Obsession (Southern Comfort) by O'Neill Lisa Clark

Author:O'Neill, Lisa Clark [O'Neill, Lisa Clark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-02-09T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

JUSTIN grabbed the takeout bag from the passenger seat before sliding out of his brother’s SUV. He didn’t know that switching the vehicles around was accomplishing more than making James feel marginally better, but since it was making his brother feel better, he hadn’t insisted on driving his own truck.

Justin hit the remote to engage the lock, then headed toward the back door. The plants beside the walk were trampled where the police had searched for evidence last night, and Justin felt himself growing tense. The repeated violation of his personal space was more offensive than Justin had imagined. He’d heard people talk about the psychological aftereffects of break-ins and robberies, but decided that it couldn’t be fully appreciated until you’d experienced it firsthand.

He thought of Kathleen’s situation, the fact that she was willing to step a little outside the system – a system of which she was a part – to solve her problem and protect her family.

And felt better about the fact that he’d taken some steps of his own instead of relying solely on the cops.

He unlocked the back door, called out to his brother. “Lucy! I’m home.”

Justin started to unload soda bread and beer-braised corned beef sandwiches from the bag, then his hand encountered slippery plastic.

He pulled out the pharmacy bag, realizing he’d accidentally dropped it in with his takeout.

Kathleen’s pain reliever. Shit.

The acupressure had helped, but he doubted it had totally knocked the headache out. Justin debated a second, then opened the bag, wanting to see if she’d purchased an over-the-counter med that could be easily reacquired, or if she’d filled a prescription. He was relatively certain that she didn’t suffer from migraines strong enough to require narcotics or triptans, but he didn’t want to make assumptions when it came to her well-being.

The bag contained a bottle of ibuprofen.

And a large box of condoms.

The blood rushed out of his head, pooling in a region farther south, when he gathered that Kathleen had bought the condoms because she’d finally made the break with Anthony. And was ready to move on.

With him.

“I didn’t realize that Murphy’s had expanded their menu to include prophylactics. It’s an interesting marketing ploy, but ‘fish and dicks’ just doesn’t have the same ring.”

Justin leveled a stare at his brother.

“Rough day in the OR?” James asked as he checked out Justin’s black eye.

“Corelli sucker punched me.”

“Huh. That wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain hot cop and that box of condoms you’re holding, now would it?”

When Justin continued to glare, James simply grinned. “Corned beef?” He shifted his attention to the Styrofoam cartons on the table. “Excellent. I’m starving.” He popped a hand-cut French fry into his mouth.

Justin tucked the ibuprofen – and the condoms – back into the bag.

“Nothing but the finest room and board here at chalet Wellington. Want a beer?”

“I wouldn’t turn one down.”

Justin pulled two bottles from the fridge, and – with an image of his mother’s disapproving frown in his head – grabbed two plates so that they weren’t eating dinner straight from the takeout carton.

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