Page 77 of Karma

She nodded. “Where is that?”

“With your brother. He owes someone money. Forgive me for asking, but doesn’t he have plenty?”

She bit the inside of her cheek. “We have trust funds. We have access to the monthly interest if we need it. I don’t. I don’t know about Brian, but I’d guess he dips into his. His lifestyle is more extravagant than mine.”

Dare raised an eyebrow. “He lives in your parents’ house. Does he pay rent?”

She shrugged. “I figured the less I knew about the extent to which my parents enabled him, the better. It’s enough I do my share.”

“Relax. This isn’t an interrogation. I’m just trying to get the facts because I’ll be damned if someone’s going to hurt you again.” Dare placed a hand on her bare thigh, just where the denim fringe of her shorts ended.

She didn’t pretend his touch didn’t affect her. It did. But she knew how important this conversation was, so she ignored the warmth spreading upward.

“Well, Brian makes a more than decent salary. It should cover living well. But as I said, he likes nice things.”

When Dare remained silent, Liza felt compelled to add more. “Okay, he thinks he’s entitled to them.”

“I didn’t say that.”

She expelled a long breath. To his credit, he hadn’t. “But you thought it.”

“What does Brian do in his spare time?”

“Other than drink, you mean?”

Dare closed his eyes in frustration. “Look, we’re not going to get anywhere if you keep assuming I’m out to hurt him. All I want to do is protectyou.”

She smiled, appreciating his strength and caring, his very presence more than she could say. “I’m having problems at the office that might have something to do with Brian.” She blurted out the truth before she could talk herself out of it again.

She could no longer tell herself she didn’t need Dare Barron.

She did.

Chapter Fourteen

Dare was doingeverything he could not to verbally blast Brian’s actions in front of Liza. She’d trusted him with what was going on in her life, and Dare didn’t want to make her regret it.

Even if the information led to the conclusion that Brian was involved in fraud or embezzlement from his own sister’s company, something Liza hadn’t yet acknowledged out loud.

From what Liza had explained to Dare, two checks had been printed to an antique store, and both had been cashed. One signature on the back looked like her brother’s. Without saying a word against Brian, Dare had merely offered to go back to Annabelle’s Antiques along with her because no way was he leaving her alone and unprotected.

They arrived at the small shop early the next morning in time to greet the owner when she opened. The parking lot was empty, and with a little luck, the woman would be free to talk to them.

Dare walked to the entrance with Liza by his side. She was dressed in an outfit that fell between her business suits and her outside-the-office shorts. A flirty skirt hit her mid thigh and a ruffled top belted around the waist completed the look, along with a sexy pair of heeled sandals. As usual, the woman made him drool with little effort or intent. He was getting used to being in a constant state of arousal around her, which didn’t bother him as long as she seemed happy to indulge him when they were alone, which she did.

Liza paused outside the door and put a hand on his arm.

“Remember, I upset her last time I was here, so I wouldn’t count on her being too helpful. And I don’t think we should mention that you’re a cop either.”

Dare nodded. “For now, I agree with you.” But if it became necessary in order to get information, he had no problem pulling out his badge.

He held open the door, and Liza walked through. Inside, the shop was the epitome of an antique store, a hodgepodge of items and accessories littered around and tagged with handwritten prices.

A tall woman with long dark hair turned at the sound of the ringing bell, which had announced their arrival.

“Hi, Annabelle,” Liza said.

“Liza,” the other woman said stiffly. “What are you doing here? I thought we covered everything the other day.”

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