Page 31 of Big Bad Wolfe

As they approached the front door, painted Provencal blue, Jillian read the simple bronze plaque engraved with two lines: “McQuade Security” and “M. McQuade, Attorney At Law.”

A woman with long auburn curls and a chubby redheaded baby propped on one hip stood beside the desk in the fern green reception area, which included a short table and chair set stacked with children’s toys and books. The woman glanced up as they entered and smiled. “Special Agent Wolfe, long time no see.”

“Hi, Val. Yeah, I’ve been out-country for a while.” Warily eyeing the child, Zane edged farther away. “I noticed you added something new to the office.”

The receptionist smiled at Jillian and indicated the baby. “Hello, you must be Ms. Ramsay. We’ve onsite daycare, but my little gal Nicole here is cutting teeth, so she’s happier helping me hold down the fort out front.”

The baby clapped little chubby hands and shrieked in delight.

“What a doll!” Jillian stroked the downy copper curls. “How old is she?”

“Not quite six months.”

Zane retreated another step. “We have an appointment with Mia.”

“She’s free.” The woman waved them on. “Go ahead, you definitely don’t want to stand her up.”

Tension emanating from every pore, Zane planted his hand on the small of Jillian’s back and guided her down a hallway.

Was he nervous around the baby, or did it go deeper? Jillian glanced at him and saw an odd, almost hurt expression on his face. Naturally he’d feel hurt. Through no fault of his own, he hadn’t participated in Deb’s pregnancy or Casey’s babyhood. Perhaps seeing the tiny girl had made him regret missing out on Casey’s early years.

Deb had remained adamant against Jillian’s pleas for her to inform the father. Deb hadn’t wanted a relationship with him, had said he wouldn’t be happy about the baby.

The news had shaken Zane, but he’d accepted responsibility. If Deb had told him, Jillian didn’t doubt he’d have done his duty by mother and child.

In his place, she’d feel upset, too. She squeezed his forearm, the sinews beneath his hot skin taut and vibrating. “Are you okay?”

“Sure.” He stopped at the next-to-last door, knocked briefly, and swung it open without waiting for a reply.

“Zane!” A beautiful petite brunette dressed in a chic sleeveless mint sheath launched herself at him. “It’s been five months this time!” Topaz eyes sparkling, she flung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “I was beginning to think you’d gotten into trouble. I’d almost decided to sic Dallas on your sexy butt.”

All the stiffness evaporated from Zane’s demeanor. Laughing, he dropped the bag into a chair, returning the embrace with easy affection. “Hi, yourself, gorgeous. And for the love of God, stay away from my butt.”

Thiswas his kick-ass attorney? Ms. Cute-and-Perky apparently not only knew him well enough to get physical without deploying his defense shields, but Zane was also relaxed enough with her to share intimate jokes.

Mixing business with pleasure, was he?

Jealousy drove hot spikes into her. Zane might be letting his libido make his legal decisions, but she had no intention of following his lead.

Casey’s future in the hands of this flighty fairy?

“No freaking way, Wolfe,” Jillian muttered through clenched teeth.

Zane disengaged himself from the embrace. “Come again?”

The other woman grinned, and Jillian suspectedshe’dcaught every word. “Hi. I’m Mia McQuade. Forgive our bad manners, but it’s been a while and I’ve missed this brat.”

“Jillian Ramsay. Sorry to waste your time, but we’ll be leaving now.”

Zane frowned. “What the— Did I miss something?”

Mia’s lips quirked and she pressed them together. “I think your friend is concerned about my qualifications.”

Zane snorted. “Jillian, meet Hurricane Mia, the only woman to ever buzz right under my radar and nail me against the wall. Handcuffed.”

How dare he?Casey’s future was at stake and he wanted to play swap the innuendo with the pixie? “I’m thrilled on your behalf. If you’re done with the kinky stroll down memory lane, I’m outta here.”

He burst into laughter. “Mind in the gutter, much? Mia and I are just friends. Sheliterallykicked my ass, but good. And I’m not the only man she’s taken down. She’s partly responsible for crushing the Montoya Cartel.”

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