Page 29 of The Desperate Warrior

A ruckus outside drew their attention.

Jules heard Nikki’s high-pitched, irate tone. And then she caught the lower timbre of a man’s voice. It sounded like the two of them were in a brawl.

The front door flew open. Nikki stormed inside, trailed by a tall, lanky man who looked equally irate.

“What kind of psycho tries to mace a guy for asking directions?” he snapped.

“You were following me,” Nikki shouted. “I sped up, you sped up … to a sprint.”

He matched her volume. “I was using you as a pacer.”

Dad bunched his brows, looking from one to the other. “What’s the meaning of this?”

Nikki pointed. “He started it,” she said savagely.

The guy smirked. “No, you started it when you tried to mace me for no reason.”

A crazed look overtook her expression. “No reason? I thought you were attacking me.”

“Um, Nikki—who’s this?” Jules asked.

Nikki flung her arm toward the man. “He claims he’s with Brock, which is the only reason why I didn’t lay him out flat.”

The guy barked out a laugh. “Lay me out flat? I’d like to see you try.” He looked at Brock. “Would you please tell Combat Barbie who I am before she tries to mace me again?”

“He’s my brother,” Brock answered.

Jules looked and then looked again. “Luke?” Now that she knew he was related to Brock, it wasn’t hard to see the resemblance. Like Brock, Luke was strikingly handsome with a lean, muscular body and chiseled features. He was a little taller than Brock and slightly thinner. His hair was darker than Brock’s and curly on top instead of straight. Brock had told her how Luke was trying to get clean from alcohol. That he stayedon a regimented exercise routine so he could get his life put back together and win back Sutton’s respect.

“You brought your brother?”

“I needed help,” Brock said. “He was available.”

“Well, maybe you should tell your brother not to stalk people,” Nikki muttered.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Luke smirked.

“You were trying to pick me up,” Nikki challenged with a smug grin.

“Maybe. But that’s before I knew what I was getting into.”

“You’re a disaster,” she growled.

“And you’re a handful. With a terrible aim.”

“Okay, okay,” Dad interrupted. “Enough.”

Luke turned to Jules with a boyish grin. “Well, well, if it isn’t the famous Jules Sterling. Nice to finally meet you in the flesh.”

“You too,” Jules responded. So Brock had talked to Luke about her.Interesting.

Luke shook his head. “I do have a bone to pick with my little bro, though. He said you were beautiful, but he certainly undersold it.”

Jules laughed in spite of herself. “Thanks … I think.” Brock had said that Luke was the charming one—always knowing just what to say. Brock had certainly nailed that description on the head.

A clap of thunder rattled the windows. Dad glanced outside before speaking to Jules. “I’d better get back home to your mama before the storm hits. I’m afraid this is gonna be bad. We might have some tornadoes.”

“Really?” Jules made a face. “I hope not.”

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