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The senator had gotten off on a legal technicality. More than likely, he’d greased a few palms to escape scot-free. He was the reason she did what she did. He was the reason she refused to help Jake. She wouldn’t protect men like him, who took what they wanted and walked away. Wouldn’t help them do more wrong in a world full of wrongs.
Wouldn’t be one of them.
She might not be able to bring Senator Forkes to justice, but she could help others get justice. And stealing from men like him felt good. They deserved it, each and every one. She double-checked and triple-checked all her facts before she entered their homes, no matter what Jake thought of her. She never stole from the good guys.
But he didn’t believe her.
He thought she hadn’t changed.
Opening a new page, she peeked out the glass window to make sure Jake wasn’t coming back yet. He wasn’t. Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she worked. She scrambled for his phone number, but easily discovered it in his contact file. Heck, she found his email address, too. He had a few photos of himself on the laptop.
It was like taking candy from a baby…
No sooner had she hit the confirm button than Jake reappeared outside his office, stopping to chat with the same brown-haired guy he’d spoken to earlier. He carried two mugs of steaming coffee. As she watched Jake, he turned her way and stared. He had a weird look on his face. Crap, he knew she was full of shit.
And now she was going to go to jail.
Chapter Nine
Jake watched Tara through the window in his office. Her fingers moved over the keyboard constantly, and she smirked as she worked. She looked every inch the unpredictable troublemaker she was. This morning, she’d been a little restrained. Quiet.
It was nice to see her looking more alive…even if she was more than likely causing one form of mischief or another.
“She’s up to no good in there,” Gordon said. “You can see it.”
Jake tightened his grip on the mugs. “She always is.”
Gordon laughed. The man was built like a fucking beast and practically lived in the gym, but he’d always been quick to laugh and chat. Jake didn’t really know a whole lot about him, history-wise, but he knew the usual. He’d fought in Iraq. Come home with PTSD. Gotten out. No wife. No kids. No one at all besides himself.
They were all kind of like that at Shillings.
“Need any help with her?” Gordon asked, focused on Tara. “I could use a distraction right around now.”
Jake tensed. No way in hell he was letting Gordon anywhere near Tara. The man had a way of walking up to a woman, saying two words, and next thing you knew? She’d have her panties on the floor within seconds. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Suit yourself.” Gordon grabbed his mouse again. “I’m studying my next case anyway.”
“What is it?”
“The princess.” Gordon clicked the mouse and turned the laptop Jake’s way. A blond woman with green eyes stared back at him, not a hint of a smile on her lips. She seemed untouchably regal, and drop-dead gorgeous. “She’s nothing but a spoiled…well, princess, who’s used to getting her way on everything. Should be a fun assignment.”
Jake laughed and started for his office door. “Yeah. Good luck with that one.”
“Thanks, man. Back atcha.”
Jake took a steadying breath and elbowed the door open. Tara sat at his desk, her lower lip caught between her teeth. The furious typing had stopped. She looked as if she was concentrating, but he knew she was bullshitting him. She was perfectly aware of exactly what to do to save his ass—and hers.
But she didn’t want to tell him.
He might need to force it out of her. His other methods were obviously failing. Bullying. Cajoling. Befriending. Hell, he’d seduced her last night, not that that had been all about the job. He’d wanted her, plain and simple. But giving in to the urge had been a huge mistake. He had nothing to offer her.
Not anymore.
The thought of never seeing her again sent a knife through his chest. No matter what she did, she would be leaving him. He felt nauseous just thinking about that.
Maybe he didn’t have anything to offer her, certainly not a future. But he didn’t want her to throw her life away in prison. Deep down she was a good person. Look at the way she’d gotten him to laugh. He couldn’t remember the last time that happened. And if he were honest, he felt protective of her.
That hadn’t changed in all the years they’d been apart.
