Page 64 of Deadly Conflicts

Ally narrowed her eyes. “I’m not putting faith in Vince. I don’t trust him. That’s not what I was saying.”

“What were you saying?”

“That … I need Jake to love me.” Ally’s eyes filled with tears and Mandy’s heart almost broke in two at the traumatized look on her friend’s face.

Mandy got up from her seat and gave Ally a hug, the friends embracing for a long moment. “Jake does love you,” Mandy whispered. “I swear it. I see it every time he looks at you. Have a little faith, Ally.”

Ally wiped away an errant tear and nodded. “I’m sorry I’m being such a pill.”

“Me, too,” Mandy said, offering her friend a rueful smile. “I called you here to buck me up. I didn’t know it was going to be the other way around.”

“Speaking of bucking up,” Ally said, sucking in a breath and collecting herself. “What did my brother do to tick you off?”

Mandy opened her mouth to answer, making sure to collect her thoughts before doing so. Before she could utter a word, though, a tall figure moved in at Ally’s left and caused her heart to plummet.

“Hello! What a nice surprise.”

Ally widened her eyes when she caught sight of Vince, stunned disbelief flitting across her features before she locked gazes with Mandy. What are the odds? “Um, hi.”

“It’s nice to see you again,” Vince said, flashing a warm smile in Mandy’s direction. “Both of you. It must be kismet or something. Running into you like this out of the blue … it’s fate.”

“I don’t really believe in fate,” Ally said, her cheeks flushed with color. “I do believe in grapefruit margaritas. If you want to buy us another round, we’d be happy to drink them. I mean … there’s no harm in old friends having a few drinks, is there?”

“As long as I can join you, that sounds like a great idea.”

Mandy forced a smile even though her stomach twisted with worry. “I have to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

“Do you want more of the same?” Ally asked, oblivious to her friend’s shifting mood.

“That sounds lovely,” Mandy said, clutching her small purse closer to her chest. “I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time,” Vince said, his eyes trained on the vee in Ally’s shirt. “We’ll keep your seat warm.”

“I’ll be right back,” Mandy repeated. She maintained her cool until she rounded the corner that led to the bathroom and then dug in the purse until she found her cell phone. She wasn’t thrilled with the call she was about to make, but she didn’t have any other options.

James picked up on the first ring. “Where are you?”

“Um … .” She didn’t like the tone of his voice. He was her husband, not her keeper.

As if sensing her anger through the phone, James adjusted his harsh tone. “Baby, where are you? I’m worried. I don’t like going to our bedroom and finding a note when I expect to find you.”

“I’m sorry. I … .”

“Where are you, baby?” James repeated. “I know you’re with Ally and Jake is beside himself because he thinks you might tell her what he has planned.”

“I wouldn’t do that.” Tears flooded Mandy’s eyes. “I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that. I wouldn’t tell Ally.”

“I know you wouldn’t,” James said. “I have faith in you. I told Jake before you walked into the garage that you wouldn’t say anything. I desperately need to know where you guys are, though. Jake is going to have a meltdown. He’s a calm guy, so it takes a lot to push him over the edge. He’s almost there, though.”

“We’re at the Shores Inn.”

James was silent on the other end of the phone for a moment. “That explains why your car is here and Ally’s is at home. You guys took a cab because they have that shuttle service.”

“Yes.”

“Okay,” James said, his voice clipped. “I was worried about you, but I am not tracking you down and dragging you back home. I will be here when you’re ready to come back, but if you’re filthy drunk, I’m not taking care of you. This one is on you.”

“I’ve only had two drinks,” Mandy said, her voice cracking.