Page 10 of Dane

“Look. There’s a real chance those guys are coming after you. We’re hoping Knight can find who was driving that car so we’ll know what we’re up against. But this isn’t your fault. You did exactly what you should have done.”

“Regardless,” I said, softer this time, “I appreciate you and your club being considerate enough to let me stay while you investigate. I know you’re not comfortable with the arrangement and I don’t blame you.”

Dane gave me an odd look before gathering our plates and taking them to the sink. “You know how to shoot?” He had his back to me while he rinsed the plates.

“Um, no.”

“If things go wrong, you run. Don’t look back. Go with the old ladies wherever they tell you. They’ll handle the rest.”

“OK. I will.” I tried to sound stronger than I felt.

His shoulders were broad and tense under the shirt, every muscle drawn tight. Finally, he leaned on the counter with both hands, head down. “You want to ask me something?” he said, not looking at me.

I thought about it. There were a hundred things, but none that would sound right in his ears. “I guess I just wanted to know if you believe me.”

He looked over his shoulder before turning to face me more fully. There was an old, tired anger in his face. “I believe you’re in danger,” he said. “The rest of it? I’ll let you know.”

After he left, I sat at the bar for a long while. I had absolutely no idea what my next move should be, and no idea who to ask.

I spent the rest of the morning in my assigned apartment, settling in. If it hadn’t been for the stuff Hannah brought me, the only thing I’d have was my phone. I hadn’t even brought my laptop in case Grant thought it out of the ordinary and had me followed. And yes, I was that paranoid.

A knock at the door startled me and I jumped where I sat in the comfortable oversized chair in front of the window. I opened the door and Dane stood in the hallway.

“I brought you some things.” He held out a bag and I took it automatically. “Hannah said she didn’t think you had anything with you, so I brought a universal phone charger and a clean laptop. Knight said not to access anything to do with the bank.”

“Yeah. Same with my phone. I uninstalled everything then factory reset my phone. I didn’t know what else to do.”

“You did the right thing.” I wasn’t sure I trusted this calmer, more understanding Dane Rourke. “Look. I want you to make me a list of things you need or that would make your time here easier and more comfortable. If there’s snacks you want for your apartment, drinks, anything, I want you to put it on that list.”

“I don’t even know how long I’ll be here, Dane. Hopefully not more than a day or two.”

“And for those days you’re going to be comfortable.”

Finally, I nodded. “I’ll make a list.”

“Brielle…” He cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “I want to ask you something. And I want you to know this isn’t a test. You can answer any way you want.”

“Well, that’s not ominous or anything,” I muttered, shifting in my seat. “What’s your question?”

“While Knight’s working on this, I want to be the one walking you through it. It’s been pointed out that I might need to look at the situation from more than my own perspective.” He looked uncomfortable but determined. “I want to look at this from all sides with an open mind.”

I eyed him with curiosity and no small amount of distrust. “Why the change of heart? What’s the catch?” This was exactly how Grant had started out. Being kind to me. I’d learned my lesson the hard way. Not to mention, Dane had already expressed his displeasure at my withholding the information I’d brought them for so long. He had no reason to be kind and every reason to want to hurt me.

“I’m not too proud to admit when I’m wrong, Brielle. I’m still not fully convinced, but I’m smart enough to know something isn’t adding up with what I’ve always believed.”

I felt the blood drain from my face, and maybe a small hope that I hadn’t completely fucked up hard enough that he couldn’t ever forgive me. “Do you believe me? That I’m not here to screw up your life or anything?”

He didn’t answer right away. Then he said, “I believe you’re in danger. The rest is what I want to find out.”

Chapter Six

Dane

I got the order from Knuckles to report to Knight’s office. When I arrived, Lana Thompson and a man I’d never met occupied the two guest chairs, Lana in a crisp red blazer, the man in a dark suit that looked on the expensive side. Knight looked up from his computer only long enough to tip his head toward the third chair.

Brielle entered soon after I had and Knight indicated for her to take the chair next to me. She didn’t make eye contact with anyone. Instead, she looked like she was just waiting to hear whatever verdict we’d rendered.

Knight closed his laptop and rotated his chair to face us. “Brielle, this is Lana Thompson. She’s the lawyer I gave your flash drive and notes.”