Page 16 of Betrayed

Paige: I doubt anyone would try anything here. Too many witnesses.

After her initial show of concern, I couldn’t help but notice how Paige parroted everything Danny said. It was happening more and more, and I didn’t understand it.Maybe it’s because he’s mean to people who disagree with him. God knew I’d agreed with him to avoid a fight on more than one occasion.

He’ll be with me for a few days {eye roll emoji}

Danny: Can you ditch him for lunch tomorrow?

I can’t. But I won’t let him sit with us.

We made plans to meet at our favorite off campus bar for lunch. I figured the least I could do was buy Danny a beer or two after what happened.

“Hey Princess, how was your day?” my dad asked as I sat down for dinner. Funny how being called Princess only pissed me off when AJ said it.

“It sucked having AJ hovering over me all day. I came home early, so I didn’t have to deal with him.”

Priscilla rolled her eyes, mumbling how I shouldn’t complain because at least I could leave the house without worrying I’d be attacked. I ignored her. Dad patted her hand and consoled her by promising to take her on a vacation when this was all over.

I decided not to share the real reason I came home early. Not because I thought AJ was right or because I didn’t want him to get in trouble; he most definitely deserved to after what he pulled.

It was because Dad had huge, dark bags under his eyes. He looked exhausted and sad. He’d clearly had a bad day at work and Priscilla wasn’t helping. I wasn’t about to add to his stress.

Did they figure out who sent the note? It’d only been one day, not even a full twenty-four hours, so I doubted they had any answers, but that didn’t stop me from asking.

“Not yet. I’m sure it’ll all be over soon.” Dad kept glancing at his phone. Another sign of his stress—he rarely brought his phone to the dinner table.

“I hope so.” I didn’t think I could handle having AJ around for more than a couple of days.

Chapter 10

AJ

When Jay relieved me at five, I pulled out of the parking spot where I had a view of the front door and driveway so he could park. He rolled down his window as I walked over. “It’s been quiet, but that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down.”

“I know how to do my job,” he responded. Jaden Sheppard was nothing like his two older brothers. I’d expected him to be easygoing and maybe a bit of a wild child, given all the stories I’d heard. But he had a boulder-sized chip on his shoulder. Three weeks in and he was already earning a ‘doesn’t play well with others’ reputation around the office.

“Right. Anyway, call if anything comes up.” I trusted him to do his job. He was a former Marine Raider, and from what I heard, a damn good one, but I didn’t feel comfortable with Blake’s safety in anyone’s hands but my own.

And doesn’t that realization just fucking suck?It did, because I wasn’t a warm and fuzzy, relationship-having kind of guy.

“Thanks.” Sarcasm, thick as molasses, coated his reply.

“Good night.”

“Night.” He saluted with his shiny new SSI travel mug.

I walked away wondering what had happened to turn a special operations team guy into a lone wolf.

Those of us who were available met at the office gym for our monthly team workout and sparring session. I was the reigning champ, but didn’t think I’d hold the title for long.

“I’ve got a twenty on you taking Doug down tonight,” Jack said as we walked to the gym.

“Who bet on Doug?”

“Meg and Jamie.” He laughed and clapped me on the back. “Don’t let me down.”

“I’ll do my best.” I never gave anything less in the ring.

I opened the door and held it for him. “Who will you pick when I go against Jay?” I was a Brazilian Ju Jitsu black belt, but so was Jay. A fight between us would be an epic battle.

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