Page 65 of Trust

“Good.”

Aaron, or Mad Dog, stepped up behind her.

“Em, what are you doing?”

“Shut your trap, Aaron.”

Her brother ignored her. “Aaron Daniels,” he said, holding out one massive paw. The man was built like a giant. Jakob took it to shake. “Most people call me Mad Dog.”

“They do not,” his sister said.

“Shut up.”

“Of course, I remember when you were fighting.”

“Here we go,” Emily said, disgust filling her voice. Both men ignored her.

“You work for Dillon now?”

He nodded. “Someone has to keep track of Sprout.”

“Ignore him. I’m sure you’re hungry. Aaron makes the most amazing pancakes. I texted Lani, and she said she was coming.”

Emily stepped back to let Jakob step out of the room.

“Excited about the new show,” Aaron said as he walked away.

“Thanks.”

“She’s going to be here any minute, so I want to tell you that if you hurt her, I will end you.”

He blinked.

Emily shook her head. “So prissy. I mean it. That idiot brother of hers is being an ass, and I need to know you will step up for her. I’ve only spent a week with her, but I get the feeling she doesn’t have a lot of people in her corner. You need to be one of those people, or you need to get bent.”

“I would have been here the moment all this happened if I hadn’t been with my sister.”

“Yes, and that earns you points with me. Good brothers are hard to come by. So, make sure you understand Icanmake you disappear. Now, look lively. Here comes the woman you love.”

He cut a look at her. She shrugged. “You have goo-goo eyes every time you look at her.”

“Hey, Jakob.”

He walked to her then, his steps sure and steady. He slipped his arm around her waist the moment he could and pulled her against him.

“You look better this morning,” he said, cupping her chin.

“Well, that’s always good to hear from a guy. You don’t look like shit.”

“No.” He rolled his eyes, then set his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry. You just looked a little fragile when I got here yesterday. You still are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Jakob, I need you not to lie to me. If this will work, I need you to be honest with me.”

That sounded promising.

“What do you think I’m lying about?”

“That I’m the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. You are always surrounded by beautiful women.”

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