Page 82 of Fiona and the Fixer

Then he told me about his mother, how his dad took matters into own hands when the police couldn’t get the justice she deserved.

I should’ve been appalled. Should’ve asked his dad’s name so I could look into it and arrest him.That was what I would have done in the past.

Now, after spending a few days in this stupid town, I didn’t know what was driving me any longer. My father had been in prison for five years. Once the prison door slid shut behind him, I should’ve let it drop. Should’ve moved on with my life. But I hadn’t.

I was too by-the-books. I was a rule-following hardass.

What examples ofnormaldid I have growing up? None. I had Vincent Genovese.

As I turned on the water, I heard Dax speaking in the office.

38

DAX

The first thingJack asked when I answered was, “Is that code that I should call in SWAT?” Then, “Is Pancake okay?”

“Pancake? Seriously?” I just had insane sex and the deepest convo of my life, and he wanted to know about his cat? “No SWAT. I’m really in love with an FBI agent.”

I couldn’t miss his relaxed vacation laugh. “Since when?”

I frowned, getting grumpier by the minute. “Since the day you left.”

“You’re calling for me to give advice on your love life?”

“No. I’m calling because you need to get your ass back here. I need your help.”

“You needmyhelp with awoman?If I remembercorrectly, you pestered the shit out of me about falling for a librarian.”

“You stalked her,” I reminded.

“How’d you two meet?” he asked. They were in Hawaii together. Obviously, the stalking worked out.

“Convenience store robbery.”

He was quiet for a moment. “That’s what you need your help with?”

“No.”

“Then what? Again, my woman is in a bikini, so it better be good.”

“I’ve got a few extra faces for your FUCKERS IN COAL SPRINGS list.”

“That kid toss the newspaper in the shrub again?”

“No, worse.” I gritted my teeth because I couldn’t say more on a cell phone. When he got back, I was never, ever going to live this down. “Just get your woman some clothes and get your asses back here.”

39

FIONA

No SWAT.I’m really in love with an FBI agent.

What? I rushed to shut the water off. All was quiet for a moment. He wasin love… with me?

He was on the phone. With who? Who cared? That wasn’t what was important. Unless he knew other FBI agents, he was talking about me.

ME.

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