Page 58 of Kiss Kiss Bang
With the same flare that they’d gone out with, the lights came back on. It took the three of them a moment for their eyes to adjust and for the elevator to start again. Quickly they shuffled to their feet. “Stand behind me,” Joey said, standing up with Sophie tucked against his hip, but slightly back.
Even with just the slight slit of the door opened, Joey’s shoulders relaxed when he saw Annie barking orders at someone. He knew that Olivia did not want to be seen with a boyfriend or a lover or anything that could skew her pristine image. But he could care less at the moment. Unconcerned as to who was around, Joey hoisted the sleeping little girl up, her cheek resting on his shoulder, grabbed Olivia’s hand in his, and led them out of the elevator.
He should have had his weapon out, he should have been completely vigilant and ready to take on any and all threats, but he knew without any doubt his ICS team would be there covering for them.
His two girls needed his comfort at the moment.
“Talk to me,” he said to Annie, who flanked them on his right. Ben was on the left next to Livie.
“Lights went off, the entire street. They are calling it a glitch.”
Without skipping a beat, he asked, “What are we calling it?”
“It really was a glitch. I know it seems like too much coincidence, but lightning struck the electrical box and most of the street got hit.” Annie looked over at Olivia who was listening to the conversation intently. “Remind me never to get into an elevator with you.”
Olivia rolled her eyes, feeling a little bit more relieved. All the drama had her on edge.
Tucking Sophie into her toddler car seat first, Joey then helped Olivia into the car, while Annie and Ben sat in the front.
Joey turned to Olivia. “Where to? Your house is secure. Colin is jail and Connor, who I’m still not ruling out, is in Ocala.”
“Do you think my house is safe?”
“I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t.”
“Do . . . do you think you can stay with us tonight? If you don’t mind. I’m still spooked.”
He chuckled. “I wasn’t going to leave you at your house alone. I was going to stay—with or without an invitation.”
She sighed with relief and Joey turned his attention to Annie and Ben. “Are the reports on Tom and Mark back?”
“Tom and Mark? Reports?” she asked.
“We ran a full investigation on them,” Joey said. “On Winnie too. Anyone and everyone who you have contact with.”
“Winnie and Mark are like family. That is an invasion of their privacy,” she said incredulously.
“My job is to make sure you two are safe.”
“Well, it’s not them,” Ben interjected. “Their reports came back clean.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Of course they did.”
“No offense, darlin’,” Joey replied, “but you are the shittiest judge of character I’ve ever met.” She opened her eyes wide. “Tom? World’s worst security guard. Connor? You said he was a good guy. He served six years.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’m checking everyone.”
“Whatever,” she said, snarkily.
And her mind wandered again to Connor.
