Page 10 of The Wrangler

Jesse’s jaw went tight. “You didn’t check it before we left?”

She knew that tone. It was the calm before the storm.

Keely lifted her chin, irritation spiking despite the ice-cold fear crawling up her spine. “No, Jesse, I didn’t stop to inspect my bag for illegal diamonds before leaving the damn airport.”

His expression darkened, but he said nothing. Because this wasn’t just a mix-up. This was a problem—a serious problem.

Jesse stood, his entire body brimming with control, like he was holding back from exploding. His voice was rough but controlled when he spoke. “Anyone could’ve grabbed your bag by mistake. You realize that, don’t you?”

Keely did. And that was the scariest part. Someone else had her suitcase. And if they’d opened it and realized their mistake, it probably meant they were looking for this one. A chill crawled down her spine.

She looked up at Jesse, and for the first time in forever, she felt danger closing in.

“What do we do?” she asked, and damn it, she hated how her voice shook just the slightest bit.

Keely sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the diamonds. Who the hell did this suitcase belong to? And why did she have the sinking feeling that whoever was missing it wouldn’t just let it go?

“Your security system is armed, and so am I. Your house is back on the list for frequent patrols. I’ll let them know there may be a problem. I’ll stay here until I can talk to Reed and he can figure out how to keep you safe.”

“I am safe. My house has a top-of-the-line security system and you’re here with your gun.”

He smiled. “And I’m not leaving until I check in with your big brother… you know, my boss? I can call him now if you like...” he glanced at his watch “…but he was scheduled to do a scene tonight at the club. One he’d been looking forward to. Besides, as you said, we’re safe here, the alarms are all set, we’re on the drive-by schedule and I have my gun and an extra clip.”

“Don’t call Reed. We can tell him in the morning. I’m sure he’s looking forward to providing her some aftercare—I love how you Doms call getting laid aftercare. He’s going to be pissed at me as it is, but you can go home…”

“Not happening, Keely. Your choice is me or your big brother.”

“Fine. You. We can put the diamonds in the floor safe in my closet after we eat. I’m starving.”

“You wouldn’t have been if you’d eaten more than a salad on the plane. Why didn’t you select one of the entrees—roasted duck breast with cherry sauce or lamb chops with mint pesto…”

“Eww,” she made a face. “Besides which, neither duck nor lamb is a good choice when you’re on a diet.”

“You’re on a diet?” he asked incredulously.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m always on a diet. Besides, I knew the taco pizza was waiting for me.”

The timer on the oven went off, and she brushed past him to get it out. She really was hungry. If they’d been offering pasta on the flight, she’d have screwed the pizza and indulged.

As she served Jesse his pizza, she stared back at her bedroom and at the suitcase that contained the baggie of gems. Somehow, she didn’t think this was over. Those diamonds belonged to someone, and she didn’t think it would take long for whoever it was to figure out the bag had gone home with the wrong person. Once they knew where she was, she didn’t like her oddsat surviving the encounter. Maybe it was a good thing that her house had an excellent security system and that Jesse was willing to stay the night. Maybe she should try to be a little bit nicer to him, but then again, maybe not.

4

JESSE

Jesse had spent too many damn years training himself to never let his guard down. But right now? His body didn’t give a damn about protocol.

After eating, the exhaustion just seemed to sink into his bones, dragging him down before he could stop it. Jesse made an entire security sweep of both the interior and exterior of the house, checking all the gates, doors, and windows. He barely sat down and registered the feel of Keely’s buttery-soft leather couch beneath him before his muscles gave up the fight, the long day catching up to him all at once. He stretched out, his gun on the floor beside him.

The last thing he remembered was Keely’s voice, soft and teasing, somewhere in the background.

“I’m going to laugh so hard if you snore.”

He’d tried to muster a comeback, but his eyes were already shutting, his body already slipping into the dark.

KEELY

Keely stood at the edge of the couch, staring down at Jesse’s completely passed-out form.

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