Page 47 of Claimed
Jasper tugged open my door. “Get in.” He pointed to the inside of the cab.
His security guard looked at me ina way that dared me to defy his boss. I was feeling awfully emotional, but I had to remind myself that I was actually a pro at convincing people to do exactly what I wanted. Jasper, even though his frown could be menacing, was easy to handle. So I dug into my bag of tricks for a new, more effective strategy.
“Jasper, I need you to respect my ability. I also believe if Bryn sees me, shewon’t come down so hard on you.” I leaned back to gauge his reaction.
His eyebrows pulled together. I took that as a good sign.
“I don’t want you to get hurt, babe. I love you. I need to keep you out of harm’s way.”
“I understand, but you’re talking to someone who has met her sources in back alleys with addicts and dealers and guns pointed at her head.” He appeared extra disturbedafter hearing that. Perhaps I had gone too far. “Jasper, I’m going to be more of a help than a hindrance. You said you valued my strength and intellect. Well, now is the time to show it. Plus, my instincts are good and…”
“Okay, enough,” Jasper said, rubbing his face. He gave me a look of warning, and the same expression landed on his security chief. “Stay close to her, Joe.”
Joenodded firmly and walked over to stand by my side.
“Let’s go,” Jasper said.
We started walking even though I had more questions. I had already pushed Jasper to his limit. However, it wasn’t like me to remain silent when I needed clarity.
“I don’t understand why you’re making such a show of strength,” I said. “Didn’t Bryn and Katie come here merely to meet their mother?”
The air stung my face, and even my body through my coat, so I folded my arms. Jasper looked back in time to see me hug myself to stay warm. I could tell by his expression that he hated how miserable I appeared.
“We’re just taking precautions.”
“I don’t think Bryn and Dale are going to come out shooting.”
“Neither do I.” He made it to the front door and pulled it openfor the security agent to pass. When it was my turn to walk in, he curled an arm around my waist. “As I said, I’m only taking precautions.”
Whenever our faces were this close, it made me want to kiss him, and I was sure he wanted to kiss me too. I inhaled, filling my lungs with air, and let it out as I stepped inside. That felt better. The desire to physically connect with Jasper had subsided.
I was flanked by two burly men and one tall, fit, athletically carved one. The unusual sight of the four of us immediately caught the attention of the two women behind the desk. They weren’t smiling in the manner that I was sure they’d been trained to greet new guests with. It was as though they knew who we were and why we were there. Their expressions only changed when Jasper strolled towardthem in all his glory. I knew exactly how they felt. I was sure I had stared at him with the same wide-eyed, mouth-agape expression the first time I saw him too.
He continued to be a sight to behold as he asked the girl with the ponytail for Beth McConnell. Her skin turned red, and she was lost for words. Finally, she coughed. “Um, sorry. Are you with the others?”
“Do the othersconsist of two young women who are twins?” Jasper asked.
Her head bobbled as she nodded. Poor thing—she had been bewitched by his beauty.
“Then yes. Where are they?” There was no softness or charm in his tone.
“They’re in the break room.”
“The employees’ break room?” he asked.
“I’ll take you. Follow me.”
Jasper returned to the rest of us. “Let’s go.”
“Oh,” the girl said as if she’d forgotten he wasn’t alone.
Suddenly, Joe stopped and pressed his hand on his earpiece. “Boss, we have eyes on subject one.”
The tension between the three men was thick.
“Go,” Jasper said.
Joe and the other guy bolted in the opposite direction.
