He shouldn’t do this. A distraction like Marissa could cost him everything. He’d fucked with the wrong people and needed to go so deep underground they’d never find him. But of course, they would someday, especially with that price on his head. Not that it mattered. He’d be the last man standing at the end—no doubt about it—but he would give up his life and his freedom in a heartbeat to save Marissa Reinn Brandt.
Chapter Two
“Ican’t believe youtalked me into this.” Jarrett bit back a curse as Marissa pulled him down the walkway to his parents’ home. “I’m in no shape to see them.”
He’d spent most of the day with Marissa in a little café before returning to the cemetery to say goodbye to Joel. He should’ve dropped her off somewhere and hit the road, but she’d leveled herdon’t mess with meglare at him, and his balls shriveled up.
How did he ever leave her in the first place?
Marissa rolled her eyes. “Your mom wants you here. So does Jason. They were excited when I called.”
“And Dad?”
“Linda said she’d handle him.”
He huffed as they ascended the steps of the wraparound porch. “She’s not brave enough to handle him.”
“Don’t start. Your mother is strong when it counts. Just because she doesn’t hit or yell, doesn’t mean she’s a kicked-in-the-ass dog. Give her a chance, your dad too. If the arguing gets too much, leave, but I’ll be going with you.”
“Whatever.” He blew out a deep breath, and the puff of white faded in the breeze. The streetlights gleaming off snowy yards pushed back the shadows blanketing his old neighborhood. His gut twisted. He shouldn’t be here, had never wanted to return, but he’d done a helluva lot of shit he didn’t want to do. Why should this be any different? He reached for the doorbell as Marissa popped open the screen door.
She arched her eyebrow. “They consider me a daughter and get offended when I knock.”
Jarrett followed her in and dropped his backpack on the floor. The scent of peppermint filled his nostrils. After she shut the door, sealing off his route to freedom, he shrugged off his jacket and stuffed his gloves in a pocket. Fuck. This topped his list of stupid ideas. Maybe he should excuse himself to the bathroom and sneak out the window? After he helped Marissa out of her coat, he hung their heavy garments on the same coat rack that had occupied the corner since he was a child.
The glow from the strands of cheery white lights on the paneled walls reflected off several pictures, but the eight-by-ten in the silver frame nearly ripped his heart from his rib cage—Marissa and his brother on their wedding day. Her hair shimmered like a veil of rubies, and her mouthwatering ivory dress hugged her succulent curves. Joel grinned as if he was the luckiest man alive.
Footsteps echoed from another room. He steeled his spine as his mother entered the foyer. More wrinkles than he remembered branched from her eyes and lips. Her dark-green dress sheathed a couple of extra pounds, but he bet she still turned the heads of appreciative older men when she walked down the street.
“Jarrett, you’re really here.” She raced the last few feet and slung her arms around him.
His pulse quickened. He hugged her and buried his face in her dark, gray-streaked hair. Torn between hugging her closer and pulling away, he rolled his tight shoulders and planted his feet on the floor. No way would he act the bastard and jerk from her embrace. She needed this, so he better play the game.
His father leaned against the doorframe adjoining the foyer to the living room. The retired cop’s jeans and buttoned-down flannel shirt aged him a good decade.
Jarrett released her and stepped back. “It’s good to see you.” What else could he say—that he missed her, still loved her, had never forgotten her? The last thing she needed was more encouragement. “I hope you’ve been well.”
