Page 129 of Unseen Danger

But Travis had said Branson was there, and he was fine. The guy looked like he hadn’t known what to say to her inquisition. Probably a good sign Branson hadn’t coached him to say anything. But the sudden change in the routine Branson had established since they’d started patrolling the estate threw her off-balance.

She blew out a breath that steamed the air in front of her face, creating a cloud for her to walk through as she scanned the fence along the perimeter of the front yard.

Who was she kidding? It wouldn’t have mattered if she had seen a supervisor before starting a shift at any other gig. It only mattered because it was Branson.

Because she needed to know that everything was okay. Had to know she was okay—a state which seemed to be linked to his presence, dependent on seeing his smile and knowing, really knowing, he was close by.

Especially after that morning. The gunshots, the near miss.

Though since when had gunfire bothered her so much?

The question hit its mark in the story she was apparently trying to sell herself. Okay, fine. She mostly needed to see him to know he was okay. Because he could have not been okay today. If one of those bullets had hit him.

And that bothered her more than she’d have expected.

Was it because she needed him? Because he was the reason she wasn’t afraid anymore? Or was it something more?

Her heart beat out the answer in the silence of the night. An answer that scared her more than a little.

Could she risk loving a man? What if the PTSD came back? What if he ended up not being who she thought he was? She’d been fooled before.

The shadows of the memory pushed at her mind. Tendrils of fear reached for her, waiting to grab her if she looked back.

No. She wouldn’t. She’d only look forward. To a future that could include Branson if she didn’t let her fears and doubts ruin the possibility.

Branson wasn’t like the monster who’d tried to kill her. She knew that. She’d stake her life on it. And she’d even stake her heart on it.

But she did need to find out if he felt the same. She thought he did, especially after the way he’d acted today. Jealous of Bartlemay Cox’s flirting and oh-so-protective when the gunfire started. But why hadn’t he wanted to see her tonight?

“Come on, Al. Let’s cover the house.”

It was a good idea Branson had to have them make more frequent passes inside the mansion now. Should deter anyone on the inside who had ideas about attacking D-Chop. They were only hours away from the twenty-four hour deadline, and instructions for the money drop still hadn’t shown up.

At least now Nevaeh had a reason to visit the house where Branson was. Probably sleeping, but she could muster up some excuse to wake him. Would wanting to ask if he loved her be a good enough excuse?

She snickered as she picked up the pace toward the well-lit door at the nearest end of the house. Wouldn’t hurt to get out of the cold for a bit either. It had to be under forty tonight. She’d have to switch to her winter jacket tomorrow.

She reached the door under the security light and typed in the access code on the keypad.

As it clicked open, she turned the knob and pushed in the door.

Warm air greeted her. Along with raised voices. Shouting.

Alvarez growled.

Thirty-Six

Men’s voices, raised and angry, sounded somewhere nearby.

Alvarez rumbled again, pressing to the end of his leash.

“Where are they, Al?”

The rottie mix headed through the mudroom and pulled to the right, down the short hallway that led to the bedrooms.

The voices grew louder. More intense.

Was that Branson? She’d never heard him angry or loud before.