Page 91 of The Right to Remain

“You know I would never want to hurt you.”

“Whoa. Are you breaking up with me?”

She smiled, then turned serious. “No. But I’m not joking around either.”

“Sorry. Go ahead. If there’s something you need to get off your chest, I can take it.”

She knew he could. If there was anything Theo respected, it was toughness.

“You’re Jack’s oldest friend. My daughter loves you to death. You’re like family to all of us.”

“Thank you.”

Her expression turned deadly serious, and she looked him straight in the eye. “But if you ever do anything to embarrass Jack or bring shame on this family, I will rip you a new one. Do you understand me?”

Theo stared back at her. He seemed to understand that there would be no explanation for the warning, not another word about it from Andie.

“Understood,” said Theo.

“Good. I hope that’s the end of this.”

“Hope so,” said Theo, and he opened the door for her.

Andie stepped out, grabbed her suitcase, and started toward the exit. On her way out, she passed one of the little round tables near the jazz musicians’ stage—the one where Jack had proposed to her.She walked faster, pushed open the door, and left Cy’s Place before Theo could see her lose her composure.

Jack was glad to be home.

With Andie somewhere on assignment, he’d left Righley in the capable hands of their nanny for the duration of his not-so-great day in court. Catching up on other work had kept him in the office past eight o’clock. Max was the first to greet him as he stepped through the front door, tail wagging. Righley wasn’t far behind, and her voice was filled with excitement.

“Daddy! Guess who’s home!”

She grabbed his hand and nearly dragged him to the kitchen. Max followed, since a trip to the kitchen usually meant food. Andie stepped out from behind the counter and gave Jack a kiss.

“What a nice surprise,” said Jack, smiling. Max squeezed in between their embrace, making himself into a golden retriever sandwich.

“How long will you be home?” asked Jack.

“Until the next undercover assignment,” she said.

Righley hopped up onto the bar stool and said, “The bad guys got away.”

Jack looked at Andie with concern. “Did someone blow your cover?”

“No, nothing like that. Headquarters cut our budget.”

“I’m sorry. So, Operation Jack Eats Junk Food is over?”

“Very funny. But yes, it’s over.”

“Then why are you still wearing your undercover wig?”

“It’s not a wig.”

Jack did a double take. “You cut your hair?”

“Yes, I cut my hair. Why do you act so surprised?”

“I’ve never known you without long hair. When’s the last time you wore it this short?”