Page 30 of Dangerous Lies

Cody’s eyes widened, a flicker of panic breaking through his rage. “Doesn’t matter. Just leave my brother out of it.”

He took a step forward, and Jax immediately shifted in front of Megan, blocking her from view. His grip on his weapon remained firm. “You said what you needed to. Now go.”

Cody glared at him. “You think you’re better than me, but you ain’t. People like you and Megan always get what’s coming to you.”

Jax’s expression darkened. “That sounds like a threat.”

Cody didn’t reply. His hand drifted toward his coat pocket.

Jax stiffened, raising his weapon. His voice dropped to a dangerous edge. “Keep your hands where I can see them.”

Cody froze. Tension crackled in the cold night air as he and Jax held their silent standoff. Megan’s breath shallowed, her pulse hammering against her ribs. Then a patrol car turned into the lot, tires crunching over loose gravel as it rolled up to the curb.

Tucker stepped out, his expression sharp with concern. He circled the vehicle, his hand resting on his holster. “What’s going on here?”

“Nothing.” Cody lifted his hands again for everyone to see. “I was just leaving.”

He ambled across the parking lot, humming a tune as he turned down the street toward the north end of town. Megan watched his shadow stretch and shrink under the streetlights until he rounded a corner and disappeared from view.

No one moved until he was gone.

Tucker turned back to them. “Y’all okay? Sorry I was late. Someone reported a prowler in their yard. I had to respond.”

“We’re fine,” Jax said, holstering his weapon. He filled Tucker in on their conversation.

The officer’s expression darkened. “I’ll follow y’all home. Make sure you get there okay.”

They gathered the scattered flyers. Megan’s heart was still racing from the encounter with Cody, even after they were on the road toward home. The truck’s heater blasted warmth, but it didn’t remove the icy block lodged in her chest. She replayed their conversation over in her mind.

“Cody’s hiding something.” She turned toward Jax. “Noah and Dawson said the sheriff’s department raided Bodybuilders because they believed Zeke and Cody were running drugs and an illegal fighting ring. Which they were. But no one mentioned an informant.”

“Noah and Dawson might not have known. The investigation into Bodybuilders was run by the sheriff’s department, not ours, so we wouldn’t have all the details. The investigators might not have even sent over the files yet. We’re not the only department suffering from a personnel shortage.”

Megan leaned against her seat. “What if… what if Oliver was the informant? That could explain why Zeke wanted him dead.”

Jax nodded. “Same thought crossed my mind. We need those files. I’ll text Noah and Dawson when we get home.”

The more they uncovered, the more questions surfaced. How did all the pieces fit together? Had Zeke killed Oliver and was now after Megan to ensure her silence? If so, why keep coming after her? The police were already looking for him. Could there be something more to it? Some piece of the puzzle they were missing? Cody’s impromptu confrontation suggested there was.

Then again, maybe the two cases weren’t connected at all. Zeke may have killed Oliver. And Wesley, believing Megan was guilty, could be seeking vengeance for his brother’s death. She prayed that wasn’t the case—for Jax’s sake—but with Wesley still missing, it was foolish to ignore the possibility that he was involved.

Megan realized she was still clutching the keys to the church annex in her hand. The unyielding metal had pressed deep indentions into her skin. She tucked the keys in her pocket and rubbed her palm. A tremor rippled through her.

Jax reached out, his fingers wrapping gently around her wrist. “You okay?”

His touch was comforting and grounding. Megan drew in a deep breath and grabbed hold of her runaway emotions. “I’m scared. But I’m also tired of feeling weak and helpless.” It was time to take charge of her life again, just as she had when she went into recovery. “I don’t want to be defenseless anymore. Can you train me? Teach me how to shoot, how to fight back if I have to? If the worst happens?—”

“It won’t.”

He spoke with such confidence. Jax was still holding on to her wrist, and she slid her arm up until their palms touched. The warmth of his skin seeped into hers. Megan interlaced their fingers. This man would take a bullet for her without hesitation, but this wasn’t about that. She needed to feel capable and strong. “I still want to learn. Will you teach me?”

He gently squeezed her hand and nodded. “We’ll start tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” Relief unknotted some of the tension in her muscles. Tonight’s confrontation with Cody confirmed this was far from over. Megan didn’t know what was coming next, but she hoped and prayed whatever it was, she’d be ready for it.

God, give me strength.

SEVENTEEN

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