Page 209 of The Forbidden Note

I notice that she’s calmer and ease away. “You good now?”

“I am.” She purses her lips, looking thoughtful. “These tears aren’t what you think. I’m not sad that mom died. I’m just nervous about whether or not someone killed her. If they did, if it was really Jarod Cross like they’re all thinking, what does that mean for Vi’s safety? If anything happens to my sister…”

“It won’t,” I say firmly.

She gives me a hopeful look.

“I might not know Dutch that well, but I know one thing. He loves you and he’ll protect you and your sister with everything he’s got.”

“I believe that.” A smile warbles on her pink lips. “Honestly, I don’t know how I would get through it without Dutch. He’s been so amazing to me. Sometimes, I wonder how anyone can be that focused on one person.”

“Dutch has tunnel vision,” I agree, thinking back to all I’ve observed of him. From his very first day back at Redwood, the guitarist was following Cadence around.

“I think Zane has tunnel vision too,” Cadence says, wiping her eyes and giving me a grin. “It’s just that he goes about it in a different way.”

And that’s my cue to change the subject.

“Why do you think we didn’t find any more evidence on The Grateful Project?”

Cadence pops an eyebrow as if she knows exactly what I’m doing.

I stoop down and lift some of the documents, shifting the tone of my voice. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

“Maybe the numbers you found on that old invoice was a coincidence?” Cadence stoops beside me and brushes her long brown hair over her shoulder.

I stick my tongue into my cheek. “Maybe.”

My phone rings.

It’s mom.

“How did the date go? Are you still with him?” Excitement rings in her voice and I hate that I’m going to have to crush so many of her dreams.

“No, mom.”

“Why didn’t you call me as soon as you were done?”

Zane and his brothers enter the living room. I can feel his gaze, this heavy, dark caress that glides down my body and makes me want to do all the things I shouldn’t.

It’s terrifying that he can make me feel that way when I’m on the phone with my mother.

“I was a little busy. I didn’t plan to have a date today, you know. There was a lot to catch up on.”

Zane is clearly studying me and listening to my conversation with mom as if he’s waiting for me to say something that will give away my true thoughts.

I keep my voice level and give him nothing.

“I’m busy right now. Can we do this later?”

“No.”

“Mom.”

“Now, Gracie.”

“Fine. I’ll talk to you at home.” I hang up and climb to my feet. “I should go.”

Zane lifts his head to look at me and I have to work to control my breathing.

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