Harlequin Intrigue, Box Set 1 of 2 by Delores Fossen

have passed for a bouncer. A well-dressed one, though. Jericho figured that suit had come with a big price tag. Ditto for the haircut. And it looked as if he’d had a manicure. As a general rule, he didn’t trust men who had manicures.
    Of course, he hadn’t needed a manicure to feel that way about Theo James.
    And Jericho was certain that jealousy wasn’t playing into this.
    Almost certain, anyway.
    â€œWhy do you want to see Laurel?” Jericho pressed.
    Dorothy wasn’t the sort of woman to hide her emotions. She huffed, glared and generally looked ready to run right over him to get to Laurel. “We heard about the attack, and I want to make sure she’s okay. She’s my son’s fiancée.”
    â€œEx-fiancée,” Jericho corrected.
    Oh, that did not please either Theo or his mom.
    â€œThe breakup is all just a misunderstanding,” Theo answered. “And a temporary one. Once I speak with Laurel, we can sort it all out—”
    â€œI doubt that. What do you know about the attack?”
    â€œI don’t like your tone,” Dorothy snapped. “Are you implying we had something to do with it?”
    Jericho stared at her. “Did you?”
    â€œNo!”
    Man, the woman could yell, and all in the same breath, she belted out a denial and a threat to slap him with a defamation-of-character lawsuit. However, Theo wasn’t denying much. That’s because he had his attention nailed to the hall. More specifically, to the doorway of the break room where Laurel was standing.
    â€œLaurel,” Theo said on a rise of breath, and he started toward her.
    He didn’t get far because Jericho latched onto his arm. Yeah, the guy was big. Strong, too. But Jericho shoved him back.
    â€œStay put,” Jericho warned him.
    â€œTheo just wants to go to his fiancée.” Dorothy again. The woman turned her attention to Laurel. “Are you going to come out here and stop this asinine interrogation of the man you love?”
    â€œNo. She’s not.” And Jericho gave Laurel a warning glance. She didn’t say anything, but she also didn’t stay put. Not exactly a compromise since he didn’t want Laurel in the same general area as the pair.
    â€œLaurel, we need to talk,” Theo said. He threw off Jericho’s grip but didn’t go closer.
“Alone.”
    â€œThen talk. But it won’t be alone,” Laurel added. “Whatever you have to say, you say here.”
    Laurel took the words right out of Jericho’s mouth. Except he’d intended to glare more than she had. Theo sure added some glare and snarl though—he aimed it at Jericho—before turning back to Laurel.
    â€œCertainly you must know by now that calling off the engagement was a mistake,” Theo said to her. “You’ve upset your father. Us. And yourself.”
    â€œUpset?” Laurel threw her hands in the air. “Gunmen attacked Jericho and me. That’s why I’m upset.” She walked toward them. “If you know anything about those gunmen, tell us.”
    â€œOf course we don’t know anything,” Dorothy insisted. “Now, get Maddox and come home with us. We’ll make sure you’re both safe.” The woman paused. “Where is Maddox, anyway?”
    â€œHe’s already safe,” Jericho assured her.
    Partly true. Jax was back there with Maddox, and a gunman would have to break into the back exit or come through the front to get to them. Still, Jericho wasn’t about to share that with these two.
    A staring match started between Theo and him. Dorothy joined in on it, but Jericho pretty much ignored her and focused on Laurel’s ex.
    â€œYou think Theo here could be in on the attacks?” Jericho asked Laurel. He knew the question would rile mother and son. And it did.
    Dorothy made a sound of pure outrage. “Theo had nothing to do with this. He loves Laurel. He only wants to