“She is,” he confirmed.
“What kind of danger?” Dempsey asked and Jack shook his head.
“I’m afraid I can’t share that information unless I feel assured you’ll protect the information I would share and thus Belle. As you’ve made it clear you won’t, this meeting is over,” Jack replied then moved to round his desk.
“Mortal danger?” Dempsey pressed as Jack moved so Jack stopped at the side of his desk and trained his gaze on the man who also had risen from his chair.
“That’s uncertain,” he allowed then continued. “What isn’t uncertain is that any danger that could confront Belle is intolerable.”
“And you’re implying I can help,” Dempsey pushed.
Jack didn’t give a straight answer. Instead, he said, “When there’s uncertain danger that could befall anyone, any and all help is welcomed.”
“So you’re implying I can help,” Dempsey reiterated.
Jack said not a word and held his gaze. As he did, he watched Dempsey’s internal struggle. Seeing as he did not know the man he had no idea which side was winning the conflict.
He’d know more when Dempsey noted quietly, “She’s extraordinary.”
“I’m aware of that,” Jack agreed.
“I’ve not known a single soul like her,” Dempsey carried on.
“As I have not,” Jack agreed again.
“Dignity, a huge reserve of strength all framed in an immense vulnerability. It’s quite remarkable,” Dempsey continued.
Jack didn’t bother agreeing again.
He allowed Dempsey to study him before Dempsey whispered, “You love her.”
Jack didn’t reply.
Dempsey straightened his shoulders and demanded, “You’re keeping Cole from her?”
Jack answered but he again didn’t answer directly, “You have no reason to concern yourself with Cole’s response to that article, Mr. Dempsey, and you knew that before you sold it or you wouldn’t have sold it.”
He couldn’t be sure Dempsey played it that way until he watched the man’s eyes flare in response to his assertion.
He’d been watching Jack and Belle together. If he didn’t think Belle could withstand the article and Jack would protect her from whatever reaction it might cause in Calvin Cole, he wouldn’t have sold it.
Yes, Mickey Dempsey had principles.
It was Dempsey’s turn not to respond which, like Jack’s, was his response.
Instead, he demanded, “You’re keeping your brother from her.”
Jack fought his body getting tight so he wouldn’t show his response to the depths of Dempsey’s understanding of his and Belle’s circumstances.
And his voice was low with warning when he replied, “It would be a good idea, Mr. Dempsey, if we continue our relationship, that you let me concern myself with Belle. If your continued questions means you’re interested in the assignment I have for you, I’ll inform you of what you should concern yourself with.”
Jack watched Dempsey again struggle internally before he ground out, “I’m interested in the assignment.”
Instantly, Jack pushed, “I have your word, everything, all of it, strictly confidential.”
“You have my word.”
“You won’t expose me, you won’t expose Belle, you won’t share what you’re told, what you find, what you see or who you meet,” Jack pressed.