Page 63 of Forbidden Wish
They needed answers. Words. At least this time, unlike instances before, she had ammunition of her own that should dampen his urge to baby her. After she reminded him, of course.
“You need me?” Jagg asked.
Was he talking to her? They halted.
“Tav’s coming over,” Ford said, like that meant anything to anyone.
Her. Like that meant anything to her.
“We can’t deal with that today.”
“Desperate to see Strat?” Ford asked, a snicker in his words. “You babysat her yesterday. I’ll take today.”
“Babysat me?”
Now it was her brother pushing her out. “What else would you call it? You’re chasing a crazed murderer who loves killing women, which you are, in case you forgot.”
“Nice of you to acknowledge I’m not twelve anymore.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
“With you, I never do.”
Her big brother, her protector, and her aggravator. That was kind of his job and hers too in return. What else were siblings for?
TWENTY-FIVE
AT STRAT’S DOOR, Ford reached for the handle, obviously planning to waltz on in. She intercepted his hand, shaking her head.
“You knock on Dad’s door?” he asked. “Since when?”
Making a point of exaggerating her knock, she waited. “You don’t want to know.”
“What—”
“You never know what you might walk in on. This could save you from serious mental trauma.”
The door opened. Strat’s jaw was loose until he took in the sight. Then a suspicious frown overtook his expression.
“This ain’t gonna end well,” he muttered.
He stepped back and Ford tried to go in, but the back of her hand hit his torso, stalling him.
“Are you alone?”
Her dad might not appreciate the question. She didn’t appreciate its necessity.
“Yeah, I’m alone.”
Her hand fell and she took the lead going inside. “Is there coffee?”
“What’s going on?” Strat asked. She heard the front door close. “Which one of you is in trouble?”
“You think we’d come here if we were in trouble?” she asked. “Youaretrouble.”
And he’d raised it too.
In answer to her question, yes, there was coffee. Enough for half each.
