Page 83 of Shephard

It was impossible not to listen to her melodic voice. She had a way about her that could charm the pants off a leprechaun. At least the goofball thought jerked away some of the anger. “I’ll take your word for it.”

“So hardheaded. So tough. So powerful.”

I wasn’t entirely certain she was giving me a compliment.

She jerked up, grabbing her laptop case. “You wanted to see what I had on Jameson? I’ll show you.” The tension was worsethan before, even Pepper noticing, the pup whining every few seconds.

As she fired up her laptop, I moved closer. Yes, I was curious and eager. My mind was working overtime.

The way she pressed her fingers against the keys indicated her frustration. When she brought up a file, she twisted her head. “The Reynolds family is involved in various illegal operations. I overhead a single phone call Jameson made the mistake of taking while I was in the house. At that point, I’d already planned on leaving the son of a bitch. I waited another two weeks, finding an opportunity to be alone with his prized laptop that was almost never out of his possession. This is what I found.”

She shoved the laptop slightly away, staring at the fireplace as I walked closer, sitting down yet keeping my distance. I shifted through the files she’d captured, surprised at what Jameson had been stupid enough to keep in print.

“He should be brought down,” I told her.

“You and what army are going to help that happen? He’s too powerful.”

“No one is that powerful.”

“Why do I have the feeling you know more about the recent murders than you’re telling me?” She still refused to look in my direction.

“I just got here.”

“Right. Remember you wanted me to trust you? This would be a damn good way of helping me do that.”

What was I supposed to say? In my mind, sharing anything would place her in extreme danger. If the Butcher was behind the killings, he would use my weakness. Her. He hadn’t been able to do that before. “I don’t know shit.”

“Fine. Have it your way.”

Disgusted and out of words or energy, I moved into the kitchen. I’d left mail and other shit on the table and was ready to toss it to the floor in a fit of anger. I paced the floor, trying to get her out of my system before it was too late. As I raked my hands through my hair, my mind went to all those filthy places and things I wanted to do to her. What the hell was wrong with me?

The best thing for her life and mine was to walk away.

CHAPTER 22

Shephard

Impossible situation.

Impossible decisions.

As my father would say, ‘you’re in too deep, boy.’ Fuck. Maybe he was right. I waited as long as I could, doing my best to control my anger, the only emotion I had. I wasn’t upset with her. Just circumstances and fate bringing me here. I should be alone, kept away from the entire world. She was determined to learn that the hard way.

I couldn’t allow that to happen.

But I wanted her more than I’d ever wanted anything in my entire life. What in the fuck was I going to do? I almost laughed as I grabbed the bottle of whiskey and two glasses, forgoing the ice. Killing was the only way to calm me down.

I’d committed to protecting her and that’s what I planned on doing.

What she had on Jameson was more than just a ticking time bomb as everything else seemed to be. If he truly suspected she had the information, he would stop at nothing to prevent her from using it. Why after months of her living here had Jameson made an appearance?

In my mind, he’d been tipped off. Even if the person had only suspected she had possible evidence, his arrival would possibly prevent me from seeing what was really going on.

Or maybe I was simply creating conspiracy theories.

I brought the bottle of liquor with me, surprised to see she was attempting to start a fire.

She seemed embarrassed when she realized I was watching. “I hope you don’t mind. It’s a little chilly and I forgot my coat.”

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