Page 29 of Burning for the Truth

“And how exactly do you know that?” I ask under my breath.

“Because when he walked in, he was searching, and when he found what he was looking for, his posture relaxed,” she quips as she picks up our baskets and trash. “Listen, I gotta get back to work, but you know where I am if you need me. Don’t be so hard on him. He could be good for you if you give him the chance. You can’t close off your heart forever.”

“I love you, but it doesn’t mean you’re not on my shit list right now for saying stuff I don’t want to hear.” I smile playfully as I stand up from my stool.

“I love you too, and if I don’t tell you what you need to hear, who will?” She blows me a kiss and disappears through the doors to the kitchen as I feel his presence behind me.

“I thought we agreed on some time and space,” I say without turning to look at him. He doesn’t move to face me, he simply hovers behind me.

“I thought you understood no matter what we agree on, my first priority is making sure you’re safe.” His deep voice oozes confidence and soothes my worried soul.

I allow the hint of a smirk to break my stubbornness, but I’ll be damned if I let him see it. By the time I turn to face him, I’m all business again. “Well, it’s going to be a long night for you, then. I planned on staying and playing pool. I walked out on a game to come to your party. You know me, I don’t back down from a challenge. I’m sure my friend will be here any time.”

He chuckles and it heats my blood. His stormy gaze bores into me with his signature sexy smirk planted firmly on his ruggedly handsome face. “I can give you a challenge.” He knows what he’s doing, and he knows what he’s doingto me. He reaches up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear and his touch lingers on my cheek making my skin prickle in anticipation.

That’s when I feel it again—the same feeling of being watched maliciously. I freeze and search the bar. Dean notices the change in my demeanor and turns to examine the scene too. “What’s wrong?” he asks with his dark brows drawn in concern.

“It’s nothing. Earlier I had this feeling like I was being watched. It kind of felt that way just now, but I don’t see anyone staring in this direction. I’m probably tired and jumping at shadows.” I shrug my shoulders feigning complacency when underneath, I know my instincts are spot on. I simply don’t want to alert Dean or anyone else even more than they already are. I know we all want the bastard who killed Drew, but he’s mine. Iwillbe the one to bring him down.

“Maybe we should go. I don’t really like you being out in the open with all we’ve got going on right now. And don’t give me crap about how you’re a cop and can take care of yourself.” He leans in so close I can see his pupils dilate. “I know how capable you are, Briella. You’re quite the badass if you ask me, but when it comes to this…to catching Drew’s killer, you’re emotional. You and I both know emotions cloud the best judgement, especially in a life-or-death situation. So please don’t fight me on this.”

He leans his forehead down to mine, and for a brief moment, I forget where we are. His touch grounds me in a way I never knew I needed. “Briella, please,” he pleads quietly.

My eyes fly open at the sound of someone clearing their throat. I glance over and see Michael staring at us. “Um, hey. I just got here and wanted to see if you were okay. You left in a hurry last night and then I heard about you being attacked. It must’ve been so scary.” Michael’s eyes are filled with concern as he looks me over as if checking for any physical harm.

I back away from Dean and see him staring Michael up and down as if sizing up his opponent, which is ridiculous. I’m not some prize to be won. I’m notwithanyone. I’m a free agent and I can do whatever I want with whoever I want. Michael is just a friend. Dean is too.Yeah, right, my heart chastises me.

“I’m okay. If anything, he gave us more to go on. He’ll slip and we’ll get him,” I tell Michael. Dean stares at me with his lips pressed together in annoyance.

“Briella, we should go,” Dean says in an authoritative tone.

“Who is he? Your boyfriend or something?” Michael asks jokingly with his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

Dean switches from annoyed right to pissed off. “Or something,” he growls. He clenches his jaw, and I can almost hear his teeth grinding together. I glance at Michael who is still smiling like a fool. Dean is usually one of the most easygoing people I know, but right now he’s on edge like I’ve never seen.

I push on his chest to snap him out of it. “Dean, back off. This is Michael Boyd, he’s—”

Dean cuts me off. “He’s Jake’s cousin,” he says as if putting a puzzle piece in place. Then his gaze shifts to the door, and as if we conjured him, Jake strides through. He hurries to where we’re standing. He shakes Michael’s hand, and they laugh about something as I try to rein Dean back to me.

“What’s Jake doing here? He’s supposed to be backing off until we come to him. It’s late and he should be at home with Zoey and Lylah. Anyone could be at risk.” He hardens his glare at Jake.

Jake notices and almost flinches. He says something else to Michael before joining us off to the side. “Hey, guys, what’s up? Any new leads?”

Dean crosses his arms defensively. “No, Jake. Are you insane? It’s late and you should be at home with Zoey. We told you if anything happens you can print, we’ll call.”

Jake holds his hands up as if surrendering. “Whoa, buddy, don’t get your panties in a twist. I came here to catch up with Michael. He’s my cousin and he wanted to talk over a game of pool. Zoey’s locked up tight at home with the alarm system on. She has my shotgun too and she knows how to use it.”

“Well, I guess we’ll let you catch up with your cousin, then. We were just leaving.” Dean makes the declaration as he gently wraps his fingers around my wrist.

I know he means well, but it lights a fire under me to be told what to do. I shrug out of his hold. “Actually, I was about to play a game of pool with Michael myself because he was the friend I walked out on to come to your party. If you’ll excuse me.” I stomp by both Dean and Jake angrily as they both stare after me.

Michael is racking up the balls on the pool table and I grab a stick and a cue. “It’s me and you. I owe you a game.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Yes, ma’am.”

“What in the world was that? Did you do something to piss her off?” Jake asks as I watch her make her way to the pool table where Michael is racking the balls on the green felt preparing for a game.

“Mind your own business for once, man,” I tell him flatly, but his words sting.

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