Trace stood at the edge of the patio, a file folder held loosely in one hand, his gaze focused on the lake.

Jackson wasn’t fooled. Trace never missed a thing.

After Alani put up her chin in defiance and marched in, Jackson went to sit on the lounge chair. “Okay, let’s hear it. Make it quick, though, because I can guarantee that your sister won’t hide for long.”

“It’s not in her nature,” Trace agreed, still looking at the lake. Then lower, maybe even with a little humor: “I can’t believe she was skinny-dipping.”

Not about to comment on that, Jackson sat forward, his forearms on his knees, and waited.

Trace surprised him by saying, “You’re good for her.” He turned to look at Jackson. “The animals who took her did damage, but they didn’t break her. She’s coming into her own—more so with you than ever before.”

Jackson didn’t know what to say to that, so he said nothing. Alani would be fine. She was fine.

Despite her naturally reserved personality and circumspect manners, she was stronger than her brother knew.

“I hope you realize the predicament you’re in.”

Course he did, but still Jackson said, “Meaning?”

Trace shrugged. “If you do anything to hurt her, it’s not going to sit well. With Dare or me.”

“Yeah.” Jackson stared down at his slack hands. “Thing is, I couldn’t stay away from her.”

“I know.” Trace went steely again. “Marc Tobin knows it, too, as does someone else. And that’s why I’m here.”

His worst suspicions confirmed, Jackson closed his eyes. “Shit.”

“You’ll have to handle Alani.”

That got his eyes open again. “What the hell does that mean?”

“It means she’s going to be in the middle of this—”

“No way.”

“—and it looks like you’re the one who’ll have to ensure she does as told.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“You started this, Jackson. You changed the dynamics of the relationship. Sooner or later she has to accept what you do and how you do it.” As if it hurt him to say it, Trace ground out the words. “You’re the one she’ll listen to now, not me. So it’s up to you to make sure she toes the line, and that she stays safe.”

Jackson had a very bad feeling. “Spit it out, damn it.”

“You’re going on a shit mission.”

“To see Tobin?”

Trace nodded. “And Alani has to go with you.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

STUNNED, ALANI PAUSED in the doorway.

Unwilling to be left in the dark, she’d hastily thrown on an oversize T-shirt over her suit bottoms. Her wet hair hung in tangles down her back. Grass clung to her still-damp feet.

She’d rushed back out, ready to force her way into the conversation.

But what was that about her going on a mission?

Without really giving it much thought, she decided to listen in again.

But it didn’t work.

Coiled with tension, Jackson looked toward where she hid. “Come on out, Alani.”

Trace seconded that, saying, “This concerns you, too, honey.”

Knowing her face bloomed with guilty color, Alani stepped into the bright sunshine. “Trace.” When all else failed, she resorted to impeccable manners. “We weren’t expecting you.”

Unlike Jackson, Trace hid his aggression with a crooked smile. “Obviously.” He nodded toward Jackson. “Take a seat, okay?”

“Could I get you something to drink first?”

“No.” He strode to her and took her arm, urging her to the seat.

Next to Jackson.

She could feel the urgency in the air, the charge of hostility. It wasn’t directed at her, but it left her uneasy all the same.

Tapping a big file folder against his thigh, Trace said, “I wanted to talk to both of you about this.”

Jackson didn’t touch her, and she felt the loss of his attention like freezer burn. She looked from Jackson’s set profile back to Trace’s face. “What’s going on?”

“A lot, actually.” Trace pulled up a chair in front of them. “Tobin called for you, but he got me instead.”

“The son of a bitch called her?” Cold, detached, Jackson said softly, “I told him to stay the hell away from her.”

“And if he hadn’t been so desperate, he might have listened to your warning.”

“Desperate?” Alani didn’t know what to think. “Those people who fired at Jackson? Were they aiming for Marc? Has he been injured? Shot?”

“At this point, it’s anyone’s guess who was the target that night. Tobin says someone wants him dead. Wants the two of you dead, too.” Trace watched her. “I went to see him, but he’ll only talk to Jackson.”

A drumbeat of silence made her ears ring and compressed her lungs so that it was hard to breathe.

Trace inhaled. “And only if you’re there, too.”

“Fuck that.” Alive with fury, Jackson sat forward. “I’ll make him talk.”

“Sorry, but someone already tried that.”

Alani covered her mouth with a hand. “You?”

“No. He was already in the hospital when I saw him. But someone hurt him. Damn near killed him, actually.” Trace studied her. “He’s in a bad way.”