Twin Cupids at Work Daddy Come Home novel Chapter 642

"Boss, please—don't do anything impulsive." Cody looked seriously freaked out.

He wasn't just saying it, either. His boss's temper was legendary. If he said he’d do something, he meant it.

But the Ballards hadn’t made a move on Claire yet. That had to mean she was still useful to them, right?

"Boss, I think the Ballards want Claire alive for another reason. We shouldn't act too soon. Besides, whatever happened to Madeline's eyes, it didn't just come out of nowhere. What if Claire had something to do with it? We need to keep her alive, at least for now, in case she’s connected to what happened to Madeline."

"Boss..."

Casey turned to glare at him. "Say one more thing and you can go back where you came from."

Cody immediately clamped his mouth shut.

Ray chimed in, voice steady. "He’s got a point. Claire might still be useful."

Casey fixed Ray with an icy stare, but after a tense moment, he just lifted his hand and strode off with long steps.

Ray stayed where he was, pulled out his phone, and lit a cigarette, puffing slowly while waiting for his call to go through.

Shelly picked up right away, sounding so anxious she all but cut him off. "What about Madeline? Did you find her?"

"We found her. She’s probably okay."

"And her eyes? What about her eyes?"

"Two maniacs were practically fighting over who got to play hero. I didn't even get a chance to check." Ray’s tone was calm, almost bored.

Shelly’s heart threatened to leap out of her chest. It had been pounding all night, and now, knowing nothing about Madeline’s condition, she couldn’t calm down for a second.

"Okay, I understand."

Claire looked at the IV taped to her hand, then at the doctors, and finally seemed convinced by their explanation.

Truth was, she really hadn’t been sleeping well. She’d been anxious every day, constantly worried something was going to go wrong—especially since they still hadn’t caught Madeline…

Madeline.

Fear clenched in Claire's chest. Her eyes flew to her phone and she tensed up.

Trying to play it cool, she asked, "Mom, how long was I out?"

"Three, maybe four hours." Shelly’s eyes flicked up. "What’s wrong? Why are you sweating? Are you still not feeling well?"

Claire shook her head, forcing back the panic inside. "It’s nothing, Mom. I just... I still have things to finish for your welcome party tomorrow and I’m worried I’ll run out of time."