Patrick took a step back from the bed. “I’m not, but if she can’t handle my mild concerns, there’s no way in hell she’s going to cope with our combined families tugging from opposite sides of the table.”
“Don’t, Dallas. Patrick is right. Until recently I haven’t stood up to my parents. I do love them, despite their smothering. It’s not going to be easy.” She glanced at her watch. “Patrick, I need to go to work. Will you give me a ride?”
She stooped to kiss Dallas on the lips, and the slight contact wasn’t enough. Dallas wanted to wrap his arms around her and tell her everything would work out for the best.
“Say hello to James.” Dallas batted down his surge of jealousy because he knew she and James truly were friends, but still, he didn’t want her to face her parents alone.
“Don’t worry. This is something I need to do. Just concentrate on getting better. I presume you’ll need to start physio once you’re out of here.”
“Don’t try to distract me,” he said in a harsh voice.
“Bother.” She winked, tossed a grin in Patrick’s direction. “I need more practice at this distraction thing. It’s a pity we’re not alone. I could’ve flashed skin.”
“Don’t let me stop you,” Patrick said.
Dallas barred his teeth at his brother, an expression Patrick and Laura found hilarious, judging by their cackles.
“I’m sorry, but I do have to go. I packed a couple of things for you. A set of fresh clothes and some toiletries. I’ll come tomorrow and pick you up.” She kissed him again.
Patrick gave him a nod and gave his arm a gentle squeeze. “Do you want me to ring the folks?”
“I’ll do it,” Dallas said. “I still have my phone. It was in my jacket pocket.”
“Okay. Don’t worry,” Patrick said, obviously reading his fears. “I’ll keep an eye on Laura.”
“Why didn’t you tell him about the man following us?” Patrick asked.
“He’s dealing with enough now. Why didn’t you tell him?”
“Same reasons as you. Any ideas as to what we should do next?”
Laura climbed into the passenger seat while considering the matter. “I’ll ask when I tell my parents about Dallas. I might fire first and nudge the conversation to Dallas once I’ve heard their answers.”
“And meantime we keep watch.”
Laura nodded. “Yep, that’s all we can do.”
James picked her up at the house not long after six. “You look beautiful.”
She’d dressed in red to make a statement and done her hair in an old Hollywood glamour style, copied from photos she’d seen of her grandmother. Her smoky eyes and bright red lipstick completed the image. “Thanks. You look pretty dapper yourself. Are both Mother and Father attending tonight?”
“From what your father said.” James shot her a look before turning his attention back to the road. “They asked me where you were living and what you were doing for money.”
“What did you tell them?”
“I said as far as I knew you were staying with a friend, but I didn’t know any details.”
She nodded. “Patrick and I were followed this morning when we went to the house. Do you think my parents would hire a private investigator to follow me? I checked out the vehicle details. The vehicle is registered to Scott and Sons. I’ve never heard of them, and I don’t know what they do.”
“They’re loan sharks,” James said in a terse voice. “Does Dallas have gambling debts?”
“No, not that I know of. I help him with the pub accounts. Financially, he’s good. Their two existing pubs are doing well, and they’re expanding and setting up a third in Clare. We spend most of our time together. He’s never placed a single bet in my hearing.”
“What about the other brothers?”
“I suppose it’s a possibility, but I don’t get that vibe.”
James pulled up in front of the hotel where the dinner was being held. He rounded the front of his vehicle to help her out and handed his keys to a valet.
