LITMIR.BIZ

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missed dinner, made a flush of heat go over her. Luckily her sister didn’t notice; Dare held all her attention.

      “After her ordeal, she’s still getting her strength back, so she needs to eat. But she doesn’t have a lot here in the way of groceries.” Casting accusation on Molly, he added, “This place has piss-poor security, especially with windows that don’t lock and that damned invitation they call a fire escape.”

      Because Dare currently looked more like a hired assassin than a domesticated man, Molly said, “Dare’s really good in the kitchen.” Then, being truthful, she added, “Actually, he’s really good at everything.”

      “Everything?” Natalie asked, and she sounded strangled.

      Jett coughed.

      Dare’s mouth lifted in the slightest of smiles. “Glad you think so.” No one could misunderstand his look of intimacy.

      Natalie did a double take. As she took in Dare’s size and physique from head to toes, her lips parted.

      Lacking subtlety, she turned to Molly to mouth, Oh, my God.

      Jett frowned at her, then hauled her into his side.

      Dare didn’t miss any of it, but he chose not to say anything. “Maybe we can order up some pizza and colas to be delivered? That’d probably be easiest.”

      “No delivery this time of night.” Jett gave it some thought. “There is a quickie-mart station around the corner that’s open twenty-four hours. They’ll throw a pizza in fresh for you.”

      “I’ve had it.” Molly didn’t realize how hungry she was until they started talking about food. “It’s good.”

      Testing the waters, Jett said to Dare, “Don’t worry. I’ll stay here with the women while you go.”

      Dare did that strange thing where he looked bigger and stronger without really moving. “Not a chance.” The quietness of his reply made it all the more lethal.

      Jett’s smile looked mean. “Still don’t trust me, huh?”

      “Hell, no.”

      Natalie shared a look with Molly. “He seriously doesn’t trust Jett?”

      Dare answered for her. “How long have you known him?”

      When Natalie clammed up, Jett hugged her. “That sort of depends on your definition of knowing.”

      Through her teeth, Natalie said, “Don’t you dare, Jett. I mean it.”

      Unsure what that was about, but sensing her sister’s embarrassment, Molly intervened. “Dare, relax. If Natalie says he’s fine, then he’s fine.”

      Dare gave her a look. “When it comes to your safety, I say when it’s fine, remember?”

      Molly bit her lip. She had promised to trust him on this.

      Jett stood only a few inches shorter than Dare, which still put him over six feet tall. Broad-shouldered and lean, he had that same capable aura that Dare had, but maybe without Dare’s edge.

      Insulted, he moved to stand right in front of Dare. “I’m not leaving Natalie here with you. Hell, for all I know, you could be the one who set up the kidnapping.”

      Before Molly could react to that, Dare muttered, “Hell.” Resignation sharpened his expression, and he loosened his stance. “You’re a cop?”

      Surprised by the question, Jett hedged a little. “I used to be. Why?”

      Rolling his eyes, Dare said to Molly, “Told you I’d be the first suspect.”

      “He did,” Molly agreed, backing him up and hoping that put an end to the hostilities. “We didn’t call the police immediately because Dare said he was the first one they’d look at, and their investigation might alert the real perpetrator.”

      “Happens sometimes,” Jett agreed.

      “You can trust me when I tell you that Dare is an amazing man. He’s the only reason I’m here now, maybe the only reason I’m alive.” Molly hoped to get things smoothed out quickly. Not only was she uncomfortable in her state of undress, but she hadn’t seen her sister in what felt like forever. “If he hadn’t already been in Mexico to—”

      “Molly.”

      She bit her lip at Dare’s quiet but firm interruption. Okay, so maybe he didn’t want her to blab his private business, or that of his friends.

      She cleared her throat. Omitting details, she said, “He was there on other business and just sort of decided to rescue me while he was at it.”

      That only whetted Jett’s curiosity. “What kind of business did you have in Tijuana?”

      “The kind that doesn’t concern you.” Dare didn’t bother hiding his impatience. “So, if you’re not still a cop, what are you doing now?”

      Not nearly as closemouthed as Dare, Jett said, “Security work—domestic investigation, mostly.”

      “You’re a private eye?”

      “That’s right.” Jett extended a hand. “Feel free to check my background. I know how it is to be cautious.”

      “Yeah?” Still looking like he was made of stone, Dare ignored his proffered hand. “Why is that?”

      “I’m ex-military, ex-FBI.” He shrugged. “But old habits die hard, and I’m still the cautious type, too.”

      Dare didn’t budge.

      Making a face, Jett patted his right thigh. “Gunshot injury keeps me a little more grounded than I like, otherwise you wouldn’t have taken me to the floor so easily.” He grinned after saying it. “Need me to drop my jeans and prove it?”

      Molly wanted to smack Dare for his bad manners. “Natalie would not trust a man who wasn’t trustworthy.”

      “Ditto,” Natalie agreed. She flapped a hand toward Dare. “If Molly says that he’s okay, despite appearances to the contrary, then I believe her. My sister is an astute woman. I’ll be safe with him.”

      “Fine. Acquit me of any intentional insult.” Jett again held out his hand. “This has to start somewhere, so …?”

      Dare eyed him up and down, and finally accepted Jett’s handshake. “About that pizza?”

      “Right.” Jett glanced at his watch. “Assuming you aren’t going to leave Molly’s side—”

      Dare’s look answered better than words.

      “—then I suppose I might as well run out for the eats. I should only be half an hour, tops. But save some of the story for me. I admit I’m curious as hell about all this.”

      Before he could go, Molly said, “Jett?”

      Those dark eyes focused on her. “Hmm?”

      “It’s very nice to meet you.”

      Jett flashed the brightest smile she’d seen in quite some time. It worked wonders to counterbalance the ominous look of those dark eyes.

      “You, too, Molly. I’m damned glad that you’re back home, safe and sound.” Then he went to Natalie, tucked her long, curly hair behind her ear, kissed her and said, “I won’t be long.”

      “Be careful.”

      With another glance at Dare, he said, “For once I don’t have to say the same to you. I have a feeling you’re as safe as you can be right now.”

      The second he left, Natalie wrapped her arms around Molly in a tight, nearly choking embrace. “Thank God you’re finally home.”

      Molly could feel her sister shaking. “I’m sorry you were worried.” Over Natalie’s shoulder, she met Dare’s gaze.

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