Page 19 of Jack

"Come on kid. Let's get you inside."

"The name is Jason," he told herstiffly.

"Okay Jason. Got a key?"

"Don't need one." He punched in aseries of numbers on a keypad and released the lock. He was about toturn the elaborate doorknob when the door was swung open.

She felt rather than saw the boy's instantshock and fear as the tall and imposing figure filled the doorway.

"Who the hell are you?" The deepvoice was cold and unyielding and for a few seconds, she was heldimmobilized by the harsh look on his face. She knew who he was ofcourse. Jack Hadley in the flesh and she could see why the kid waspetrified. He had passed on most of his features to his son, butwhereas Jason's eyes were softly gray like scattering clouds, hisfather's reminded her of a particularly violent storm ready tounleash its fury.

"I am Zuri--"

"What the hell is this? Why are youcoming in at this time of the morning?"

"You're home," Jason whispered."You're not supposed to be home."

"What the hell is going on?"

"May we at least come in?" Zuriasked politely. There was no way she was going to leave before thiswas settled. "It's freezing."

The man looked as if he was going to refuseat first, but then with a curt jerk of his head, he stepped back andmade way for them.

"Nice place," she said casually,trying to think of a way to diffuse the tension.

"Where were you? And before you thinkabout lying, I would advise against it."

"I have a sports bar."

His icy gaze swung to her, and she had toorder herself not to flinch.

"What?"

"My brother and I own a sports bar.It's family friendly and quite safe."

He stared at her for a moment, beforedirecting his gaze to the trembling boy. "You were at a bar?"

Zuri felt her heart ache for the stark fearon the boy's face and without thinking, jumped to his rescue.

"Yes, he was. He came to see me."

Cold as winter storm gray eyes swung backto her, and it was all she could do to restrain from shivering.

"What the hell for?"

"To get out of this elaborate prison."As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she knew she had made anerror. She heard the gasp from Jason, but her attention was fixed onthe man who seemed to have grown in stature. His shoulders squaredand the skin was stretched tautly on his face. He pinned her witheyes that sent ice shivering down her spine, but she stood herground. She was used to dealing with bullies. In high school and thenin college and since working at the bar, she had honed her skills. Itdid not matter that Jack Hadley was in a class of his own.

"A prison, is it?" His voice wassilky, gaze skimming insolently over her face and down her chestbefore sweeping back up again. It was a look meant to debase her andput her in her place, and she was damned if she would let him get toher.

"He told me that his dad was too busymaking money to pay him any mind and his mother had sold him."

The man's eyes swung to Jason, who lookedas if he wished the floor would open up and swallow him.

"Go to your room and stay there,"Jack's voice was quiet and commanding, leaving no room for any sortof objections.

"Zuri--"

"Now."

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