Page 71 of Four Fiances & I

“Princess, we need to confirm that, as he’s the one who will have the most inside knowledge when it comes to you and your whereabouts.” I hoped to put her at ease, but from the look on her face, I know I’ve failed.

“He would never put me in danger like that. He wouldn’t turn his back on any of us.”

“I agree with Jaz.” I turn my attention to Calvin, who is looking at her with a small smile, before turning to Christian. “That man is as loyal as they come. I do not doubt that he would protect Jaz or any of you with his life. He takes his job seriously and has the utmost respect for you all.”

“I agree,” Terry adds, nodding. “That kid would put himself between you and a bullet without a second’s thought. He’s still beating himself up over the time Jaz was attacked when at school. He would never willingly put her in harm’s way.”

Jason and Christian share a look and nod, both visibly relaxing a little. They’ve obviously been worried that they had been putting Jasmine’s life in the hands of the mole, which wouldn’t have sat well with any of us.

“Get him in here,” Christian tells Terry, who pulls out his phone and holds it to his ear. I hear him giving Layton the order to come down and hangs up.

“What are you going to do?” Jasmine asks next to me.

“I want to see how he reacts when he hears about the mole. The way he responds to being asked if it’s him will tell me if we’re right to trust him or not,” Christian answers, walking over to the coffee pot to pour himself another mug. I don’t miss the way he glances at the alcohol on the table beside it. Who can blame him for wanting a drink right now? I know I do. But we need to keep a clear head with the staff meeting fast approaching.

A knock at the door has us all turning to look at it.

“Come in,” Terry calls.

I don’t have time to register the look between Christian and Jason before the door opens and all hell breaks loose.

The second Layton walks into the room, Jason is in his face, pinning him against the wall and has his gun to his head.

“What the-?” Layton quickly stops talking as he stares at Jason, his eyes wide with fear.

“Jason!” Jasmine jumps to her feet, but I stop her from getting involved.

“What have you been telling people?” Jason growls in his face.

“What? Nothing? I swear!”

“Stop it. I told you I trust him!” Jasmine shouts as she tries to get past me, but I hold her tight.

“I would never put her in danger, you know that!” Layton declares, looking around for someone to help him.

Jason stares at him for a moment, nods once, and lets him go while putting his gun back under his shirt. Layton looks around, shocked, as Jasmine slumps back onto the sofa, her head in her hands.

“Does someone want to tell me what the hell I’m meant to have done?” Layton demands, straightening his T-shirt, his hands shaking. He’s brave, I’ll give him that. Many men have pissed themselves when held at gunpoint by Jason, but Layton is hiding his fear well. I hear a sniff coming from Jasmine, and I sit beside her before putting an arm around her shoulders.

“We have a mole in the team,” Terry explains as Jason walks over and squats down in front of her.

“Jazzy, I had to be sure. I won’t apologise for protecting you, but I’m sorry you had to see it,” he whispers as I hear Layton cursing under his breath.

“But I told you I trust him,” Jasmine sniffs as she looks at Jason. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Jaz, I understand why Jason reacted like that. I would have done the same thing, no matter who it was,” Layton says as they look at each other. “It’s my job to protect you, but it’s also all four of the O’Reillys, and let’s face it, no one can do it as well as them,” he smiles, trying to reassure her. Jason looks over his shoulder and nods once at Layton before returning to Jasmine.

“Do you understand now, Angel?” His eyes don’t leave Jasmine’s as she nods and wipes at her face. “I’m sorry for frightening you.” He kisses her forehead as he stands and sits on the sofa beside Calvin.

“So, is someone going to fill me in on what’s been going on?”

While Terry takes a moment to tell Layton all we’ve learnt, I pull Jasmine so she is leaning against my side. I run a hand up and down her arm to soothe her. Also to remind myself that she’s okay and no one can get to her whilst she’s here. They would have to kill everyone in this room, which would never happen, not with us on edge like we are.

Turning my head, I kiss her hair again. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, filling my nose with the scent of her shampoo to calm the anxiety cursing through my body. I’ve never been an anxious person and have never experienced a panic attack first-hand other than seeing Jasmine’s. But right now, the way my heart is pounding and tightening at the same time, I feel like I’m on the verge of one.

When I open my eyes, I find Maximus watching me closely. He lifts his eyebrows, checking I’m okay, knowing how I’m feeling without me having to tell him. I nod slightly, signalling I’m fine, before returning to the conversation in the room.

“You know who we have to consider next, right?” Terry’s voice brings me back to the conversation happening around us.

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