Page 72 of Betrayed

“So good,” I confirmed.

I tried the potatoes next. The texture was melt-in-my-mouth creamy goodness, and the garlic was perfect.

“So good,” I admitted. “If this is light garlic, how much do you usually add?”

Safe, polite conversation. I can do that without crying.

“Twice what’s in there.” He grinned. “You’d think I was afraid of vampires.” He laughed.

I couldn’t quite bring myself to laugh with him, but I did crack a smile.

The food was delicious, but I only ate about half before I was full. AJ broke the silence when he noticed me pushing the food around my plate.

“Blake, you don’t have to force yourself to keep eating if you’re done.”

“Thanks.”

He put his fork down. “Blake.” He waited, but I didn’t look up. “Blake, please look at me.”

I gave in and lifted my head. The empathy I saw in his eyes wasn’t what I’d expected.How does he keep doing that?Surprising me at every turn?

“I know this is hard, but I want you to know I’m here if you want to talk.”

“Thanks, but I’m fine.” I wasn’t, but I couldn’t talk to him about any of this.

While we cleaned up, I asked AJ if he’d always wanted to be a PI. It gave me a chance to get to know him a little, while alleviating the uncomfortable silence with a safe topic.

“Not really. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after leaving the Army.”

“How’d you end up at Sheppard & Sons?”

“I was doing building security in Florida, but hated it. When Jack told me SSI was looking to hire a full-time bodyguard andprivate investigator, I booked the next flight to Texas and never looked back.”

“I can’t imagine leaving my family behind like that.”

If I hadn’t been standing so close, I might have missed his jaw clenching. I didn’t know what had upset him and was afraid to ask.

“Was it hard to become a PI?” I moved back to the original topic.

“No, but it took me a while to earn my bachelor’s degree. Luckily, my time at SSI served as my on-the-job training and I got my license last year.”

We talked for a few more minutes before I went back to my room. I still felt bad for not eating more of the dinner he’d worked so hard on, but I couldn’t stomach it.

My mind wouldn’t let me concentrate on reading, and before long, I was crying again.

I’d never felt so alone. My friends were probably at the library getting ready for mid-terms while I was locked away in hiding because my father might be a criminal.

Did any of them know what was happening? Did they care?

They had their own problems and wouldn’t worry about me missing a study session. It didn’t matter that I usually organized them. Or sprung for pizza during late night study sessions. Or picked up the tab at the bar.

Did they even like me, or just my bank account?

I wasn’t sure how long I cried before I heard the door creak after a quick knock.

“Blake, can I come in?” AJ asked softly from the doorway.

I sniffled before answering, “Yeah.” Not wanting him to see my tear-stained face for a second time, I didn’t turn over.

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