That Summer Night (Callaways #6) Read Free Page A

there." He tipped his head toward the tall woman who'd been sending him a flirtatious smile for the past fifteen minutes.
    Jared grinned. "That's not going to be a challenge. You used to like to push yourself, Becker."
    "I'm not that man anymore." His words came out more serious than he'd intended. But they were all true.
    "So be the man you are now."
    "This is the man I am now." He tossed back the shot of whiskey. Then he headed across the bar, hoping to find more pleasant conversation.
     
    * * *
     
    Reid Becker was nothing like his brother. Shayla made that assessment in about ten seconds—the length of time it took for the man to settle on a couch between a pretty brunette and a busty redhead.
    Reid was attractive in a scruffy, sexy, take-no-prisoners, don't-get-attached kind of way. Just the kind of man she would have expected to see in a bar called the Cadillac Lounge. His jeans were faded. His t-shirt had a guitar on the front, and he didn't look like he'd shaved in a day or two. He had penetrating eyes, green, she thought, and his thick, wavy, tousled brown hair looked as if someone had run their hands through it—maybe the redhead who was stroking his thigh while whispering something in his ear.
    Reid laughed and gave the woman a quick kiss before calling the waitress over for another shot.
    Shayla frowned. This was the man who was supposed to save Robert? He was either drunk or on his way to it. She really wished Robert had agreed to let her call Max. Emma's husband was a detective. Max could do more for Robert than this guy. But Robert had been insistent that she trust no one but Reid. Right now he seemed like the last man she should trust.
    Someone bumped into her from behind, and she stumbled forward. Reid suddenly looked up, his gaze meeting hers. Then he gave a beckoning wave.
    She started at the gesture and turned around to see if he was talking to someone behind her, but there was no one there. When she turned back to face him, she saw amusement in his eyes.
    "You," he said, motioning her to come forward. "I could use a blonde over here."
    She frowned at his suggestive and rude comment. As much as she wanted to blow him off, she couldn't. She'd promised Robert. So she stepped forward and gave him what she hoped was a serious and sharp look. "Are you Reid Becker?"
    "Who wants to know, babe?"
    "My name is Shayla Callaway." She looked for some sort of recognition, but there was nothing more than casual curiosity in his gaze. Apparently, Robert had never mentioned her to his brother. "I need to talk to you."
    He patted his thigh. "I got a spot right here for you, sweetheart."
    "It's about your brother."
    His jaw tightened, and anger flashed through his eyes. "What about him?"
    "Could we speak in private?"
    "I'm not interested in anything Robert has to say."
    "Robert isn't the one talking; I am. It will take just a few minutes," she added, feeling a little desperate. She'd expected Robert's brother to want to help her, but this man had gone cold at the mention of his brother's name. "It's important. A matter of life and death."
    He stared at her for a long moment, his gaze searching her face as if to judge the sincerity of her words. Finally, he disengaged himself from the women and stood up. He was taller than Robert—taller, broader, stronger, sexier…
    Her stomach tightened as he walked over to her.
    "So, talk," he ordered.
    "Outside," she said, not letting him intimidate her. She was used to strong men. She had five brothers and a father and a grandfather who were leaders among men. Not only that, she was a female doctor who'd taken a lot of crap over the years. She could handle this guy. At least she thought she could. She just needed to get past the unexpected nervous tingle running down her spine.
    She turned away from Reid and walked toward the front door, hoping he would follow. After a moment's hesitation he did exactly that.
    When they neared the door, Reid put a hand on her shoulder and