AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He almost looked amused but he shook his head. “Tell me again how you know where I live.”
“I saw it scribbled on a notepad on Diaz’s desk today. He knows your full name and your address,” she said.
Their eyes met. “It’s not safe for you here,” he said.
“It’s not safe for you either,” she said.
“You’re right, neither of us should be here,” he said. “Wait here while I change.” He turned to leave.
“Are you crazy? I can’t leave with you,” she said quickly, calling out after him but he continued walking. He changed in record speed and was back in front of her.
“Yes, you can,” he said. “Lie in the back and I’ll put a blanket over you. I’ll drive for a while and then we’ll stop and finish this conversation. When we’re done, I’ll drop you back to your car,” he said. “Let’s go.” He grabbed his car keys and tucked his weapon into his back pocket.
He moved toward the hallway, and for a moment she couldn’t move. Then she rushed to catch up to him. He unlocked the car, opened the back door, and she climbed in. He covered her with a blanket. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as he started the car and put it in reverse.
She had no idea where he was going, but eventually he pulled over.
“It’s safe. Climb into the front,” he said, pulling the blanket back.
She got out of the car and then into the front passenger seat. Only then did she realize where they were. It was the road marked on the Lamborghini gift card drive.
“Wrong car,” she mused.
“And it’s too dark to see much,” he added. “But it’s an easy road to see if we have a tail.” He pulled the car back onto the road, lowering his foot on the accelerator.
“I’ve been thinking about those men. If you’re sure they’re not Diaz’s men, I’m sure they’re Dominic’s,” he continued. “I kept asking myself why Diaz would bring new men in—hire new security—when he was surely rattled after being raided and learning Alex was an informant. It didn’t make sense; I thought he’d tighten up, not expand. But now it makes perfect sense, considering you thought they were estranged. What do the brothers have to gain from having everyone thinking they’re estranged?” Jackson asked.
She paused. “I don’t know, but there was a car at his house today—a car I’ve never seen before—and two whiskey glasses on the coffee table. He said Rowan had been there, but there was no other sign of him. Diaz appeared to be home alone.”
Jackson shook his head. “No, he wasn’t. That car entered about an hour before you did and left shortly after. The windows are tinted dark, so my guys couldn’t see the driver. We’re trying to trace the registration but so far it’s leading back to a company with a director who has no known contact with the brothers. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a link. Maybe Dominic was there, and he didn’t want you to know it.”
She frowned. “You have eyes on the house at all times?”
He nodded. “Not close enough to trigger Diaz, but close enough to see who is coming and going. That’s all we’re prepared to risk at this stage.”
Anna studied him. She had a good radar for liars, which was part of the reason she’d survived in Diaz’s world for so long. Her instincts told her she could trust Jackson, but what if she was wrong? What if he had to choose between her and his job—what choice would he make? She’d made it this far by trusting no one but herself.
He stole a glance at her then pulled over once again.
“I know you don’t trust me,” he said, then grimaced. “As evidenced by your earlier actions, I don’t think you trust anyone. But give me time to prove myself. I’m a good man, Anna—I live and die by my word. Does our arrangement give me an advantage? Of course it does,” he said unapologetically. “But it will benefit you too. We can make this work,” he said, his eyes locking on hers quickly before he returned his attention to the road. “Ask me for what you need, and I’ll give it to you. I’ll tell you everything I know before you’ve given me any information. This is not a trade, it’s a partnership. But if you ever break into my house and point a weapon at me again, we’re going to have huge problems. Understood?”
Their eyes locked and she felt like he could see straight into her soul—like he could see her pain, the lies she’d told, the terrible things she’d done. But maybe he could see the good in her that was still there. Diaz hadn’t taken everything from her. Not yet.
Eventually, she nodded.
But she needed something from him first.
JACKSON
The longer he searched her eyes, the longer he felt like he was swimming in the ocean with no land in sight. He had no clue what she was thinking, and when she eventually nodded, he still didn’t know if he was getting an honest answer.
He did not appreciate his home being broken into nor her pistol being pressed into his back, but he understood her distrust. She’d trusted no one for years, so he’d have to earn her trust.
Anna cleared her throat. “I need to know something,” she said with a steady voice that had lost its earlier commandment.
He nodded. “If I know, I’ll tell you.” His words were a promise he had every intention of keeping.
“Olivia. How did she die? The report said she had a gunshot wound to the back of her head. Was she dead when she was put in the barrel?” Anna asked, her chest rising uneasily, like speaking the words had sucked the air from her lungs.
