She Does Know Jack

by Michaels, Donna

  “Okay, ladies.” Matthew pushed his dessert plate away and stood.

  Thank God. Jack jumped to his feet and stepped back, buttoning his suit while he got his body under control. He needed to put some space between him and the way too tempting dancer.

  Matthew glanced over and smiled before turning his attention back to the women. “Now that dinner is over, why don’t we retreat to the lounge? I’d like to play a little truth or dare.”

  “Truth or dare?” Brielle smiled at Matthew. Smart man! This could be a big help.

  “Yep, should be fun.” He winked down at her as he pulled her chair out. “Shall we?”

  Nodding, she took his arm and ignored his brother’s glare. Jack had caused enough discomfort during dinner. The constant brushes of leg, hip and arm. Jeez. She had no idea what she ate, having lost her ability to taste before the first course.

  “Okay, we need a table,” Matthew said when they entered the lounge.

  Brielle had been in there just before dinner, planting a bug, right after bugging the contestants’ rooms and all other pertinent areas of the ship.

  “This one looks good.” Mandy dragged the groom from Brielle’s grasp to a round table surrounded by chunky sofa-like chairs.

  “Perfect.” Matthew smiled, waiting for the girls to take their seats.

  Not wanting to be stuck next to his brother again, Brielle hurried to sit between Danni and Matthew, leaving Jack to take the seat between Mandy and Danni.

  Not so smart. That put him directly across from her. She drew in a breath. No matter, it was better than having his male, spicy-ocean scent tantalizing her senses all evening. Cripes. Her good parts were still tingling from dinner.

  “Okay, everyone. Here’s how it works,” Matthew said, placing a pile of index cards, face down, at the center of the table. “Going clockwise, we’ll each take the top card, like this. We'll read it out loud, then do what it says. I’ll go first.” He glanced at his card. “What was the most important decision you’ve ever made? That’s an easy one. ” He glanced up and smiled. “Coming on this show.”

  Her gaze met Jack’s, and she couldn’t help but wonder how he’d answer the same question. He, no doubt, would never even consider giving the same answer. As much as she’d like to think she wouldn’t either, Brielle knew it wasn’t true. Despite the pain in her heart, she couldn’t view all her time with Jack in a bad light. Some of their encounters had been the best in her life.

  Great. Now her throat was closing.

  “Okay, Mandy, you’re next,” Matthew exclaimed.

  Brielle didn’t bother to hide her sigh of relief. That put her last. Good. She sat back and worked on regaining control as she watched the blonde reach for a card.

  “Tell us something we don’t know about you.” The woman frowned, then the creases in her brow disappeared, and her eyes lit up. “Oh, I know. I had a boob job.”

  No shit. Brielle bit her tongue and forced herself to count to ten in a desperate attempt not to laugh.

  Danni didn’t bother. She laughed out loud. “Mandy, you’re supposed to tell us something we don’t know.”

  “You knew?” The hand model frowned again. “But how? Do you know Dr. Rosencrantz?” The blonde glanced down at her rounded chest. “He does great work, really.”

  The teacher shook her head. “Never mind.”

  Matthew patted Mandy’s hand. “I’d be happy to send him a thank you.”

  Brielle clenched her jaw and counted to twenty this time. The show certainly had its moments.

  Danni motioned to the deck. “You’re next, Jack.”

  He leaned forward and drew a card. “Reveal one of your secrets to the group.”

  Shoot. That would’ve been a good one for one of the girls. Still, Brielle’s pulse increased as she waited for Jack to reply. Surely he wouldn’t mention anything about them…

  His gaze shot to her and she completely stopped breathing. “Okay.” He sat back, still looking at her. “I have a tattoo—”

  “We know that,” Mandy cut him off.

  Brielle drew in a much needed gulp of air. She should’ve known he would never say anything about their…whatever they’d had. He may be an idiot, but he was still a gentleman.

  “Ah, but what you don’t know is why I have it.” His gaze traveled over the group, before it settled back on Brielle.

  She stared back, interested despite her vow to remain distanced.

  “I got it in the Middle East.”

  To her dismay, he stripped off his jacket and shirt, then pointed to his tattooed bicep. “The A represents Company A Airborne, and the two snakes twined around the sides signify the 2nd Battalion.”

  Brielle couldn’t help herself. She leaned forward and asked, “Do the two swords through the broken heart symbolize men lost?”

  Jack's gaze met hers with a measure of sorrow. “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry.” She swallowed. Uncle Franco had shared that painful part of war with her, many times. She knew the impact the loss of a comrade had on a person. The thought of Jack having gone through something similar tore at her gut.

  After staring at her for a few long moments, he nodded, then slipped his shirt back on. She was still contemplating whether to rejoice or be sad when Danni reached for a card.

  “Name two things you like about someone in this room.” She set the card down and smiled. “Okay. I’m going to choose Matthew as my subject and say… I like the way you treat everyone with kindness, and the way you make me feel.” Pink tinged her cheeks.

  Matthew reached for her hand and returned her smile. “Thank you, Danni. I like the way you make me feel, too.”

  “What about me? Don’t I make you feel anything?” Mandy grabbed his other arm, pouting up at him.

  “Yes, you do. In fact, you all make me feel good.” He transferred his smile to Brielle, and she caught his silent plea for help.

  “My turn.” She reached across the table and took a card, sending up a silent prayer that she’d be able to keep her dignity. Truth or dare, she really wasn’t crazy about either. Glancing at the card, alarm quickened her pulse as she quickly looked around.

  “Well, come on. What does it say?” Danni elbowed her.

  She dropped the card on the table, its red-markered words visible to all. “Stay away from him, or you’ll be sorry.”

  “Shit!” Jack jumped to his feet. “How the hell did that get in there?”

  Matthew stood up. “I don’t know. I didn’t write it. I swear. You can see by the others I used a black pen.”

  Jack nodded, then focused on her. “Why am I not surprised you drew that card?”

  She rose to her feet. “I hope you’re not insinuating that I put it there.”

  “Of course you didn’t,” Matthew said, grabbing her hand. “Things were crazy on this show long before you came on.”

  She turned to look at him and sighed. “I guess it means somebody here doesn’t like me.”

  The girls stood and shook their heads.

  “I like you,” Danni said with a frown. “I don’t understand why things keep happening to you.”

  “I like you, too, Brielle,” Mandy hastened to reassure.

  Brielle transferred her gaze to Jack. “Have you gotten the handwriting results back?”

  “Yes. Everyone was cleared.” He pulled out a hand held radio. “Rodriguez, gather the men and get up to the lounge, now.”

  “Affirmative,” echoed through the room.

  “Gee, thanks for telling us, Jack.” She scowled, tapping the table. “I think you’ll find this is the same handwriting as the others.”

  “Ah, so, what, you’re a handwriting expert now?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “No. But I am concerned. You have an intruder on board. Have your men searched this yacht?”

  “An intruder?”

  “Oh, no.”

  Danni and Mandy dropped back into their chairs.

  Matthew sent them a smile. “Now, we don’t know that for sure. Le
t’s allow Jack’s men to do their job.”

  “Yeah, we don’t need you girls jumping to conclusions.” Jack’s gaze bore into hers, warning her to watch her mouth.

  She lifted her chin. “Forgive me for not wanting to wake up on the bottom of the Pacific.”

  “Aren’t you being a bit dramatic?”

  “Am I?” She crossed her arms. “You’re the expert…you tell me.”

  “So help me, Brielle, if this is another ploy for attention…” His words trailed off as his threat went unvoiced.

  She threw her hands in the air and stepped toward him. “Oh for Pete’s sake! Get over it. Use your brain. Someone is egging me on.”

  “Maybe Brielle is right. Maybe she is in danger.” Matthew moved to her side and touched her arm.

  He was sweet, but it wasn’t his concern she wanted. She eyed his silent brother. Nothing. The deep concern from the amusement park had disappeared. He eyed her with nothing but suspicion.

  That was it. She was done. All her emotions over the futile case, threats and Jack bubbled into an explosion that blasted the last of her control.

  She swiveled to the nearest camera and let loose. “I hope I am in danger! And I hope whoever’s been causing these threats does try something. In fact. I dare you to!” She stepped closer to the lens. “Do you hear me? I dare you to!”

  “Enough!” Jack grabbed her arm and yanked her into the corner. “What the hell are you trying to do? Do you want to get killed?”

  “I thought you said I was being dramatic?” She jerked her arm free.

  He opened his mouth as if to yell, then clenched his jaw until it cracked. “You are the most…” He growled the rest of his sentence, concern breaking past the annoyance in his eyes. “Don’t you see, Brielle? That card might not have been intended for you, but by daring the culprit into action…you just put a big bull’s-eye on that pretty head of yours.” Gaze blazing, nostrils flaring, he backed her up against the wall. “What am I going to do with you?”

  Several responses sprang to mind, but she swallowed them past her racing heart. He was concerned about her after all.

  Reminding herself he was still on the naughty list, she cleared her throat. “Put a guard on me. Maybe you’ll get lucky, and someone will try something.”

  He blinked. “I…ah hell, Brielle.” He blinked again.

  “Look. I’m sorry if I’ve complicated things for you, Jack. I just wanted to help.” She touched his arm, and her body awoke when a fizzle of connection snapped between them. “This has gone on too long.”

  “Yes, but next time, do me a favor.” He lowered his voice and added, “Leave it to the professionals.”

  Son-of-a…

  Clamping her jaw, she whipped her gaze across the room to Matthew. He shook his head, aware of what she was asking. Dammit to hell! She was so sick of that promise. So honest-to-God sick of it! She squeezed her eyes shut and exhaled. “I hate this.”

  If she didn’t love her Uncle Franco…

  “Welcome to my world.” Jack’s words snapped her eyes open.

  They stared at each other for several beats. Her heart lurched. Thinned lips, dull eyes, fatigue tightening the skin across his cheekbones. Yeah. He seemed just as troubled.

  “We’re here, boss,” Rodriguez informed, rushing into the room with his men.

  Jack straightened, then turned around and took charge. “Okay, everyone, have a seat at that corner table until further notice.”

  Brielle wanted to go to her room and listen to her recording of the lounge. Surely, she’d caught something. But, she wasn’t running the show, so she held her tongue and did as she was told. It stunk not being able to do her job outright.

  Two hours and a bottle of shared wine later, Jack approached. Brielle shot to her feet, unable to sit and behave any longer. She had questions.

  “Okay. You can all go back to your rooms now. Sorry it took so long.” He poured himself a scotch at the nearby bar.

  “That’s okay. We continued our game, but without the cards,” Matthew said good-naturedly.

  Brielle reached for the scotch. A hundred and twenty minutes of playing teenage party games when she could’ve been working with Jack and his men had taken its toll. She needed a stiff drink.

  “Hey, easy there, Brielle.” He chuckled when she swiped the glass from his hand. “That’s not wine.”

  She tossed the drink back, slammed the glass on the bar and stared at him. “I know. Give me another.”

  His brows rose as he refilled the glass. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  She took a sip, then handed him the drink. “Believe me, I needed that.” Her head tipped at the giggling threesome.

  Dawning entered Jack’s eyes, and he smiled—looking almost approvingly at her. Her mouth dried. Neutral. She needed neutral-Jack.

  “Okay, so, can I go back to my room now?”

  “Yes, but not alone. Rodriguez, come here.” He waved to his men.

  She smiled at the approaching man. “Oh, he gets to be my roomie?”

  “No, he doesn’t get to be your roomie.” Jack scowled, mimicking her. “He’s to be posted outside your door. This way he can keep an eye on the hall, too.”

  “Ah, okay.” She slapped Rodriguez on the back. “Sorry, buddy, I tried. I wouldn’t have made you sleep on the floor.”

  Her smile broadened at the sound of Jack’s muffled oath. He still had feelings for her. That revelation lessened her pain. “I noticed a real nice comfy couch in there.” She watched the mirrored wall until their gazes met. Jack shook his head, lips twitching. Brielle’s chin lifted. Maybe there was still hope for them.

  Three laps into his mid-morning run and Jack didn’t feel any better. He’d slept fitfully. Between dreams of his brother getting hurt, interrupted by dreams of Brielle being sucked into a camera, he had some serious stress to relieve. He’d originally gone to the yacht’s gym, but the dancer had been there, sparring with Rodriguez. Jack pulled in a breath and upped his pace.

  The image of her in short shorts and sports bra beating the crap out of his top man did nothing to relieve his stress. Only added to it and made him regret the things he’d said to her last Tuesday even more. Maybe he’d been wrong. Maybe she wasn’t really after publicity. But why else would she have spouted that dare to the camera last night? Cursing, he broke into a sprint. He didn’t need this right now.

  “Jack! Jack, wait up,” Matthew called, forcing him to slow his strides. “I wanted to go over today’s activities with you.”

  Jack had all he could do not to groan. Christ. Please don’t let it involve Brielle in a bikini. He was only human.

  “Well, since it’s half past ten and Brielle’s the only girl awake,” his brother said, falling into step. “I was thinking after lunch we’ll do some snorkeling and lazing around on deck all afternoon.”

  Jack groaned.

  “What? You don’t like snorkeling?”

  “Oh, no, snorkeling will be just peachy, Matthew.” He upped his pace. Maybe he could outrun the foolishness that had become his life.

  Matthew laughed. “Peachy? Really, bro? What gives?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing? Then I’m sure you’ll be happy with my evening plans.” Matthew slapped his back, but Jack continued to jog in silence. “After dinner, I thought we could all dance under the stars.”

  Jack stumbled to a stop. “What?”

  “You heard me.” Matthew grabbed the rail. “I thought since it’s supposed to be a nice night, and I didn’t get to dance with all the girls at the club, that it’s only fair to make up for it here.”

  “Well, why not use the more than adequate disco lounge on the second floor?” Was his brother nuts? Out in the open? Hell no.

  “Because it’s much more romantic out here.” Matthew stared at him like he was the one who was crazy. “Where’s your romantic side, Jack?”

  “That’d be buried with my life, which has been put on hold the past two months.” He regre
tted the words the instant they left his mouth. “I’m sorry, Matthew. That wasn’t fair. I know none of this is your fault. But I’m doing the best I can.”

  “I know you are, Jack. That’s why I think it’d be great to see you smiling again. And I know being in Brielle’s arms is a sure way to make that happen.”

  Heart lunging to his knees, he turned and stared out at the ocean. “Yeah, well, that’s not going to happen.”

  “Why not?”

  “Look, Brielle and I decided ‘us’ was a mistake.”

  Saying the words out loud tightened the invisible band squeezing his chest. Us wasn’t the mistake. They had been good together. What if her refusal to leave had been so she could stay near him, not his brother? Not once had she tried to sneak into Matthew’s room, like the others. Or hang all over his brother, like the others.

  Damn. Realization hit Jack hard. He slumped against the rail. Mistrusting her had been the mistake. Jesus, how could he have been so stupid? Pain—swift and intense—stabbed through him. He gripped the railing and dragged in a ragged breath.

  What had he done? And was it too late to try and fix?

  “I’ve seen the way you two look at each other when you think the other isn’t watching.”

  Matthew’s words grabbed his attention. He glanced sideways at him. “Oh?”

  “I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you, but you’re only fooling yourselves if you say it’s nothing. The longing, the pain, the joy, it’s all been evident to my artist eye. Surely your security-trained eye has picked up on it, too?” Matthew pushed away from the rail to place a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “If it hasn’t, then maybe you’re in the wrong business, bro.”

  That conversation stuck with Jack all day. He obligingly romped in the water and lay on the deck, keeping an eye on things, including Brielle when she wasn’t looking. She’d hovered near Matthew at the appropriate moments, but it appeared less like she’d been coveting him and more like she’d been protecting him.