Page 33 of Forbidden Lyrics

His eyes widen in surprise. “Wait. You know about that?”

“Maaaaybe?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I bite my lip to keep from smiling at his offended expression. “No offense, but why would I tell you something that has nothing to do with you?”

Frowning, he prods, “And if the secret did have something to do with me? Would you tell me then?”

I open my mouth but close it quickly.

Would I?

I guess it depends on the secret.

After a few seconds, I reply, “I think so?”

“You think?” he challenges, clearly unsatisfied.

Cringing, I shrug one shoulder. “I guess it depends.”

“On what, exactly?”

He crosses his arms over his broad chest, making me feel like I’m being interrogated under completely hypothetical circumstances. And I shouldn’t find it as amusing as I do.

“Well…” I tap my chin, considering the hypothetical circumstances with a fine-toothed comb. “Would it hurt you if you knew? Is it something that would be better if it was kept hidden? Is it something that you need to know to protect yourself? There are a lot of secrets out there, Gibbs. And some are best left in the dark.”

“Hmm.” He doesn’t bother to argue as he assesses me with a narrowed gaze. However, I’m not sure he agrees, either. Seems to me that not everything is quite as black and white as he’d initially assumed. Hypothetically, of course.

“Hmm,” I mimic him. “How ‘bout you? Do you keep secrets?”

“That’s––” His phone vibrates with a text in his hand, cutting off his response as he looks down at the screen. “It’s from Reese,” he mumbles, scanning the message before the blood drains from his face.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“I gotta go.”

“Gibbs––”

“I gotta go,” he repeats, sliding his phone back into his pocket. “I’ll call you with an update.”

“You don’t have my number––”

“Get mine from Ashton. Text me.” Rushing toward the bar, he adds, “I’ll keep you updated.” He shoves Jake out of the seat he’d collapsed into as soon as he’d handed Reese off to Riv at SeaBird’s entrance. They both crash into a helpless customer before apologizing over their shoulders as they fly out the front door.

What just happened?

“Everything okay?” Ashton asks, sidling up next to me.

I glance over at him. “I-I don’t know. I don’t think so. He got a text from Reese and booked it.”

“What happened? Is she okay?”

“I-I don’t know,” I repeat, feeling helpless. Useless. And way too out of my element right now.

“Are you okay?” he questions.

I have no idea.

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