Page 59 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

Jake didn’t know when he’d made the decision to drive here. He certainly didn’t know why he’d decided to get out of his car.

Actually, that was a lie. He knew exactly why he was stalking up the uneven sidewalk to the old shotgun-style home. He’d endured all that he could from his rented SUV. If he had to stomach one more minute watching his former friend betray him, he wouldn’t be responsible for his actions.

That’s why he’d slammed his door and began this suicidal march.

It wasn’t a good plan. Hell, it wasn’t even a plan.

But Jake had always been a man of action.

His track record gave him the confidence to run headlong into danger.

And right now, the nauseating scene was driving him into dangerous territory.

Maybe not physically, but the thrum of blood raging through his veins evoked his body’s involuntary fight-or-flight instinct.

For Jake, there was no question. The answer was always fight.

Though now that he was striding up to Flynn’s front porch, he wished he’d had enough restraint to stop himself. Especially once Dana spotted him.

The look on her face was not a happy one. Shock, fear and anxiety mixed with a myriad of emotions, flashed across her face like an unwelcome neon sign.

This isn’t a good idea, Jake.

He knew that. But his internal pep talk was too late. He was in New Orleans, and he wasn’t leaving without what he’d come for.

Witnessing the closeness between Dana and Flynn hit Jake where it hurt.

Their laughter and flirtation brought his worst fears to life.

He should’ve never given Dana space. Not if it meant losing her.

He should’ve listened to his inner caveman, chased her down and hauled her fine ass back to D.C.

where he could lock her in his bedroom until he made her understand where she belonged.

But it was too late for that.

Jake’s boots thundered up the creaking front porch steps, drawing Flynn’s attention. Whatever he’d been in the middle of saying to Dana was interrupted at the sight of Jake darkening his doorstep.

Flynn recovered quicker than Dana, rushing to greet Jake with an unwelcome man hug.

“I’ll be damned. Jake Shepard!” After a bone crushing exchange where both men thumped each other on the back with too much force, Flynn stepped back, that familiar toothy grin spreading across his face.

“What the hell are you doing in Nawlins, brother?”

Brother? Huh! Jake ignored the traitorous greeting. He didn’t have time for pleasantries. He looked directly at Dana. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with you.”

Dana’s face paled. “What happened?”

“Nothing, yet.”

To his credit, Flynn could still read a room. He stepped back, opening a pathway to his front door. “Do you two need some privacy to talk?”

“Not here. I’m at the Monteleone. I’m giving you a ride back,” Jake said to Dana. “We can talk there.”

Unwilling to wait for an answer, Jake turned and stalked back toward his vehicle.

He hated that he turned back when he didn’t immediately hear Dana’s footsteps behind him. He hated it even more that it bothered him to see Dana exchanging hushed words with Flynn.