Family Treed Read Free Page A

But she had her back to him, her head tilted back a bit as she listened to Calvino flap his jaws. She’d said she didn’t need family bad enough to get mixed up with Family. But it must be a little tempting. Since her parents’ death, all she’d had was Sarah.
    Family. He knew all about family. He had a big one. They annoyed him, but he’d give his life for any of them.
    Commit a crime for them?
    That question was harder to answer. He’d have thought—no. But he’d learned some things since Nell exploded into his life. His family had a few secrets that Alex had realized he didn’t want to examine too closely. Granted Nell didn’t have the history with this bunch that he did with his family. Did she have the need? Stupid question. Of course she did. Who didn’t need family?
    She shifted, giving him a look at her profile. She’d managed to get up to speed on her poker face in a short time.
    Maybe it came natural.
    â€œThat’s some seriously bad blood,” his siblings had all managed to say or imply about Nell. The blood might be bad, but the packaging was nice. He’d thought her ordinary the first time they met. Until she smiled. Maybe that’s when he stopped thinking. Or he’d matured. He found her quiet charm, the hint of mischief in her eyes, and her sense of humor a real turn on. Maybe he had matured.
    There was another reason she was hard to walk away from. If he left, this bunch would eat Nell alive. The lamb among the wolves. Silent, subdued by their surroundings and the bad guys, she looked like glass about to shatter.
    You’ve underestimated her before.
    She was a lot tougher than she looked.
    What else did she hide that well?
    He knew the facts of her life. His family had made sure of that. It all appeared straightforward, but what if it wasn’t? Just how far could he trust her? He knew he couldn’t trust them. Her family had already cost his family Uncle Charlie. How far was he willing to go for Nell? How much was he willing to risk for a woman he’d known for a couple of months? It wasn’t like he was in love with her or anything. He liked her, that was all.
    You sure about that?
    â€œYou look like—” the old geezer’s voice was thin and cold, his accent heavier than Junior’s.
    â€œMy grandmother,” Nell cut in, her voice polite, but chilly. “I’ve heard it mentioned a few times.”
    Aleksi smiled with what might be real amusement. “You must forgive an old man for seeing ghosts.”
    There were more than ghosts thickening the atmosphere. Nell smiled politely at the old man, but she didn’t look that forgiving. Because Alex knew how warm her smile could be, this one chilled him. Gave him a picture into what she could have been had she been raised a Mafia princess.
    What she was now?
    Aleksi’s gaze traveled to Nell’s hands, lingered there for too long. Did the old goat know she had St. Cyr’s ring?
    The old man finally broke the tense silence. “Dimitri, you have not offered our other guest a drink.”
    Apparently this was permission for the groups to merge. Normally he wouldn’t have minded the attention from two beautiful women. His life hadn’t been normal since Nell knocked him down.
    Dimitri arched a brow at Alex when he was close enough. “What can I get for you?”
    Evidence that will stand up in court? “Same as Nell, thanks.”
    â€œReligious scruples?” Mirabelle asked it lightly. “Or are you afraid to drink with us, cousin?”
    â€œMy parents were killed by a drunk driver.” Nell’s tone was carefully cleansed of emotion and tone, but her gaze held Mirabelle’s for at least a twenty count. Mirabelle looked away first.
    Score one for the ex-librarian. Or mafia princess wannabe?
    The wise geezer’s gaze shifted Alex’s direction. “You’re—”
    â€œAlex Baker,” he said,