Page 55 of The Desperate Warrior

Jules grunted. “For now.”

“Any leads on Steve Randall?”

“Nothing yet. It’s like he vanished off the face of the earth.” As Jules reached her car, she climbed inside, turned on the AC, and put the phone on speaker.

“What else? I know there’s something that you’re not telling me. What is it?” she pressed.

Jules sighed. It was useless to try to keep things from her sister. She had this uncanny way of sensing when something was wrong. It was like she had a radar on Jules. “I had a nightmare last week. In it, I was back in the accident. I was upside down in the car and saw a man coming towards me. I couldn’t see his face, but I saw the glint of metal in his hand and knew he had a gun.”

Zoe let out a harsh breath. “Oh my gosh. Did you tell Brock?”

“I did. Brock, Luke, and I jumped on a video call with Dad and Sutton Smith. He’s the head of the protection agency where Brock works.”

“I know who Sutton is,” Zoe said impatiently. “I’m married to Tippin, remember?”

“Anyway, they’ve hired a PI to find Steve Randall.” She hesitated as a shiver ran down her spine. Even though I didn’t see his face in my nightmare, I know it was him.” Certainty pinged through her as she voiced the words. Jules went on to share what she’d learned about Steve’s violent history, his confrontation with his boss, LouAnna’s slashed tires, and the threatening note Mindy found tucked in her dog’s collar.

“That’s awful,” Zoe uttered. “They’ve got to catch this guy.”

“I know.” She swallowed hard. “I’m trying not to panic, but it’s hard.” Jules tightened her hold on the steering wheel, making a concentrated effort to focus on the road. The last thing she needed was another accident. She needed to be vigilant at all times.

“Okay, that’s it,” Zoe snipped as if reaching a sudden decision. “Tippin and I will come home immediately. We’ll catch the first flight out.”

“Oh, no you won’t,” Jules interjected. “You’re on your honeymoon, and you’re gonna stay on it. Brock’s here, and he’s handling everything.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” she punched out.

Zoe paused before agreeing. “Okay.”

“Okay,” Jules repeated.

“So … how are things going with you and Brock?” Zoe asked carefully.

“It’s complicated.” She gritted her teeth.

“Y’all were so perfect for one another.”

Moisture filled her eyes. “Yeah,” she sighed, “we were, but it’s over.”

Zoe continued, “Even when I had my own drama going with Nico Ventura, I saw how you lit up when you were around Brock. What the two of you have is rare.”

“Yeah, I thought so too, but then he broke up with me.” Her sister knew this already. She was pointing out the obvious. A few seconds later, she stopped at a red light. Shudders went through her as she thought about how she’d been sitting at a red light when Steve Randall barreled into her. Suddenly, she was blazing hot, and her throat started to close.Get a grip, she willed herself. She looked at the cars waiting at the intersection to her left. They were staying put. No danger here.

“Jules, are you okay?”

She took in a deep breath, hoping it would clear away the fear crowding her brain. “Yeah, I’m okay. Where was I?”

“You were talking about how Brock broke up with you.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s right. I was going to say that I had words with his ex-wife.”

“What?” Zoe screeched. “Youhad words with her?”

“Oh yeah. She’s something else. Manipulative and vicious. Poor Brock’s got his hands full.”

“Then why not give him a second chance?”

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