Page 111 of Until Joy

I leaned down and kissed her forehead, breathing in the familiar scent of her honeysuckle shampoo mixed with the fear-sweat we'd both been carrying since the police invasion.

“Get some more sleep if you can.”

The knock on the door came as I was pulling on my boots. Joy was already up, moving around the small room with the efficient motions of someone who'd learned not to get too comfortable anywhere.

“That'll be Randy.”

I opened the door to find Joy's brother looking rumpled and worried. His dark hair stuck up at odd angles, and his eyes carried the hollow look of someone who'd seen too much in too short a time.

Randy peered around me and waved at his sister. “Morning, JoJo. How'd you sleep?”

“Like someone who got raided by SWAT,” Joy replied dryly. “So hardly at all.”

“Yeah, that sucked. Seth's still processing the whole thing. Keeps muttering about ‘psychological warfare.’”

I grabbed my wallet and room key from the nightstand. Joy appeared at my elbow, rising on her toes to press a kiss to my lips.

“Be careful. Watch for anything suspicious.”

“Always do. Especially now.”

Her snort said exactly what she thought of my ability to avoid trouble.

Wes was idling in the parking lot when I made it downstairs, the dark blue SUV running quiet in the pre-dawn stillness. I climbed into the passenger seat, immediately relaxing into the familiar comfort of riding with a brother who understood the weight we carried.

“You look like you've been through a meat grinder.”

“Feel like it too. How's Dean?”

“July called on my way over. He finally crashed. I’ve got good news for you. July’s parents are going out of town for a week. Kansas City then down to Branson.” Wes chuckled. “Apparently seeing Def Leppard has been on Asher’s bucket list, and they’re playing there in KC. She said yes to the concert, as long as they could go to Branson. You’ve got their house.”

I nodded. “That’s really great of them.”

“Yeah. That’s just how they roll.”

“If you talk to them, tell them I appreciate it.”

“Will do.” Wes pulled out of the parking lot, taking a route that avoided main streets. We were all thinking tactically now, assuming surveillance and planning accordingly.

“Hell of a thing last night,” Wes said after a few minutes of silence.

“Bastard's smarter than we gave him credit for.”

“Maybe. Or maybe he's getting desperate, taking bigger risks.” Wes glanced over at me. “How's Joy handling it?”

“Better than I am, probably. She's tough as hell.”

“And you're beating yourself up for not predicting it.”

The observation hit too close to home. I stared out the window at the passing storefronts, trying to organize thoughts that were all over the place.

“It was a smart move. Use law enforcement against us. Turn the cops into his weapon.”

“Graham.” Wes's voice carried the authority of someone who'd commanded men in impossible situations. “You can't anticipate every possible attack. This psycho's proven he's willing to escalate beyond normal stalker behavior.”

“I should have seen it coming.”

“Why? Because you're a wizard? Because Navy SEALs have crystal balls hidden in their gear bags?”