HazardsDare (23 page)

Avery squeezed his hand. “I’d love that. I’m already
attached to the friends I’ve made here. There’s also the fact that in Dare
we’re free from the watchful eyes of my brother.”

“Now see, once we talk to Alex, I’m not going to hide how I
feel about you. What we do behind closed doors is none of his business.”

“I agree. I guess I’m a little paranoid.”

“Can I suggest something?”

“Please,” she agreed, clutching his fingers.

“You’ve got Morgan, Eve, Sam and Cassie to confide in when
you go home.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Go out on ladies’ nights when you’re feeling lonely. I’ll
be there for you as much as I can by phone, Skype, whatever, but your
girlfriends seem like great ladies. I know Morgan fairly well, ditto for Cassie
and Sam from her telethon and Dallas’ wedding.”

“Morgan’s the one who told me I was destined to find my soul
mate here in Dare. She believed it was someone I knew, but wasn’t ready to see.
I think she meant you.”

“Her abilities freak me out at times. She told me pretty
much the same thing,” he said. “She also warned that there was some danger here
for you, but later believed it passed because of me.”

“She did? When was that?”

“The first night, by text,” he answered. “She must have
contacted Alex, who contacted me.”

“Alexander texted you about me? When was that?”

“A few times that first night,” he answered.

“Before or after we met up?”

He couldn’t lie to her. “Both. He was worried about you
because of Morgan’s concern. He’d tried to get ahold of you. He knew I was in
Dare and decided to reach out to me. It’s one of the reasons I had Sawyer look
into John.”

“My brother asked you to watch over me, didn’t he?”

“He was being a brother,” Hazard answered.

“Sounds like he wanted you to be my bodyguard,” she
commented.

Knowing what happened with the secret bodyguard her father
hired when she went to college, Hazard wanted to kick his own ass for not
telling her about the texts days ago.

“No, baby,” he said, trying to reassure her. “I never
thought of myself as your bodyguard. I can’t say what Alex thought at the time,
other than he was worried. I promised I’d look after you and that’s what I’ve
done.”

“That explains why my safety net back home was easy to appease
when I texted to let them know I was fine.”

“Are you mad that I didn’t tell you sooner? It wasn’t
deliberate, but I should have and I’m sorry.”

“If you didn’t sound so sincere, I might have gotten really
angry at you. If I did flip out without trying to talk it out with you, we
wouldn’t have after our vacation. I’ve learned a lot about you, Hazard.”

“What was that?”

“On the football field and to your fans, you are hazardous
to any team’s offense. When it comes to your friends or those you love, you are
genuine and confident.”

“Thank you,” he said, taking a moment to look over at her.
Something was wrong. She might not be angry at him, but she was upset with
someone. “I’m sensing that you’re stewing about something.

She shook her head. “Not about you, at my brother.”

Hazard refocused on the road. “In his defense, if I’d
thought my sister was in danger, you better believe I’d find a way to protect
her.”

“Just tell me one thing,” she requested.

“Anything,” he promised.

“Did you know I was coming to the Truth or Dare Club before
I arrived?”

“I knew from the text that you were in Dare. I zipped back a
reply to Alex, thinking I’d find you after my set. Blew me away when you walked
through the door two seconds later,” he admitted.

“Our attraction to each other is mutual, right?”

“I’d say it started at the hospital. I just wasn’t ready to
act on it until I found out Timothy was no longer part your life. Thankfully,
the danger went away and we were able to be together without problems.”

“Then you’re not with me because Alexander put you up to it
when he called.”

“Avery, I fell in love with you because of who you are, not
because of your brother or your family connections.”

He didn’t take his eyes off the road again, but heard her
expel a breath. “Thank you for being honest.”

“I can’t promise not to screw up in the future, just don’t
doubt that my feelings are real.”

“I’m glad you told me about the texts. When we sit down with
Alexander, I’m going to tell him to butt out.”

“He won’t, baby. If he sensed something happened to you or
that you were in danger, he’d rightfully pull out all the stops to help you.”

Avery chuckled softly. “You’re right. Alexander doesn’t know
how to back down if he wants his way. He’s tenacious as a bull terrier.”

“Why do you think I chose him to be my agent? He fights for
the rights of his athletes, not only while they are playing, but for when they
retire.”

“You are fortunate to have him on your side.”

“So are you,” he pointed out.

They drove on, heading toward the mountains. About
thirty-five minutes later, he turned onto the narrow drive that wound up to
Jax’s home. It took fifteen minutes to make it without scraping the brush
lining the one-lane rocky road.

Dark as it was by that time, he could make out the
headlights of a car cresting the top of the drive. A couple minutes later,
Hazard drew up beside a posh SUV-type limousine that was as big as a passenger
bus.

The driver, a tall woman dressed in a black tux, with a
white shirt and chauffeur’s hat atop what appeared to be vivid red hair tucked
beneath, got out and opened the big door to allow her passengers to exit.

Four people popped out, three women, one Gabriel Krystiyan.

“Am I seeing triple?” Avery asked, apparently taking note of
the similar size, hair and skin coloring of the ladies.

“Gabriel recently broke things off with the woman he’d been
seeing. There’s no reason for him not to bring whoever he wants.”

“Maybe they’re part of his stage show. Although they don’t
look like any I saw that night. Then again, a certain linebacker distracted me
with sex halfway through.”

“You liked being fucked on that balcony.”

“I did. The possibility that someone may have seen us made
it all the better. Still doesn’t answer my question.”

“Gabriel doesn’t get romantically involved with his
assistants. It’d create too much havoc backstage and they need to completely
trust him, especially when some illusions can be dangerous. It’s possible that
his dates are part of his fan club.”

“Ah, could be.”

“Too bad we don’t have our own driver. I could have kept you
busy in the backseat during the drive up here.”

“You certainly could have. That’s something I’m adding to my
bucket list.”

Avery waited for him to walk around and help her out of the
SUV. Gabriel’s dates huddled close to him. The limo driver watched the foursome
with a frown and tugged her hat low over her eyes.

“You think she’ll wait here during the party?” Avery asked.

“She might. If I were Gabriel, I’d want her to stay for her
safety.”

“Does he usually have a driver?”

“Gabriel has a collection of exotic cars and loves to drive
whenever possible. He does keep a chauffeur on staff to pick him up from
airports or transport him to Vegas when he’s going to be tied up with
conference calls or business. Maybe he chose the Hummer because he didn’t want
to get caught up here if it snows.”

“Perhaps he’s planning on drinking?”

“First rule for any guest at Jax’s house intending to use
one of his dungeons or playrooms is no alcohol, no drugs,” Hazard told Avery.
“If guests want to make their way to one of the playrooms or dungeons, all must
consent to do so without alcohol or drugs swaying their decisions.”

Hazard looked over at Gabriel, taking note that his friend
was ignoring his dates in favor of the limo driver, who kept shaking her head
no in response to something he’d asked of her.

“Come inside, Ms. Anderson. It’s cold out and feels like it
might snow.” Gabriel spoke in a low, emphatic voice and offered his trademark
smile.

Ms. Anderson spoke back softly, though she had a nice voice
that carried. “It would not be proper, sir.” She ended up climbing back into
the car and closing the driver’s side door, shutting Gabriel out.

That was a first. Hazard didn’t think there was a woman
alive who couldn’t be charmed by Gabriel.

Gabriel scowled at the closed door, then turned to his
dates. They instantly clustered to his side, giggling when he whispered to
them.

“Interesting, I think the smallest woman standing to
Gabriel’s left was on an actual reality TV show,” Avery commented.

Hazard didn’t watch reality TV, so he wouldn’t know who the
smallest woman was.

The women were Gabriel’s type, petite and femininely curvy.
Each had long dark hair, a Latino complexion or salon-tanned skin. Even though
they wore winter coats, the lapels were left open so no one could miss seeing
their cleavage or chic Hollywood-style dresses.

Gabriel paused one more time to knock on the driver’s
window. The window went down. The driver leaned out, shaking her head.

Ms. Anderson was the polar opposite in size and complexion
of Gabriel’s dates. At a guess, Hazard would say she was Scottish or Irish.
Despite the hat and her frown, the she was incredibly pretty, with wholesome
facial features and a tall, somewhat boyish figure, likely due to the tuxedo
she was wearing.

Despite Gabriel’s attempt to charm her, she shook her head
and closed the window. Hazard took her disappearance as a cue to approach
Gabriel.

“Nice to see you, my man,” Hazard greeted, shaking his
friend’s hand. Gabriel’s grip was firm.

“Back at you,” Gabriel said. “Ladies, this is Trevor and his
girlfriend, Avery.”

“Hi,” the dark-haired woman to Gabriel’s left said. “I’m
Marcia Sanchez. I run Gabriel’s online fan club. If I may, you’re as big as
football player.”

“I’m a linebacker for the Alexandria Griffins. Most call me
Hazard,” he said.

“That’s right,” Maria said. “Your team is in the playoffs.
What are you doing in Nevada?”

“Vacationing with Avery,” he answered.

“Hi, Marcia, nice to meet you,” Avery said in kind. “I hope
this doesn’t sound weird, but you look familiar.”

“I had a brief brush of fame as a runner-up on
College
Co-Eds, UNLV
.”

“That’s why I recognized you. Glad to know Gabriel’s fan
club is in good hands.”

Gabriel moved forward. “Jacinta and Alicia, meet my
friends,” he introduced politely.

“Hi,” they said in unison. If it weren’t for one having a
salon-tan and the other having a naturally dark-olive skin, they could have
been sisters.

“What happened to your usual driver, Gabriel?” Hazard asked.

“He’s sick. Sent his daughter in his place,” Gabriel
answered, looking at his dates. “Excuse us one moment, ladies.”

Politely, they drew back to talk to each other. They were a
little giggly, but seemed nice enough.

“Is there a problem?” Avery asked. “You didn’t look happy
when you spoke to her.”

“I simply invited her inside. Even though the limo is
luxurious and warm, I don’t want her to be bored or have to wait alone out
here. She refused, three times.”

Avery smiled. “You’re concerned about her.”

“Absolutely,” he stated.

“Did you explain your concern?”

“I tried. She’s stubborn as a mule, insisting I’d not have
made the same offer to her dad.”

“Would you have invited her dad inside?” Avery asked.

“Yes.”

“Would you have gotten so protective with her father if he’d
said he’d wait in the stretched-out Hummer?”

“I don’t know. It would depend on the circumstances. I meant
well, Avery.”

“Did you tell her that or turn all alpha?”

“I got a little impatient, but I wasn’t mean. Not sure
what’s got her riled. Something was wrong when she arrived. She looked
stressed.”

“Maybe she wanted to put forth a professional image, since
she’s a stand-in for her dad. There’s also the fact that you’re famous and
you’ve got three dates.”

“The ladies are friends, nothing more. Can you convince her
to come in, Avery?” Gabriel asked.

“Sure, I’ll give it a try, as long as you promise not to get
bossy with her. Not all women are attracted to alpha males.”

Avery went over and knocked. The window went down, the two
of them whispered to each other. A minute later, the driver got out and Avery
stayed with her as they made their way to the front door.

Jaxon opened up the door, saw them and immediately beckoned
them forward. Hazard followed Gabriel and his female friends.

Another car pulled up before the door closed. Hazard turned,
saw Sawyer get out with two women and a guy in a cowboy hat.

“Sawyer, hey man,” Hazard called out. “Glad you guys made
it.”

Sawyer waited until the four of them were inside the house
to speak. “Good to see you, buddy. Meet my new foreman, Travis Ross. Travis,
this is Hazard.”

“Hi, nice to meet you,” Hazard said, shaking hands with the
fit man who was a little taller than Avery. “Welcome to Dare.”

“Appreciate the welcome,” Travis replied. He was dressed
casually in khakis and a nice shirt and brown loafers. “It’s good to be here.”

Vaguely recognizing one of the women, Hazard looked at the
brunette. “You’re Sarah Callahan, the librarian, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am, Mr. Osbourne,” she answered.

“Hazard’s fine,” he insisted. “Welcome to Jaxon’s place.”

“I admit it. Everyone in town wants an invite to Mr.
Wynter’s house.”

“Hi, Hazard, I’m Mara, Sarah’s sister.” Mara had
lighter-brown hair than her sister. It was difficult to tell who was older, but
Hazard figured more introductions would happen inside. “I’m new to the area and
was invited to meet some friends.”