Grave Secrets (Manhunters 1)

Her frustration rose. Her sense of control plummeted. “It’s obvious I have no idea who I was with last night.”

How had this happened? Since she’d walked away from Hank, she’d developed personal barriers that had strengthened over time. How had this man slipped through a crack she hadn’t even realized was there and invaded the security she’d created for herself and Jamison so damn quickly?

“God,” she whispered, rubbing her forehead. “I’m so stupid.”

“You’re not stupid,” he insisted.

She huffed a laugh, disgusted with herself. “What do you call dropping all my defenses for a smile from one hot guy?”

“I call that attraction.”

She cut a look at him. “It’s not attraction when you were ordered to act like you care.”

“I wasn’t.” He met her gaze with equal frustration. “I do care.”

“This conversation is pointless.” She turned her gaze out the windshield, focusing on the taillights of Everly’s Jeep.

When would she learn? She’d been taught the same lesson over and over throughout her life, yet she kept making the same mistake. Every time she thought she’d found someone genuine and committed, they morphed and changed into something completely different.

Her father had taught her that men don’t stay. Her mother had taught her that she didn’t matter, she wasn’t worth fighting for, wasn’t worth loving. Hank had combined both of her parents’ lessons into one ugly mess of a marriage.

And now Ian had confirmed all of it. That people say one thing and do another. That they make empty promises, then twist them to fit their own agenda.

The only thing that kept Savannah sane was Jamison. So pure, so innocent, so open and loving. The one person in the world who gave Savannah hope she could break this cycle in her life.

To do that now, Savannah needed to understand what was happening, who she was with, and how to secure her son’s safety.

“What branch of the military is this Manhunters team part of?” Her question came out flat and emotionless, signaling her internal barriers shoring up.

“I’m not in the military,” he said. “I’m on a nonmilitary security team. What I told you about my mom and retiring was true. All the important stuff you know about me is true.”

“Your truth, maybe. If it’s not military, what is this security team? Who are you working for?”

“The government.” He paused and added, “Indirectly.”

“Indirectly.” She laughed at his attempt to warp reality. “You either work for the government or you don’t.”

“I work for an agency that works for the government.” Frustration colored his tone.

“That’s convoluted at best.” Her voice rose with anger, despite knowing the emotion was futile and draining. “How can you expect me to believe anything you say at this point?”

“Why do you keep asking questions if you’re not going to believe anything I say?”

“Insanity, obviously,” she shot back.

“Mommy?” Jamison drew off his headphones with an irritated frown. “Could you talk quieter, please? I can’t hear my movie.”

Regret instantly pulled the plug on her anger. “Sure, honey.” She reached back and squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry.”

He slid his headphones back on with a sweet “Thank you.”

A smile flickered over her mouth. Softness filled her heart. Ian glanced back at Jamison, then at Savannah. The instant his eyes met hers, his mouth lifted with the same smile and in that instant, their affection for Jamison shone through the turmoil. Her heart screamed He’s a good man. But she forced logic to override her ignorant emotions.

Everly’s SUV turned onto another side road plowed into a single lane and pulled up behind an idling black Suburban. Three men exited the Suburban. They looked like they belonged here, wearing cargo pants and jeans, parkas, hats, snow boots. Everly parked and slid out of her Jeep to approach the men.

Savannah unbuckled her seat belt and looked at Jamison. When he pulled one of the earphones away from his head, Savannah said, “You stay in the truck where it’s warm. I’m just going to talk to some people and come right back.”

Then she opened the door as Ian slowed, prepared to slide out on the move.