Page 41 of Whispered Desire

Mathias’s concern over Valerie feeling uncomfortable with the two men was probably unfounded. I can’t imagine anything intimidating a woman willing to expose a prominent senator’s wrongdoing. That’s dangerous business in and of itself.

Which is why it shouldn’t be a surprise when a single gunshot rings out, shattering the vase of flowers on our table.

“Get down!” Mathias shouts. His arm circles my shoulders as he drags me out of the chair and into his chest, both of us hunched over as he leads us to safety.

Another shot blasts through the air, causing PTSD to flare to life. I went my whole life never experiencing true danger. I dealt with emotional neglect and mental turmoil, but my parents never physically abused me. Now, I’ve been in the line of bullets twice.

Thanks to the Blackchapel Bastard determined to keep me.

Thanks to Mathias Beaumont.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

JONAH ANDERSON

Chaos ensues after the gunshot. Coffee shop patrons scream, while Luca yells into my earpiece, letting Mathias and I know that he and Hugo are searching for the gunman.

Instinctively, my hand grabs Valerie’s, and we race toward a large service van parked a few doors down. The vehicle’s wide berth should provide enough protection from another bullet, but I’m fucking pissed at how close the first shot came to killing Valerie.

Based on the trajectory of that bullet, she was the target. Not me or Mathias or even Allison.

“Who else knows about your digging into Anderson?” I demand, casting a narrow gaze over the surrounding buildings, searching for clues as to who fired that shot.

“My editor. A couple of coworkers who were in the meeting when I pitched the idea to him.” Valerie swallows hard and clings to the leather bag clutched between her white knuckles. “You think someone tried to hurt me?”

“Someone tried tokillyou,” I correct. “Injuring you won’t stop your article from going to print. Once you recovered, you couldstart investigating again. This was meant to end the threat of exposure permanently.”

She pales at the explanation.

“Oh my god. We need to go to the police. Let them know…”

“What? That a mystery shooter tried to take you out? We don’t have proof they’re connected to Anderson or you. The cops can write it off as a random act of violence, especially without an actual person in custody.”

“But…”

“Trust me, the cops can’t help you.”But I can.I’ll reassign a security team from Blackthorn to watch over her.

“Jonah, we think the shooter’s gone. Hugo found his likely hiding spot. There was a cigarette butt left behind with a shell casing. Fucking amateur,” Luca scoffs in my ear.

The assailant may not be a high-caliber professional, but his mediocre skills got him too close for comfort.

“Even an amateur’s bullet can kill,” I remind him. “I’ve got Valerie. How are Mathias and Allison?”

“Safe.” Mathias’s commanding tone enters the conversation. “Hugo, collect evidence from the site. Maybe we can track down a DNA match or fingerprint off them. Jonah, get Valerie to safety then meet us back at the manor.”

“On it,” Hugo says before signing off.

“Copy that. See you soon.”

With the coast clear, I help Valerie unfold from her crouched position and guide her back onto the sidewalk. Police cars have set up a barricade in front of the coffee shop, and a couple of uniforms are cordoning off the space while a man and woman question café employees.

“It’s safe now. The shooter is long gone.”

“Because your backup says so?” She points to her ear, deducing that I’m wearing a comms piece after hearing me talking to myself.

“Yep. I’ll walk you to your office building, but you’ll need to be more careful going forward. Be aware of your surroundings.” Because it’s going to take a little time to organize a team I trust to watch her.

“I can handle myself, but thank you. I’ll let you guys know if I find anything else out about your dad, and in the meantime, you have my email address and phone number. Give me a call if you learn something I can add to the article.”

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