Page 12 of Unseen Danger

“Why?”

Branson studied D-Chop’s face. The man had a lot of secrets in his past that he didn’t like to talk about. But his face tended to reveal everything. Everything he was thinking at any given moment, at least. And right now, genuine bewilderment appeared to be all that was on his mind.

“I don’t know. Can you think of anyone who’d want to make life hard for you? Maybe scare you?”

D-Chop grunted. “Nobody’d try to scare me if they know me. I don’t scare.”

An expected answer. Maintaining his reputation as a tough rapper with plenty of street cred was the reason he hadn’t wanted to report the other incidents, the thefts and vandalism.

But from what Branson had seen, it wasn’t all bravado. Even now, fear wasn’t the emotion that reflected in the hip-hop star’s eyes. It was worry. For himself or for Kicker?

“Rock here told me some chick saved Kicker’s life.”

Branson glanced at Darren, who kept his features schooled. He’d given Darren the news about what had happened to Kicker to pass on to D-Chop. Maybe should’ve omitted the part involving a woman. Especially since it was Nevaeh.

“Someone with the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency.” Branson kept his expression bland in the hope D-Chop would let it go. “I didn’t see it happen, but B-Puff says she put out the fire on Kicker’s back.”

D-Chop swore with a grin. “My kind of woman. Gutsy. I heard she’s hot, too.”

Branson gave Darren another look, this one out the corner of narrowed eyes. The man talked too much. “I wouldn’t know.”

“You never do, man.” D-Chop laughed. “Let’s bring her here.”

“What?” Branson’s chest pinched. Nevaeh here? With D-Chop? Like the other women he had over to—

“Yeah, hire her.” D-Chop swung his gaze back to the basketball game. “And another one, too, if they’ve got more than one hot chick there.”

Frustration tangled in Branson’s ribs as he bit back the response he wanted to give. They weren’t playthings. They were security professionals, just like he was. And they were women who deserved to be treated with respect.

But he couldn’t say that to his boss. His job could be on shaky ground as it was after the incident tonight.

He could try reason, try assuming D-Chop’s mind wasn’t in the gutter where it lived so often. “I think we have enough security at your estate right now.”

D-Chop looked away from the big screen, his dark eyes landing on Branson. “You doing a’ight, B. But I’d feel safer with more protection. And guard dogs, man. Them is dope. They have ’em, right?”

“Yes.” Branson fought to keep his face blank as his abs tightened. They both knew D-Chop didn’t feel unsafe. He wanted to get the women here so he could—

Branson clenched his jaw to stop the train of his thoughts. He still had a job to do, no matter how unpleasant it could be at times. “Given what happened tonight, I think we should go to the police and tell them about the other incidents that have happened lately, too.”

“What incidents?”

“The smashed turntable. The theft of your mic. The—”

D-Chop blew a whoosh of air past his lips and waved off Branson with a dismissive hand. “Accidents. And I still think Petey took my mic just to try it out. Eh, Petey?” D-Chop grinned at his assistant.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Peter glanced up from his tablet with his characteristically bored expression.

“Be sure to bring the girls in here when they come, a’ight?” D-Chop grinned at Branson, not bothering to wait for Peter to answer his joke. “It’ll be nice to have somebody hotter to look at than you and the Rock over there.”

Branson glanced at Darren. The man maintained his professional stoic silence now, though he apparently got chatty when Branson wasn’t around.

“What’s the problem?” D-Chop cut him a look. “Don’t worry, man. I ain’t gonna replace you with a bunch of hot chicks.” An angled grin accompanied the assurance.

But Branson’s gut twisted. The fact D-Chop even went there suggested the man had considered replacing him. Or was questioning if Branson was able to do his job to keep D-Chop fully protected.

Branson forced a closed-lip smile. “No problem. I’m just thinking through where we’ll put them. Nighttime patrol on the grounds would be the best use of the K-9s. They’d have an advantage in the dark.”

“Sure.” D-Chop returned his attention to the big screen. “Just make sure they come in here sometimes.”