Page 109 of Rush of Jealousy

“Why not?”

“Because some things have sentimental value.”

“Can I buy you a second car and you can keep your other one in storage?”

“No.”

“Angie—”

“Graham.”

“I plan to have my security team watching you and Tanner. You do not need to know the details. This is something I cannot bend on, so please don’t ask. He is trying to set me up, and you are going to be in the crossfire if we are going to continue this relationship. I already tried to keep you at a distance but am incapable of doing that. You should not even notice that they are around. Just go about living your life. Just for the love of God, Angie, please stop dangling yourself in front of the enemy.”

“Is he going to press charges?”

“No.”

“Why are you so certain?”

“Because he is trying to avoid being on the police’s radar at any cost. He wants a low profile right now.”

“Then why not report him? He assaulted me.”

“He will continue to pay for that. I kept him alive so I can spend the rest of my life seeing to it that he is punished for his crime. But the police are useless when it comes to these types of things.”

Don’t I know it. When James and I were struck by a drunk driver, they couldn’t even find any suspects. None.

Graham sighs. “Trust me, I’ll make Tanner pay more than just some bruises and a few stitches. No one touches what’s mine and gets away with it. I just have to play my cards right. It is about the long game—and I need him to think he has won a few of the short ones.”

Satisfied with his answer, I drop the subject. As long as I am unaware of his security men, then I can pretend they are not there.

Graham hugs me closer, and the heat from our bodies merges into one ball of energy. I run my hands down his pecs and abs. His muscle definition is impressive.

“Are things over with Zander?” he asks softly.

I pull back to look into his eyes. “I’m going to need to have a difficult conversation with him. I fear our friendship will never be the same again. I’m not sexually attracted to Z. He and Claire are my best friends. I am pretty sure he won’t want to be around me if I don’t give him and me a chance. It makes me really sad. So, right now, I am avoiding him to delay the inevitable and hope that with time he will see that we are not the best match but can still be friends.”

He nods. “Okay…”

“Are things over with Sophia?”

“Of course. Has been for months.”

“Does she know and accept that?”

He looks off to the side of my face, and I realize that this is his way of coping with blurring the truth. “I think so.”

“Have you made it clear?”

“I have made it clear that I am pursuing you. So, yes.”

“And does she accept that?”

His eye twitches. “Not exactly.”

“Explain, please.”

“She sees you as just a fling. She is hoping that—”

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