“Um,” I mumbled, glancing behind me toward James’s door, “he’s kind of busy right now.”
“What the fuck is he doing?” Thomas said, moving around the desk.
I put up my hands, stopping him from leaving. “Just give him a few minutes. What do I do about the car?”
“Just give me the bill and we’ll pay it. Insurance will cover it.”
“Thanks, Thomas.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Since you’re here, we need to discuss your relationship with Ms. True.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “James,” he called out as he walked into the room, straightening his clothes. “Shut the door, James,” Thomas said as he collapsed in his chair.
“Do I want to hear this?” I asked, knowing what he was peeved about.
“Listen, smartass. Dating a client can complicate shit and open us up to a slew of lawsuits.”
I set my mouth in a firm line at the insinuation that she’d be after money. “Race isn’t like that.”
He shook his head, throwing his body back into the chair. “Be careful. You’re in very dangerous territory.”
“I know. I didn’t mean for anything to happen.”
Thomas crossed his arms in front of his chest and sighed. “I don’t want excuses. Keep her safe and close the case.”
“I never set out to like her. I don’t know what happened, but I’ll keep her safe. And the case should be over tomorrow. She just makes me crazy.”
“Women do that.” James toyed with the wedding ring on his hand.
“Firsthand knowledge?” I asked, my eyes dropping to his hand.
“I didn’t want to like Izzy. God, she’s such a pain in the ass. I couldn’t help it. One thing led to another, and here I am. Married.” He shook his head. “Sometimes we can’t resist fate.”
“Hey, James, Hallmark wants their cheesy line back,” Thomas joked.
“Shut up, man,” James shot back, lifting his chin to Thomas.
“Anyway, we’ll handle everything,” Thomas said. “Stay with her tonight. I don’t like that this person came here and vandalized your car. They’re bold and could try anything. Just, for the love of God, stay on your toes.”
“I won’t let my guard down.”
“A dead client doesn’t pay,” James added.
Jesus.“You know just the right shit to make me feel better, James.”
“James, I need you to pull the parking lot footage for the last hour,” Thomas said, tapping his finger on the desk.
“What happened?” James asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at me.
“Someone slashed my tires.”
“Fuck,” he said, pushing himself up from the chair. “I’m on it.”
I closed my eyes, wishing I could fast-forward to tomorrow, when hopefully, all of this would be over. “Do you need me for anything else?” I asked, needing to get back to Race.
“No. We’ll get everything set and send you the details.”
“Okay. I’m going to call for a rental car and get Elvira towed.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
