“You seemed disgusted when you saw us in that alley and assumed we were together.”
“I wasn’t disgusted,”Randall whispered hotly. “I wouldn’tdoanything to Emerson. I think I proved that last night.”
Dash relaxed a bit. It wasn’t proof he’d protect them both, but it was a hopeful sign.
“It’s just dangerous to be…like that.”Randall glanced around them.“Ifmy brother is one of them… I don’t want to see him end up behind bars.” He sighed.“Or worse.”
Was that all it was for Randall? A sense of fear for his brother’s safety? The use of termslike thatleft Dash feeling unsure, but they weren’t in a safe space to speak, either. Maybe he was simply being overly cautious.
What had made him overly cautious though? Why did he seem so afraid to talk about the raids?
He thought back to the press conference outside when he’d arrived and the commissioner’s refusal to acknowledge the raids. Was theentirelocal Guard working to cover something up?
“He seemed really protective of you,” Randall said, eyeing him. “And intent on getting you out of there.”
Dash tried to hide a reaction but sensed his cheeks warm. “He was helping make sure I didn’t get caught. I’d never been there before.”
“And my brother has?”
Fuck!Dash wasn’t outing Emerson, no matter how much Randall had seen the night before. “Ask him. I don’t know.”
Randall glowered, clearly coming up with his own assumptions.
“We’ve met before—your brother and I. Quinn McCreary hired my firm to protect Harrison, Cassidy, and Raimy prior to Charles Macklin’s arrest,” Dash said. “Emerson was there when I first met Harrison. He saw me last night and helped me get out, I guess.”
“I forgot you’d met before,” Randall said, frowning. It looked like a hint of doubt entered his mind, and that was good. Doubt got them out of hot water but maybe not off the hook completely.
“Andyouran a background check on me for Emerson around the same time,” Dash added, lifting a brow.
It was Randall’s turn for his cheeks to grow red. “Emerson said he wanted assurances you were legit since you were guarding Harry and his mates. I tried to tell him you were, but he was insistent that he see for himself.” Randall’s eyes widened before he whispered, “Thatasshole.He wanted a way to find you, didn’t he?”
“No idea,” Dash murmured, biting the inside of his cheek to prevent a smile.
“Has this been going on since then?”
“No,”Dash snapped, finally able to be fully honest. Maybe that would get them off the hook. “And honestly, even if it was, you have no right to ask these questions.”
Randall searched his face, quiet a few seconds. “I meant no disrespect. About the background check, either.”
“You were doing your due diligence to ensure your family was protected. I wasn’t offended.” Dash took a step closer. “But Iwillbe offended if you treat me like I’m any less of a good P.I. because of what youthinkyou saw last night.”
“I’m not,” Randall said. “I’m just…” He sighed. “It’s dangerous right now. You don’t know what you’re getting into.”
“I’m sensing it’s more than what I’m seeing on the surface, but I can’t walk away, Randall. An alpha is dead, and there might be countless missing that are tied to these raids—and one of them might be my client’s son.”
Randall didn’t respond. He stared at the floor, shaking his head.
“The Guard was formed to protect citizens. If they’re doing the opposite,someoneneeds to stop them.”
Randall met his stare, frowning. “You’re right. Someonedoesneed to stop whoever’s doing this. Before someone else ends up dead.”
Dash took a step closer and lowered his voice. “What do you know?”
Randall shook his head.“Nothere.”
A cold chill raced down Dash’s spine. Randall knew more than just something. He’d bet his life on it.
But was heinon it, too? His gut wasn’t telling him one way or another.
