Page 181 of Rush of Jealousy

“Okay, Dad. We’re on it,” Nic promises. “Where is Mom anyway?”

“Downstairs double-checking roasters and temperature settings in the other kitchen. She always worries about getting this one too dirty when there’s company. Plus, I think she is having a few issues up here that need to be looked at.”

Germain heads out the front door, and I am left alone with the brothers.

“I hope she is not anxious over me. Does she need help? I can go down and offer,” I suggest.

“We already know that she’ll refuse help,” Nic says calmly.

I nod. I get it. It is sometimes easier to refuse help instead of admitting that it is needed.

“Angie,” Nic says with hesitation, “can we chat?”

I swallow my mouthful of coffee and mouth a barely audible “yes.”

Graham’s eyes dart over to Nic’s, and I can tell he doesn’t want to leave my side. “I’ll go take a look at the oven and security system.”

Nic and I move into the living room, and I curl my feet up under me on the sofa. He settles on a chair.

“Did Graham fill you in on everything?”

“Maybe,” I say hesitantly. “But I would love to hear what you have to say so that I can see if your stories match.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” I deadpan.

“How about you tell me what you know?”

I sigh. “Graham was an FBI informant. You still are one. Graham owns Entice after Mark Tanner’s Illusion Escorts left three women dead and was to blame for Penny getting drugged. Penny was getting involved in modeling and then got sucked into that agency, while Mark would take her out on dates. You’re running the Entice company under the name Dominic Crawford, and it’s all confidential and should stay that way. Mark probably thinks, because of Penny’s drugging, that Graham helped to dismantle his company secretly, despite having three girls overdosing. Maybe he thinks there is a connection between getting caught and Graham itching for revenge. Mark joins Entice, while avoiding prison time for the tragedies that occurred while he was the employer of Illusion. So, now there’s a huge rivalry, not to mention major testosterone-induced public taunting sessions. But no one knows you’re related to Graham or Penny. And I’m pretty sure your parents have zero clue as to what you and Graham have gotten yourselves into and you both want them out of this situation, so you barely visit them. How am I doing so far?”

“Great,” he says, turning his ring around and around again, “except for the part where you’re going to promise to back off and stay out of this open investigation. Let me do my job. Give Graham a chance to focus on something other than trying to get you out of trouble at every turn. You’re being targeted, Angie. And to think all along, Graham was worried that having any connection to him would be enough to put you at risk. You didn’t need him at all to do that. You're doing a fine job all by yourself.”

I frown over his words. “I’ll be careful.”

“Seriously, though”—he shakes his head in disbelief—“an investigative journalist? What are the flipping chances?”

“You’re aware that the FBI has no control over media publication and that we as Americans have a right to free speech?”

I watch as Nic’s eyes twitch and he sits up farther in his chair. “You’re aware that you’re putting your nose into a situation that’s riddled with crime lords and toxic drugs? That you’re going to get discovered while going on with your ridiculous antics and get us all killed for even being connected to you? Is that something you’re willing to ignore and continue on with your quest?”

“I’ve been careful all this—”

“Bullshit, Angie,” he snaps, making me jolt back from the force of his tone. “Have you not heard anything I just said? They have been on to you almost from the start. All of our intel has basically suggested it. The whole hotel scene was a setup to prove to Tanner that you’re the most valuable bargaining chip in Graham’s life. While we are trying to out him and his ring, he’s trying to out us and all those connected with trying to bring him down.”

“I’m not some kind of token.”

“No,” he says, shaking his head, “but you basically allowed Tanner to exploit Graham’s only weakness—you. Graham’s so freaking in love with you that he can’t see straight. Now the underground world knows.”

“Why does this matter? I have a crap ton of guards watching me, right?”

“With good reason. Because as soon as Tanner sees an opportunity, he’s going to try to take you away from Graham.”

I swallow hard. Shit. Would things really go that far?

“But don’t worry. Graham’s working on an alternate plan to keep you safe. And for once, I actually approve.”

“What does he have planned?” And when will I be privy to this type of information concerning my life?

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