“Maybe he’s left this area,” I suggested.
Jenkins shook his head, his mouth full. “Got witnesses IDing him at a convenience store here in town, plus he’s on several security cameras. He’s hanging around and, of course, we know why. Right, Jacy?”
“Because he wants to kill me.”
Jacy nibbled at her dinner, her face lowered, her tension all but making her shoulders shake. My dragon possessiveness and protectiveness rose as did my sudden surge of anger.
“He can try,” I snapped. “If he comes here with evil intentions, he’s one dead brother.”
“Now what did I tell you about doing stupid shit?” Jenkins demanded. “The kind that’ll land you in a jail cell.”
“It’s called self-defense, dumb ass,” I growled. “He comes here with a gun, tries to kill her or Declan or me, I’ll end him and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Jenkins locked eyes with me for several long seconds, then shook his head. “Make damn sure it’s self-defense, man. Don’t end him on the street, then drag his dead ass inside. I’ll nail you for murder if you do.”
“I won’t break the law,” I told him. “You won’t be arresting me.”
“I don’t suppose you’ll try catching him rather than killing him?” Jenkins sighed. “Scratch that. You’re a stockbroker, not a member of SEAL Team Six.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I commented dryly.
“Maybe I’ll end him and end this useless argument,” Jacy grated. “I’m not helpless, you know.”
Jenkins’s eyes widened. “You? You’re just a teensy lil thing.”
“I don’t need to be big to pull a trigger.”
“There you both go.” Jenkins sighed dramatically, then munched a wiener. “Planning to kill a member of your family. I reckon this is what happens when one commits patricide. You piss off the surviving blood relations.”
“Feuds get started that way.” I chuckled. “Incite a clan war.”
“I reckon one has started.” Jenkins sighed again. “Look, kids, Carter’s been fingered in two other murders. He’s one dangerous dude. I’m thinking I should post twenty-four/seven police protection outside your house.”
“No.”
Jacy and I looked at one another after speaking at the same time.
“We can handle Carter,” Jacy said. “This is a small town, and the inhabitants need cops responding to their problems.”
“I don’t want to have to explain to my son why there’s a cop cruiser parked outside,” I added. “Thanks, but no.”
“This is a mistake.” Jenkins shook his head. “I don’t like it.”
“What’s to stop him from blowing a local officer’s brains out, then attacking us?” I demanded, angry again. “You’re just putting another in harm’s way.”
“The police are trained –”
“Blow me,” I snapped. “The cops herearen’ttrained to deal with a guy like Carter. They dole out traffic tickets and settle domestic disputes. He’s merciless as we know, and he won’t hesitate to kill a cop to get at us.”
“You insult the people I work with,” Jenkins replied stiffly.
“No. You know I’m talking the truth here. You don’t want to see anyone else hurt any more than we do.”
“Then will you go on an extended vacation? Until Carter is either caught or goes home?”
Jacy and I looked at one another, surprised. “Maybe,” I replied. “I could use a break, siesta on a beach somewhere.”
“Can we afford it?” Jacy asked.
