His threat was not a bluff because I could see it in his eyes. “My father was big into gambling. I didn’t know until later that we moved around a lot because he’d made enemies. One night, he lost big and didn’t have the money to pay. Before he could get us out of town, the men came . . .” My voice cracked and took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly.
“My father was able to get me out of the house unseen and he told me to run, so I did. They were coming for me as payment. It wasn’t until I was working for the bureau that I saw what they did to them. My uncle lied to me and said they were shot, but that wasn’t the case. They raped my mother in front of my father and then beat her to death. The men left, leaving my father alive, but he ended up taking his own life before the cops arrived.”
Tears fell down my cheeks and Jason let go of my wrists so he could wipe them off. I flinched at the contact. “I’m sorry, Aylee.”
“Not many people know. I don’t ever talk about it. At the time, I was living in Florida, but then moved to Maine to be with my uncle and his boyfriend. Now they’re married. When I got older, I went to school and was lucky enough to get where I am today.”
“Did the police ever catch the men who killed your parents?”
I shook my head. “I did. I got good at tracking people and I found them.”
Instead of checking my pulse, he caressed his thumbs soothingly across my wrists. “Then what did you do?”
“I killed both of them. It took three miserable weeks of being undercover and when one of them attacked me, I put a bullet in his head.”
“Were you there alone or did you have a partner?”
My jaw clenched. “I had one. He betrayed me for fifty thousand dollars and told them who I was. Too bad he never got the money. Once they had me in their grasp, they killed him, but not before he was able to wound the other guy. If he hadn’t done that, I don’t know if I’d be here right now.” I lowered my head.
“I think your trust issues are warranted.”
I wiped my eyes. “Being untraceable helps me feel safe. That’s why I changed to my mother’s maiden name, McFadden.”
“Are you Irish?”
I nodded. “My mother’s side. She was going to take me to Ireland, but never got the chance. I have my uncle though. He’s all the family I ever needed.” Sliding out of the chair, he let me go so I could walk into the living room. “Are we done with the questions?”
“Not unless you want to ask me some,” he countered.
I glanced back at him. “I already know everything about you, remember?”
He chuckled. “Maybe, but I’m sure there’s a lot you don’t.”
His statement was true, but we didn’t have the time. “You’re right, but it’s getting late. I just hope I’ve earned a little bit of your trust.”
He put his hand on my shoulder and turned me around. “You have, but I have yet to earn yours.”
I shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I learned to take care of myself a long time ago.” Stalking past him, I picked up my clutch and stood by the door. “Ready?”
He joined me and slid on his black blazer. “One way or another, I will earn your trust. Even if you don’t believe me, I do take this job seriously. I won’t fail you like your last partner.”
We’ll see about that.
It was Saturday night and the Bellagio was packed. The strip really came alive at night. Vegas was indeed the city that never slept. Putting his hand on my waist and sliding it down, Jason leaned toward my ear. “Do you want to play tonight?” he asked, squeezing one of my butt cheeks in his palm.
I shook my head and smiled, speaking through clenched teeth. “After I break your hand, I might.”
Laughing, he moved his hand away. “Just keeping you on your toes, firecracker.”
“More like setting yourself up for harassment charges. I think I’m just going to follow you around. If we do find who we’re looking for, I need to look like arm candy—not a woman who could obviously dominate you.”
He held out his arm. “Let’s go then, before you turn me on any further.”