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Deadly Intuition(60)

By:Lily Harper Hart


Grady nodded.

“You know the girl?” Peter asked.

“I’ve known her for a few years,” Sophie said. “She’s the clerk in Judge MacIntosh’s courtroom. I’ve gotten to spend a little more time with her over the past few days, though, and I think she’s really great. She’s funny and down-to-earth.”

Peter pulled his gaze from Grady so he could focus on his foster daughter. “You’ve never really been one for making friends with other girls,” he said. “I’m glad you’ve finally gotten over that little … aversion.”

“She kind of made me,” Sophie admitted. “She just told me we were having a girl’s night out, and I really couldn’t say no.”

Peter laughed. “I like her already.”

“Me, too,” Sophie said.

“Me, three,” Grady said, refusing to avert his eyes from Peter’s probing stare.

“And, Mr. Hardy, how do you know my Sophie?”

“We met at the newspaper last week,” Grady said. “She was rude, and I was placing an ad, and we just clicked.”

Sophie wrinkled her nose. “There was a little more to it than that.”

“I’m all ears,” Peter said.

Before he could stop her, Sophie launched into the entire story – not omitting a single detail – leaving Grady totally flummoxed. He couldn’t believe she was telling him everything. The only thing she didn’t touch on was the sex, which he was grateful for. When she was done, Grady watched Peter process the information.

“You were shot at?”

“I’m not sure I was a target,” Sophie said. “The sheriff and Madison were there just seconds before.”

“Still,” Peter said. “Bangers don’t usually shoot up the courthouse. That draws unnecessary attention to their operation. If they’re going to shoot at something, it’s usually each other. There’s not a lot of cause for them to be shooting at reporters. There’s no profit – or street cred – associated with it.”

“You seem to know a lot about gangs,” Grady said.

“I know a lot about everything, son,” Peter replied, turning back to Sophie. “So, you’ve been shot at, followed, and purposely ran off the road. Have I missed anything else?”

Sophie shrugged. “No. It’s been a slow week.”

Grady frowned, the expression deepened when he saw that Peter was actually smiling. “You’ve always been a magnet for trouble, my little bambina. Now is not the time for you to be stupid and stubborn, though.”

Well, Grady could agree with that sentiment.

“You have become a target,” Peter said. “You are obviously on to something big – even if you don’t know what that is yet.”

“I’m being careful,” Sophie said. “I even have my big, strong protector staying here with me to make sure no one comes near me.”

Peter pursed his lips. “I would rather not hear about that, if you don’t mind,” he said. “What I’m interested in hearing about is how you plan on keeping yourself safe.”

“By using my head,” Sophie said. “Like always.”

“That’s fine … to a degree,” Peter cautioned. “I think I would feel better, though, if you would let me position two of my men at the house.”

Grady leaned forward. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I wasn’t asking you.”

Sophie put her hand on Grady’s arm to calm him. “While I appreciate the offer, the last thing I need is more babysitters. I can promise you that I’m in good hands here.”

Peter inhaled deeply. “I guess you know best.”

“I do.”

He got to his feet. “I did arrange for another gift.”

Sophie’s eyes brightened. “A gift?”

“I have a car being delivered for you within the hour,” Peter said, holding up his hand to ward off her protests. “You don’t have to keep it. I know how you worry about those things. It’s just until you find another car of your own. You just have the option of using it if you need it.”

Sophie smiled, moving closer so she could give Peter a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. I’m really glad you stopped by.”

Peter kept his arm around her back as he regarded Grady. “Is he a good one?” He whispered in her ear.

“He’s a good one,” Sophie acknowledged.

“Then I guess I’ll let him live.”

Sophie giggled. “I would appreciate it.”

Once Peter was gone, Sophie returned to the couch. “So, where were we?”