Embracing Danger by Olivia Jaymes Page B

Shane’s mind like it was yesterday. The older man had been so triumphant, so fucking smug while Shane had been filled with anger and a sense of helplessness. The bastard had clearly enjoyed the hands-on delivery of that message. It still filled Shane with rage all these years later.
    “Not a bad comparison, actually. Ben loves the trappings of success. He likes to feel special and he loves people to cater to him. How Arden turned out so normal I’ll never know. It was probably the influence of her grandmother. They have a close relationship.”
    It hadn’t escaped Shane’s notice that Elaine Graham would have had to know all about her daughter’s murder and Ben’s changing his name. Arden hadn’t put that part of the puzzle together yet but she soon would, and she was going to be hurt and probably pretty pissed about it. She trusted her grandmother implicitly even when she didn’t trust Ben.
    “Do you think she’s in danger?”
    Shane shrugged helplessly, still trying to wrap his mind around what he’d learned. “I just don’t know. Part of me wants to wrap her in cotton wool and keep an eye on her and the other part knows that will only make her mad and frustrated. I need to find some happy medium where I’m assured that she’s safe but she has her freedom too.”
    “You could get Jason to put a tail on her,” Wyatt suggested with a gleam of mischief in his eye. “She’d never have to know.”
    “I’m tempted,” Shane admitted with a groan. “But if she finds out my testicles will be in a jar on the mantle. She may not look it but she’s got a temper, my friend.”
    “Afraid of a bitty thing like her? I think you can take her, Shane.”
    “She fights dirty,” Shane retorted. “Now where do we stand? Do you have enough to get started on? I wish I had more.”
    Wyatt laughed and stood tucking his notes into his pocket and pulling on his coat. “I’ve started with less so this isn’t actually that bad. I’ll check into his known haunts and with his friends, discreetly of course. I’ve got a friend at TSA that might be able to help us out as well if Cavendish flew under an assumed name. We’ll find him. If his habits are as expensive as you make out, he’ll have to surface eventually. In the meantime, take care of your woman. She’s got a lot to deal with.”
    “She’s not my woman,” Shane replied automatically. “Not even close.”
    Chuckling and shaking his head, Wyatt slapped Shane on the back. “I’ve spent my life studying human nature and let me tell you something. You’ve got the look of a man in love. If she’s not yours then you need to do something to fix that situation as soon as possible.”
    Christ, did it show that clearly? Did Arden see it too?
    “This isn’t something I can fix,” Shane said simply. “This goes back a long time. We’re just friends now. I was the only one she could come to for help.”
    Wyatt gave him a shrewd look. “Could come to or wanted to come to? I’m not telling you your business, Shane, but take it from someone who knows what they’re talking about. The past can be an anchor if you let it. Shake it off, man. If you love her don’t let anything stand in your way. Go all out. If I were in your shoes that’s what I’d do.”
    Wyatt left and Shane padded softly into his bedroom to check on Arden, who was still sleeping peacefully. Relaxed and serene, he listened to the sounds of her breathing and watched the rise and fall of her chest, his fingers gripping the molding on the door until his knuckles were white.
    He simply wasn’t sure he was strong enough to go there. If she walked away again…hell, he’d barely survived the heartache last time. Round two would be even more painful and devastating.
    The fact was he’d never been as happy in his life as he was that summer with this woman. He’d pretended that everything was great but deep inside he’d missed her more than he could articulate. Now he’d agreed to help her because,