He laughed, but it sounded bitter. “You’re barking up the wrong tree.” He paused and narrowed his eyes at her. “Kind of like you did with Hudson.”
Lindsey gave him a level gaze. “Nice try, but I know they’re all connected. I was right about Hudson, and you know it as well as I do.”
He pushed off the desk and took a step towards her. Lindsey automatically moved a little farther behind the chair. “You’re getting a little too cocky for your own good, Lindsey.”
She studied him, trying to read his words. “What does that mean, Greg?” she asked. “It sounds like a threat.”
He took another step, but this time she forced herself to stand still. The door was open. She was safe. The thought hit her like a punch in the stomach. Why would Greg be dangerous? But her instincts said he was. As if to confirm the truth, he said, “You don’t want to cross me.”
Lindsey refused to back off. The victims and their families deserved justice. “You cost lives with your little oversight. I think the press would be very interested.”
He moved swiftly, so swiftly that he was holding her arms before she knew what was happening. “Do it, and I can assure you the press will get an earful about Paxton. I’ll be sure your daddy is ruined.”
Shock and anger twisted in her gut. It was hard to believe she had ever been with this man. She responded in a low voice, through clenched teeth. “Get your hands off me.”
He reached up and ran a finger down her cheek. “Aw, but you like my hands, now don’t you, Lindsey?” He moved as if he might kiss her.
Lindsey turned her head to the side and tugged at her arm.
“Let her go.”
Relief washed over Lindsey at the sound of Mark’s voice. One look at his tense jaw, dark eyes, and tightly drawn body told her he was ready for a fight. Greg dropped her arm as if burned, turning to face Mark. His actions spoke of nervousness, but his voice was cool. “Well, well, the cavalry is here. Hot on her trail, are you, Mark?”
Mark’s gaze settled on Greg’s face in an unblinking stare. “What exactly were you trying to prove, or do you make a habit of manhandling ladies?” he said through clenched teeth, not showing any emotions on his carefully masked face.
Greg’s lips twitched. “I was simply renewing an old friendship.”
Lindsey wanted to say something, but it was clear this had become a battle of wills between the two men. She walked to Mark’s side, but he never took his eyes off Greg. She managed a voice that was remarkably steady. “Greg was warning me not to cross him or he would ruin Paxton.”
Mark still had Greg locked in a cold stare. “Is that so?”
“Just a conversation between friends,” he explained. “We were just saying how dangerous it could be to get into media wars. She made her point, and I demonstrated mine.” He smiled with smug satisfaction. “Quite effectively I believe.”
Mark was silent for a long moment, as if calculating his move or calming his temper. Lindsey wasn’t sure which. “We all know what has gone down, so let’s make this simple,” Mark said, a bite to his tone. “Drop the charges against Williams and make this easy on us all.”
Greg crossed his arms, back in his defensive posture. “Not gonna happen.”
Mark inclined his head. “Then we’ll see you in court.”
Mark turned to leave, followed by Lindsey, and Greg spoke to his retreating back. “The media war won’t be friendly. Keep that in mind.”
Mark turned slowly. “No, you keep that in mind. Don’t underestimate my ability to come out on top.”
Lindsey followed Mark out the door, thinking of the ease at which his arrogant exterior slipped into place. It wasn’t a show, though she knew he had a much softer side. She’d witnessed it firsthand. He really believed he was better than most, and with a sigh of resignation, Lindsey thought he probably was. Not that she would ever tell him that.
Calming now, she started to process the events that had just played out. She stopped walking. Mark stopped with her as if he had been monitoring her footsteps. He looked at her expectantly.
“Why are you here?” she demanded.
He stared at her as if she had lost her mind. “This is not the time or place for this conversation.”
Who made him the almighty deciding factor? “I think it is.”
He reached for her arm but she jerked out of his grasp and pointed at him. “Don’t.”
He surprised her by moving so close their bodies were practically touching. “I will not apologize for being worried about you.”
“I can take care of myself. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Running off alone while a killer is stalking you says different.”
She glared. “Go to hell, Mark.” She started to walk.
His hand snaked out, catching her arm, and turning her towards him. “I am not letting you walk out of here alone. Either walk with me or I swear to God I will throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here.”
He meant to do as he said. As much as she didn’t want to go with him, she didn’t want to make a scene. Her lips thinned with barely contained fury. “Fine,” she said through clenched teeth.
Together they walked to the front of the building. Lindsey toyed with the idea of darting once she was on the street but decided against it. Immaturity and misplaced anger wasn’t going to get her anywhere. Instead, she let Mark hail a cab.
They rode in silence, both staring out the opposite windows. Her anger turned to thoughts about the case, her anger at Mark becoming secondary. “We should call Vegas.”
Mark nodded, giving her a quick look. “Yes, they have a right to know they were duped.”
She nodded. The pleasure of setting the two men free was clouded by the thought of a vicious killer still being on the prowl. “There is enough evidence to at least get Hudson a new trial, and probably free Williams.”
Mark turned and met her gaze. “Let’s think this through. We can’t alert this creep that we are onto him.”
Lindsey swallowed. As much as she hated the truth to his words, she had to agree. Hudson deserved his life back, but it was more important to ensure no one else became a victim.
“We need to call Steve,” Mark added.
Lindsey nodded. “I’ll call and see if he can come over as soon as we get to the office.”
Mark slid across the seat, his finger going to her chin. His face was so close, his expression so dark, that Lindsey’s breath caught in her throat. “Don’t,” he said in a dangerously soft voice, “pull a stunt like this one again.” Lindsey opened her mouth to protest but he cut her off. “And don’t get on your high horse,” he added. “This is not a game, or even a power play. This is life,” he paused for meaning, “and death.”
His words cut like a knife and she shivered. He was right. Death was in the air.
* * * * *
A single white posy in a simple vase sat on the reception desk. Without asking, Lindsey knew who it was for. And who it was from.
Mark’s hands settled on her shoulders and she leaned back against him, needing the source of strength he offered. Forgotten was the argument over Greg.
Judy reached for the vase. “More flowers.”
“Don’t touch that,” Mark said sharply. Judy recoiled, looking wounded by his tone. Mark turned Lindsey to look at him. “You okay?”
Lindsey nodded automatically. “I need to call Steve.” And she turned away from Mark, needing to get to her office. She mentally searched for her composure. By the time she called Steve, she was beginning to pull herself together. Her hand was remarkably steady as she hung up the receiver.
She squeezed her eyes shut, and inhaled and exhaled several times. Her head fell back on the chair, and she tried to relax her body. She jumped as Mark leaned over her, his hands on the arms of her chair. She could hardly believe she hadn’t heard his approach. “Wow,” he said in a calming voice. “It’s just me.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t hear you.”