Page 28 of Dangerous Secret

“What’s an MRE?”

“Meals ready to eat.” He shuddered. “Nasty stuff.”

“What was it like being a SEAL?”

“It was some of the best days of my life and some of the worst.” He glanced over at her and smiled. “I miss it and I don’t.”

“That’s an interesting answer.”

“I’m an interesting guy.” He grinned to let her know hewas teasing. He’d intended to get to know her, but she was turning the questions on him. Maybe that meant she wanted to get to know him, too. But it was getting late, and they still needed to talk about the secret she knew.

As much as he didn’t want to spoil the enjoyment of the night and talking to her, it was time to get down to business. “Tell me about this bad secret.”

Chapter 12

Harlow had been enjoying herself so much that she’d forgotten the reason Grayson was here. However bad he thought the secret was, it was worse than he could possibly imagine. Just thinking of what she knew sent fear snaking down her spine.

If Anthony ever learned that she’d found out, much less told someone else, they’d never find her body. She’d withheld telling Grayson, wanting to be sure she trusted him first. Did she, though? Maybe it would be a mistake to tell him. She was mostly confident that he could get enough on Anthony to get her boy back without the risk of telling Grayson what she knew.

“Harlow?”

“Ah… It’s nothing important.” Unless you considered a secret that could send Anthony to prison important.

“I think it is.” He pulled his chair around to face her. “Whatever it is, it’s making you nervous and, I think, scared. What are you afraid of?”

“Really, it’s nothing.” He was too good at reading her.

“Is it something that will help us get you custody of your son?”

Was it ever. “I just…” She didn’t know how to explain her fear without telling him the reason for it.

“Do you trust me?”

“I want to.”

“Would it help if I told you a secret about me? Something no one else knows. If I trusted you with that, would you be able to put your faith in me?”

“Maybe.” What could he tell her that could possibly equal what she knew?

“Maybe isn’t good enough, Harlow. Full trust is a two-way street.”

It had been a long time since she’d trusted anyone. Was she ready to give full trust to him? As she stared into his eyes, looking for answers, all she saw was his truth. The man sitting in front of her and looking back at her with patience and understanding would fight on her behalf. He would keep her safe. She believed that.

He put his hand over hers, something he seemed to like doing. “I can leave now if that’s what you want.”

“No.” She shook her head. “That’s not what I want. I want to put my faith in you.” And oh, his smile when she said that. It was like the sun coming out after a storm, and apparently, his sunshine was all it took for a thousand butterflies to convene a butterfly convention in her stomach.

“Okay. Good.” He lowered his gaze to the floor. “So, my secret. I’m a Swiftie.”

“A what?” He’d mumbled and spoken so fast that the words ran together.

“You know, a Taylor Swift fan.” He shrugged. “A big one.”

“Seriously?” This big bad former SEAL was a Swiftie? And a blushing one at that. Just priceless. She tried not to laugh. She really did.

“I knew you’d laugh,” he said as if offended.

“Sorry. But seriously…” She pressed her lips together to crush the mirth bubbling up again.

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