Targeted Risk (R.I.S.C. #7) - Anna Blakely Page 0,33

ever after was out of the fucking question.

Chapter 8

Juliet woke to the sound of voices. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she turned over and found Jay’s side of the bed empty. The sheets there cold.

Slipping out from beneath the covers, she scooped a stretching Lydia into her arms and tip-toed to the closed door. Tucking her hair behind one ear, she pressed the left side of her head against the wood to try and listen to what was being said.

Unfortunately, Jay and whoever he was talking with were being too quiet to make out any distinct words.

It’s probably just a friend.

Shaking off her suspicious nature, Juliet decided to take a shower before walking out to face the day. Hoping that whoever had stopped by would be gone by the time she was out, she took her time, letting the hot, steamy water work against her deliciously sore muscles.

Flashes of memories from the night before played through her mind. Like every night since coming here, they’d made love as if there was no tomorrow.

Rubbing the suds across her wet skin, Juliet closed her eyes and smiled. She pictured Jay’s hands on her. His lips and tongue. The way he played her body in a way no other man ever had.

Another flash hit, and with it came a feeling of impending turmoil. She couldn’t quite decipher whether or not it was reality or a dream, but she suddenly recalled Jay snuggling up to her after coming back to bed.

Did he actually leave the room in the middle of the night, or had she imagined it? And if he had, where had he gone?

Pushing the strange feeling that something was wrong away, Juliet went about finishing her shower. By the time she was dressed, and her hair was blown dry, she’d convinced herself to stop looking for trouble where there was none.

After all, she had enough to worry about without creating fictional problems.

Though she could still hear three distinct voices, Juliet knew she couldn’t hide out forever. With that in mind, she forced back her hesitation in meeting new people and went in search of Jay. She found him standing in his living room with two men she’d never met before.

They were both tall and, from what she could tell beneath their jeans and t-shirts, as fit and toned as Jay. One of the strangers had a head full of sandy blond hair that looked a bit unruly, friendly blue eyes, and a kind smile.

Standing next to the blond was the other man. He had dark hair, dark scruff, and eyes nearly as crystal as hers. Though they both held the same sort of serious—if not dangerous—demeanor Jay did, this guy emitted a totally different vibe than the blond.

One that told her he was in charge.

With all eyes on her, Jay crossed the room and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Morning, baby. How’d you sleep?”

“O-okay...” She kept her suspicious gaze focused on the other two men.

“It’s okay.” He smiled. “I work with them. This is Derek.” He pointed to the blond. “We sometimes call him ‘D’. And this is Jake.”

“Nice to meet you,” Derek approached her with an outstretched hand and a friendly grin. His southern drawl was impossible to miss.

With a healthy amount of trepidation, Juliet shook the man’s hand. “Likewise.”

“Juliet.” Jake offered his hand, as well. There wasn’t so much as a hint of a smile in his eyes when he greeted her.

“Jake.”

She held her chin steady and gripped his hand the way her dad had taught her. Holding her gaze a second longer, the formidable man released his hold and stepped back.

To Jay, Juliet asked the obvious question. “What’s going on?”

Giving the other two men a stuttering glance, Jay shocked her when he said, “I have to go out of town. Just for the day.”

“Out of town?” She frowned. “Why?”

“It’s work stuff. No big deal. Jake’s gonna fly with me, but I’ll be back later tonight.”

“With you? So...I’m staying here?”

Jay’s expression turned apologetic. “Derek’s gonna hang out with you until I get back.”

Juliet looked over at the blond.

“Don’t worry, Juliet,” Derek spoke again. “Jake will bring your boy back in one piece.”

One piece?

She brought her eyes to Jay’s. “Can I talk to you a minute? Alone?”

“Sure.” He offered her a smile. One Juliet was almost certain had been forced.

Not bothering to make sure he was following her, Juliet turned and headed back down the hallway, to his bedroom. She’d barely made it inside when she heard the