Free Savor the Danger by Lori Foster Page A

“My turn.”
    Ripe with mistrust, Jackson caught her arm to detain her. “Your turn for what?”
    Good Lord, Jackson sounded confrontational. He might not worry about Trace’s temper, and she trusted that he could fend for himself, but a physical confrontation between the two of them would be too ugly to contemplate.
    She slipped away from Jackson and stood by herbrother. “Be right back,” she started to say, but Trace was already tugging her away.
    He urged her all the way across the floor and out the back door to the patio. Through the kitchen window she could see Jackson craning his neck to look after them, his expression dark, dangerous.
    Did he think Trace would steal her away? From her own home? He was every bit as protective as her brother, and, unsure how she felt about that, she sighed.
    â€œI think I’m going to puke,” Trace said.
    Alani slugged Trace in the shoulder—and probably hurt her hand a lot more than she hurt him. “You like Jackson, so stop it.”
    â€œI like his work. I don’t like this situation, and I sure as hell don’t like seeing you so lovesick.”
    Her knees locked. “Lovesick?”
    Trace stared at her, then turned away to grouse before facing her again. “You are in love with him, aren’t you?”
    Well, shoot. She dampened dry lips. “I never said—”
    â€œYou don’t have to. I know you, Alani. I can see it.” His expression softened. “Dare probably sees it, too.”
    That thought horrified her. “Do you think—”
    â€œThat Jackson knows?” He shook his head. “Not unless you told him. Women always screw up a guy’s intuition. You’ve got him spinning on his ass right now. If he hadn’t been drugged, I might actually find it funny.”
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jackson seemed as in control as ever.
    â€œTrust me, figuring out women is more of a challenge than facing off with a lunatic murderer.”
    Lovely. With false sweetness, Alani asked, “I suppose sisters are excluded from that analogy?”
    â€œIt’s not at all the same.” He cupped a hand over hershoulder and only hesitated a second before getting serious. “It’s not going to be easy, you know.”
    She gave another long sigh. “I know.”
    â€œJackson is…”
    â€œToo much like you?” At his surprise, Alani shook her head. “And Dare, too. But I mean that in the nicest way possible.”
    He gave a fleeting smile before tousling her hair. “Brat.” He quickly sobered. “Our line of work complicates relationships in a big way.”
    â€œThere is that.”
    â€œHe could be gone long stretches of time when he’s on a case.”
    So Jackson was right—Trace was more accepting of their involvement than she’d realized. “I know.”
    â€œAnd you know you’ll worry.”
    She nodded. “But you’re my brother, Trace, so I’m already used to that.” There were times when Trace would be gone for weeks—but during those times, he left Dare available to her for emergencies. And always, Alani knew he’d give up a mission if she needed him.
    â€œIt’ll be different, honey. Believe me.”
    â€œProbably.” She’d often wondered how Priss and Molly handled it. It was tough enough fretting over a brother, but the added intimacy of a romantic relationship would sharpen everything. That is… “I don’t even know yet if it’ll be an issue.” Because she didn’t know how Jackson really felt about her. “Everything is pretty up in the air right now.”
    The confessions he’d made last night no longer counted.
    â€œYou’ll give him a chance to clear up the problems?”
    â€œIf you mean will I let him stick around, yes.” She’dwanted to do that anyway, and this was as good an excuse as