Page 19 of Unseen Danger
Not that he’d mind. He squashed the smile that tilted his lips at the thought. Cold or not, she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever met.
And she was about to meet one of the biggest players he’d known. The thought pulled his mouth into a frown as he followed Nevaeh toward D-Chop.
The rapper lowered his mic and signaled B-Puff to stop his turntables. The other band members followed suit, Pinky lowering his drumsticks and Leeman taking his hands off the keyboard. JipJap kept his guitar strapped onto his shoulder.
Jonesy Baker, the hopeful trying out for the job as D-Chop’s new hype man, grinned at the women.
His glee didn’t match D-Chop’s. The gleam in the rapper’s dark eyes was like the look of a tiger eyeing his prey. “Life just got a whole lot better, boys.”
Branson’s jaw clenched. All he could do was try to lend an air of professionalism that D-Chop would no doubt shoot down as soon as he opened his mouth. “Ms. Lamont and Ms. Williams, may I introduce D-Chop.”
D-Chop laughed as he crawled over cords to reach Nevaeh. “Would you listen to him? Like we’re meeting at a ball or something. Though I wouldn’t mind meetin’ you anywhere, baby.” His gaze raked Nevaeh in a way that he apparently meant to be flattering.
But it churned like raw meat in Branson’s gut.
Nevaeh’s eyes brightened and her lips angled upward.
No way. Don’t tell him she was going to fall for D-Chop’s disrespectful treatment. Branson clenched one hand into a fist at his side.
She tilted her head, her mass of curls following the movement. “That line work for you these days?”
Branson’s fist relaxed with the surprise that loosened his jaw. Hadn’t expected that. Though it could be her way of flirting.
D-Chop apparently thought so, too. His grin widened, and he took a step closer. “You mean I don’t need it?”
A growl rumbled through the room. The stocky rottweiler by Nevaeh stared at D-Chop.
The rapper glanced down, his grin dropping as he stepped back. “Hey,” his tone was a little shaky, “your dog’s supposed to protect me.”
“I always come first for him. It’s a relationship thing.” Nevaeh smiled, revealing white teeth that lit up her face, nearly blinding Branson with her beauty. “But if you drop the player routine, I might tell him not to rip your throat out.”
A snicker tried to escape Branson’s mouth, but he swallowed it down. Couldn’t keep the grin from reaching his lips, though. The woman had spunk. And apparently no celebrity worship.
D-Chop’s gaze shifted to the redhead, and his eyes brightened with that gleam again.
“What Nevaeh said goes for me and my K-9, too.” Jazz delivered the warning with a smile and friendly tone.
These women were something else. Knew how to put a predatory man in his place without sacrificing their professionalism or showing an ounce of fear.
“Nevaeh?” D-Chop swung his attention back to her. “Nevaeh Williams?” He peered at her, but the flirtatious gleam was gone. “You aren’t…”
“Nice to see you again, Darius.” Why would she use his name from before his rapping career?
“No way.” D-Chop grinned—a real, happy show of teeth. “Jordy’s kid sister?”
“Yeah.” Nevaeh’s smile softened.
“Wow.” D-Chop looked her over, this time devoid of the usual ogling that set Branson’s teeth on edge. He looked at her like a big brother or uncle might, as if she was a long-lost relative. “Last time I seen you, you were this high.” He indicated his chest-level with his hand. “You gone and grown up, girl.”
She shrugged. “You’ve changed, too.”
He wiped a hand over his goatee, ending at his chin. His gaze shifted away from her, almost shy. Or ashamed? “Well…I got out.” His focus returned to her, as if the thought renewed his self-confidence, which never seemed lacking.
“Yeah. You did.” She held his gaze as something passed between them. What kind of shared past did they have?
At least it didn’t seem to be romantic. Sounded like she’d have been too young for that. That didn’t guarantee something couldn’t develop now, though.
“It’s crazy you’re here. You knew who I was when you took the job?”