Page 90 of Critical Doubt

Parisa put her arm around Jared's waist. "You're not holding me hostage. I'm where I want to be."

"But still…" he said, giving her a knowing smile.

"It is nice to be back in the loop," Parisa admitted.

"Well, your assistance is invaluable," she said, giving them both a hug before they left.

As they departed, Jax stayed behind. "What's his deal, Savannah?"

"Are you talking about Ryker again?" she asked, not sure she liked the gleam in Jax's blue eyes.

"Yeah. What's he to you?"

"He's a friend of Paul's, and I'm a friend of Paul's wife. That's how we started working on this together. I thought I explained all that."

"You did, but it's a load of crap. That man wants you. He didn't leave to get coffee. He left because he was pissed off at me for wanting to stay with you. So, what's really going on?"

"Nothing."

"Savannah, come on. You know what I do. I watch and I listen. There was a lot going on between you and Stone that was not being spoken aloud."

She could see that her story was quickly falling apart, so she opted for the truth. "We met five years ago. We had a one-night stand. I didn't know who he was. He didn't know who I was. It was before I joined the FBI."

"And the first time you saw him again—"

"Was at the funeral. I had learned by then he was in Paul's unit, but our paths had never crossed."

"Hell of a way to reunite. And now? What's going on?"

"We've gotten closer," she admitted. "How could we not? We've been tied together the last couple of days. When this is over, he'll go his way and I'll go mine. No regrets."

"You sure about that?"

"Pretty sure. My job is on the other side of the country."

"What about his job? He's a fisherman, isn't he? We have fish in California."

She shrugged. "We're not making plans. And I don't think he left because he was jealous of you, Jax. He's dealing with the betrayal of his friends and that's rough."

"It is rough. But at least one of his friends didn't betray him. He saved him—and you."

"I'm relieved that Paul didn't go completely bad. I always liked him. And my friend loves him. I don't want him to have done anything really horrible. I hope he hasn't, but I don't know."

"We'll get answers."

"Flynn told you to stay and help me, didn't he?"

"He didn't have to tell me. As soon as I heard what was going on, I volunteered." He paused. "I have to admit I kind of like that Stone is jealous of me."

"He is not jealous of you. And you have never been interested in me."

"Only because I don't like to get in line."

"Very funny. But getting back to business, what do you think about all this, Jax? You have fantastic instincts. And you're objective."

"It's complicated," he said, a serious note in his voice. "These guys have gone to a lot of trouble to disappear. Whatever they're up to must have a big payoff." He paused. "I'm going to need some food before I find my way to Georgia. Why don't you join me in the cafeteria? I'm starving. You must be hungry, too."

She laughed. For a man with not an ounce of fat, Jax could eat like no one else. "You are always hungry, Jax."

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