Page 50 of Twin Jeopardy

“You’re free to go, then.”

Vince led her a little ways to the white Ford Escape he was driving these days. “It’s my mother’s,” he said by way of explanation.

Tammy stashed her pack in the back seat, then slid into the passenger seat. Vince drove without speaking, not to her home but to his condo. “I’d feel better if you stayed here tonight,” he said. “You can call your mother and brother to let them know you’re okay.”

“I’d like that.” Spending the night alone, even with her brother and mother in other parts of the house, would be too uncomfortable. Even though Vince might be right and the attacks on her might be because V was targeting him, she felt safer with him beside her. If V came around again, it would be two against one.

He carried her pack into the house. Once inside, he pulled her close. “I felt awful when I saw you tonight, hurt.” He brushed his lips across her swollen eye, then barely touched her wounded lip. “When I think I could have lost you—” His voice broke.

“You didn’t lose me. I’m okay and I’m right here.” She kissed him. It didn’t hurt. Instead it felt good, the way his strong arms around her felt good. The kiss ended, and she looked into his eyes, trying to judge what he was feeling. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the attack right away. It was just...a lot to process. I wanted time to think.”

“You think it was a woman?” he asked.

“I think so. She wasn’t much bigger than me, and she didn’t feel like a man.”

He loosened his hold on her a little. “What do you want to do now?” he asked.

“I can think of a few things.” She smiled. “But first, I want to take a shower.” Her hand was still slightly sticky from the fake blood, and she wanted to wash away the whole experience.

“Let’s take one together,” he said.

“Mmm.” A pleasant heat washed through her at the thought. “Let me call my mom first so she doesn’t worry.”

She was surprised when her brother answered the phone. “Mitch, why are you answering Mom’s phone?”

“She’s in the bathroom and I saw the call was from you. What’s up?”

Maybe it was better not to have to explain everything to her mother. “I’m staying with a friend tonight,” she said.

“Do you mean, Vince Shepherd?”

“How do you know about Vince?”

“Elisabeth told me you and he had something going on. I’m cool with that, as long as he treats you right.”

“I don’t need your permission to date someone,” she said.

“I’m just saying I think Vince is okay. Don’t be so touchy.”

“Is Elisabeth there with you?”

“No. She said she had something else to do tonight. To tell you the truth, I think she was uncomfortable with the idea of being here with you and Mom. She thinks the two of you don’t like her.”

“That’s not true,” Tammy said. “We hardly know her.”

“Yeah, well, it’s okay. I’ll see her tomorrow.”

“And I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said. “Make sure Mom knows I’m okay.”

“Have a good night.”

She ended the call and pocketed her phone. “Everything okay?” Vince asked.

“It’s fine.” She moved closer. She didn’t want to talk about her brother or Elisabeth or anything outside the safety of these four walls. She wrapped her arms around him. “What about that shower?”

VINCELAYAWAKEafter Tammy had fallen asleep. He might never think about his shower the same way after tonight. Something about steam and soap and slick skin... It had been just what he needed after the shock of seeing her battered face, then reading the sinister message written in what he was sure was supposed to resemble blood on her car.

His phone vibrated, then the first notes of the ringtone sounded. He lunged for it, silencing it before it could wake Tammy. Then he sat on the side of the bed and checked the screen as the phone continued to vibrate in his hand. Unknown number. Which usually meant spam, but he’d better check in case it was a search and rescue call from one of the team members.

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