Page 8 of Unseen Danger

Even his baggy, hip-hop style cargo pants and drapey black sweater couldn’t hide the fact that every inch of him was pure muscle. His chest and arms practically rippled through the sweater that was supposed to be loose-fitting. This dude would make mincemeat out of her.

Not that he’d try anything. He was probably a law-abiding citizen. Maybe even a good guy. Just because he was big and strong didn’t automatically mean he was dangerous.

Her brain knew the facts. And she even believed them. She was being ridiculous, and she felt every bit a coward for knowing she’d panic again if the bodyguard or anyone like him got close.

But PTSD didn’t listen to reason.

Good thing all she needed to do was avoid the burly dude for a few more hours. Then she’d never have to see him again.

“You should head on home.” Branson squeezed Pinky’s scrawny shoulder. “I’ll give you an update on Kicker as soon as I hear anything. B-Puff’s with him, and he’ll keep us posted.”

Pinky’s cloud of loose red curls bobbed with his nod. “Cool.” He sauntered away toward backstage, his body sagging with each step.

They’d all been through the wringer tonight.

“Mr. Aaberg, is it?” A female voice behind him made Branson turn.

Disappointment sapped the hope that had flickered before he even realized what he was thinking. The redhead, though lovely enough to draw the interest of most men, wasn’t the woman he’d hoped to see. Though why he was getting so hung up on a perfect stranger, he didn’t know.

“Yes. Call me Branson.” He extended his hand to her. “And you are?”

She put her hand in his for a firm, confident shake. “Jazz Lamont.” She glanced down at the Belgian Malinois that stood at her side, panting. “This is Flash. We’re with the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency.”

Branson smiled. “Right. I met one member of your team earlier.”

“Yeah, I heard.” Jazz’s mouth turned up into a grin broader than he’d have expected. As if there was some added meaning behind it.

Had Nevaeh said something to her about meeting him? His pulse might’ve missed a beat or two at the thought. His gaze couldn’t help but drift toward the backstage entrance.

A profusion of black curls were framed in the opening. She was there.

Something squeezed in his chest. He couldn’t make out her face in the shadows. Was she watching him?

Then she shifted. Slipped away.

His foot started to move. To follow as if by some strange instinct.

“My boss wanted me to find out the cause of the fire.” Jazz’s question stopped him. Brought him back to reality. To his job.

What was off with him tonight? He’d never been distracted by a woman in his life.

“Do you know if it was intentional?”

He looked at the tall redhead. Curious thing for her boss to want to know since the K-9 agency had only been hired by PowerSource as supplemental security for one night. At least that’s what he’d been told. Maybe her boss was concerned about liability. “I was just waiting to find out.”

He twisted toward the fireman who was overseeing the takedown of what remained of the set piece. He caught the fireman’s eye, and the man walked their way. “Any conclusions?”

The fireman tipped his helmet back on his forehead as he stopped by them. “Can’t say officially until the fire investigator does his thing.” He wiped his fingers along his bristly jaw as he met Branson’s gaze, his eyes inviting more questions.

“Okay. But unofficially?”

“Unofficially, there’s a lot I can tell you.” A brief smile created more creases in his weather-beaten face. “Looks like the pyrotechnics equipment was tampered with so it would malfunction and spray sparks in a different trajectory than planned. There’s also evidence of accelerant on the objects that caught fire.”

Arson. The truth Branson had suspected sank into his gut. Was it related to the other incidents? D-Chop’s favorite mic disappearing, B-Puff’s turntable getting broken, the power outage at the previous concert venue. Seemed like small, harmless stuff. Accidents. Maybe carelessness.

Had they been something more? Intentional sabotage?

If they were all connected, it could signal a pattern. Escalation.

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