Deadly Intuition(52)

“It’s not hard to find out,” James shot back. “I’m not negotiating on this, so don’t even try.”

Mandy’s face hardened. “I wasn’t planning on leaving at all. I would appreciate it if you didn’t take that tone with me.”

James blew out a frustrated sigh. “I’m sorry. I just … I just can’t help thinking about if that had been you.”

Mandy reached out, squeezing his hand. “I know. Let’s not fight. Let’s think about getting some food, updating Finn, and then we’ll go from there. I’m not even sure if they’re going to keep Sophie overnight.”

James wrapped his hand around her wrist and yanked her over to him so he could give her a hug. “I don’t like this,” he said. “I don’t like this at all.”

“I know,” Mandy murmured against his chest. “We need to just calm down and figure it out.”

Conrad cleared his throat. “I think we need to talk.”

James glanced over at him. “About what?”

“What you’re working on with Sophie,” he replied.

“What makes you think we’re working on anything with her?”

“You seem to have a certain amount of … information.”

James pursed his lips and sat back down – making sure to pick a chair away from Marge – tugging Mandy down into the seat next to him. She was protection from the other blonde in the room, and he wasn’t embarrassed to admit it. “I’m not sure how much I should say.”

“I’m her editor,” Conrad replied. “I’m aware of what she’s working on.”

“No offense,” James said. “I don’t know you.”

“I understand your suspicion,” Conrad said. “I think we can both agree that Sophie has exposed a nerve here. She’s in real trouble.”

“She’s going to be under our protection from now on,” James said. “I can promise you that.”

Mandy groaned.

“What?” James lifted an eyebrow.

“You guys are going to smother her now, aren’t you?”

“You say smother like it’s a bad thing.”

“Sophie is a grown woman,” Mandy said. “Maybe we should talk to her and find out what happened before we fly off the handle?”

James thought that was a terrible idea. “Or maybe we can be proactive and make sure nothing else happens.”

Mandy swallowed her bottom lip with her upper one. “You can’t force her to change her life because it’s what you guys want.”

“You’re going to make this a thing, aren’t you?”

“No. I’m just trying to rein you in before Grady handcuffs her to a bed,” Mandy said. “Although, she might like that.”

James smirked. “I get what you’re saying, but let me tell you something, missy,” he said. “If someone had tried to run you off the road and kill you, I would’ve beaten every nurse in this place to get to you – even if it meant going to jail. And then? The minute I got out of jail I would’ve locked you in the apartment – using both wrist and ankle shackles if I had to – and made sure you were safe.

“And, yes, I would’ve made it fun,” he continued. “An angry and smothered you is better than no you at all. I have a feeling Grady will feel the same way.”

Mandy fought the smile, ultimately giving up the battle. “You’re lucky you’re so cute.”

James kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll watch that shark movie in the mall later, if it makes you feel better.”

“That movie is amazing,” Mandy countered.

“That movie is stupid,” James said. “I love you enough to watch it anyway. The shackles can be optional for tonight.”

Marge huffed, pulling James’ attention to her.

“Sorry,” she said. “I had something caught in my throat.”

Mandy was shaking with silent laughter.

“What?” James asked.

“I think you have a fan,” Mandy whispered.

James cast a dubious look in Marge’s direction. “She makes me feel uncomfortable.”

“I’ll console you later.”

“You bet your Jawesome ass you will.”





Twenty-Two


The first thing Sophie felt when she woke up was pain. The first thing she heard was a buzzing in her ears. The first thing she saw was Grady’s concerned face as he watched her regain consciousness.

He leaned forward when he saw her eyes were open. “Hey.”

“What happened?” Her voice was raspy, causing Grady to push a cup of water in front of her face so she could drink from a straw.