Byron gaped at her. It was a bit like asking the fox to guard the henhouse. He’d never expected her to ask him for protection—“taking out the trash,” so to speak, was an altogether different matter.
He found it strangely moving—Jane trusted him with her safety.
“Why me?”
“Police protection is out of the question. I can’t go to the authorities without revealing too much about my situation.”
“Why not call your knights on shining motorcycles?”
Byron had met Jane at Hades, the diner owned by the Four Horsemen Motorcycle Club. Jane was the Four Horsemen MC’s attorney before she’d even met Byron. The bikers had taken a real shine to her. While the brothers might work outside the law on occasion, they were vigilantes who helped little old ladies cross the street and such. This situation would be right up their alley.
“I thought about it.”
“And?”
“The Four Horsemen have a terrible track record when it comes to staying out of trouble.” Some years back, the club had gone through a RICO trial. It’d nearly busted the motorcycle club apart. “You, on the other hand, have literally gotten away with murder. The FBI has never made a case against the Dixie Mafia.”
The unspoken “yet” at the tail end of her sentence hung in the air. If Thorne had his way, Byron would be cooling his heels in a supermax for the rest of his short life.
“Me guardin’ you is a good idea, but it’s a temporary fix. I can’t watch your back forever, darlin’.”
“I want you to keep me safe while I do some research.”
“What kind of research?”
“I have a plan, which isn’t illegal, per se, but it’s definitely unethical.”
“You had me at unethical.” He grinned. “Do go on.”
Jane tilted her head to the side. She was probably deciding what she could reveal and what she had to keep secret. They were on the razor’s edge of violating her client-attorney privilege with Valentine.
“I’m simply engaging in due diligence. Should a client of mine be charged with another crime, I want to be aware of all the facts.”
Damn, Jane surprised him. She was downright devious—how striking. Byron loved this new side of her.
“The recent murders were sophisticated with hardly any evidence, and you’re bettin’ Valentine wasn’t always so particular.” Byron filled in the blanks because she couldn’t say it. “You’ll make an anonymous tip and the feds will put your monster in the cage for you, all squeaky clean and legal.”
Jane didn’t comment. “I need protection while I work.”
“I’d be doin’ you a favor?” Now they were gettin’ to it. He lived for negotiations.
“No, this is business and I’ll pay you a fee.”
“But I don’t want your money.”
“Why not?”
He spread his arms wide. “Look around you, darlin’. I’ve got everythin’ a man could want. The last thing I need is more cash.”
“Then what do you, um, need?”
Byron licked his lips. “So many things.”
When it came to Jane, he couldn’t help himself. She was a challenge and wouldn’t be won over with big gestures or pretty words. He’d have to work his ass off to get her, but he knew she’d be worth the effort.
And he wanted her more than any other woman he’d ever pursued. Maybe because he hadn’t been able to turn her head. With his good looks and family fortune, women not only noticed him—they pursued him, flirted with him shamelessly, and a few bolder ones had tried to seduce him.
Not Jane—from day one, she’d been indifferent, rebuffing him. She was so calm and cool, Byron wanted to stoke her fire and make her burn for him.
He hated to contemplate the psychology of his attraction, but it also had something to do with her innocence, her innate decency. On every level, Jane was way out of his league.
“Your insinuation wasn’t subtle. I should’ve known you’d make some lascivious offer.”
“We’re both single adults, so it ain’t out of bounds. We are both single, right? You datin’ Ted Bundy too?”
“Ted Bundy’s dead.”
“I was making a joke.”
“I’m not laughing, and I’m not dating Valentine or anyone else.”
“Don’t get so touchy. Instead of money, all I’m askin’ for is a shot with you—a real shot. No more makin’ up excuses to see you. No more bullshit—just you and me.”
She scowled. “I won’t be blackmailed into having sex with you.”
“I said a shot, not a sure thing. There’s a big difference, and besides, I’ve always loved a good chase. Why shoot fish in a barrel, you know?”