Page 75 of Deadly Forever

Mandy pressed her lips together, uncertain. In truth, Jacob Kaspar was so cold he worried her. He didn’t seem like the type of kid who would panic. Of course, she did have backup – however minimal – in the form of Maverick. She had no choice but to use that to her advantage. James wouldn’t return to the office for hours. She couldn’t rely on him to save her.

“Psst. Jacob?”

“Hmm.”

“I’m betting I can catch you off guard,” Mandy said, forcing a grim smile onto her face. “Do you want to know how?”

“Certainly,” Jacob replied calmly. “I’m a student of human behavior. I’m dying to know how you plan to make your last stand.”

“That’s good,” Mandy said, cracking her neck. “I’m not alone. There’s someone else here.”

Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

“The computer guy,” Mandy replied. “He’s here. He’s the one who uncovered your hacking attempt.”

“I see.” Jacob looked as if he wanted to remain calm, but he couldn’t stop himself from glancing over his shoulder. The second he did, Mandy grabbed the glass candy bowl from the center of the table and smashed it against his head.

Jacob staggered, the blow stunning him. Unfortunately for Mandy, he didn’t fall to the ground. That didn’t stop her from doing what she had to do. So she launched herself at him and fought as if her life depended on it … because it did.

JAMES WASa nervous wreck when he hit the parking lot. Jake had barely slowed down the vehicle when James jumped out of it and raced toward the door. His head was muddled, afraid he would find something truly terrible when he made it to the other side of the entryway.

Mandy could be dead. Jacob was a textbook sociopath. He would enjoy nothing more than killing her and leaving her for James to find. James knew that Mandy was industrious, but Jacob looked like a typical teenager. She might not realize what he was until it was too late.

James sucked in a breath when he stormed through the door, pulling up short when he saw Mandy and Maverick sitting on the couch together. The office was in disarray – as was Mandy’s hair – and the duo appeared to be sharing a chocolate bar.

“Mandy?”

Mandy’s eyes widened when she saw him. “I was expecting the police. What are you doing here?”

“Kaspar told us about Jacob,” James said, taking another step into the room. “Did he attack? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Mandy said, waving off his concern. “I didn’t even break a fingernail.”

“She did, however, break the candy bowl,” Maverick said. He looked paler than usual, which was saying something because he wasn’t known for spending time outdoors. “She cracked it over that dude’s head.”

“Uh-huh.” James felt as if he was in a surreal dream and he couldn’t figure out what was happening. Mandy and Maverick were far too calm. “You called the police? Did Jacob run when you did that?”

Mandy shook her head and pointed toward James’ office. “He’s in there.”

James kept one eye on Mandy as he walked toward the office, finally focusing his full attention on the scene there. He raised his eyebrows when he caught sight of Jacob – who was tied to the couch by his feet and ankles. James leaned closer as Jacob spit in his direction, the teenager fighting his restraints with everything he had.

“I’m going to kill her,” Jacob howled. “I’m going to make her eat her own guts.”

“Quiet,” James ordered, kicking the teenager in the ribs for good measure. He was already battered and bloody. James was convinced that one more injury couldn’t possibly come back to haunt him. “Baby? Did you use Maverick’s belt and your shoelaces to tie up Jacob?”

“Yes.”

“How did you manage to do that?” James asked, appearing in the doorway.

“Well, I hit him with the bowl, but he didn’t go down,” Mandy replied. “Then I hit him with the coat rack.”

“She hit him like eight times with the coat rack,” Maverick interjected. “It was very cool.”

“He still didn’t pass out, though, so Maverick whacked him with your computer,” Mandy added. “It’s broken, by the way. I’ll pay to have it replaced.”

James’ heart filled with warmth at her serene expression and he was on her within seconds, his hand wrapped around her wrist as he jerked her toward him. She inadvertently stepped on Maverick thanks to James’ haste, causing the computer guru to grunt in pain. “I love you, baby. Good job.”

“I’m sorry about your computer,” Mandy said, patting his back. “The police should be here any second, too. I called them.”

James pulled back and shoved Mandy’s messy hair out of her face. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“Because you were busy.”

James made a face. “I’m never too busy for you, wife. You must know that.”

“I do know that,” Mandy said. “I just figured the whole thing was more streamlined this way. You got his father, right?”

James nodded. “We got both of them.” He pulled her in for another hug, glancing over his shoulder and smiling when Jake raced into the room. “It’s good. My baby took care of him.”

Jake took a moment to adjust to the news. “Of course she did,” he said after a beat. “She’s a miracle worker, right?”

“She’s just a plain old miracle,” James said, kissing her forehead. “She’s my miracle.”

“Always,” Mandy murmured into his chest.

“Forever, my baby. Always and forever.”