7 Brides for 7 Bodies Read Free Page A

yesterday when he’d saved her life. She had a face and a voice as proof her father was still alive, but Wes had nothing concrete to cling to.
    “I would’ve thought you two would be busy dealing with The Charmed Killer,” Carlotta said wryly, “seeing as how now you’ve got the right man and all.”
    Jack made a noise that could’ve been a cough or a laugh.
    “We’re trained to multi-task,” Wick said, matching her tone.
    Carlotta ground her teeth, but realized she needed to change tack. “Gentlemen, surely there’s some way we can see Randolph before you transport him?” She wasn’t beneath batting her eyelashes. Flap, flap.
    Green made a clicking noise in his throat. “No can do, little lady. But we’ll tell him you said hello.”
    Jack must’ve realized Carlotta wanted to punch the man in the face, because his other hand shot out to clasp her forearm and give her a warning squeeze.
    “Yes,” Jack said to the men. “Tell Randolph his children will see him at the federal detention center as soon as possible.”
    Wick’s gaze bounced back and forth between the three of them. “Do you babysit in your free time, Terry?”
    Jack gave a little laugh. “Funny. If you two jackasses don’t move along, I’m going to turn these two loose and look the other way.”
    Green scowled. “You got a bad attitude, boy.”
    Jack’s smile didn’t waver. “So I’ve been told.”
    He maintained his hold on them until Wick and Green walked away, then released them with a grunt. Wes swiped at his eyes, his body shaking with fury. “I don’t believe this!”
    “But we can go now to USP, can’t we?” Carlotta asked. “We’ll follow them.”
    Jack shook his head. “It doesn’t work like that. It’ll take a while to process him, and then the feds will want their time with him.” He sighed. “I know this sucks, but you’ve both waited a long time to talk to Randolph, and a couple of more days isn’t going to kill you.”
    “Shut up.” Wes stabbed his finger in the air for emphasis. “You’re the one who arrested him, for God’s sake. And if you hadn’t stopped us just now, we would’ve already been back there, talking to our dad.” He was near tears again. “Why don’t you mind your own damn business?”
    They were attracting attention from the security guards. Jack flashed his badge and gave them a signal that he had the situation under control.
    Then he jammed his hands on his hips and looked at Carlotta. “Do you feel the same?”
    She bit into her lower lip, her mind spinning. How did she feel about Jack being so involved in their lives? Her mind changed like the weather. Some days she wished their paths had never crossed...although the dream she’d had about the “other place” made her think they had been fated to meet, no matter what. And there was no arguing he’d saved her butt more than once, the confounding man. And the sex...well, the detective had skills not listable on LinkedIn.
    Although Wes had a point that if Jack hadn’t insisted on dragging Randolph away from the townhome, that if he’d only given them an hour as a family to talk before he slapped on the cuffs, they wouldn’t be standing here right now, with Wes feeling as if he was never going to see his father with his own eyes.
    “Carlotta?” Jack prompted.
    “I feel...” Under his gaze and Wesley’s, her voice faltered, then she tried again. “That is, maybe we could use a break from each other, Jack.”
    Jack’s expression clouded, then he nodded. “Loud and clear.” He turned toward the entrance, and she wanted to reach out to him, take back the words. Why was everything between them so tricky?
    Suddenly he turned back. “Actually, why don’t both of you take a walk with me to my car?”
    “Gee, that didn’t last long,” Wes said sarcastically.
    “One walk,” Jack said. “Then I’ll step back from the Wrens.”
    “Why should we?” Wes asked.
    Jack massaged the bridge of his nose. “Trust me this