Page 21 of Liar For Hire (For Hire 1)

Several mutters erupted in the crowd. Most of the faces didn’t look pleased. A few stared in shock at Declan. Some appeared as awed and happy to see Declan as the woman.

Without warning, the woman threw herself into Declan’s arms, squealing and laughing. Tears filled her eyes and ran down her cheeks.

“Whoa, slow down!” Janessa jerked the woman’s arm without thinking. “Get your hands off him. You have the wrong person.”

The woman curled her lip in disgust at Janessa. “I know my prince when I see him, even if it’s been twenty years. He smells the same.”

“Shut up, Roxie.” The woman’s boyfriend took exception to her hanging on Declan. He jerked her backward, but she clung to Declan. He struggled to get her back to his side. “Let him go. He’s no prince of mine.”

Several others agreed with Roxie’s boyfriend.

Declan unhooked Roxie’s arms from around his neck. “You’re mistaken.”

“Why are you pretending you don’t know who you are—or who we are? We’re all family, aren’t we?” Roxie glared at Janessa. “Is it because of her? She can’t possibly be anything to you.”

“She’s my friend, and I’ve come to take her home. You don’t have to worry about her or me coming back here.”

An argument broke out. Several men demanded Declan explain himself. Others wanted everyone to shut up and get rid of the outsiders, including Declan.

“I’ll go where you go,” Roxie announced to Declan, and her boyfriend swore.

Janessa had had enough. She wanted to go somewhere private and have a conversation with Declan. Something told her if she just left, he would come along with her.

She started for the door, relieved that the crowd parted for her. No one seemed willing to lay a hand on her now.

Skip followed her and pressed his lips close to her ear. “Where are you going? We’re on to something here. And why didn’t you tell me you knew one of them personally?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lied.

“Don’t play games, Janessa.” He tried to stop her and found Declan bearing down on him like her personal guard dog.

Skip stumbled backward, holding up open palms. “Down, fella.”

Declan flared his nostrils in offense.

“Alright, alright,” Skip said. “Just kidding. Janessa, how about we go back to the hotel and have dinner?”

Save her from men and their manipulative ways. She bit off a groan. Skip knew good and well that they weren’t staying in the same hotel. He also knew she had eaten before they ventured out. Well, she’d told him she would eat first, but in the end nerves killed what little appetite she had.

“Good night, Skip.” She left the bar and climbed into her rental car. As she pulled out of the lot, another car pulled behind her. She had no doubt it was Declan. He followed her to her hotel room, and she was relieved to find when she parked, neither Roxie nor Skip had joined them.

In her room, she faced Declan with a hand on her hip. “So, you want to tell me how you found me so quickly? I mean home is what three states away. Oh, and let’s not forget—who the heck are you, Prince Declan?”

Chapter 8

Janessa wanted to demand Declan answer all her questions the second they walked into her hotel room, but tiredness descended like a beast. Instead, she chose to shower and change into nightclothes first.

When she walked out of the bathroom, Declan had an icy drink ready for her. She narrowed her eyes at him but accepted the offering. Her phone dinged, and while she sipped, she checked the screen.

“I’m worried about you. Call me?”

She appreciated Skip’s concern—and likely his curiosity—but she wasn’t worried that Declan would hurt her. If anything, he would protect her from anyone else. A sense of warmth came over her, recalling him arriving just in time to rescue her. Before the anger could melt away, she steeled herself against his heroics.

“Okay, I’m ready.” She dropped onto the queen-sized bed and sat back against the headboard.

Declan sat at the desk along the wall. He fiddled with the pen, and at her question, he tensed. The pen snapped in half, and ink went everywhere. He swore.

“Tell me that ink didn’t get on the floor,” she groaned. “You know what, never mind. Talk to me, Declan. And don’t lie or make excuses. I’m past all tolerance for that.”

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