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“Your office is in Semmes, right?” He was pretty sure it was. He remembered thinking it would be far more convenient than having to go all the way into Mobile for Lacey’s appointments.

Lauren nodded slowly, as if she wasn’t sure where he was going with all this and she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. She scowled at him.

“Where are you going with this?”

Cypher lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “I’m not really going anywhere,” he said, glancing toward the front table where Jenna still sat with her sister. “I just know that Lacey likes you. You’ve been a big help for her, and I’d hate for something to happen to you. Especially if it could be prevented.” Images of her bruised and battered flashed through his mind. This wasn’t the first time he’d mentally cursed his vivid imagination.

She watched him a moment longer, then seemed to relax, at least a bit.

“You’re not the first to tell me it’s not safe. I just can’t not meet with them if they need it.”

“I get that. How about for now, I give you my number. You can text me and let me know when you should be done, then text again after an appointment to let me know you’re okay.”

“What would that do?” she asked, clearly confused.

“Send someone looking a hell of a lot faster than Monday morning.” Cypher took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She’s not trying to be difficult. She doesn’t know us. He reminded himself. She doesn’t know that I’m trying to look out for her.

Lauren tilted her head down toward the table, he watched as she sat that way for several seconds then looked up.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been on my own for a long time. I’m used to doing things on my own. I get a little defensive when someone tells me I can’t handle something or that I need help.” One side of her mouth quirked up in a wry smile. “My family is always telling me I need to come home, and I am always defending myself and I’m afraid it bled over onto you.” She met his gaze. “I can admit some kind of system where someone knows when I’m meeting with clients at…unusual times would be good. Are you sure you want to sign up for that? Sometimes I get up really early or stay up late in order to accommodate a client.”

“Not a problem. We’ve always got someone on security. There is always someone watching cameras or sitting at the gate.” He waved one hand in dismissal. He didn’t tell her that even now, one of the prospects was watching the feed, making sure no one breeched the perimeter and did anything to put a damper on the wedding.

With a sigh she pulled her phone out of the small bag sitting beside her on the table, pressed her finger against the scanner and slid the phone across the table.

“Give me your number.”

Cypher picked up the phone, added his number, and sent himself a text so he would have her number and wouldn’t have to ask who it was later.

“Have you considered cameras?”

Lauren shook her head. “I can’t. It’s illegal. Privacy laws.”

Cypher tilted his head. He’d look into that. There had to be some way to work around that. Maybe not have cameras in her office, but in the waiting room or even outside the door to see who went in and out. There had to be something. She couldn’t be the only one in the whole state who did shit like meet people during off hours. There had to be some system in place to protect them. He made a mental note to reach out to a couple of contacts and see what they could legally do.

“Like I said, I should go. It’s getting late.” She stuffed her phone back in her bag.

“You have a ride?” he asked. He’d watched as she’d had a couple of drinks over the last hour and the last thing they wanted was for anyone to get in an accident on the way home from the wedding. She wasn’t slurring her words, and she had seemed stable on her feet, but she’d only gotten up a few times to use the rest room. He didn’t want to take any chances.

“I came in an Uber. I need to see how long until one can get here to pick me up.”

“Don’t bother. I’ll take you home.” He’d been drinking water and soda for the last hour. He’d learned several years ago to stop with the booze at least an hour before he went to bed. As odd as it sounded, he slept so much better he’d recommended it to a couple of brothers, but they’d looked at him like he’d lost his mind.

“I couldn’t.” Lauren shook her head. “I don’t want to be the reason you have to leave.”

“I was getting ready to call it a night anyway. I’ve got several things to do tomorrow and being hungover will not make them easier.”

She looked at him from the corner of her eye.

“On a motorcycle?”

“If that’s what you want. Ever been on a bike?”

“Bike yes, motorcycle, no. And I’d like a ride but maybe after a night of drinking isn’t the best idea.” She picked up her bag and held it in her lap, both hands wrapped around it.

Cypher stood.

“We’ll take a pickup tonight. I’ll find a good time to take you out on a bike when you’re sober. How’s that sound?”