Chapter 3 #2
“If you insist,” she said, reaching for her backpack on the back of her chair.
“After you.” Simon gestured.
They made it to the sliding door before she realized Michael had taken Tyler into his arms and was following them.
Michael trailed them, the picture of casual disinterest—or so he told himself—but his eyes had locked on Simon’s hand which had lingered too long on Jayda’s arm back in the dining car.
Simon always had that kind of charm, the kind that slid off his tongue like honey and fooled half the girls he met.
Smooth, polished, effortless. A politician in the making, if he ever wanted to run for office.
And now he was using it on Jayda.
Michael’s jaw tightened. He didn’t know why it bothered him.
Jayda Simone was nothing but trouble—had been since she was fourteen and strutted into his house with that mix of defiance and mischief.
She had a way of stirring things up without even trying.
She’d grown up to be the same type of woman—dangerous.
Simon leaned closer as they walked down the narrow corridor of the train, whispering something that made Jayda’s lips curve. Not quite a laugh but close enough to heat Michael’s blood.
“Jayda! Wait for us!” Tyler shouted from Michael’s arms.
Jayda looked back, but her gaze met Michael’s, silently asking why he was with them. He wanted to tell her he was there for her protection, but that she would never receive well. She needed it, regardless of what she believed. She was dangerous, but Simon was trouble.
When Jayda stopped at room 18, he realized she was next to his 19. He hadn’t been expecting his mother to put them so close. He held his tongue about announcing the find.
“Will you look at that?” Simon said. “We’re neighbors. Room 17. If I get scared, maybe I’ll knock.”
Michael snorted. The man had nerve. Michael opened his mouth to intervene, but Jayda glanced back at him, almost as if she was daring him to say anything.
But why? He wasn’t her keeper. He wasn’t anything to her.
But he didn’t like the way Simon hovered so close to her, eyes glinting with a cocky smile.
“Sure,” Jayda said lightly, giving Timothy’s cheek a playful squeeze then taking him from Simon. “We’ll help you if you get scared, won’t we, Timmy and Tyler?”
Simon chuckled, leaning against the wall like he owned the train. “Not really what I had in mind.”
That did it. Michael stepped forward, sliding in beside Jayda and putting Tyler down beside his brother. Michael’s shoulder brushed Jayda’s. “Take the hint, Simon. That was a don’t bother knocking.”
Jayda’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me? You don’t speak for me, Michael.”
Michael stammered, realizing what he had just done, as if it was any of his business.
“I just mean you don’t know who else is on this train, and…
and if you’re opening your door to anyone who knocks, it could be dangerous.
” His voice was sharper than he had intended, but he wasn’t backing down.
Not with Simon watching, smirk widening.
The con man was setting his sights on Jayda of all people.
Not that Michael should care at all, which he didn’t. But he’d seen enough crime in his job to recognize a disaster brewing.
Simon lifted an eyebrow. “I think Jayda can take care of herself, Mike. The woman’s an attorney.”
“Well, technically not yet,” Jayda said.
Simon continued as though she hadn’t spoken. “Or is it me you have an issue with, cuz?”
Michael glared at Simon. “I have an issue with people being taken advantage of.”
“Oh, please, Michael,” Jayda interrupted. “You act like you’re some crusader. You would have kicked me to the curb if Ginny had let you.”
“Yes, because you took advantage of my parents.”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Michael wished to suck them back in. The shock on Jayda’s face dulled to misty eyes.
“I think I need to…go lie down. Excuse me.” Jayda fumbled to open her door.
Michael touched her shoulder. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”
“Way to go, cousin,” Simon said. “And you accuse me of brewing up a disaster. I’d say you’ve got that covered all on your own.”
“Can we stay with you? Please, please, pleeease?” Timmy whined, his wide eyes flashing up at Jayda, begging.
Jayda bent low, laughing softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I don’t think the conductor would approve of an all-night slumber party.”
“But you said we could,” Timmy insisted, a pout forming.
Michael caught the flicker of hesitation in Jayda’s eyes. She was cornered.
And he had caused her to be. Not Simon but him.
Simon chuckled with an ease Michael detested…and envied. “Come on, you two. How about some ice cream?” He bent down, his voice lowering to a teasing whisper. “Though I can’t say I blame you for wanting to hang out with Jayda.”
“Yay!” Tyler shouted and jumped into Simon’s arms.
The hall closed in on Michael, stealing his breath from his lungs. His plan to help Jayda had only made him the bad guy.
Timmy pulled Jayda’s hand. “Come with us for ice cream.”
Jayda pushed open the door to two bunks, a narrow fold-down seat, barely enough room for four people to stand without bumping shoulders.
“As yummy as that sounds, I think I’m going to rest for a little while. Simon, would you take the boys for their treat?”
“Absolutely,” Simon said. He ushered Jayda into her cabin, his hand grazing her back, and Michael fought the impulse to grab his cousin by the collar.
Jayda glanced around, smile brittle at the edges. “Cozy.”
“Claustrophobic,” Michael muttered.
“Homey,” Simon countered, throwing him a grin that was equal parts challenge and charm.
Michael snorted before he could stop himself.
Jayda turned his way, those sharp dark eyes narrowing on him. “What’s your problem?”
“My problem,” Michael said, crossing his arms, “is that I don’t buy this little act you’re putting on. You don’t fool me, Jayda. Something’s going on. I want to know who those men were. Tell me, and I’ll leave you alone.”
The twins went silent, sensing the shift. Even Simon’s smile dimmed, and his eyes narrowed at Michael.
Jayda’s mask snapped back into place. “It’s none of your business.”
“Correction,” Michael said, voice low. “It is my business. Because whatever mess you’re tangled in, you dragged it to this train. With my family.”
“I would never put your family at risk.”
“For your sake, I hope not.”
Simon whistled softly, amused. “Well, aren’t you two entertaining? What’s this danger you’re talking about?”
“Nothing,” both Michael and Jayda said simultaneously, daring each other to say more.
Simon’s eyebrows arched in disbelief. “You’ll have to do better than that. But fine, play that game. Let’s go, boys. Ice cream awaits. These two have something going on.”
Jayda scoffed, heat rushing to her cheeks. “Not even close.”
Michael wanted to agree. He should have agreed. Instead, he glared at Simon, silently daring him to keep pushing.
The twins, oblivious to the deeper tension, tugged on Jayda’s sleeve. “Can we please sleep here tonight?”
Jayda softened immediately, touching their hair tenderly. “Do you promise to behave?”
Michael leaned back, arms crossed, watching the scene with a complicated twist in his chest. She looked…natural with them. The instant connection between them surprised him. Her kindness toward them caught him off guard. It wasn’t like her to care. But it was obvious that she did.
And for some reason, that thought unsettled him more than Simon’s flirting.
What else had he missed about Jayda? And was it too late to change that?
The memory of those men with guns said it couldn’t be, no matter how much she pushed him away.
“I’ll be next door if you need me,” Michael said, exiting the cabin.
“Don’t worry, she won’t.” Simon smirked. He handed his extra key card to Jayda. “Just in case,” he said to her with a wink, and the two left Michael behind.
Michael stood in the narrow hallway. The air in the tight space grew thick with unspoken tension. Three adults in a space too small for their egos, their secrets, their suspicions.
And it was only day one.