Page 9 of Unseen Danger

Someone could be targeting Branson’s principal, the man he was supposed to protect. But why? And more importantly, how far was the culprit prepared to go?

If worsening attacks were planned, or if harming D-Chop was the end game, whoever it was would have to go through Branson first.

Four

The cool fall breeze slipped under the collar of the jacket Jazz had loaned Nevaeh as she and Alvarez walked away from the PowerSource Center.

“Whew. What a night, huh?” Jazz tossed the question into the air as she rounded her navy blue SUV with Flash.

A shiver trickled through Nevaeh. But not from the chill.

She stopped at the parked SUV and peered into the night.

Tall lamps lit the parking lot at the back of the PowerSource Center. Several vehicles peppered the huge lot, all of them somewhat close to the building. Made sense, since D-Chop’s security dude was still there along with rescue personnel, the fire investigator, and the PowerSource security crew.

But cars didn’t explain the tingling of her nerves.

“Nev?”

She brought her gaze to Jazz, who walked along the hood from the opposite side to see Nevaeh.

“I just felt…weird. Like…”

Jazz’s eyebrows lifted to fill the silence. “You’re being watched?”

Nevaeh gave a nod. Her throat tightened as she scanned the shadowy lot again, then cast a look over her shoulder at the still-lit building.

“We’ll check it out.” Jazz stalked back around the SUV and tossed Nevaeh the keys. “You get in and lock the doors. Flash and I are going for a walk.”

“I can—”

“Hey,” Jazz’s tone meant she didn’t want any arguments, “you’ve been through enough tonight. Give yourself a break.” Her features softened, and she winked. “Flash and I missed out on the fire, so this’ll keep us from getting bored.”

Nevaeh’s throat closed up further as she nodded again and opened the back door of the SUV for Alvarez to jump in. She cast a glance at Jazz.

The tall redhead moved in and out of the shadowy places with Flash as they navigated between parked vehicles.

Nevaeh grabbed the passenger door handle with a shaking hand and cowardly slipped inside. She pressed the button to automatically lock the doors.

She needed to get a grip. If this kept up, she’d have to give up hiding her relapse from Phoenix and admit it before she crumbled completely on the job. When it really mattered.

She’d been doing so well, feeling more confident.

And she would again.

She sucked in a breath. It was just a rough night. How was she supposed to know a huge muscleman would appear out of nowhere. Just like—

She shook her head. She needed to get home. To Cannenta. The sweet dog would help Nevaeh calm down and get out of this triggered cycle of memories and—

A knock on the driver’s window launched her heart into her throat.

Jazz’s familiar face appeared in the glass as she pointed her finger at the lock.

Nevaeh’s pulse raced, trying to catch up from the lost beats as she unlocked the doors.

“Sorry.” Jazz lowered into the driver’s seat. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

So she’d noticed. Of course, she had. Jazz knew her maybe better than Nevaeh knew herself.

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