Page 37 of Taken

“You’re playing with fire.” Jamie warned me as he carefully leaned up against Mary’s organized desk.

I put my hands in my pockets. “You don’t have to worry. It was just a dance.” I was trying too hard, so it didn’t surprise me when he called me out.

“So you said.” Jamie paused. “I saw the look in your eyes when you were dancing with her. And I saw the kiss. From where I was standing, it didn’t seem like no big deal.” He quoted me with air quotes.

Jamie was watching me, watching for clues in my expression and body language. One drawback to having a family full of cops. We’re all experts at reading people, especially each other, so I knew he could see right through me, despite my efforts to keep my face neutral and my voice even. I gave up the pretense.

“It felt like a natural thing to do.” Jamie waited patiently while I took my hat off and ran my fingers through my hair, causing it to stand on end. “I can’t explain it.”

“Try, because you’re going to need to explain it to dad too.” He sounded more compassionate than upset. I hadn’t expected him to switch from boss mode to brother mode so quickly. He wasn't technically my boss since we were equal partners, but he was fully vested and I wouldn't be until after the new year.

I was prepared for a lecture. Defending myself would be easier than explaining myself. I loved working with my family, but sometimes it sucked having them in my business twenty-four-seven. They rarely intervened in my private life. But they were now, because for the first time, my personal and professional lives were overlapping. I sighed. How could I explain it to him when I wasn’t sure I understood?

I answered without thinking too much. Maybe I could find the answer if I didn’t try censoring myself. “When I got home from Austin, she surprised me with a hug. She was open and vulnerable for the first time because she was worried about me. I could see it, feel it. And her hug, it felt,” I searched for the right word, “it felt right and I didn’t want to let go.”

“I get it. Are you sure this isn’t because you’re intrigued? Or because she needs help and you want to protect her?”

“No. I mean, I want to protect her, but that’s not it. It’s, fuck man, I don’t know.” Why was this so hard? “I felt something the day we met, but dismissed it as physical attraction. Then, in the self-defense class, I was captivated by her fierceness and determination. When I heard her ask about shooting lessons, I had to volunteer. I didn’t expect anything to come of it. But the more time I spend with her, the more I… the more time I want to spend with her.”

“Any chance you can pull back, at least for now?” At least he wasn’t telling me to back off.

“I don’t know. Maybe.” I shrugged. I wasn’t sure I could. My willpower was non-existent when I was with Meg. “When that guy came at me with the knife, one of my first thoughts was of Meg. I’d completely forgotten it until she hugged me. When we were dancing tonight, I didn’t want to stop.” My voice was barely above a whisper as I admitted how I felt.

“Listen, I get it, but-”

“Thanks, I-.”

He put his hand up. “I’m not the only one who saw you with her on the dance floor. Dad’s going to want to talk to you about this later.” He paused before adding. “Ma too, though I suspect that’ll be a much different conversation.” He knew as well as I did that mom 'had a feeling' about me and Meg.

He was right, about all of it. I shook my head and laughed. “Yeah.” Mom’s reaction would most likely be the exact opposite of dad’s. I’d worry about mom later. It wouldn’t be easy, but I had to hold myself back. It was the right thing to do. I could ask her out once we removed the threat.

“I’ll talk to dad. You know I’d never do anything to hurt the company, right?”

“We do, but you’re not logical when it comes to Meg.”

“Hmph.” I wanted to argue, but he was right.

“Does she feel the same way about you?”

“It’s hard to tell. She’ll start to relax and open up, but then tense up and shut down with one wrong word. I think she likes me, and wants to trust me. But she’s scared.”

“I assume you haven’t told her you’re digging into her past.” I shook my head back and forth. “You should,” Jamie said, “Because she’s going to find out eventually, and if it comes from anyone but you, you’ll lose any trust you’ve built.”

“I know. I have to figure out how to bring it up. And then convince her I, we, want to help her.” I confessed, “It’s harder than thought it would be. Any suggestions?”

“Keep it simple. You tried to find her on social media to friend her. You noticed a few things that worried you, so you did a quick search, thinking she had a stalker or something. It’s an edited version of the truth. But you need to tell her now before too much time passes. If you’re lucky, she won’t be too pissed.”

“And if she is? What do I do if she decides she can’t trust me?” I stood up straight. “What do I do then?”

“I don’t know. It’s a tricky situation. But you’re not alone. I may not think it’s a good idea for you to date her, at least not until we know more, but I’ll support you whatever you decide.”

He stepped away from the desk and pulled me into a brotherly hug.

“Thanks man.” I felt good knowing I had his support.

“Anytime, little brother, anytime.” Jamie patted me on the shoulder as we walked back to the dining room.

Jamie thanked AJ for me covering as we stepped back behind the bar. I couldn’t stop thinking about what Jamie said. He made sense, and I knew it. So why hadn’t I told her?Because I’m afraid she’ll freak out and stop trusting me.The smart thing to do would be to keep my distance until I could remove the threat.

---