Page 29 of The Secret Mate Society

"What did it say?"My voice came out strangled.

Jake's brown eyes met mine, and I saw something there… fear, yes, but also a protective intensity that made my chest flutter despite the horror of the moment."It said 'I see you.'"

A chill ran down my spine.I see you.The monster knew someone was investigating.Knew about me, about my questions, about?—

"Ethan."Jake's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.He reached across the table, his large hands covering mine."I need you to listen to me very carefully.You cannot write this article."

"What?"I blinked at him, confused."But this is huge.A murder connected to the cattle attacks?—"

"No."His grip tightened on my hands."I'm writing it.I'm covering Greer's death, and you're staying as far away from this story as possible."

My reporter instincts flared."You can't just steal my story, Jake.I interviewed him first, I?—"

"This isn't about bylines," Jake said, his voice rough with emotion."This is about keeping you alive."

The intensity in his gaze made my breath catch.The way he was looking at me, like I was something precious he couldn't bear to lose...it sent warmth flooding through me despite the terror clawing at my insides.

"Jake," I started, but he cut me off.

"Promise me, Ethan.Promise me you'll let this go.I don’t want you to disappear like Danny did.”

His thumb traced across my knuckles, such a gentle gesture that it made my heart skip.Here was this strong, protective man willing to shield me from danger, and suddenly all thoughts of monsters and murders faded into background noise.

"I..."I swallowed hard, lost in those warm brown eyes."Okay.If it means that much to you."

Relief flooded his features, and he smiled that devastating smile that made me forget everything else."Thank you."

For a moment, sitting there with his hands on mine, I almost forgot about the box hidden in my closet.Almost forgot about my father's death.

The warmth of Jake's hands on mine was intoxicating, grounding me in the present moment when everything else felt like it was spiraling out of control.His touch was so gentle, so reassuring, that for a few precious seconds I could almost believe that stepping away from this story was the right choice.

But then reality crashed back in.

"Jake," I said slowly, pulling my hands free from his grip."How did you find out about Greer's body?The police haven't released any information yet."

Something flickered across his features, a look of surprise so quick I almost missed it."I have contacts at the station.Been cultivating sources since I started this beat."

It was a reasonable explanation, but something about the situation felt off.Like he wasn’t telling me the whole truth.

"And they told you about the message?About the missing organs?"I pressed."That's the kind of detail they'd keep under wraps in an active investigation."

Jake's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly."Like I said, I have good sources."

He wasn’t telling me everything."I should go," I said, standing abruptly."Process all this."

Jake rose with me, reaching out as if to stop me."Ethan, wait?—"

"I'm fine," I lied, already backing toward the door."Just need some air."

His brown eyes searched my face, and for a moment I saw something there that made my breath catch.Not just concern or attraction, but something deeper.Something that looked almost like...lust

"I'll call you later," he said finally."To check on you if that’s alright?."

I nodded, smiling back at him.“You know Jake, I’m not some delicate little flower.”I took a step forward, grabbing his large hand.“I can handle this.I’m not a newbie reporter you need to shield from the world.”

“That…” Jake sighed.“That’s not the reason.And it’s not just about Danny either.Danny and I were just coworkers.”He stopped, looking down at me with those big brown eyes that seemed to look right through me.He had an intimidating presence that made me shiver in all the right ways, the heat of his body washing over me in waves.“I… well, I kind of like you, Ethan.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but he cut me off.