Page 69 of Family Bonds- Jarrett & Andi

“I hope this stays between us. It’s not a secret, but not anything broadcasted either. I’m saying it so you know you can trust me and my family.”

“I do trust you,” she said. “And I’m almost there with your family. I guess the fact you trust them and I trust you,that helps.”

“Griffin and Jennie’s father murdered their mother. Domestic violence in the house and not a lot of help. Griffin was seventeen and a senior in high school. Jennie is much younger. Maybe elementary school at the time. They were separated in foster care, then Griffin went into the service. He and Jennie lost contact, but he always knew where she was. When he got out, he’d been watching her for years but never let her know.”

“Why?” she asked. “I’m assuming their father is in prison?”

“He died there years ago. I’m not sure the reason Griffin didn’t reach outprior. He’s not someone many get close to. But Jennie got a letter from their father that he was dying and wanted to see her. She freaked out. She didn’t know what to do. She tried to find Griffin, which was pretty easy at this point since his name was tied to the casino. She was positive it was him though there were no pictures. She came here and before she lost her nerve to leave, Janet Bond, Eli’s mother, happened to be in the lobby and overheard the name, pulled her asideandwouldn’t let her leave. The rest is history.”

No reason to go into more detail. It didn’t matter. Jennie moved here and Griffin and his younger sister were now as close as they were when they were children.

“Talk about fate,” she said.

She’d only grinned over that word. The same word his mother used last week and she’d had the same reaction.

Working for Amanda and in a place where the women talk, the lore and legend of the island had been brought up more than once around her.

He would say he didn’t really believe much in it, but now his mind had changed.

Not that he’d admit that to anyone.

“There you go,” he said. He found a parking spot and got out. They walked to the elevator and made their way to the lobby and then the restaurant where they were meeting Alex and Jennie for the night. Mac had been invited, but they decided to stay home. “Can I say you look sexy tonight?”

She was wearing a pair of fitted jeans that went straight to the floor,blackheeled ankle boots on her feet, but they were covered up some, just the toe and heel popping out. Her top was a sparkly silver sweater that was almostblousyon top and had a thick band around the waist hugging her tight and meeting the top of her jeans. If she lifted her arms you’d see skin.

Her auburn hair was pulled back on one side in a braid tight to her scalp and then loose waves where it ended and met with the rest of her hair falling down the center of her back.

Her makeup was minimal like it always was, but her light blue eyes were standing out more than they normally did and he wasn’t sure the reason.

It didn’t matter other than she took his breath away and he knew he’d dive into the line of fire to protect her and not just because it was his job.

“Thank you,” she said. “I haven’t had the opportunity to dress up much since I’ve been here. Not that this is dressing up, but it is in a fun way.”

“I suppose I should take you out more then,” he said.

“Yes, you should,” Alex said. “Don’t be a cheap boyfriend.”

“He’s not cheap,” Andi said. “We are both busy, but we do go out.”

“Don’t listen to my husband,” Jennie said. “He thinks he’s being cute, but he’s not.”

“You know I’m cute. You love it. Don’t lie. Tell everyone you’ve got my calendar shot hanging in your home office.”

“What?” Andi asked. “Calendar shot?”

Jennie slapped his brother’s arm. “The fire department did a calendar to raise moneyoneyear. Shirtless for most of them.”

“I was the main attraction,” Alex said.

“Only because he begged for it,” Griffin said, coming from behind them. “Come here.” Griffin grabbed Jennie and lifted her in a hug. “Damn. I was expecting it though. Or Penelope was. Congrats, Alex.”

The two men shook hands and Jarrett assumed he knew what was going on but wasn’t going to guess. “Don’t worry,” Alex said. “It only means I’m going to be watching her even more than I do.”

“I expect that,” Griffin said. “Good to see you, Jarrett.”

“Griffin, this is Andi Benson. Andi, Griffin Zale, Jennie’s older brother.”

“Nice to meet you,” Andi said, shaking the bigger man’s hand. Griffin was always dressed to the hilt in a suit that probably cost more than his mortgage payment. Eli had an image here to uphold.

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