Page 74 of In Her Sights
John stared at the dark kitchen window, his gaze pensive. “I don’t know anything concrete yet, but I have a feeling he’s not on the straight and narrow.”
It wouldn’t surprise Molly at all if Mill turned out to be as crooked as Bastien. Before she could ask for more details, her phone buzzed with a text from Felicity.
Well, that lead was a dud. We’re going to crash and then head home. See you in a few days.
Molly replied with a simple Sorry it didn’t work out. Drive carefully. Disappointment that they were just as far from finding their mom as when they’d started swept over her, adding to her exhaustion. John leaned over to read the text and then curled his arm around her shoulders, leaving the comforting weight there until she’d finished emailing Barney his invoice and scans of all Sonny’s paperwork.
As they climbed the stairs, Molly turned to look at John. “This means you’re staying here tonight…well, this morning?”
He waggled his eyebrows in a way that made her laugh, despite her exhaustion. “Of course. Your bedroom is part mine, remember? I can’t neglect it.”
“You can’t neglect my room? That’s what you can’t neglect?” She loved how his teasing always made her feel lighter.
“Well…and Warrant. I also can’t neglect my sweet puppy dog.” His voice got syrupy-sweet as Warrant slipped past them into her bedroom.
“Mmm-hmm.” Once again, she tried to fix him with a cool stare, but it was hopeless. She couldn’t hide the way he turned her to jelly, especially when his adorable dimple was peeking out as he suppressed his smile. She tried to muffle a yelp as he snatched her up with an arm around her waist, pulling her tight against him.
“Can’t neglect you, either.” His lips were so close to her ear that she shivered at the feeling of his warm breath against her skin.
She leaned into him, drunk on the feeling of warmth and safety, her eyes closing sleepily even as she wished he’d kiss her.
His chuckle was warm against her neck. “Let’s go to bed before you fall asleep on me.”
She barely made it through her quick shower, falling asleep as soon as she hit the mattress. When John joined her after his own shower, she blearily snuggled closer to his enormous, warm shape. She’d been worried that the terrifying events of the past evening would replay in her head, keeping her from sleep, but somehow John’s comforting presence blocked the nightmares. It felt like nothing bad could happen while he was there in bed with her.
Fully content, Molly drifted off again.
A blaring sound ripped her out of a peaceful sleep, and she shot up to see John bounding out of bed. Warrant, who’d somehow wiggled his way between them, groaned and burrowed his head into the comforter.
“What is that noise?” she shouted over the piercing, continuous shriek.
“The security alarm.” John looked much too happy for a guy who’d just been yanked out of a well-deserved sleep. “Want to go tackle some wannabe jewel thieves?”
Molly shoved her hair out of her eyes and stared at him for a moment before a smile tugged at her mouth. His enthusiasm was irresistible. “Yes.” She scrambled out of the bed, wide awake and ridiculously, unexpectedly happy. “You know,” she said as she grabbed for her Taser, “life with you will never be boring.”
His smile turned tender. “Ditto, sweetness. And I can’t wait.”
Chapter 23
When Molly blasted into the bail-bond office, she didn’t even let Ashton say a word before shoving open the inner door and striding right inside Barney’s private office.
“Where’s my check?”
He only looked startled for a fraction of a second before plastering on his usual smarmy smile and gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. “Molly Pax. What a pleasure. Have a seat. I can’t wait to hear more about your adventures. How exciting that must’ve been! And who would’ve thought that one of the detectives on your mother’s case would be on the wrong side of the law?”
“Nope.” She crossed her arms over her chest. She disliked Barney on a good day, and she’d been up for half the night before, thanks to the wannabe burglars. She was in no mood to play. “We don’t need to chat. All I need is my check and confirmation that you’re not going back on your word. I emailed you our bill early this morning.”
“Well, fine. If you’re going to be unsociable…” He hunted and pecked at his computer keyboard as Molly restrained the urge to tap her foot impatiently. “Despite your lack of manners, I’ll admit that I was impressed you managed to bring in Sonny. I could use someone of your talents working for me full-time.”
“No.”
“You might want to consider—”
“No.” When he opened his mouth to argue further, she waved her hand sharply, not even caring anymore that it was her mom’s mannerism. “You blackmailed me into this, and Sonny almost killed me and the people I love. You’re going to print that check, hand it to me, and give me your word that you won’t make any other attempt to move up Mom’s court date.”
He eyed her, and she stared right back. Enough was enough. She wasn’t about to let Barney bully her into becoming his lackey. She remembered Norah’s pale face as she stood wrapped in explosives, and it steeled her resolve. Barney must’ve seen her determination, because he dropped his gaze to the computer screen and clicked the mouse button.
