She glances up, sucking in her lower lip. “You mad at me?
I lift her chin and swallow hard, trying not to envision some asshole punching her. “Not at you, sugar.”
“I should’ve had my gun in my holster.” When her eyes shift down, I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear.
“And?”
Shrugging, her voice lowers to where I almost can’t hear. “Maybe I shouldn’t have spoken to my uncle about the case. You don’t really think he had one of his goons beat me up, do you?”
My hands slip behind her neck and I kiss the tip of her nose. “At first, I suspected him but he was shocked when he found out. Then, he got angry. We’re going to find whoever did this and send them a message.”
“We?” She starts to smile but grimaces when it reaches her mouth. “Ow.”
“Damn straight, we.” I kiss her split lip and close my eyes.
This is my fault, I promised to let her be a private eye and protect her but I can’t be there all the time.
Holy shit. I know what I need to do. “I am signing you up for self-defense classes.”
“I took some when I worked for the FBI.” She takes offense but I don’t give a rat’s ass. This is a damn fine idea.
“Jenna Jones’ husband gives classes in jungle combat. I’m sure Jason will agree it’s a great idea.”
“Wait, I should take advice from an AI app?”
“Why not? You in or not?” It’s time for her to acquiesce because I am not backing down.
She must sense my resolve and nods. “Okay, but can we afford it?”
“We can’t afford not to.” I grunt. “And, until I say so, you are not sleuthing other than on the computer. Unless I am with you, you’re not visiting your uncle Vinny, your nonna, your mom, or your hundreds of cousins. Understand? You are grounded, young lady. Someone is after you and you need my protection. Now, I only got a few hours before I have to go back into the city. Are we gonna waste them arguing or make love?”
“Kissing may be a little difficult.” She points to her lip.
“You let me worry about that. Get your little ass upstairs. I’ll be right there.”
I step into the bathroom and for a moment, think I forgot where I left off. What the fuck? The black border is finished?
She didn’t have to hire someone. I was getting to it. She couldn’t wait one short week? I wonder which of her many male relatives she called and worse, what price they’ll extract from her.
“Sam?” I shout up to the loft.
A few seconds later, she puts her face to the iron banister. “Yes?”
“Who the hell finished my tiling?”
Her face drops and eyes go wide. “Why? Is it bad?”
“No, no. It looks fine.”
“I’m sorry. I thought you’d be pleased. I did my best.” When her eyes water I understand my mistake.
“Wait. Hold on.” I circle the stairs and plop down on the bed so I don’t bump my head. “C’mere. You did it?”
“Uh-huh. I wanted to surprise you.” Her lower lip, already swollen, rolls out as giant tears pool in the corners of her eyes. “Shit. You really are hard to please.”
I feel like a complete ass as I pull her onto my lap. “I thought you were mad it was taking me so long and asked one of your relatives to finish it.”
“Why?”
