JARED: The Justice Brothers Series Read Free

frown, and nodded at his brother in apparent agreement.
    “Without calling her out, which I will do later, let’s just say that as her commanding officer, I’m responsible for the fact that Officer Michels, fresh out of the Academy, was on this mission.” He emitted a heavy sigh. “I’ll grant it may not have been my wisest decision. However, I’m still not sure how Officer Michels managed to lose the squad in the middle of an exceedingly dangerous operation and ended up facing a supposed DC Cartel member all by her lonesome.” Turning from Hailey to Jared, the beginning of a smile tugged at Jake’s lips, “But you are correct, Agent Justice. Officer Michels does indeed hail from California. Which may help explain her inability to navigate our Superior National Forest in a torrential rainstorm in the middle of the night.” Winking at his brother, Jake grinned, “Although I plead innocent to the unfounded charge that I discovered her on the cover of SI.”
    “Humph!” Glancing at the young woman standing beside him, her cheeks flaming hot with what he assumed was a mix of anger and embarrassment, Jared was disinclined to let his brother off the hook—or miss the chance to further embarrass the rookie. “I dunno, Bro, she sure as hell looks like cover girl material to me.” Seeing what looked like angry tears puddling in Hailey’s azure eyes, Jared took pity on the new recruit. After all, not five minutes earlier and sporting an impressive hard-on, he’d been firmly ensconced on her curvy backside. Not exactly by-the-book behavior for an officer of the law, he admitted, even if he was undercover.
    Hell, he thought to himself, if he had any class at all he’d be as embarrassed as she seemed to be. Fortunately class wasn’t something Jared aspired to. And Christ, knowing his cover was likely blown, combined with happening upon one of the sexiest chicks he’d seen in a lifetime of memorable hook-ups, who the hell could blame him for indulging. Plus this little rookie needed to know that playing cops and robbers didn’t cut it in the real world of violent Cartels and unscrupulous men.
    Acknowledging the way he’d manhandled her reminded him that the Valley Girl had cried out when she’d hit the ground, and again when he’d Karate chopped her wrist to knock loose her Glock. Christ, the least he could do now was to see if she was hurt. Facing her head on and seeing for the first time the nasty scrape on her soft cheek, Jared huffed a harsh grunt. Sure as hell, she’d have a rockin’ bruise on that alabaster skin by daylight. He also didn’t miss the flash of pain flooding her eyes, or the way she clutched his sleeve to keep her balance when he pulled her toward him.
    “Okay, Valley Girl, out with it. Where are you hurt?” Jared reached over and stroked the mark the tree stump had left on the side of her face. “Besides this nasty-ass scrape on your cheek, that is.”
    Hailey shoved at his hand and snapped, “Nowhere. I…I’m not hurt…anywhere.” Jerking up her chin, she added, “And even if I was, what’s it to you?”
    As she angrily spun away from him, Hailey stumbled and grabbed Jared’s arm to keep from falling.
    Jared glared at her as he caught her. Ignoring her rudeness, he focused on the pain radiating in her eyes. He nodded and said carefully, “Well, Sugar, since I feel as though I already know your bodacious body better than I should, and given that I might have played a role in any injuries you sustained, how about you be a good girl and answer my question?”
    Putting his hands on her shoulders, Jared tipped up her chin with his thumbs and held her agonized gaze.
    “Last time, rookie. Besides your wrist, which I’ll look at in a minute, where does it hurt? Your ankle or your knee?”
    Hailey hesitated and pressed her lips together. As if seeing from his implacable frown that he wouldn’t let her go, she stammered, “My…my ankle…hurts.”
    Ignoring her surprised yelp, Jared