Free Relentless (Fallon Sisters Trilogy: Book #1) by P. J. O'Dwyer Page B

accountant."
    "I only write the checks."
    Beyond Robert's shoulder the courthouse door opened. She laughed to herself when Kevin strode out. He'd earn his salary today.
    "Bren." Robert was next to her. "I told him I didn't approve of him taking advantage of your situation."
    Maybe. Or was he stalling her? Robert was a Connelly. The sympathetic expression lining his face wasn't going to sway her.
    "Then don't write the check." Bren stepped around him and gauged the distance to Wes.
    Robert's cell phone rang. "Wait." He dipped his head, swore, and took the call.
    If he wanted to talk, he should have started by telling her his father's intentions before today. Kevin wasn't at his post, but she could feel him closing in. Too bad.
    "Connelly!" she yelled.
    His head swung, his eyes tracking the crowd. His lips curled when he found her several steps down and heading his way.
    Bren balled her hands into fists. She was going to pay Wes back in spades, and she didn't care about the consequences.
    She was within striking distance when Bernie's eyes peered over his glasses, and he frowned. "Is that the final bid?" He focused his attention on Wes.
    She rammed her fist toward Wes's chin and tripped over the last step and missed. She swayed and tried to gain her balance.
    Wes straightened and grabbed Bren's hair. He yanked her to within a breath of his mulish face and then gave one hard tug without letting go. Her eyes teared up, and she clenched her teeth.
    "I ought to backhand you," Wes said, his voice low and savage.
    Bren caught sight of Kevin coming down the courthouse steps. With the crowd below, it would be awhile before he got to her. Locking a pair of belligerent eyes on Wes, she stared him down. "Go for it," she said through gritted teeth.
    Wes raised his hand. Bren squinched her eyes closed and prepared for the blow. When it didn't come, her eyes sprang open to find a black suede arm and strong male hand gripping Wes's wrist.
    "Let her go. Or I'll break it."
    Bren recognized the slow drawl.
    Wes's eyes widened. "Who the hell?"
    Langston's grip tightened, and Wes's face crumpled in pain.
    "Your choice."
    Wes released her hair and flung it in her face.
    She stepped back and pressed her hair behind her ears. Bren studied the stranger she'd tangled with a month ago. He was solid and lean. His jeans clung to his long, powerful legs. He wore a black suede blazer against broad shoulders. His black cowboy boots were sleek as satin. The pulse in his neck throbbing through the open collar of a denim shirt kept her mesmerized. She willed her eyes upward. His face was shrouded in shadow by his black Stetson, but she didn't miss the gleam of those emerald green eyes boring into Wes.
    "Apologize to the lady."
    Bren's lips sputtered, and she began to laugh.
    Langston shot her a look. "Amused?"
    "Extremely."
    He smiled, his expression softening. "Good." He brought his attention back to Wes. "I don't make it a habit of repeating myself."
    "Apologize?" Wes scoffed and slid Bren a dirty look. "You'll have to break my—"
    Langston tightened his grip. Wes yelped like a dog getting its foot stepped on and groaned, "Let go."
    Langston raised a brow. Wes stood his ground. Langston applied more pressure. Bren swore Wes's bone popped, and she winced when he withered toward the pavement.
    "Sorry," Wes gritted under his breath.
    Langston let go.
    Wes struggled and regained his balance. Once upright, he straightened his tie, adjusted his dangling Bluetooth, and sent an irate glare at Bernie. "Whitcomb, let's settle up. I've got the required ten percent." He waved an impatient hand toward his checkbook, or rather Robert climbing the steps toward them.
    Bernie pressed his glasses back toward the bridge of his nose. "Hold up, Connelly. The bid's still open until I issue the final asking."
    "Then do it." Wes's eyes cornered his son. "Where the hell have you been?"
    "Susan called. Her grandmother took a fall." Robert took a step back and looked at Bren. "You,