Page 28 of Unseen Danger
Nevaeh didn’t move, staring at his hand the way she had when he’d held out the note that afternoon.
Jazz moved between him and Nevaeh and took the other mug.
The first mug sat on the island counter where she must’ve left it, and she handed the second one to Nevaeh.
Nevaeh’s eyes narrowed slightly at the corners as she looked at her friend, but she accepted the mug.
Had Jazz known Nevaeh wanted coffee, or was she forcing it on her for his sake?
Being friendly was more complicated than it should be sometimes. But given the apparent subtext between the women in the look they’d shared, he’d be smart and move on.
“I see you have some added protection.” Both women sported black armored vests under their open jackets and even the dogs were geared up in K-9 versions.
Jazz ran her hand down the black material. “Given the attack today, our boss thought it best to be cautious.”
“Good call. Your coms are there.” He nodded to the wireless earpieces he’d set on the island for them. “We use channel one.”
“You said you’re off during our shift?” Jazz’s green eyes found his face.
“On call. I’ll be sleeping but available in emergency situations.” He hooked his thumbs in the pockets of his jeans. “Since this is your first night on patrol, feel free to call me on my cell with any concerns or questions. I keep it on overnight. I’ve written my number on the notepad there.”
The notepad that sat next to the earpiece Nevaeh lifted off the counter. Her eyes lowered to the paper as she tucked the earpiece under her hair.
Heat crawled to his face. Hopefully, she wouldn’t think he was trying to exchange numbers with her. Though he wouldn’t mind doing that. But under different, outside-work circumstances, of course.
She took out her phone and moved her thumb over the screen. Entering his phone number, he assumed.
Why that filled his chest with a strange warmth, he didn’t want to ponder at the moment. He was trying to stay professional and friendly here.
Nevaeh slid the paper to Jazz and reached for her coffee mug. She lifted it, then paused midway to her mouth. Her big eyes raised and landed on his face. “Caramel.”
He hid a cringe. “Yeah. Sorry. Maybe you prefer unflavored coffee?”
She rolled her lips in and slid them against each other. Her gaze dropped to the brew in her hand. “It’s fine.”
“It’s her favorite.” Jazz gave him a smile.
Nevaeh shot her a glare, but that didn’t stop the thrill that spiked through Branson as if he’d guessed the numbers of a winning lottery ticket.
Friendly and professional, boy. Friendly and professional. She was probably used to getting hit on by men all the time. Especially players like D-Chop, whom she handled like a pro—a pro who did not appreciate such treatment.
He’d never hit on a woman in his life, so that wasn’t a risk. But he didn’t want to appear as if he were disrespecting her or devaluing her in any way. And he didn’t really know anything about her either. He wasn’t the kind of guy to chase after beauty without first knowing her character and whether or not she shared his faith.
The reminders worked like a splash of cold water. He needed to get the ladies started on their shift and get to bed. Without making a fool of himself before then.
He shifted his gaze to Jazz so he could concentrate better. “I’ll show you the security room and introduce you to Louis, the protection specialist on duty during your shift. But before we head there, I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to work D-Chop’s benefit concert tomorrow night.”
“Instead of patrol here?” Nevaeh’s question drew his gaze back to her. An easy and comfortable destination.
“Yes. If D-Chop is the target of whoever attacked James today, I don’t think the estate will need to be patrolled when he’s away. Though you’d have to start at five p.m., so I hope to ask your boss for subs for the late overnight hours here after the concert.”
“We have a couple other security specialists who could probably cover that.” Jazz lowered her mug as she spoke.
“Great. D-Chop asked that you be at the concert.”
“Is he getting worried?” Nevaeh’s full voice surprised Branson and made his pulse skip a beat. She was talking more now. Maybe a good sign.
He smiled at her. “I don’t think so. He’s pretty chill about these things. But I think he likes having you around.”