“Well, fine. If you’re going to be unsociable…” He hunted and pecked at his computer keyboard as Molly restrained the urge to tap her foot impatiently. “Despite your lack of manners, I’ll admit that I was impressed you managed to bring in Sonny. I could use someone of your talents working for me full-time.”

“No.”

“You might want to consider—”

“No.” When he opened his mouth to argue further, she waved her hand sharply, not even caring anymore that it was her mom’s mannerism. “You blackmailed me into this, and Sonny almost killed me and the people I love. You’re going to print that check, hand it to me, and give me your word that you won’t make any other attempt to move up Mom’s court date.”

He eyed her, and she stared right back. Enough was enough. She wasn’t about to let Barney bully her into becoming his lackey. She remembered Norah’s pale face as she stood wrapped in explosives, and it steeled her resolve. Barney must’ve seen her determination, because he dropped his gaze to the computer screen and clicked the mouse button.

The whir of the printer kicking on sent a wave of triumph and relief crashing over Molly, but she tried very hard to keep her emotions from showing. She waited in silence as he signed the check and slowly, very slowly, extended it toward her. After snatching it from his grip, she quickly glanced down, confirming that he had actually made it out for the full thirty percent plus their expenses.

“Now your word that you won’t try to move up Mom’s court date.”

“I’d never—”

“Your word, Barney.” It wasn’t worth much, but at least it was some kind of promise.

“Fine. I give you my word that I won’t try to move Jane’s court date.” He said the words easily—too easily—and she didn’t trust the smug way he leaned back in his chair. She knew it was all she was going to get from him, though, and she was ready to get out of this grubby office and away from its slimy inhabitant.

“I’ll hold you to it.” With a short nod, she turned and strode away, ignoring Barney’s attempts to get her to stay. She strode to the main door and threw it open, stepping out into the fall sunlight just to slam head-on into a broad chest that smelled wonderful.

John caught her, not releasing her even after she’d regained her balance. Although she tried to scowl, her ability to frown seemed to be on the fritz whenever she was around him. “You did that on purpose,” she scolded him. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to reenact our last encounter outside Barney’s office,” he said with absolutely no shame as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and headed across the parking lot. “Which answers both questions. Oh, and your Sergeant Blake called. She couldn’t get hold of you, but she wanted to let you know they found your car.”