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Ana looked up at Jake, silently pleading with him not to make her go. The younger policeman seemed uneasy, which soothed Jake’s mind a bit. Hopefully both cops weren’t crooked. Jake gave Ana an encouraging nod, trying to assure her that everything would be okay, even when he knew it wouldn’t.
She headed back into the other gallery with the policeman.
Jake turned to Leonard. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”
“I know you’ve been against me for a long time, Hoffman. I’ve just been biding my time. You didn’t think I’d actually let you get away with helping take SI out from underneath me, did you?”
Jake laughed, though he felt none of the happiness he had when he laughed with Ana. “I didn’t have to do anything. You’re running SI into the ground all by yourself.”
“Your father would be ashamed of you,” Leonard said.
Leonard had nothing. Nothing but suspicion. That’s why he hit below the belt.
“That’s rich coming from you. Your parents, your grandparents, your aunt and uncle, they’d all be ashamed of you.”
Ana came back into the room quicker than he’d expected. She’d put the red heels back on and carried his socks.
“I have to say,” Leonard said, turning his ire on his cousin, “this surprises me. I had no idea you would go slumming with the help.”
“If you’re finished insulting us, I have a plane to catch,” she said.
Jake bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling at the iciness in her tone.
“I want her searched before she leaves,” Leonard said.
The policeman closest to her made a move to grab her, but she eluded him. Even Jake wouldn’t attempt to touch her with the look on her face now.
“Don’t. Even. Think about it,” she said.
“Sorry, Mr. Staffordshire. We have no probable cause to search the lady. She’s free to go.”
“But—”
“Don’t push your luck, Mr. Staffordshire,” the policeman said.
“Fine.”
“I’ll see you out, miss.” The policeman moved to grab her again but stopped at her look.
She crossed the gallery to Jake again. Her
eyes were wide. She knew as well as he did that this was going to end badly. “I...”
“Shhh,” he said, before she could say something to incriminate herself. “I’ll be okay. You just go do what you were going to do.”
“But...”
“Trust me, Princess.”
He loved her. He didn’t know loving someone this much was possible. He’d gladly endure jail as long as she was free, not that he thought it’d really come to that. Leonard was much too dirty himself to push jail time on Jake.
“Jake—” she said.
“If you want to leave, I suggest you go now, ma’am,” the younger policeman said.
I love you.
He stared into her eyes, hoping she could see everything he wanted to tell her but couldn’t.
