Saber cinched the belt of the terry cloth robe tighter around her small waist, wishing for one moment the tie was around Chaleen’s scrawny neck.
Jess leaned forward, circling Chaleen’s wrist with his hand. Saber’s heart dropped right down to her toes. What if she had guessed wrong? What if this vampish viper was the mystery woman from the other night? What if she was making a fool of herself, leaping to Jess’s defense when he really didn’t need or want it? She held her breath as Jess lifted Chaleen’s hand.
Everything in her stilled. The world narrowed, tunneled. She was suddenly focused and in complete control. Because if he kissed Chaleen’s fingers, Saber knew with certainty that Chaleen Jarvos was a dead woman.
Jess dropped her hand as if it were distasteful. “I’m exactly where I want to be, Chaleen.”
Saber slumped against the wall with relief, closing her eyes briefly, distaste of her first, most primal reaction to an enemy beating at her. That wasn’t a normal reaction. Had she waited too long to leave? Had she already become the very thing she’d always feared she was? She pressed the heel of her hand to her forehead even as she strained to listen to the conversation.
“This is my world. Sheridan, Wyoming. And Saber is everything I need. Go back to your boss and tell him I put in my time and I want to be left alone.”
“But there’s so much more you can still do. All your people, they’re still loyal, they still trust you. Your name could open doors.”
“Who are you looking to contact?”
“I need some answers, Jess. You know who I work for. Whatever you’re doing is pissing off some powerful people.” Chaleen pinned him with a cold gaze. “They know you’re involved in something big. No one is buying your legless charade. I’m trying to keep you out of trouble, and watching you pretend to be an idiot for your little teenybopper is making me want to throw up.”
“Sorry, I don’t do that kind of work. And my injuries are fully documented. Whatever you’re looking for isn’t here.”
“Damn it, Jess, you don’t want to mess around with me.” Shifting suddenly from purring, Chaleen sounded as hard as nails, bringing out a protective streak in Saber she didn’t even know she had. “I’m trying to save your hide here. You’ve got some investigation going and it’s raising flags all over the place. The FBI. The CIA. I’m hearing your name everywhere. For God’s sake, something like that will get you killed.”
Saber held very still. There was actual fear in Chaleen’s voice. She might have come for information on whatever Jess was investigating, but she was genuinely concerned for his safety. Was Chaleen an assassin? Saber moved into a better position to get her away from Jess if she tried anything. Just what was Jess doing, anyway?
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Damn you, Jess. You were always so f**king closemouthed. This isn’t a game. You always think you’re playing chess instead of living real life. You’re making enemies and they’ll be coming after you.”
Chaleen definitely sounded threatening. Saber forgot about trying to get information and moved into the room. She circled Jess’s neck with her arms. “Sorry I took so long, love,” she murmured.
Chaleen glanced at her diamond-studded watch. “Did you run?” she snapped.
Saber ran her fingers through Jess’s thick, dark hair. “Pardon me?” she asked, her voice dripping with sweetness.
Chaleen gathered up her fur coat and Gucci purse. “You’re making a big mistake, Jess.” The purr was completely gone from her voice, leaving it cold and disdainful.
Jess’s eyebrows shot up. “Don’t threaten me, Chaleen. Take that back to your people: you don’t want to threaten me.”
For a moment the hazel eyes glowed yellow, the unblinking stare of a dangerous cat, and then Chaleen was smiling. “You misunderstand me, I wouldn’t presume to threaten you. So nice to meet you.” She didn’t bother to look at Saber, some battle still being waged between hazel and dark brown eyes.
Saber, frightened for Jess for no reason she could think of, clutched convulsively at his biceps. Without taking his eyes from Chaleen, he reached up to cover Saber’s hand in reassurance.
“Okay,” Chaleen capitulated. “You’re out of it.”
“I hope so,” Jess replied ominously. “Saber, make some fresh coffee for us, baby. And drink a glass of orange juice.”
Reluctantly Saber allowed him to move away from her, across the room, escorting the blonde toward the front door. Jess never ordered Saber to do things like make coffee or drink orange juice. The juice, she was certain, was because of her fever. The coffee was a ploy to get her out of the way. She hesitated, worried about leaving him vulnerable to Chaleen, although he seemed to feel the issue was closed.
And she did feel lousy. Her head hurt, her body ached, and there was no doubt she needed aspirin. Muttering to herself, she ground fresh beans and obediently put on a pot of coffee.
Jess found her slumped in a chair, elbows on the table, head cradled in her hands. He glided up beside her on silent wheels. “Are you sure you should be out of bed, angel face?” he asked gently.
“Of course not,” she retorted, without looking up. “The place is being overrun by your women. Someone had to do something.”
His mouth twitched but he remained silent as he poured her a glass of orange juice and set it next to her elbow. “Drink.”
She lifted her head. “Chaleen? Is someone really named Chaleen?” Her voice held a wealth of scorn.
He tactfully refrained from pointing out she had an unusual name too.