Page 125 of Lethal Danger

“Then why, exactly, does my best friend think you’re in love with her?”

“She—” The reply got stuck, as if his throat had decided to shut down completely. “She does?” The squeak that escaped the second time wasn’t much better.

“Yes, she does. And she wouldn’t if you hadn’t led her on.”

“Whoa.” He lifted his hands, palm out. “I did not lead her on.” The protest rang weak in his own ears. Could he honestly say he hadn’t?

“So you mean you do love her?”

The question made sweat drip down his forehead. Or maybe that was thanks to the direct sunlight they were standing in. But the sun had nothing to do with the way his heart thumped hard against his ribs. As if it wanted to give an answer his brain knew was wrong. Wanted to say he did love Jazz Lamont.

“I…” He ran his tongue over his lips. “I never meant to convey that.” Why didn’t he just say no?

Then Nevaeh would stop giving him that weird look she’d switched to the moment he hadn’t instantly answered. Slightly raised eyebrows and a tilted head. As if she was surprised by something she’d just realized.

Irritation sparked in his gut, and he wiped the sweat off his forehead with his hand. “I never meant to mislead anyone. Does she…” No, he would not ask if Jazz loved him. Not even to calm his pulse that took off at a sprint the moment he pondered the question. “I hope she doesn’t really think I feel that way about her.”

“Are you still leaving? Going to Idaho?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

As soon as he possibly could. He bit back the desperate response. “When my commitment is fulfilled with the fair.” Which meant he’d have to make it over another week yet. Maybe he could avoid working shifts with Jazz. Though all the shifts overlapped somewhat. Maybe he could ask for desk duty or something.

“Commitment.” Nevaeh watched him like one might a bug under a microscope. “Have you ever been married?”

“No.” He probably should’ve made an effort to keep the horror that rolled through him out of his voice.

Her eyebrows lifted farther. “Ever been in a long-term dating relationship?”

He narrowed his eyes, not keen on where she was going with her line of questioning. “Look, I appreciate that you’re protective of your friend. It’s great Jazz has someone like you. But that doesn’t mean I need to share all the details of my personal life with you.”

“That would be a no.” The woman smirked as she crossed her arms over her red T-shirt. “Afraid of commitment?”

“More like I’m wise enough to know the dangers of it.”

“Dangers?” Disbelief stretched her flattened lips wider.

“Being trapped in a lifelong commitment is one of the most dangerous things there is. You never know how the other person will control you or what they’ll force you to do. You completely lose control over your own life. You lose your freedom.” He shut his mouth before he unloaded more. Her crack about him being afraid chafed at his pride, and he’d said too much. Been too annoyed.

He opened his mouth to apologize.

“Hey, guys.” Jazz’s raised voice jerked his attention past Nevaeh to see Jazz hurrying toward them at a quick clip, Flash straining at his leash as if he’d like to move faster.

More heat surged up his neck, headed for his face. Hopefully, Jazz wouldn’t notice. Though he shouldn’t have to feel guilty or embarrassed. What he’d said was correct. And he had every right to choose a single life of freedom over marriage. The Bible even condoned that.

“You’re not going to believe this.” Her breath came in uneven pants, which had to be more from excitement than her quick pace. He’d seen her level of fitness in action. “I just heard from Cora.”

“About what?” Nevaeh watched Jazz with widened eyes.

“Freddie Blain. Though that isn’t his real name.”

“It isn’t?” Nevaeh stepped closer to her friend.

“No.” Jazz shook her head. “But that’s not all.” She pulled her phone from her jeans pocket and tapped the screen.

Hawthorne frowned. Should she be using the device yet? He’d thought her boss wasn’t being cautious enough when Jazz had shown up and said Phoenix Gray cleared her to work. Jazz had said something about Phoenix recognizing Jazz had reasons she wanted to be there and that Phoenix liked her agents to be tough.

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