Page 16 of Unseen Danger

Silence filled the room as they all stared at her. Except for Jazz, who already knew the story.

The others wouldn’t ask. They knew the PK-9 privacy policy. But it wasn’t like a big secret she needed to hide. And she couldn’t stand the weird silence for another second.

“He and my big brother were…” As much as she loved these girls, her mouth wouldn’t form the words to say Jordan had tried to muscle in on another gang’s territory. “They were caught in a bad scene. Jordan got shot. All the other jerks ran, but D-Chop stayed with him. All the way to the hospital. And he sat there with him until he died.”

She glanced up at the girls, their sad, serious faces all trained on her. Man, this was awkward. She grabbed for a smile. “Sorry, gang. Didn’t mean to go all gloom and doom on you.” She shrugged. “I just feel like I owe him.”

Bris nodded. “Completely understandable.”

Phoenix didn’t say a word, but she gave Cora a look. One of those silent signals the two used to communicate like they had a secret language between them. Kind of like Nevaeh and Jazz, in a way.

Cora aimed her blue eyes, full of compassion, at Nevaeh. “You’ll probably be pleased to hear this, then. We received a phone call this morning from Branson Aaberg who is the head of D-Chop’s personal security detail.”

Nevaeh’s stomach clenched at the bodyguard’s name. But Cora seemed to think there was some good news involved, so she tried to focus on that possibility.

Cora’s eyes widened as she smiled. “D-Chop was so impressed with your actions last night that he wants to hire you for overnight security beginning this evening at ten thirty p.m. to six thirty a.m.”

Awesome. She could help protect D-Chop from whatever danger he was in. What better way to pay him back for her family’s debt? For her brother?

But alarm pumped through Nevaeh’s system as if she’d overlooked a threat only her instincts could see. The bodyguard called to hire her. Was it really D-Chop who wanted her or the oversized bodyguard? How could she be around the guy and not lose it again? And what if he was purposefully trying to get her there alone, isolated?

Nevaeh’s gaze landed on Cora. And the worry that tensed her mouth.

Nevaeh must be showing too much of the panic pulsing through her. She scrambled to control her features, channel Phoenix’s expressionless vibe.

Jazz cleared her throat and cut Nevaeh a side-eyed glance that rapidly darted to the others like she was afraid they’d think her bestie had gone nuts.

Apparently the effort to hide emotion was just making Nevaeh look like a contorting lunatic. The thought was enough to push a laugh up her throat.

“Are you okay?” Bris half smiled as she peered at Nevaeh.

“Yeah.” Nevaeh grinned and laughed again. “I’m just wondering if this makes me a paid groupie. I used to dream of following D-Chop around on tour.”

Cora smiled gently, but her eyebrows pressed together as if she was concerned by the thought. “I think they want you because of your security expertise and the K-9s. Mr. Aaberg mentioned he thought the dogs would be an asset to have on the estate at night.”

“Chauvinist, huh?” Jazz quirked her mouth into a smirk. “Women can be security assets, too.”

“You’ll get your chance, Jazz.” Cora glanced at Phoenix and then back to Jazz. “He asked to hire you, as well.”

“Me, specifically?” Was that a blush that colored Jazz’s peaches and cream cheeks?

Nevaeh snickered. “Looks like you want somebody to think you’re an asset.”

“What is this?” Bris jumped on the hint, always eager to make anybody pay for the ribbing they’d given her when she was falling for Remington, the guy who was now her husband.

Of course, Jazz wasn’t on the team at that time, so Nevaeh should probably defend her. But teasing was way more fun.

“Do tell all, Nevaeh.” Sof’s dark eyes gleamed as she leaned forward with a grin.

Nevaeh opened her mouth to tell the others about the muscle-bound bodyguard Jazz had a crush on, but then she pictured him. What she remembered of him anyway. Too large, strong, overpowering…terrifying. With a deep voice that shook the ground and the confidence she’d worked so hard to build.

“We met Branson Aaberg. Super cute.” Jazz’s amused tone seeped through Nevaeh’s rapid, panicked thoughts and wrapped around her like a warm blanket. “Muscles for days.” She tossed Nevaeh a grin, but her eyes reflected understanding, their shared secret she would keep.

“I guess Nevaeh was right.” Bris grinned at Jazz. “You do sound pretty dreamy already.”

“I admit I like a tall man. They’re hard to find.”

“It’s so hard to be height-challenged.” The very petite Sofia chuckled.