Dangerous Curves Read Free

mother’s good taste. He also drew this for you.” She handed him a picture of a car. “It’s his new passion.”
    Kevin grinned. “That’s my boy.” His grin widened as a thought came to him. “I know a way to make this birthday one he’ll never forget…”

Chapter 3
    D rake paced up and down the hospital corridor, trying to keep a hold on his temper.
    â€œSit down,” his sister Jackie said when he passed her for the third time. “You’ll make people nervous.”
    He opened his mouth to reply and tell her that he really didn’t care when he saw Clay come out of Jackson’s room. He approached him. “What’s he doing now?”
    â€œFlirting with a nurse.”
    â€œDid he say anything more?” Jackie asked when she saw her brother’s jaw tense. She knew mentioning that Kevin was flirting with a nurse while Cassie lay in a coma would send her brother’s temper over the edge. She had to keep things calm.
    â€œNothing,” Clay said and she could hear the note of regret in her husband’s voice. “He really doesn’t remember anything.”
    â€œDo you believe him?”
    â€œI don’t think he’d lie about something like this. He seemed genuinely shocked.” Clay rubbed his chin.
    Jackie noticed the motion and sensed his hesitation. He worked as a private investigator and she could almost see his mind trying to puzzle something out. “What is it?”
    â€œHe wants to see her.”
    Drake folded his arms. “That’s not going to happen.”
    Clay nodded. “All right then, we just have to give it time.”
    â€œYou two should go,” Drake said, shifting his hands to his hips in a classic power pose, making it clear that his statement wasn’t a suggestion. “There’s nothing more we can do right now.”
    Jackie shook her head. “We can’t leave you here alone.”
    â€œI’ll be fine.”
    â€œThe kids—”
    â€œAre with Miss Quinn. Do you think I don’t know how to take care of my family?”
    Jackie looked at him for a moment, not ashamed by the sudden tears that sprung to her eyes. “That’s not fair.”
    Drake rubbed the back of his neck, contrite. If Cassie were here, he knew she’d scold him for being too abrupt. He softened his tone. “I just don’t need you to worry about me. I’m all right.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œI raised you and Eric after our parents died, remember? I can handle a crisis. I take care of my family and—”
    Clay rested a hand on his shoulders. “Nobody doubts that, mate. We just don’t want you to forget that you’re not alone now.”
    Jackie poked him in the chest with her finger. “And you never have to remind me how much you sacrificed for us.”
    â€œIt wasn’t a sacrifice.”
    â€œYes, it was,” she said, knowing her brother was being brave, hiding his fear. He’d let his anger show, but not his sense of helplessness and despair. He’d done the same when he’d taken care of them after they’d emigrated to America from Jamaica and their parents’ deaths, forcing them to survive harsh winters and grinding hunger.
    Drake took a deep breath. He tweaked Jackie’s chin. “Sorry, Pest.”
    She made a face, making him smile. “Remember to eat something.”
    â€œI will.” His phone buzzed. He took it out of his pocket and stared at the screen.
    â€œWho’s it from?” Clay asked.
    â€œEric.”
    â€œTalk to him,” Jackie said.
    â€œWe’ll catch you up later,” Clay added, then they left.
    Drake watched them leave, then looked down at his brother’s text again. It was simple, brief and clear. Just a question mark.
    The question mark should have been replicated and filled the screen. There were so many questions and so few answers. He didn’t know what