Southern Exposure (Southern Desires Series Book 2) by Jeannette Winters Page A

everyone.”
    It was something he lived with every day of his life. He’d lost members of his team as well as too many others he’d met in the field. Over the years you would think you’d stop counting, but you don’t. Each one had a name, a family, a story. He refused to let any of them be forgotten. I might not be able to save them all, but I sure as hell am going to try.
    “Don, this is different.”
    “You’re right. You’re not on a battlefield somewhere. And this is not your men that you can order around. Hate to tell you, buddy, but you’re trying to control this, and you can’t do that when it comes to women. They have a knack for finding out, and when she does, it’ll be hell to pay.”
    One fragile woman doesn’t scare me. “Trust me, Don. I know what I’m doing.”
    “I’m only here to work and watch the show,” Don joked. “I do know one thing.”
    “What’s that?”
    Don slapped Mark on the back. “I can’t wait to meet this woman. Whoever she is, she sure has shaken you up.”
    Mark didn’t get shaken by anything or anyone. He was task-driven and right now helping her was just that, the task at hand. “I feel for her situation, Don. Nothing more.”
    “So what you’re saying is she’s available? Maybe this vacation won’t be so bad after all.” Don arched his brow, taunting Mark.
    Even though he knew Don was just joking, his gut tied in a knot. “What I’m saying is you can sleep in that tree or the old piece of shit truck you drove up here in, but keep your hands off Hannah.”
    Don burst out laughing. “Don’t worry, Mark. I won’t touch your girl.” My girl? Hannah could never be my girl.
    The problem with bringing his best friend in was he’d never hear the end of it. “Keep it up and you’ll—”
    Don got up and said, “Be sleeping on this porch. Yeah, I know already. Want to show me where I’m really sleeping? If I’m right, you’re going to get my ass up before the birds.”
    Damn straight. Mark got up and headed for the door. “You’ve got a room in the empty apartment across from ours.”
    “Ours?” Don joked again.
    Fuck. “Don’t make me regret calling you, Don.”
    He was still laughing as he entered the house.
    “And keep it down. Hannah’s sleeping.”
    “You’re making this too easy. But don’t worry, Mark. I walked away from one hell of a deal to be here, and you better believe I’m going to get some enjoyment out of it.”
    Mark knew it wasn’t about money. It was payback for something he’d done to Don all the way back in high school. That man had a memory that was unheard of. His revenge always caught Mark by surprise. Usually harmless fun. But Don sending a letter to his mother informing her he had gotten married overseas and was coming home with triplet babies might’ve been going too far. Ever since that day Mark’s mother said he owed her three grandchildren, and she wasn’t going to rest until he paid up. Whatever Don had in store for him this time better not include Hannah. She had enough going on in her life already. The last thing she needed was Don Farrell adding anything to it.
    “Get your sleep, Don. Tomorrow you have to earn your keep. And when you see the apartment upstairs, you’re going to understand why I called.”
    “That bad?”
    “I’m still trying to find what I like about it.”
    “Who’s in the other one?”
    “Not sure. I’ve been here since Saturday and haven’t seen him at all. No lights on during the day, but he’s up all night moving around. Something is off about that guy.”
    “And you know this how?”
    His job was observing suspicious behaviors. “Trust me. I know. Your bedroom is right beneath his. Keep your ears open and text me if anything seems off to you.”
    “What exactly am I supposed to be listening for?”
    Mark had no clue. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up each time he thought of the guy. That wasn’t much to go on, but that was enough for now. He’d learned years ago