Page 47 of Safe With Me

“Daddy, did you meetPax?”

“Yeah.”

“I-”

“Stephie, you gotta get out of this protection business.”

“Come on, Dad, not that again.”

“Your father’s right, honey.”Fiona’s face turned sad. “It’s too dangerous.”

“A.J.’s a cop. Did you suggest he quit?”

Her mother squirmed. “No, he’s a man.”

“Mom—”

“He’s bigger than you,” her dad added.

“I beat him in arm wrestling last time I was home.”

While they sparred,Paxpoured a glass of water. “You can stay here but you’ll fall asleep on the couch.” He glanced at her parents. “And she should stay calm.”

“Then I want to go the bedroom.Mom, will you help me get changed intopajamas?”

Disappointed that she didn’t ask him to help her, he nonetheless gaveFionathe bottle of pills, then they got her up and hermomled her away.Paxsighed.

Tony asked, “Are you staying?”

“No. I have to get back to the clinic. Sick people are waiting there.”

“Do you have instructions for her? Like waking her up every hour to see if she has a concussion?”

“No, that old tale has beendisproven. Just check on her frequently and see that she’s okay. The directions for the medicine are on the bottle. Follow it.” He started away, then turned back. “And make sure she stays calm.”

“I will. Thank you, Dr. Barry.”

“It’sPax.”

“Call me Tony.”

Huh,Paxthought. At least that was something.

* * *

Nick Redmond walked into the clinic. The waiting room was empty, as it was closing time. A woman came in behind him. He turned to hold open the door. Wow. She was dressed in an expensive suit and shoes. Her wavy auburn hair framed a near-perfect face. “Hello.”

“Hello.” She looked him up and down. “You’re not here for medical help.”

He gavehera once over. “You either.”

“I work hereparttime. I came to pick up a book that I left here yesterday.”

He held out his hand. “Nick Redmond.”

They shook. “Noreen Shannon.”

“Here to seePax?”

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