Page 50 of Deadly Conflicts

“No.”

“Did Mandy?”

Ally shook her head. “Mandy? What would she say to me?”

“Nothing,” Jake answered. “I just … don’t worry about it. I think your parents showing up out of the blue has everyone acting differently from what they normally would. That festival job came out of nowhere and ruined a holiday weekend, too. Now we have to deal with that jackass Vince and his stupid car.”

“You really don’t like Vince, huh?” Ally’s eyes twinkled, causing a sense of relief to wash over Jake. She was in there. Maybe she really was overtired.

“I think he’s a dick.”

“You and James should form a club,” Ally suggested. “James can be president because he likes being the boss and you can be the treasurer because you’re good with money.”

“Very cute,” Jake said, tickling her ribs. “I want to be the president, though. I really hate that guy.”

“I think he likes that people hate him,” Ally said. “I think he gets off on it.”

“He doesn’t want you to hate him,” Jake pointed out. “Perhaps he only likes it when the men in your life hate him.”

“Perhaps.” Ally pursed her lips as she mulled the statement. “I guess it doesn’t matter. He says he’s grown as a person, but I’ve learned that anyone who says things like that hasn’t changed at all. I think he’s playing a game.”

“We’re starting to think the same thing,” Jake said. “Peter says that word on the street indicates the car theft was an inside job. That doesn’t necessarily mean it was Vince – he has employees, after all – but we can’t rule him out.”

“I don’t know why he would steal a car.”

“I don’t either.” Jake kissed Ally’s cheek and rocked her for a moment. “How about we take a long bath and I’ll rub your back? Then we can go to bed early. How does that sound?”

“Pretty good as long as I get to rub something of yours in there, too.”

Jake snorted. “Oh, I love you so much, angel. That right there is only one reason why.”

“I guess we’re a good match.”

Jake clutched her tighter. “We’re the best match.” And we’re going to be even better in a few days when I can give you everything you want, he silently added. It was close. He just had to get all of his ducks in a row. He would make her happy if it was the last thing he ever did.