog. Eat up." Ava dared him to argue with her. "I'll shove it down your throat."
    "Alright. Alright." Jimmy slowly brought it to his mouth and took a tentative bite. The delicious swirls of flavor enriched his taste buds. He took a few more bites and finally said, "Not bad."
    Ava scoffed at him. "Not bad? You need your head examined. They're delicious. Melt in your mouth delicious." Ava saw Julie had arrived and threw up two of her fingers, hollering, "Order up."
    Julie nodded in understanding.
    Jimmy looked confused again as Ava smirked at him. "Oh, you're eating two, Jimmy. You're not getting out of it either."
    He laughed as Julie made her way in the long line.
    ***
    "Ava? Did you hear me?" Austin asked, concerned, as he saw tears forming in the corner of her eyes. Just like outside.
    He could tell she hadn't eaten much yet, but he was happy she was sitting at the table and