Deadly Intuition(40)

“So, she’s set?”

Ally nodded.

Finn glanced at James again. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Ladies? Your chariot awaits.”

Ally resisted Finn’s pull on her arm. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” she called out to Mandy.

Mandy smiled, nodding. The smile slid from her face when she saw James’ furious glare. She turned to the deputy. “Am I done, too?”

“Go ahead. If we need more information, we’ll call you.”

“Great. I can’t wait.”

Once she was by his side, James was torn. Part of him wanted to hug her. The other parted of him wanted to spank her until she admitted what she’d done was stupid.

“Are you going to be mad all night?” Mandy asked.

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“Well, if you want to decide, I have some excess energy to work off, and I’m thinking you might be my guy.”

James sighed. The hug won out. He pulled her to him, dropping a kiss on her forehead. “You and I are going to have a long conversation about self-preservation tomorrow.”

“Well, that sounds fun,” Mandy said, pinching his rear. “What are we going to talk about tonight?”

On second thought, that spanking was sounding more and more appealing.



GRADY was about to pop this guy in the face – even if he was a sheriff’s deputy. If he asked one more stupid question … .

“And you’re sure this is the same man who approached you outside of the Daily Tribune?”

“She already answered that,” Grady growled.

“Let me do my job, sir.”

Grady blew out an exasperated sigh.

“I’m sure,” Sophie said.

“And you have no idea who he is?”

“None.”

“And you’re sure he had a knife?”

Grady’s heart was hammering. The idea of someone going after Sophie with a knife had his machismo firing on all cylinders.

“Yes.”

“And you didn’t touch him?”

“I never had a chance to even think about it,” Sophie admitted. “Mandy and Ally were hitting him with their purses, and then Heidi was kicking him in the balls. It all happened really fast.”

The thought of Heidi kicking this guy in the nuts gave Grady pause. Okay, that was kind of funny. The rest of it was infuriating.

“Can we go now?” Grady asked.

The deputy shot him a disdainful look. “For now. We’ll be in touch.”

“I won’t hold my breath,” Grady said, grabbing Sophie’s arm and dragging her away from the scene.

Once they were a block away, Sophie jerked her arm from his hand. “You’re hurting me.”

Grady slowed his pace, checking his anger. He wasn’t really mad at her. It was the situation frustrating him – although, to be fair, she wasn’t helping matters. “I knew this girl’s night was a bad idea.”

“Why?”

“Because someone is after you,” Grady replied. “Someone has shot at you. Someone has sent you a threat. Now someone has gone after you with a knife. When is it going to be enough?”

“When is what going to be enough?” Sophie’s face reflected confusion.

“When are you going to realize that you’re in danger?”

Sophie opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

“When are you going to realize you need help?” Grady pressed.

“I don’t need help,” Sophie said, her shoulders stiffening. “We’re working together. I don’t need help.”

Grady ran his hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “I understand that the idea of relying on someone freaks you out. I get that. You’ve had to take care of yourself for a really long time. People don’t just get over that. What I don’t get is why you won’t even open yourself up to the possibility that people are willing to help – that I’m willing to help.”

“I don’t need help,” Sophie said, her voice barely a whisper.

Grady shook his head. “Get in the car. I’m taking you home.”



THE RIDE back to her house was uncomfortable – and silent. Sophie found herself wishing for Grady’s anger to return. Yelling was better than … this.

Grady parked his truck in her driveway, killing the engine. He pushed open his door and climbed out, leaving Sophie inside the cab by herself. When she finally glanced up, she found him waiting for her on the front porch.

She sighed and climbed out of the truck. He was obviously going to make sure she got inside safely, and then escape to another location to pout. She didn’t blame him. He’d gone above and beyond where she was concerned. She just couldn’t let him in. If she did, when he was gone – and he would leave – she was going to be left with nothing but a broken heart.