Page 24 of Fatal Thrill
That was par for the course with Jon. He always sounded like he was ready to take on any inconvenience, hassle, or POS that showed up on his doorstep. Came with the job, sheimagined.
A check of the peephole and he opened the door. “Anyproblems?”
Colton shuffled in, his shit kickers scuffing across the beat-up hardwood floor. “No one followedus.”
And then, miracle of miracles, Shelby came hustling in behind him, wiping her boots on the tiny rug and setting down Jaya’s overnight bag. “Jaya! Colton told me everything. Are youokay?”
A second later, Jaya was caught up in a bear hug, and it felt so damn good, she accepted it, closing her eyes. This was Shelby, her best friend. They’d shared everything since they were five years old, on that first day of kindergarten. Shelby had asked Jaya to braid her hair at recess, just like the intricate one Mama had done for Jaya. Instantly, Jaya recognized a kindred soul and had declared thembesties.
Her braid hadn’t been nearly as fine as Mama’s, but it wasn’t half bad for a five-year-old. It had been the start of what had become her passion—helping other women feel pretty and confident aboutthemselves.
“I’m okay,” Jaya announced, not sure if she was trying to convince Shelby or herself. “Just…shook up overFinn.”
“Of course you are.” Shelby took her by the shoulders and moved Jaya back a step to look her over. “You look like death warmed over, girl. When was the last time youslept?”
“I can’t now. Finn’s in real trouble, thanks toDad.”
“I’m heading to the office,” Shelby said. “I think you should let me open an official case onthis.”
Jaya saw Jon and Colton both stiffen. Neither wanted the Feds involved, but Shelby felt like the voice of reason. Wasn’t it better to let the professionals handleit?
Her gut instinct tickled when she met Jon’s eyes. There was a longing there, a need for her trust. Hewasa professional, and if he believed Shadow Force was the answer to saving her brother, Jaya was sticking withhim.
She grabbed Shelby’s hand, still cold from the outside conditions. “Thanks, Shel. I need all the help I can get, but I’m giving Shadow Force at least twenty-four hours before I go to the FBI. I hope youunderstand.”
“Rory doesn’t have anything yet,” Colton told her. “But he will. Nobody’s better at cyber-hunting. Beatrice sent someone to keep an eye on your mom, by the way, just incase.”
Could her mom be in danger? Jaya guessed it wasn’t a stretch to assume so at this point. “Tell her thanks, willyou?”
Colton nodded, then glanced at Jon. “You need anything else, you holler, ya hear me? Shelby followed me in her car, so I’m going to have her drop me off at our place before she heads to work. I’ll grab a power nap and be ready to go. As soon as you get anything from Rory, hit me up. I’ll keep my phoneon.”
They exchanged a manly backslap, hand-grasp thing, and Shelby hugged Jaya again. “I’m a phone call away,” she said. “Keep me posted and let me know when, and if, you want me to jump in with all the resources of theBureau.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jaya said, returning the hug with full force. “And thankyou.”
“You know I’ll do anything for you,J.”
Colton helped Shelby out the door, and then it was just Jon and Jaya again. The overnight bag rested on the floor between them. Jon reached for it. “Let’s get youunpacked.”
Jaya jumped and grabbed for the bag. “I’ll takeit.”
He held it for a second, his brows quirking down, but then he let go. He went to the counter and snatched up her new phone. “Might be a good idea for you to get a naptoo.”
“I don’t think I can sleep.” She was such a liar. The thought of lying down on Jon’s bed triggered a yawn, which made Jon smirk. “Maybe I could close my eyes for aminute?”
The smirk turned to a genuine smile. “I could use a chance to close my eyes for a minutetoo.”
And jeez, she hadn’t even thought about his night or whatever job—mission—he’d really been on. “You were nowhere near New York last night, wereyou?”
He motioned her toward the bedroom. “I little farthersouth.”
She followed, feet dragging. “Did it involve protecting someone or findingthem?”
“Findingthem.”
In the bedroom, she tugged off her jeans and watched him go into the bathroom to change into a T-shirt and shorts. Once she was sure he was occupied, she unzipped herbag.
There, on top, was the pregnancykit.
