“Not so fast,” Rafferty called as he and Rawlins handed over the two men to the police who had arrived. He left Rawlins to deal with it and came over to them. “I’m sure you are anxious to get out of here, but I’d prefer if you had an escort tomake surethere are no other obstacles in your way.”
“Do you think they’d be bold enough to go after the girls a second time today?” Liberty questioned.
“We have no idea what their plan of attack was. There could have been a contingency in play if this attempt failed,” he explained. “If you don’t have somewhere you have to be and canhang on while wetake care of filingthe report against these men, we’ll be happy to see you home.”
“We were going to lunch,” Justus corrected him. “Maybe some shopping afterward.”
He held up his hands and shook his head, staring directly in Justus’ eyes. “Whoa, there. I wouldn’t advise that. Under the circumstances, I’d suggest ordering to go and picking up, but shopping is out of the question.”
“I will not be held a prisoner!” Justus shouted. Her voice vibrated throughout the marble lobby, causing people to look at them.
“Sh-h-h,” Liberty hissed. “Calm down. No one is trying to lock you up, he’s only suggesting we take precautions today.”
“Come on, Justus, be real here,” Chaney agreed. “The last thing I want to do is go out in public after what happened. The sooner I get back to my apartment the better.”
“I thought you said your driver was waiting to take you home meaning you couldn’t even go to lunch or do anything else with us?” Justus challenged. “That means you don’t have a say in this.”
Chaney stepped toward her, narrowing her eyes. “That’s just cruel. After what you said, I wouldn’t go with you, even if I could.”
Justus moved in until they were almost nose to nose. “Maybe your parents are right. We shouldn’t see one another.”
“If that’s how you feel,” Chaney choked out.
Rafferty slipped his hand between them and snapped his fingers. “Cool it, ladies. Raw, see Miss Daniels home.”
“Sure, Raff.” Rawlins touched Chaney’s elbow and grinned at her. “You said your driver is waiting for you?”
She nodded.
“Do you think he’ll oppose my riding with you?”
She blinked. “He won’t have a choice when I tell him who you’re with.”
“Let’s go then,” Rawlins said, leading her away.
Justus felt Rafferty’s eyes studying her once they left. “That was badly done, Miss Killion, turning on your friend for no reason. You did the same thing with your sister while we were dealing with your attackers. Am I going to receive thatkind oftongue-lashing if something upsets or scares you?”
“You’re not coming home with us,” Justus said. “So, get that out of your head. If we need a Brotherhood Protector, we’ll call Asher.”
“You don’t get to dictate how things will go, Miss Killion, is that clear? Hank Patterson hired us to keep you and Chaney safe until you testify at trial and if I believe it calls for me to stay at your place, there is nothing you can say or do to keep me away. Butyou need to cooloff right now, so I’ll give you some space. You’re free to walk out that door. Go to lunch, go shopping if that is what you prefer. Just remember what I said, I’m your best bet on protection.”
“It is.” Justus crossed her arms.
“Liberty, you’ve got my number if you need me,” Rafferty said.
“But?” Liberty looked between him and Justus. “I don’t care what she wants, Asher is on a job. He can’t drop what he’s doing and come take care of us if I called.”
He shrugged. “Then I guess you know what you have to do.” And he walked out.
Justus watched him go with a triumphant glee in her soul, but damn she admired his backside as much as she did his front and that pissed her off even more.
Liberty grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her over to the side of the lobby. “What is wrong with you? Hank Patterson has been nothing but accommodating to us. He’s provided youand Chaney with counseling, medical care, and now, protection leading up to the trial. And you want to go and piss it all away with your attitude. I’ve never seen you like this.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve never been abducted andthen threatened to have my face disfigured before.” Justus pulled her wrist away from her grasp, scowling at her. “And you want some strange man to come to our place and stay just because he says Hank Patterson hired him?”
“I know he did. I had a Zoom conference call with Hank, Asher, and the Graingers while you were at your last session with Dr. Saunders,” Liberty said.
“And yet you got on that elevator today and acted as if you didn’t even know them.” Justus smoldered. She didn’t know what was worse– being threatened or being played by her sister.
