“Dad, Jamie, and I. Jay’d never plan a mission like this without consulting us.”
Madi cringed at the word mission. Her head dropped and her shoulders slumped.
“Hey,” Jack lifted her chin. “I’m sorry. The planning part is always considered a mission, but please don’t believe for a second that we aren’t taking this personally.”
“I know. It was just a shock to hear.”
Jack made eye contact with me as he hugged his sister. His message was loud and clear:Don’t let anything happen to her.
Message received. I nodded.She’ll be safe with me.
“We should go,” I said, glancing down to read Jay’s text. “Jay and Cate are almost there.”
Madi said her goodbyes.
I shook hands with Jack and reminded him. “With my life.”
“I know.” His voice didn’t waver, but his eyes still held fear.
Playing the role of the perfect boyfriend, I opened Madi’s door and helped her step up.
During the drive, I reassured Madi she’d be fine and reminded her of the game plan and her role in it.
“Just be myself? With my brother watching me while I’m on a date?”
We’d been over this before; Jay wouldn’t be watching us. But Madi needed a distraction, not a mission update.
“How about I make this the best date you’ve ever had so you forget everything else?”
Madi’s expression could’ve been the image accompanying the word skeptical in the dictionary.
“I’ll pour on the charm.” But wouldn’t overdo it. My plan: take advantage of the existing attraction. It was dangerous territory, but if it helped Madi relax during our date, it’d be worth it.
“Do you think he’ll show up?” she whispered.
“Paul? Maybe. If he does, we doubt he’ll come inside, which is why we have AJ and Nathan.”
The J-squad hadn’t found evidence to prove Paul was the threat, but he still sat at the top of the suspect list. Sadly, we didn’t have enough clues to add anyone else to the list.
If we got lucky, we’d get answers tonight and put an end to the threat.
“Is it bad I hope he tries something so this can end?”
“No one blames you for wanting that.”
“As long as no one gets hurt,” she added.
I couldn’t guarantee that, so I made the only promise I could. “We’ll do our best to prevent it.”
Wanting to have instant access to my truck, I once again declined valet service when we arrived at Seb’s, an upscale seafood restaurant.
Despite knowing AJ and Nathan were watching and her brother was near the entrance, I refused to entertain the idea of dropping Madi off. She would walk in on my arm.
The feelings I’d locked away inside the cemented compartment were slowly leaking out.
“Matt?” Madi asked as we walked across the mostly full parking lot. “Can I tell you something?”
“Of course.”
