Page 32 of Dangerous Lies

Megan slipped her hand into his, a simple, steadying gesture that encouraged him to keep going.

“When Oliver’s friend died, he started spiraling. I came home and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen. He rebelled against every piece of advice I gave him. It made me mad.” Shame pressed against his rib cage. “I didn’t want to deal with it. Selfishly, I wanted to keep living my life.”

She squeezed his hand. “That’s not selfish.”

“It feels that way.”

“Because our minds play tricks on us. They convince us we’re responsible for things that were never ours to carry.” She slowed, then stopped completely, forcing Jax to do the same. Turning to face him, her gaze searched his. “You need someone to say this out loud to you: What happened to Oliver wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have stopped him from making bad choices. I know it’s easier to blame yourself than to blame Oliver because he’s gone, but that doesn’t make it right.”

Her words hit like a sledgehammer to his chest, knocking the breath from his lungs. The weight of them pressed down, so heavy it felt like his heart was bleeding. He clenched his jaw. “But what if…”

“You could have saved him?” She shook her head, her voice gentle but firm. “No, Jax. You can’t solve every problem or take the blame for every wrong. Oliver was eighteen. Old enough to make his own choices. He knew drugs were a mistake. Yes, he was hurting, and he deserved grace, but that doesn’t change the fact that he rejected help over and over again. That’s not your fault. Nothing you could have said or done would’ve changed that. Addicts only get help whenthey’reready. Not a minute before.”

Jax swallowed hard, emotions clawing at his throat. “He died before he could.”

“Yes, he did. And that hurts. I know.” She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling him into a hug. Her head rested against his chest. “I’m so sorry, Jax. I know you loved him. And I know you miss him.”

He shattered. Right there, in the woods on her property, under the shelter of a large oak tree. Jax’s heart broke into a thousand sharp pieces that ripped through the angry scar tissue he’d built over his grief. Tears flowed down his cheeks. There was nothing he could do to stop them. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Megan. She held him up, weathering the storm of his sorrow until the worst had passed.

When it was over, she released him and reached into the pocket of her coat, unearthing a package of tissues. She handed him several.Heat crawled up his neck as he swiped at the tracks on his cheeks. Jax wasn’t emotionally barren, but he couldn’t remember the last time he’d cried. Maybe when he was six.

“Sorry. I don’t know what just happened.” He cleared his throat, grasping for his dignity. “I didn’t even cry at Oliver’s funeral.”

“Then that was long overdue, I’d say.” Megan wiped a tear from her own cheek. Then she shoved his shoulder. “Don’t worry, you can still keep your man card.”

He huffed out a laugh. “I’m not sure you get to decide that, being female and all.”

“Probably right.” She looped her arm through his, leading them back toward the house. “Come on. We’ve got brisket to eat.”

His stomach rumbled in agreement, drawing another laugh from her. But just as they stepped out of the trees, a whirring noise sent Jax’s heart rate into overdrive. His gaze shot skyward.

A drone was approaching.

EIGHTEEN

Megan’s body ran cold with fear when she spotted the flying bug-like object heading straight for them. It was still too far away to see if a weapon was strapped to the bottom, but she didn’t need a closer look—she already knew the answer. And in that moment, a terrifying realization hit her. All her target practice had been in vain. Had she truly believed she could shoot a drone out of the sky? Or, worse, take down an actual person if it came to that?

Jax grabbed her hand, pulling her back under the cover of the trees. His gun was already in his grip. “Get low.”

She dropped to the dirt, pressing herself beneath a thick bush. Through the gaps in the leaves, she could just make out her house in the distance. Her heart pounded with fresh panic and the roar of her pulse filled her ears. “My grandparents?”

“Kyle’s got them covered.”

Even as Jax spoke, Megan spotted the former Army security specialist sprinting across the yard. He ducked inside the house, securing Nana and Pops. A second later, Jason and his German shepherd, Connor, approached their location. With a sharp command, Jason ordered Connor to take cover. If the drone opened fire, the dog would be defenseless.

Connor weaved his way through the trees, heading straight for Megan. He plopped down beside her in the dirt, pressing close. She buried her fingers in his thick coat. The German shepherd seemed to sense her fear, nudging her hand as if to reassure her.

The drone’s buzz grew louder. Jax crouched beside her, gun raised, his hand firm on her back. Fear gripped her, thick and suffocating.

She didn’t want anyone to get hurt.

Especially not Jax.

The handgun case rested next to her other hand, where Jax had dropped it. Megan grabbed it but didn’t bother opening it. Paper targets were a lot bigger than a flying drone, and the last thing she wanted was to create a distraction. Jax and Jason had training. They knew what they were doing. She had to trust them—and follow orders—even if it left her feeling helpless.

The advice Sandy, her sponsor, had given a few days before rolled through Megan’s mind.When life feels overwhelming, take it moment by moment. Breathe. Pray. Remember—you’re not fighting this battle alone.

A strange stillness washed over her, pushing back the panic threatening to take hold. Megan inhaled deeply, grounding herself in the moment. The feel of the cold earth beneath her, Connor’s warm body beside her, the steady weight of Jax’s hand on her back. The crisp scent of pine filled her lungs. She wasn’t alone. She wasn’t powerless.

---