Page 22 of Echoes of Danger

“Well, okay then,” I sigh. “If I wear this ring, both of you have to promise me something.”

“Name it,” Jacob says.

“Promise me that if there ever comes a time when I am in danger, and I send out the signal, don’t come for me. Let the police handle it.”

Silence.

“I will only ever use this if it’s life or death,” I continue. “Which means I don’t want the people I care about near me until it’s safe.”

More silence.

“Is she serious?” Eli asks Jacob.

Shaking his head, Jacob walks forward and cups my face between his large hands.

“Not even if God himself commanded it,” he says before leaning forward and kissing my forehead. “Now, who wants meatloaf for dinner?”

I stand there, mouth wide open, as Jacob opens the fridge to retrieve the ground beef.

Shaking his head with a chuckle, Eli picks Jessica up and heads for the basement door.

“We’re going to go and hang out with the cool lights,” he tells us. “Holler if you need me.”

I can’t help the warmth that spreads through my body. The four of us really feel like a family. My heart is full, and I honestly think I love this man.

“By the way, I have your paycheck on the coffee table. I just went with cash again, but if you’d rather have a check each week, I don’t care to switch it over.”

And just like that, I’m reminded of my position.

“Thanks,” I mumble. “I think I’m going to take a short nap before you leave for work.”

Jacob starts to turn around, but I’m already gone. I know I sounded as hurt as I feel, but I feel just as stupid.

When I reach my room, I pull out the list of nanny candidates that I’ve collected over the past few days. I have yet to reach out to any of them. Something, or rather, someone, is holding me back.

Maybe after a nap, I’ll have a clearer answer.

I tuck the list back in my purse and lay down.

Yeah! A nap will help me with this life-altering decision.

Idiot.

Chapter Seven

Reynolds

“We’re shutting down all our businesses this weekend because...?”

“Everything except Obsidian Security,” Ghost announces to the room full of bikers. “We’ve gotten word that our clubs are bugged.”

“There’s no way anyone got inside Oasis without us knowing,” Blaze grumbles, skeptical.

“If we find any bugs, we’ll be kicking everyone off the approved list and starting fresh,” Steel adds, his tone hard.

“Why would someone bug us?” Venom asks. “It’s not like we’re involved in anything worth knowing.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not true,” I say. “Obsidian Security has a high-profile client we’ve been working with.”

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