Page 13 of Marked

He opened the sliding door to the balcony, stepped out, and shut the heavy glass behind him.

CHAPTER 4

Sophia propped her cheekbone on her fingertips, her elbow on her desk. “Yes, I know, Chief. But—”

“Sophia, this man is dangerous,” Kenneth said, over the speaker in her desk phone. “For now, at least stay in a hotel until we can figure this out.”

Sophia bit her tongue as fresh anger rose to her cheeks. Anger not at Kenneth, but at the fact that she had to leave her apartment because of the sick bastard who was now stalking her.

After reporting the break-in the previous night, she’d crawled into bed with Bella and then lay awake until 5:00 a.m. She’d slept only an hour and a half before getting Bella up for preschool.

It would take hours to secure a warrant, and it was already late in the afternoon. While Bella’s safety was of the utmost importance, going to a hotel would require an explanation for Bart, who’d only be more annoyed by her career choice than he had been when they were married.

“We have a dilemma,” Kenneth continued, “and we’re forced to move or lose him. I’ll send some cars to the area and see if we can get him brought in for questioning for the murder of... what was the guy’s name?”

“Arson Friedman.”

“And, of course, for harassing you. He’ll get time for that. Worst case, the murder charges don’t stick, but we’ll have his fingerprints and photo in the system for any other crimes he’s committed.”

Some of the anxiety in Sophia’s belly loosened.

“Relax,” Kenneth said, as if sensing her turmoil. “This will all be over soon.”

“Thanks.”

“How about the Lionsgate case?” he asked. “Last I heard you were close to another source.”

She cleared her throat. She had no problem sharing her progress with Kenneth, but the more information she gave, the more news he’d expect. Better to let him think she was close and then overdeliver later. “Still on it.”

“Good. Keep me posted.”

She clicked off and tunneled her hands into her hair. Her desk phone rang again almost immediately, and she lifted her chin to check the number—Bart.

Clearly he hadn’t taken the hint that she was busy. He’d called her cell phone moments before. Bella was with the sitter, so it couldn’t be anything too important. Regardless, she lifted the receiver.

“You know if I ignore a call, it’s usually because I’m at work, right?” She didn’t bother to cloak the prickliness of her words.

“Sorry, I’m busy too and only have a minute to talk.”

“Okay, so what’s the problem?”

“I can’t take Bella tonight—”

Sophia huffed with annoyance. She preferred to have Bella close and hated the silence that bounced off the walls of their apartment when she was at her dad’s. But right now Sophia would feel a whole lot better knowing her daughter was safe with Bart. “I’m going to assume that means your house has caught fire or you’re in the hospital—”

“Why do you always have to take it to this?” he snapped.

“Because you’re not acting like a damn father. You’re a lawyer. You know how this shit works. If you can’t meet the obligations of your designated time with her, then you need to arrange for childcare. And by childcare I don’t mean Willow plopping her in front of the TV for hours.” The irritation in her voice turned to downright anger. “It doesn’t automatically fall on me, FYI. I have a job and a schedule surrounding our custody arrangements. If you can’t take her then she sits with the sitter like she’s done all afternoon and—”

“Look, I don’t want to fight with you.”

“Because you know I’m right.” Sighing, she rubbed the bridge of her nose. “She just wants to spend time with you,” she said, more softly. “She’s always disappointed when your time together falls through.”

“I know.” Remorse filled his voice. “I’m going to take her to Arizona coming up—if you’re okay with that. I know it will mess up our schedule, but...”

Sophia leaned back in her chair. “She’ll love that.”

“And I’ll talk to Willow about the TV. You’re not wrong there.”

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