Page 128 of Unseen Danger

“Before you go, your mom wants me to ask about the young lady you mentioned the other day. Nevaeh, was it?”

“Oh?” Heat crawled up Branson’s neck. His mom didn’t miss a trick when it came to her kids’ significant others.

“Yes. You know your mom. She’s convinced there’s something there.” The higher pitched tone of his mom’s voice sounded in the background. “She wants me to ask if you’re going to ask her out.”

“Well…” Branson stood and paced along the bed, searching for the best answer. Honesty was always the best course. “I’d like to, but she’s not a Christian.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. Have you talked to her about Jesus?”

“Not much, no.” Guilt lodged in Branson’s throat.

“It could be that’s why God put you in her life, to point the way to Him. You could have an eternal impact on her, son.”

The words fell heavy on Branson’s conscience. “Thanks, Dad. I’d better get some shut-eye. Give Mom a hug for me, will you?”

“Sure thing. We’re praying for you.”

“And I’m praying for you. Love you both.”

“Love you, too, son. Goodnight.”

Branson lowered his phone and caught Princess staring at him, her tiny paws hanging over the edge of the bed. “I know. He’s right. Maybe I’m not in Nevaeh’s life for my sake. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to care for her like I do. I should focus on leading her to God. Helping her beat her fear and heal, right? Like I’ve been doing, but more God, less emotion.”

Wide blue eyes stared back at him.

“You’re ridiculously cute but not much help, you know that?” He scratched the kitty’s plush cheek with his finger.

He glanced at the clock on his nightstand. 11:30 p.m.

Much too late to fit in a good night’s rest by four thirty in the morning.

But his instincts rebelled against the idea of going to sleep while Peter was in the house. Branson had posted Louis outside D-Chop’s bedroom door overnight and called in Kal Lawrence, another personal protection specialist he’d worked with in L.A., to arrive in the morning. That way, D-Chop would have added security at his bedroom every night with Kal and Travis alternating between guard duty and monitoring security cameras, while Branson and Louis rested up for the daytime shifts.

Nevaeh didn’t have extra protection, though. And if Peter was the one behind the threats and incidents targeting D-Chop, then he was also responsible for the note Branson was sure had been meant for her.

And the nighttime visit to her house. When the perp had looked in her window.

The idea heated Branson’s blood and curled his hands into fists. He could end the threat to Nevaeh right now.

He didn’t need to wait for more evidence Peter was the culprit if he could find it himself.

D-Chop had to know something about the man he’d hired for his most trusted position. If the rapper wanted Branson to handle this, he’d have to tell Branson what he knew.

“I’ll be back, Princess.” He gave the kitty a final stroke and stalked to the door.

It was time to end this.

No threatening notes. No knives randomly stabbing into furniture and décor. At least so far.

It should be a good night.

But unease curdled in Nevaeh’s stomach as she and Alvarez patrolled D-Chop’s estate in the crisp night air.

She wasn’t supposed to feel like this anymore. At least not when Branson was around. And he was in the house now, probably sleeping.

Maybe that was the problem. She hadn’t seen him tonight.

Jazz had been as surprised as Nevaeh when Travis had met them at the front door instead of Branson. Actually, Nevaeh had been worried more than surprised at first.

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