“What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing.”
Georgia pursed her lips but didn’t pursue the line of questioning. “We both know it’s only a matter of time before he’ll kill. Valentine told you he wouldn’t, but he can’t help himself. He won’t quit until he’s incarcerated or executed.”
“I think this is a problem for the State of Texas, not us. So let’s talk about anything else.”
A long moment passed.
“Are you lookin’ forward to workin’ with tall, blond, and deadly?” Georgia’s grin was impish.
Ugh. “Except him.”
Her grin was unholy. “But he’s gonna be your bodyguard, keep you safe from harm. That’s kinda romantic.”
It sounded ludicrous, but it was her new normal—one murderer was protecting her from another.
“Yes, he’s going to protect me, but without any movie romance.”
“Did you stay the night at his place?”
“Yes, but I slept in the guest room and then we came to an arrangement this morning.”
“An arrangement? Sounds juicy.”
“It isn’t.” Jane rubbed the necklace.
“And you’re going on vacation with him.”
“No, I’m taking time off and running away from a serial killer.”
“Right, with a hunk by your side. I’m relieved there’s at least one bright spot in this crap storm. Promise me, if you get the opportunity, you’ll go for it. And when something happens, because it will, I want the whole story.”
“I haven’t gone for it, and I won’t. He’s a criminal and a client, Georgia.”
Even as she said the words, Jane felt like a fraud. After all, she’d bargained away a date or two with Byron in exchange for his protection. Adding that sin to the rights violations she was perpetrating and her morals were going to hell in a handbasket.
“Yeah, I got it, but you left out the other stuff.”
“Which stuff?”
“The part about him being wealthy, panty-droppin’ handsome, and heroic, since he’s watchin’ your back. He’ll save you from the bad guy and then color with your daughter afterwards.”
“After this is over, both of us could use a legal integrity refresher. I’m going to enroll us both in a workshop next semester.” Assuming she still had a legal license at the end of this fiasco.
“Whatever, just remember I need lots of sordid details.”
“We’re getting off topic. Since I won’t be here, I need you to cover the office while I’m gone, so you’ll be in charge.”
“I’m on it. Is there anything else I can do?”
Jane clasped her hand once more. “I want you to be careful. Maybe buy a can of mace? Or a knife?”
Georgia sobered. “You think Valentine would come after Brady and me?”
“I wouldn’t put anything past him. Until this is resolved, I want you to cut your hours. And take some precautions—no late nights, don’t go out by yourself, and always be aware of your surroundings. I’m going to call in a favor at a security firm in town and have them drive past your house, okay?”
“Okay.” Georgia wrapped her arms around herself. “You have favors from a security firm?”
“The owner’s daughter got caught shoplifting a few years back. I got the case dismissed and kept it quiet, so he owes me one. When you become a lawyer, you’ll start collecting them too.” Now Jane was grateful she’d extended the professional courtesy, even though it felt a bit like a cover-up at the time. “If Valentine comes after you, they’ll take care of it.”
Georgia swallowed. “Suddenly, this is feelin’ a bit too real.”
“Welcome to my world.”
***
“Mansfield?” Jane called.
Half an hour after they’d left the office, Byron and Jane stood in her apartment. She’d gathered info on Valentine, and now she had to put together a travel suitcase.
“Do you have a roommate? A male roommate?”
“In a manner of speaking.” Her long-haired orange tabby prowled into the room. She thought he resembled a miniature tiger. Jane bent over and scratched his ears.
“Oh, fuck me, you’ve got a cat.” At her disgruntled look, he explained. “I never figured you for a cat person.”
“What do you mean?”
In her book, there were cat people and wrong people. Everyone should be a cat person. Cats were vastly superior to dogs—they purred, were fastidious, and didn’t have an incessant, whining need for attention.
“Never mind. Why’d you name it Mansfield?”
“I named him Mansfield, after the first woman lawyer in the United States, Arabella Mansfield. There was some confusion in the first few weeks, and I found out she was actually a he.”