Page 33 of Edge of Danger

“Okay.” He took a left, then another quick left, before making a right, which led back to the commercial area. There was a road ahead that he knew led out of town.

“How did you know where to find me?” she asked, still looking behind them.

“I wasn’t sure I’d find you there. I was looking for my car.”

“Why?”

Guilt raced through him. She’d really flip her lid now. Bracing himself, he explained, “I was worried, so I tracked the car’s GPS. I tried calling you earlier, but a man picked up and shouted at me. Did you lose your phone?”

“I left it at a diner.”

He waited for more explanation. She didn’t offer one.

“Okay.” He drew out the word. What was she trying to get at? Why would she leave her phone behind?

That choice of words too. She’d left it. She didn’t lose it. She didn’t forget it. She’d performed a deliberate act. And it didn’t seem to come as a shock that he’d tracked her. Like she didn’t care.

Why?

“Wait.” She clutched his shoulder. Now he was in for it. This was where she’d lose it on him. “Where’s Walker?”

“He’s fine. He’s with my parents.” She let out a sigh that sounded a lot like relief before letting go of him. Was that all she cared about?

Not the fact that two men had almost attacked her?

“I’m so sorry.” He checked the mirror for signs of them on his tail. “This is all my fault. I’ve put you in danger. It’s unforgivable.”

She didn’t reply. It had to be shock. No wonder. She’d been through something that had probably traumatized her.

Hehad done this to her.

After an hour of driving aimlessly, erratic turns and more than a few blown stoplights, Brax was positive they’d lost their tail. Tessa sat upright, unable or unwilling to relax.

“I think we’re safe. Let’s go back to my parents’ house for now. We’ll figure out what to do when we get there.”

“Okay.”

He glanced over and found her checking the mirrors. Still watching.

Seeing her like that was the final nail in the coffin. He knew what he had to do. There was no excuse for dragging her into his problems, for ruining her life, for putting her through this.

“Tessa, I have to tell you this. You can’t work for me anymore.” It was one of the hardest things he’d ever forced himself to say.

He didn’t want it this way. In fact, now that he’d said it, he knew just how much he wanted the opposite. For her to stay. To be part of his life. But she didn’t deserve to be hunted and attacked. Having her in his life was too risky. Her safety mattered more than his feelings for her.

She made a sound that seemed almost like a wounded animal. “No, please. I can’t... I can’t...”

“I’m sorry. You can’t understand how much I hate this.”

“But...no. Please. I need...”

He scrubbed a hand down his face. She was scared of losing her income. “Hey, don’t worry. I’ll give you another two weeks’ salary to hold you over until you find another job. Can you find a place to stay? I’ll help you with that too.”

He glanced over at her. She was shaking, wrapping her arms around her middle like she might fly apart. Her eyes were darting around the Jeep. “What did I do wrong? Why are you sending me away?”

He recognized a panic attack when he saw one and sped up. “Tessa, you have to breathe. We’ll get you through this. Don’t panic.”

“Don’t panic?” She laughed—bitter, jagged—then sucked in a breath. “I can’t leave you and Walker! Don’t make me, please. I’ll do whatever you want, I swear. Don’t make me leave.”

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