Page 53 of Shielding Maya

He grinned and Jasiah leaned forward to shake his hand, which Myles shook immediately.

Maya winked at him and it did things to his body. Specifically, a shiver skittered down his spine, circled around, and landed in his favorite spot.

Myles stepped back to allow them entry. "I understand we'll be having lunch together today."

Jasiah nodded. "I'm looking forward to it."

Maya took his hand again. "What do you want to do first, get a tour or speak with Tate?"

"I'd love the tour, but think I should speak with Tate first. It's been a couple of hours since he called and I don't think it's right to keep him waiting."

Maya's smile was sweet. "You're a good man, Jasiah."

He nodded even as his cheeks warmed. "I was raised to be nothing less."

He nodded to Myles, "I'll see you in a bit."

Myles nodded in return and Maya tugged his hand and moved them through the kitchen. He managed to look around a bit as he moved through the room. It was a beautiful home Maya lived in. A knot formed in his throat and ugly doubts crept inside. He focused on her hand in his and her smile when she turned her head to look at him.

She knocked on a partially open door, "Tate, Jasiah's here."

"Come on in, Jasiah."

Maya nodded for him to go inside, and she waved at him as she turned to leave.

He wasn't in trouble, but he sure felt as though he had done something wrong. Myles’ assessment had been laying there, underneath the greeting. And, that could just be his own guilt for having slept with Maya, and not pulled out, before making any kind of proper declaration. He should have learned that from Zara. Though, he pulled out, he never made a declaration to her family of any kind and that has been a lingering pain in the ass for eight damned years.

"I'm not sure if Maya told you, but I have a report to complete, and I feel that I need to be thorough. Rafe is in his new position, Casper is dealing with matters of the utmost importance, and I want to make sure we have all of our I's dotted and T's crossed."

"I understand."

"Okay." Tate sat at his desk, his hands folded in front of him, and his eyes focused on him. It was a bit unnerving. As if he was being assessed. "Tell me what happened at the morgue. Before, during, and after."

Jasiah took his time recalling the details of that day. He especially focused on the man looking at Maya as he pointed his gun and the fear that roared down his spine. He felt he had no choice but to protect her. In all, his meeting with Tate lasted close to an hour.

Tate nodded. "Thank you for coming in, Jasiah. Just one last question."

"Okay."

"Are you alright? I can get you help if you need it. It isn't easy taking a life. Sometimes there are lingering aftereffects that can rear up."

Jasiah leaned forward and looked into Tate's blue eyes. "I’m fine, Tate. I appreciate you asking, but if I had to do it again, I'd do it a thousand times to save Maya."

Tate nodded. "I've noticed that not once did you mention fear for yourself."

Jasiah's brows bunched for a moment. He sat back in his seat. "I never felt fear for myself, I guess. I only worried Maya would be hurt."

Tate nodded. "Thank you. I'm happy you've found each other."

Jasiah stood and leaned forward to shake Tate's hand. "Thank you, Tate. I appreciate it."

"What's happening with the election?"

"Tonight I have to address the community and tell them some ideas I have for moving forward. After lunch I have a meeting with the mayor, then I'll go up and get ready."

"Good luck with that, Jasiah. You're a great leader, I hope your people see that."

He grinned. "I hope so too, but I have options if they don't."

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