Chapter 4

“Unless your dad shoots us or something.”

Good feelings, gone.

“I hate you.”

“J’taime,” Natalie returned with a wink. Maura kissed her on the cheek, before scowling half-heartedly and going back to find Max.

* * * *

It was actually scary how fast Maura got anxious when both Natalie and Camilla were out of her reach. She eased into the car with Max, wearing a look of obvious consternation as he revved up the Jeep and headed for the freeway.

“Hey, I drive just fine; no need to look like this is your last car ride,” Max joked. Maura bothered only to raise an eyebrow at him.

“How bad is it at Dad’s?” she asked instead.

“Drunk!” Max replied cheerily. “Aren’t you glad that I abstained until I could come pick you up?”

“You’re a saint among men,” Maura groused. “I don’t think I want my daughter meeting these people after all.”

“How long are you staying?”

“…Three days. We are flying out at too-fucking-early on the twenty-fourth.”