Much to Caroline’s surprise, Gemma didn’t dismiss that. “So you think it could be one of Kellan’s deputies? Or Jack?”
“Not Jack.” Caroline should have at least hesitated a split second. “He might have that badge blindness—” or DNA blindness, she silently added, when it came to his brothers “—but Jack doesn’t want me dead.”
Gemma was one of the best profilers that she’d ever met, and she turned those profiling eyes on Caroline. And she waited as if she knew Caroline was holding something back.
She was.
Of course, Gemma knew about her history with Jack. Knew all about Jack and her being lovers.
“I kissed Jack,” Caroline blurted out, cursing herself. She added some more curse words for Jack, too.
“And you think that was a...wise idea?” Gemma asked as if carefully choosing her words.
“No! Of course, it wasn’t. It was the worst idea in the history of bad ideas. Someone’s trying to kill me. I don’t know who to trust, and I feel ready to unravel. The whole time I’m feeling all of that, I’m thinking how can a man like Jack still want me when I’m like this?” Caroline paused, steadied herself and admitted the truth. “But he did want me. As much as I wanted him.”
Gemma sighed and took hold of her shoulders. “You can trust him. And you can trust Kellan, though I don’t expect you to just take my word for it.”
“I’m sorry I can’t take your word for it.” Caroline scrubbed her hand over her face. “I really am ready to unravel.”
“Yes, I can see that. Just be careful not to unravel in Jack’s arms.”
That sent Caroline’s gaze back to Gemma. “You can’t believe Jack would want to hurt me.”
“No, I don’t, but I think he could hurt you here.” She tapped her fingers on Caroline’s heart. “Hurt himself, too. Caring this much doesn’t always help. Just take things as slow as you can. Keep your mind open.” Gemma blinked back more tears, then smiled. “And for Pete’s sake, quit aiming your suspicious eyes at the man I love.”
Gemma’s smile didn’t last, though, and Caroline could see the concern return to her friend’s expression. Caroline figured shewas about to get a lecture about staying safe and cooperating with Kellan and Jack, but Gemma stopped when Jack appeared in the office doorway.
“We have a visitor,” Jack said, and judging from his tone, it wasn’t someone he especially wanted to see.
Caroline moved closer to him so she could peer over his shoulder, and she saw the tall, lean man making his way toward them. Correction—not just a man, but a marshal.
Marshal Lee Zeller.
The very person that Jack hadn’t trusted enough to give them backup when the sedan was following them.
“There was no need for you to come,” Jack quickly told Zeller.
But Zeller shook his head. “I need to talk to you,” he said. “Because I think I might know who’s trying to kill Caroline.”
Chapter Six
Until Zeller had said that last sentence, Jack had been about to demand that the marshal get the heck out of there. But that stopped him.
Because I think I might know who’s trying to kill Caroline.
Jack put on hold his demand for Zeller to leave and gave the man his full attention. He definitely wanted to hear what Zeller had to say, but he’d take every one of the marshal’s words with a grain of salt. That was because underneath it all, Jack didn’t trust him.
“I’m listening,” Caroline prompted when Zeller didn’t add anything else. She sounded steady enough. Maybe even a little riled. But Jack knew her nerves were right there at the surface.
Zeller dragged in a heavy breath, put his hands on his hips and stared at Caroline. “I heard about the breach of security at the WITSEC house and about the attack. Are you okay?”
“Obviously not,” Jack answered for her. “Someone’s trying to kill her, and you just said you might know who that is. Spill it.”
When Zeller shifted his attention back to Jack, the man’s eyes were slightly narrowed. Probably because he didn’t like Jack’s prickly attitude. Tough. Jack wasn’t going to ease up until he had some answers.
“Well, it’s not me who wants her harmed, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Zeller spat out. “I’m here to help, and maybe then you’ll start to trust me again. I wear the same badge you do, remember?”
Zeller had likely said that to try to reassure Caroline that she was in safe hands, but considering what she’d overheard with Eric’s phone call, Jack figured it had the opposite effect.
