Page 123 of Unseen Danger

Bartie’s mouth straightened into a forced sober line. “Of course. Anything for D-Chop. It’s been a delight to cook for him and his guests.” And to use D-Chop’s name and the association to leverage himself higher in status.

“Glad to hear it.” Impatience edged Branson’s voice—something she’d never heard from him before. He really didn’t like this guy.

Neither did Alvarez. The K-9 sat alert, watching the chef.

Both her protective guys smelled something wrong about him. Did that mean he was guilty of something worse than being a player?

“How long have you known Kim Jameson?”

Bartie Boy glared at Branson. Probably thanks to the sharpness of his tone. “Only since the party where we met. Which you apparently have documentation of. Probably a month ago.”

“Did you know she was going to D-Chop’s house last night?”

“I already answered that.” Bartie glanced at Nevaeh.

“No, you didn’t.” Branson’s hard answer snapped the chef’s gaze back to him.

“Okay. No. I had no idea. Because I don’t talk to the woman. We may have had a thing a couple of times, but not for weeks now.”

“Will your phone records back that up?”

Ooh. Good one. Nevaeh fought to hide a smile as she glanced at Branson before checking for Bartie Boy’s reaction.

The chef’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t have that kind of access.”

“No, but the police do.”

Bartie sneered at Branson. “I know D-Chop. He won’t want the police involved in this.”

Branson leaned forward, pinning the chef with a stare. “There was a knife in his pillow.”

Bartie dropped his arm from the cushions and looked away. “You’ll need a search warrant and the police to get anything more from me.” He pushed to his feet, glaring down at them from his tall height.

Alvarez let out a low growl.

A spark of fear glinted in Bartie’s eyes as he looked at the dog. “I have work to do. And I don’t allow animals in my home.”

Funny he hadn’t mentioned that when he’d let them in and said her dog was cute.

“We’ll be in touch.” Branson stepped to Nevaeh’s side as she got to her feet. His large hand cupped her elbow, sending yummy shivers through her arm.

“Come on, Alvarez.” She followed Branson’s lead as he guided them from the apartment.

Bartie Boy didn’t look back as he rounded the sofa and went to take his position behind the massive counter where dishes and ingredients were prepped.

Branson shut the large door to the apartment behind them and let out a heavy breath.

“Don’t take it so hard.” Nevaeh gave him a grin. “I’m sure I could get him to invite you to his party tonight, too. If I bat my eyes a little.” She blinked three times, widening her eyes.

Branson’s mouth smushed like he was trying to squash a grin. But a laugh escaped along with his adorable smile. “You’re hilarious.” He reached out and touched her arm lightly as if to turn her toward the hallway that would take them to the elevator. Funny how he seemed to be doing that more. Touching her. Nothing inappropriate or dominating. Just sweet little natural touches, like Pops might do.

But she sure never had butterflies take flight in her stomach or bolts of heat shoot through her body when Pops touched her.

And she’d never had any man look at her the way Branson did. He seemed to like the way she looked, given how often she caught his gaze going to her lips or lingering on her features. But it was more than that. Different. It was the look he had sometimes when she talked or joked around.

Like just now as he let her enter the elevator with Alvarez first. He had a light in his eyes and a lingering smile on his lips that made her think he enjoyed her. Liked being with her for who she was.

She could get used to dating a guy who made her feel safe, attractive, and appreciated at the same time.

---