Devine shook his head. “Not yet.”
“We have some work to do, then. A, let’s get Kate on the phone and talk to Slade. Then we’ll call Max. He always knows what to do.”
“Got it.”
“Can I take you ladies home?” Petty asked.
Arilyn treated him to a glowering look. “I think you’ve done enough.” She paused. “Or not.”
The man actually sputtered out a laugh. “I’ll be in touch, Dr. MacKenzie.” Suddenly he turned his head and gave Arilyn a blistering look. “And you, Ms. Meadows. I will see you soon.”
It was more of a threat than a promise. Arilyn tried to keep her cold dignity, but stumbled once on her way out. His chuckle told her he’d caught it.
Gen decided not to bring up the odd dialogue between them and got to work.
fifteen
NOW, THIS IS something I hope to avoid when my son is of age.”
Wolfe looked up. Maximus Gray, his stepfather’s close friend, general badass, and partner in La Dolce Maggie bakery—a local New York chain born from the Contes’ original bakery in Italy, La Dolce Famiglia—stared at him through the bars of the jail. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt dribbled with baby saliva and an array of interesting stains, he still looked more intimidating than most men Wolfe knew. A touch of humor twisted his lips.
Wolfe got up from the bench and walked over. “You will. First thing I’ll tell Max Jr. is to call his old friend Wolfe to bail him out. You’ve always been cranky about losing sleep. Hey, who contacted you? I didn’t get a chance to make my one phone call.”
“Gen. What happened?”
“A clusterfuck.”
“Sounds familiar. Give me the story.”
His muscles relaxed. He related the whole story, sparing nothing. Usually he was stubborn enough to get himself out of his own messes, but there was one goal in his mind that left all others to the side.
Get back to Gen as quickly as possible.
He couldn’t do that in jail.
Max scribbled a few notes. “First thing to do is get you out. I’ll make some calls. Riscetti’s restraining order sounds fishy. No prior evidence, so maybe strings were pulled. Is Gen okay?”
“Think so, she’s strong. But I need to get out of here, Max. I need to be with her.”
Max nodded, looking thoughtful. “You guys together now?”
Wolfe let out a half laugh. “No. Just friends. Why has the whole family been intent on hooking us up since day one?”
He waited for Max to laugh with him, but he was strangely silent, probing his face as if he suspected something Wolfe didn’t even know. Wolfe tried to keep calm, hoping no one ever found out about that one stolen, perfect kiss between them.
“Because you both fit,” Max said simply. “Not that I didn’t want to see her happily married. Glad she ran from the asshole before it was too late. She’s always been wicked smart.”
“Yeah. This guy’s good, Max. He set the whole thing up, got her to quit the hospital, and likes to control her. I’m worried. I don’t want him near Gen.”
“Got it. Let me take care of some things. Want me to call Sawyer and Julietta?”
Wolfe winced. He didn’t need them worried when they couldn’t do anything for him. “No, I’ll tell them when it’s all over. Knowing Sawyer, he’d fly here and start kicking ass and taking names. Let’s get this done first.” Max nodded. Wolfe was so used to Max being able to do anything, he remembered he wasn’t a lawyer. “Hey, how are you gonna get me out?”
A vicious smile curved his lips. “Let’s just say I know people. I’ll be back.”
Wolfe shook his head. Thank God Max was on his side. He wouldn’t want to be the other guy.
Wolfe paced back and forth in his cell and waited.
“YOU’RE OUT!”
Genevieve flung herself into his arms. He lifted her easily, kicking the door closed with his foot, and let her cling as tightly as she wanted. Usually he laughed and called her a girl when she was overcome with emotion. Right now, he seemed content to allow the well of messiness to overflow on his behalf. Good, because she didn’t know if she could let go if she tried.
His lips pressed against her scalp and he whispered low nonsense to her. The ugly events of the night unfolded and caused a deep trembling. She expected him to smell like stale sweat and musk. Instead, she caught the soothing scent of cotton, water, and soap. His familiar warmth wrapped her in a cocoon, and his soft shirt cushioned her cheek.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
He tilted her chin up. “That’s stupid. You gonna apologize for serial killers and natural disasters, too?”