Page 77 of Impulse

“Don’t ask, please,” she whispered, her voice shaking.“Let’s just go.”

He rushed her into the helicopter.Her niece called Jillian’s name several times, but Lex doubted Jillian heard her.Instead, she stared at her hands and twisted the straps of the duffel bag.Lex lifted Sophia from the front seat and forced the little girl to focus on him.

“I’m going to set you down now, princess, and I want you to run to the house,” he said.

“Why?”Sophia asked, her eyes volleying between his face and Jillian’s.

“Because the blades of the helicopter are very dangerous and they whip up everything in the air, even little girls.

Her eyes widened.“Is Aunt Jillian sick?”

“She’s not feeling too good, but she’ll be okay after I take her home.”Their front door opened, and a man around Jillian’s age stepped out.He wore the same shell-shocked expression as Jillian.He stared at Lex and Sophia, then the helicopter and saw Jillian.Determination settled on his face as he cut across the lawn.

“Daddy, Aunt Jillian is sick,” Sophia said, wiggling from Lex’s arms and running to the man.

Her father scooped her up, his tortured eyes going back to Jillian, who stared straight ahead.Lex cleared his throat, drawing the man’s attention.

“Oh, hey,” the man said, but he didn’t make an effort to introduce himself or focus on him.

“I’m Lex, Jillian’s friend,” Lex said.

Once again, the man spared him a brief glance before his eyes sought Jillian.Lex wasn’t used to being ignored.Something bad had happened inside the house to make brother and sister look like their world was falling apart.

“Jilly,” he said tentatively, and she flinched.She didn’t even look at him.

Okay, time to go.

“We have to leave,” Lex said firmly and slid beside Jillian.Sophia’s father finally looked at him, his eyes narrowing.While Jillian was fair in complexion, this man was dark-haired with tanned skin and piercing green eyes his daughter had inherited.

“You’re the dude withmy sisterin the papers?”he asked, stressing the words my sister.

Jillian stiffened beside Lex.Lex nodded.“Yes.”

The younger man swallowed, his eyes begging.“She deserves the best, so treat her right.”

“I intend to.It’s been nice meeting you…”

“Patrick Finnegan,” the man said and shifted so he could see past Lex to Jillian before adding, “Jillian’s brother.”

“Let’s go, Lex,” Jillian whispered.She leaned forward and glared at Sophia’s father.“Ricky, we have to go.”

Her brother scowled.“I’ll come visit—”

“Don’t bother,” Jillian snapped.

“As soon as we’re done here,” Ricky finished as though she hadn’t spoken.“I mean it, Jillian.I’ll come find you.”He waited expectantly for her response, but she had leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes.

Ricky shook his head and stepped back, then turned and carried Sophia to the safety of their porch.Just before they took off, several men and women joined them.The Finnegan family must have had one hell of a meeting, because from the look on their faces, it hadn’t gone well.

Jillian was tense, her knuckles white on the strap of the bag.Lex reached out and covered her hand.She cringed, but he didn’t let go.Tremors shot through her body, making him want to gather her in his arms.Halfway back to L.A., her hand opened and gripped his.He angled his body in case she wanted to rest her head on his shoulder.Her body stayed stiff and unyielding despite their clasped hands.

“Can Mathews drop me at home?”she asked.

“No.”There was no way he was letting her out of his sight.“You promised me the weekend, except Friday when you’re doing something with your brothers.”

“That’s been canceled.”

“So I get Friday, too?”he asked.