An Inner Darkness Book 5 Bay City paranormal

said—Janine had petitioned the court for a new custody hearing, in order to take away Bo’s visitation with his sons.

    “She can’t do this.” Sam dropped the letter on Danny’s desk and laid both hands on Bo’s face. “We’re going to fight this, do you hear me? She has no right to keep you from seeing your kids. We won’t let her.”

    “Damn right we won’t.” To Sam’s relief, some of the color returned to Bo’s cheeks.

    Fire filled his hollow eyes for the first time in days. “Stay here. I’ll be back.” Brushing past Sam, Bo strode over to the coat rack. Sam followed, apprehension curling in his gut. “Bo? Where are you going?”

    “Out.” Bo snatched his jacket off the rack and pulled it on. He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Folks, it’s nearly four o’clock. We’re now officially closed for Thanksgiving. Y’all go on home.”

    Everyone looked at each other as if they wanted to say something, but didn’t know what. Andre shook his head. “I don’t think you should do this when you’re mad.”
    “Duly noted.” Snatching the letter off Danny’s desk, Bo yanked open the front door and stalked out without another word. 146
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An Inner Darkness
    With a quick glance at the shocked faces of his coworkers, Sam followed. He caught Bo just as he reached his car. “Bo, Andre’s right. This is a bad idea.”

    “No, Sam, I don’t think it is.” Bo took his keys out of his jacket pocket and opened the car door. “Don’t worry, I’m not going over there to get in a screaming match. I want to talk to her, that’s all.”

    “You know as well as I do that it won’t work out that way. If you don’t start a fight, she will.” Sam grabbed Bo’s arm. “Bo, please, don’t.” The muscle in Bo’s jaw twitched. “Let go.”

    “Bo—”

    Bo shook him off, brown eyes blazing. “What court do you think is going to take my side over Janine’s if she tells them we’re teaching Adrian about psychic powers and monsters from another dimension? I have to stop this now , before it gets that far, or I might not ever see my children again.” Sam had no answer for that. “Let me come with you.” Bo gave him an incredulous look. “Oh yes, because you being around just calms her right down.”
    “You’re going to her office, right? I’ll stay in the waiting room.”
“No.”
    Moving closer, Sam rested a hand on Bo’s hip. “I just don’t want you to have to face this alone, Bo. Please, let me come. I swear I’ll stay out of sight. I’ll even wait in the car if you want.”

    Bo didn’t move or speak, but Sam could see his surrender in the way his shoulders slumped. Sam waited. After a few moments, Bo sighed and slid behind the wheel. “Fine.

    Come with me, and wait in the car.”

    It wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough. At least Sam would have the illusion of doing something useful if he went with Bo. If he stayed at the BCPI office, he’d go crazy.

    Sam ran to the other side of the car, opened the door and climbed in. Filing the letter in the glove compartment, Bo cranked the engine and pulled out into the afternoon traffic.
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    Fifteen minutes later, Bo guided the car into the small parking lot behind the office of the magazine where Janine worked. He parked, undid his seatbelt and turned to Sam.
    “Promise me you’ll stay right here.”
“I will,” Sam said, fighting the urge to insist on going with him.
    They stared at each other. Sam wished he had something wise and profound to say, but he didn’t. So he sat gazing into Bo’s eyes and trying to communicate telepathically all the half-formed thoughts in his head.

    Bo lunged forward and kissed Sam hard, then jumped out of the car. Sam leaned back in his seat and shut his eyes, steeling himself for a long, tense wait.
    When Bo emerged less than two minutes later, Sam didn’t know whether to be relieved or afraid. He didn’t think Janine had changed her mind that easily, which meant either she’d set a time to talk to Bo later—which Sam found almost as unlikely as her changing her mind—or she’d thrown him out without seeing him. Sam watched Bo’s face as he approached, but his expression was unrevealing.
    “What happened?” Sam demanded as soon as Bo opened the door.
“She wasn’t there.” Bo got in, buckled up and started the engine. “She’s taking the day off.”
“So she’s at home.” Sam studied Bo’s profile, half