Page 32 of Stilettos & Whiskey
“Nate had a bomb callout, Logan is having a “come to Jesus” talk with Papa Garza and the others are booking the prisoners,” I replied.
Grandpa sat down at the other console. “You look like hell. Go take a nap. I’ve got this.”
“Ah, do you know how to work everything?”
He shot me a narrow sidelong glare. “Yes, I do.”
“Okay, thanks, no offense meant.”
“None taken.”
“I’ll just leave then.” My entire body hurt, and I really needed to lie down for a bit. I stumbled out of the command center and crashed into Sergeant Bergman. “Oh! Sorry, I didn’t see you.”
“You look like hell. Didn’t Doctor Halliday put you on bed rest?”
I frowned. “Probably, but we had unexpected visitors, and the boys needed me to run the command center.”
Sergeant Bergman escorted me to my bedroom. “Get some sleep.”
“Yes, sir.” I collapsed on the bed with a groan. I was so damned tired. I closed my eyes. A twenty-minute catnap and I would be fine.
Chapter Eight
The strong smell of pine tar woke me up. I sucked in a startled breath. Jim Bob Duke was standing by my bed. His cold silver eyes studied me intently. I bolted to my feet. “How did you get in here?”
“Oh darlin’, you are a mess. Did Alexander or Tess do this to you?”
“No. I’m a Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputy and it happened on duty, but you already know that. Let me be perfectly clear. I owe my grandfather nothing. He was going to give me to a child molester to pay off a gambling debt.”
Jim Bob interjected, “Alleged child molester.”
“Igor has a three-page rap sheet and is currently incarcerated in the state prison in Florence.”
“Your grandfather was unaware of his criminal activities.”
I snorted. “Like hell he was. You’re under arrest for trespassing.”
Jim Bob’s smile reminded me of a hungry shark. “You’re not in any shape to arrest me, darlin’.”
“Maybe not, but I am,” Lucas snarled from the doorway.
Jim Bob’s smile got bigger, and he held out his hand. “I’m Jim Bob Duke, the lawyer. You know, when you need help in a legal fight, I’llDukeit out for you.”
“I know who you are.” Lucas took his hand, spun Jim Bob around and handcuffed him.
“I didn’t trespass. The training center is open to the public and the door to the house was unlocked. I was simply doing a welfare check on a badly beaten woman,” Jim Bob stated.
I shook my head sadly. “For a lawyer, you don’t lie that good. What’s your game plan? Money? I’m not rich. Revenge? Taking on the Alpha Dogs wouldn’t be a smart move.”
“The blow to your head has you confused. Your grandfather simply wants to take care of you,” Jim Bob replied.
Lucas laughed. “Raul Garza has numerous arrests for beating up helpless women, but Julie is far from helpless.” Lucas plucked a derringer from Jim Bob’s right boot, a knife from his left and an electronic lockpick from his back pocket. “These get you arrested for armed burglary.”
Jim Bob scoffed, “I’ll have the charges dropped within a day.”
“How did you know I was injured?” Call me curious.
“I was at the hospital when they brought you in. Your grandfather is concerned for your health,” Jim Bob replied.
