Page 81 of Accepted Precedent
Is this him?
Angel
Yes.
Damn it, Mick! What are you doing?
I love you.
My phone vibrates with an incoming text. I don’t check it. There’s nothing Evie could say that would change my mind about killing anyone who threatens my family.
Heeding Finn’s advice, I pretend nothing is amiss and get out of my car. I’ve always been a planner, but all bets are off when it comes to Evie and Andrew. There’s no chance this guy is acting alone, and I need to get him away from here to find out who is behind this.
As I walk toward the entrance, he glances up, eyes wide. I keep my gaze fixed at the automatic doors, but once I’m passing him, I pin him with a glare and ask, “Excuse me, do you have the time? My phone seems to have died.”
I have at least five inches on him and adjust my posture to give myself an extra inch. His eyes widen as he mumbles, “Um, I… I don’t know.”
He’s not a professional; someone is definitely pulling the strings. “No problem.” I move past him, but quickly retrieve my gun from my waistband holster and press the metal into his side. “Why don’t you come with me? I just want to talk.”
Chapter 34
Andrew
With Evie and Mick at their ultrasound appointment, I busy myself with catching up on emails and preparing for meetings next week—anything to avoid seeing Kristin. I can’t hide in my office forever, but I need an afternoon when I’m not fantasizing about my best friend’s sister.
I’m wrapping up my notes on a proposed bill we’re hoping to pass next session when my office phone rings, startling me. I hesitantly answer, “Hello?”
“Finally!” At the sound of Kristin’s voice, my heart stops. “Why the hell aren’t you picking up your phone?”
“My…” I reach into my back pocket and retrieve it. “Fuck. I must’ve forgotten to charge it last night.”
“There’s a situation, and we need you at Finn’s right fucking now. Someone tried to have Evie go with them while we were having lunch. Then she saw them again at her doctor’s appointment.”
“Are you serious? Where’s Mickey?”
“Finn says he’s going to do some vigilante shit, but no one can reach him. I tried to check his location but he must’ve turned off his phone.” She says something muffled away from the receiver. “No, I’m not telling him that.”
“Telling me what?”
Kristin groans, then replies, “Evelyn’s priorities are all fucked up. She’s requested that you bring her sourdough starter with you.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? Someone is basically stalking her and she wants me to bring her stuff to make bread?”
“Please bring Cin-dough-rella, Andy,” Evie shouts loud enough that I have to hold the phone away from my ear.
“Fine,” I groan, and close up my laptop. “This is fucking ridiculous. Anything else?”
“Maybe pack a bag? Grab her prenatal vitamins? I’m not sure how long we’ll be here.”
“Okay,” I concede with a sigh.
We hang up, and I slip my laptop into my bag, then sling the strap over my shoulder. After packing a bag for Evie and me, I pause outside Kristin’s room and consider packing one for her too. Back in mine, I grab several tees and jeans of Evelyn’s that should fit Kristin and toss them into an extra tote I found in the closet.
With clothes and Evie’s mason jar of sourdough starter in hand, I make my way to the unoccupied black sedan parked out front. This whole situation is beyond fucked up, but if anythinghappens to Evie or Kristin, I’ll hate myself for not taking the threat seriously.
As I drive to Finn’s, I try calling Mickey, but it goes directly to voicemail. The last location his phone pinged was the medical complex where Evie’s OB-GYN is located. My palms are sweaty, and I wipe them on my pants one at a time. My heart can’t handle not knowing if he’s all right. Gripping the steering wheel tighter, I floor the gas pedal. If Mickey does something reckless, I’ll never forgive him. My best friend is pregnant—Evie should be his priority.
I make it a block from Finn’s house—home stretch—when blue and red lights flash behind me. I pull over, and while he’s running my plates or just toying with my anxiety, I text Finn to let him know. Several minutes pass with no reply, and the officer finally approaches my window.
