“I suspect ol’ Reggie has all the makings of a sicko.”
“He’s not as loyal as Morgan thinks. Hell, I paid him to get close to her, to pass my
info and bio to her for the show. He took my money without asking questions and sent
me her personal email address and IM info. But then he threatened me with everything
short of castration if I so much as looked in her direction.” Jack grimaced.
“So he sold her out, then turned on you. Nice.” Deke sighed. “Was he more jealous
boyfriend than protective father?”
“Hard to say over the phone. Could have been either.”
“He bears watching. In digging yesterday, I found out he managed to avoid prison
time for sexual assault due to a technicality.”
Surprise ricocheted through Jack. “Really? Holy shit.”
“Yep. I wonder if Morgan knows about Reggie’s past.”
“I doubt it. She says he’s like a surrogate father to her. I don’t think she’d feel that
way if she knew he might have a hobby as a rapist. But we also need to see if we can rule
out any creepy neighbors and fans, just in case but—”
“My gut tells me this is someone Morgan knows, someone she trusts. That his
identity is going to shock her to her toes.”
As he gripped the arms of his chair, concern for Morgan gnawed at Jack’s calm. This
guy wasn’t patient, and Jack was sure it would be a whole lot scarier before they finally
caught the bastard and put a stop to his shit.
“Exactly.”
“So you have to stay close to Morgan, watch her twentyfour/seven,” Deke pointed out.
Wasn’t that going to be a big help in unknotting his gut and getting his head screwed
back on straight?
“Yeah.”
With a toss of his head, Deke howled with laughter. “And you want her again so bad
you can’t see straight.”
Jack sighed. He hated being a transparent as glass. “Yeah.”
The question was, revenge or Morgan? Which should he choose?
#
“Take care, Morgan.” Deke paused at the cottage’s front door late that afternoon.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
From his lofty height, he looked down, his unusual blue eyes swirling with concern.
He cupped her shoulder gently. “I’m going to have these original photos examined for
any forensic evidence we can find. In the meantime, Jack will take care of you.”
Morgan had liked Deke right away. His angular face softened up with a smile. He just
seemed…nice. Definitely strong enough to protect. And he was easy to joke with.
Probably easy to talk to, as well.
Unlike some people.
Morgan darted a glance to her right, at Jack. His gaze was fixed on Deke’s palm
caressing her shoulder. His glower couldn’t be mistaken for anything else. What was up
with him?
“If Jack doesn’t take care of you, you walk over to that phone,” Deke pointed to the
sleek black unit mounted on the wall, “and call me. I’m the second speed dial button. I’ll
rush right out to give you whatever you need.” He winked.
Morgan wagged a chastising finger at him, but she couldn’t completely erase her
smile. His teasing flirtation coaxed her. The man was a born flirt. He probably had
women foaming at the mouth for his attention, but it was sweet of him to keep the mood
light when both her safety and her sex life were weighing heavy on her mind.
Another glance at Jack told her that he was not amused. Not in the least.
“Thanks,” she murmured. “I’ll be eager to hear if you found any fingerprints on the
photos. Or anything that might help.”
With another caress of her shoulder, Deke waggled his brows at her. “I’ll definitely
keep in touch.”
Again, she laughed. Then he waved at Jack and made his way out to the sunset-
drenched swamp.
When the door shut, leaving her alone with Jack, sudden silence thrummed around
her. Her smile died. In the distance, she heard Deke’s boat splash away from the little
dock. Inside, her heartbeat picked up its pace. Tension wrapped around her. Morgan had
no idea why, but she didn’t question the thick air.
“Thank you for asking him to help. I’m grateful to have any extra assistance that
might identify this stalker so I can have my life back.”
Jack paused a long time before answering. “Deke is smart and well-connected. If
there’s any forensic evidence to be found on those photos, he’ll turn it up.”
“Good.” She nodded.
Then the awkward silence fell. She couldn’t read Jack’s expression, but she felt his
displeasure churning the air. Morgan frowned, completely confused. Did he think her
flirtation with Deke meant something? Would he care if it had? Or was he just annoyed