Pary Barry & John- Who's That Girl?: PB & J, #14

By Kamaryn Kelsey

Pary's in trouble again, but this time it's not of her own making. She's the victim of reverse identity theft- twice!

A crazy old man is seeking revenge and has Pary in his cross hairs, mistakenly thinking she is the daughter of his rival, Vincent Russo. Unfortunately for Pary, trying to untangle the mess opens a Pandora's box to her past, and she's mistakenly identified as a different member of "The Family" ... the crazy Giovanni family!

With John and Vinnie on the old man's hit list as well, Pary is on the run. The only one she can trust is the real Victoria Russo, now married and living in England. Fixing the mess takes a few unexpected turns. But when John and his boss, Frank Simon, let Pary down, she pulls a move that no one anticipates. Least of all John.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kamaryn Kelsey
• Release date: Sep 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386785316

Book preview

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real people, places, or events is purely coincidental.

This is not a standalone book.

Chapter 1

John Smith woke up in a strange, but oddly familiar, place. With a groan he remembered the aspirin Pary had given him, and he wondered how old they were and where she got them. He looked at the bedside table and all he saw was Pary's sleeping pills and a glass with water. Well, that would explain why he felt so groggy... and why he hadn't run like hell when he woke up.

John focused and remembered he'd gone to sleep with Pary next to him, and he didn't hate it. Okay, he kind of liked it. But now he had... a pair of feet? Seriously? He squinted and saw that only nine of the ten toenails were painted. Each one was a different color, and some had faces drawn on them, others had glitter. How the hell did her feet end up on his pillow? Feet that could use a washing! He gingerly moved them farther from his pillow.

He sat up and saw a lump under the covers. That lump was Pary, and she had turned the other way on the bed, with her head down at the footboard. She was snoring and John wondered how many sleeping pills she'd taken while he was out. As he debated whether to wake her or just leave, the lump began heaving and her head popped out at the other end of the bed. Her hair was all shoved forward, and she had red marks on her face from the creases in the bedding.

Why are you still here? she asked crossly. If you can't make coffee, go home.

John's brows shot up. Go home?

That's not what you said the other night in the hospital, he reminded her.

She buried her head under the blankets. I was in the hospital. People can't be held responsible for what they say in that place, because they're sick. Her voice was muffled. Her head appeared again. How do I know this isn't another dream?

He tickled her foot, and she jerked it away.

Stop that! She sat up with a huff and reached over to pinch his arm.

Ow, Pary! You have it the wrong way. You're supposed to pinch yourself, he said, rubbing the sore spot. He narrowed his eyes. Why are you so crabby, besides the lack of caffeine?

It's too early to think, John, and I haven't had any coffee. Don't ask questions like that so early in the morning.

I hate to break it to you, but it's way past morning, he replied.

Well, no wonder I can't think! I missed my morning pot of coffee, and my coffee break too!

And what about those aspirins you gave me? he asked.

I don't know what you're talking about. I don't use aspirin. In my line of work I could get an ulcer and aspirin are bad for ulcers. So I avoid them.

Uh, huh. So what did you give me last night? You said it was aspirin.

And you took them? she asked with a snicker. I don't know what you took, John, but it wasn't aspirin.

He grabbed the pill bottle from the night stand and pitched it at her.

She frowned and scolded, You should know better than to mix pills and alcohol. What if you'd stopped breathing?

Would you have even known? he replied.

Her mouth dropped. I might have woken up with a dead man in my bed! That kind of thing can ruin a woman's reputation.

He rubbed his forehead. It's not so fun for the dead guy either, Pary.

Well, at least you don't have to hear everyone whispering rude things behind your back, she stated. It's always the person who lives that has to deal with the fallout. And that might have meant a trip to the police station! She used her feet, trying to push him out of bed. Hurry up and go home before you die, John. I can't get arrested again. You know this.

I'm going to pretend this whole past 48 hours didn't happen, John complained as he avoided Pary's feet. He grabbed his throw and climbed out of bed. Go wash your dirty feet.

She lifted her feet to inspect them. They're not dirty! The black nail polish was a little on the thin side and it ran down my foot. I wiped it off, so don't complain about a small stain. She held a foot close to her nose and glared at him. They don't stink!

Sure, if you say so.

John, wait! Pary sounded desperate, and John looked back. Keep your mind on track and your eyes in your head, Pary! Don't get lost in the manly hunk of deliciousness standing there with those bone melting brown eyes, dark hair with a few grays, a body like... he's not wearing a shirt, sigh. Just jeans. Look at that chest... SNAP OUT OF IT, PARY! Or John will think you're desperate. Okay, he probably knows that, but you don't have any tissues handy and if you begin to drool, you'll have to use his T-shirt, which you're wearing, to wipe your mouth. Then you'll have to wash it, and it won't smell like him.

I'd ask if someone's home, but I already know the answer. John sounded disgusted as he turned back to the door.

John, wait! Ooh, would you look at that back? I wonder if he would spin for me? She gave herself a mental head slap then said, You're not taking my throw are you? She put on her big gray begging eyes.

Since when did it become yours?

Well... Pary thought hard. John realized she worked her toes when she thought too. Finally, she said, I need to wash it for you! Yeah, that's it. Remember those jelly doughnuts Frank brought me in the hospital?

John tossed the throw to her. What about my shirt?

She