Page 122 of Unlawful Seduction

“Does that mean you talked to him?”

“He was at the clinic when I was leaving with the roses. He helped with the door.”

“And then he followed you.”

“That’s what I thought, but why bother?” she threw at me. “But yes. I led him away from Brady’s school. You’re scaring me. What are you trying to say?”

“Just trying to be prepared.”

“This really will never be over with. The thought of living a normal life is a pipe dream. Isn’t it?”

“Not a pipe dream.”

She sighed, heavy on the exaggeration and turned her head away.

I paid for the game, cognizant Brady was tugging on my jacket. If the man had been watching us here, he knew what my son looked like.

“Beckett. Can I shoot?”

The little boy’s vocabulary was far too extensive. “Not this go-around, bud. But let me see what I can do about winning youthe bear. Okay?” I took another look from right to left, finally settling on her eyes before moving toward the counter. I don’t know what the kid behind the counter had expected, but when I hit every target with no deviation, his mouth hung open.

I just pointed toward the bear, waiting as he yanked it off the pegboard wall.

Brady was screeching so loudly I couldn’t talk with Mallory.

I crouched down and handed him the giant stuffed animal, taking a minute to look into Mallory’s eyes. “Here you go, buddy.” As I stood, I inched closer to her. “We should go.”

“And ruin this for Brady? Not a chance. For all I know the man is just a new client and nothing more. How are we supposed to live our lives if we constantly need to look over our shoulders?”

I wasn’t going to belabor the point. What I would do was make contact with Mike. Just like before, he was the only man who knew what the hell was going on and that I’d returned.

“Mommy. I’m thirsty,” Brady said.

“Then let’s get you something to drink.” Mallory eyed me carefully, obviously still nervous. Her lower lip quivered while anger spiraled up from deep within my system.

“I need to make a phone call,” I told her.

“Who?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just stay with Brady,” I instructed.

She gripped my arm. “Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m just checking on things, Mallory. Nothing more.”

“Hey, guys!” I heard Marjorie calling us from a few feet away and felt a sense of relief. At least I could handle the call without worrying that something might happen to them. A scarred man. My hackles were more than raised. They were electrified.

“Don’t be gone long,” Mallory pleaded.

“I have no intention of it.” I yanked out my phone after feeling my weapon. I only had the one magazine of ammunition inside. Mallory’s two friends were right there, marveling over the bear while I walked toward one of the crossroads between the various gaming units.

As I dialed Mike’s number, I constantly scanned the perimeter.

“Jesus Christ, buddy. I’ve tried calling you for over an hour. I didn’t know what to do.” Mike was exasperated. There were other sounds in the background that I couldn’t quite make out.

I pulled the phone away, checking through the recent list of calls. “That’s funny. I don’t see a single phone call from you, buddy. What the fuck are you up to now? Sending someone else to terrify Mallory and her son? I’m not going to allow that to happen.”

“What? No! I called you. I also sent you an email with photographs. Maybe the data point is too large. I did what you asked. I found out what’s going on.”

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