Page 21 of I Am Lioness

I narrowed my eyes at him, so taken aback and disgusted by the man sitting in that chair.

“Who are you? What the hell is wrong with you lately?”

“That, my dear, sounds oddly similar to what I’ve been asking myself about you.”

“What in the world are you talking about?”

“This sudden change in your personality, your behavior. It’s bizarre and quite frankly it warranted an investigation. I knew there was a reason behind it....” He looked away and picked an imaginary piece of lint off the sleeve of his black blazer, then flicked said invisible speck to the ground. When his eyes met mine again, I saw nothing but self-gratification plastered all over his face. “Obviously I was right, although I’ll admit, never did I assume this new Hazel was fueled by a man. Especially nothim.”

“An investigation, really? You work for the FBI now?” My question was loaded with sarcasm.

When he didn’t respond, I rolled my eyes and went on. “What I would like to know is how you even know whoheis.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I'm always aware of our surroundings, Hazel. Always. That includes people we cross paths with. In retrospect, I probably should've known he was the reason all along given it was hardnotto miss the way you two stared each other down that night in L.A.”

My cheeks flamed at the reminder but I did my best to play if off.

“If you noticed that tiny little detail then maybeyouwere the one staring a little too hard.” I said, indignantly.

Jason’s lips thinned and then he turned away, choosing for whatever reason to remain quiet. His silence only served to press my buttons further. If he thought for even one second this conversation was over, he was highly mistaken.

“So why didn’t you speak up that night? You were quick to question me about Reyna. Why not about Knox?” I pressed.

He leaned back in the chair, keeping his line of sight across the room. “Because he didn’t seem like he would be a threat then.”

“A threat to what?” I squeaked, unable to hide both the shock and irritation in my voice.

He peered at me from the corner of his eye. “Everything.”

“You couldn’t be more vague, could you?” I scoffed through my nose. “That’s okay, the last thing I’m worried about is making sense of your twisted reality anyway because I’m about to make myself very clear to you. Whatever happens between Knox and I isn’t any of your business.”

That got his attention.

His head whipped back in my direction, eyebrows knit together.

“Like hell it’s not. Youaremy business. Your safety, your well-being, that’s what I’m here for. I can understand wanting companionship, Hazel, but he is not the man for you. Trust me. Any John, Dick, and Harry out there can lay down the sweet-talk. Don’t let pretty words cloud your better judgement.”

“You’re my bodyguard, Jason, not my father! Who the hell do you think you are making that type of call for me? This is MY life and when the time comes, I’ll decide whether he is or not. Until then, you’regoingto stay out of it.”

“I wouldn't count on that if I were you.”

My blood boiled again.

“So help me God, Jason, if you screw this up for me…”

“Screw up what? How far do you really think this is going to go? It’s all fine and dandy now because he’s here. What happens when he goes back home and you go on to Phoenix, and then Salt Lake, and Austin, and Miami? Hundreds of miles will separate you for months. Are you sure he’s going to hold out that long? Areyouwilling to risk everything you’ve worked so damn hard for...all forhim?”

Out of everything Jason said, one word stood out most. Just one.

Risk.

The room spun a little and then it felt like everything around me was slowly crumbling. Panic bloomed deep in my belly and began spreading through me one limb at a time as realization set in. I backed into the wall and swallowed down the lump forming in my throat. When I glanced at Jason, I found him already watching me.

“I’m just trying to help you.” His voice was soft. He rose to full height and started toward me, but I lifted a hand and turned my head away, stopping him abruptly mid-step.

He sighed. “I’m sorry you think I ruined your night but I care about you too much to see some spur of the moment prick hurt you.”

“Just get out, Jason.” I said, trying to sound angered rather than afraid.

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