I stand up quickly sucking in a deep breath as I notice an older man standing beside Case’s desk who I somehow missed when I stormed in. Shit! I was told he was in a meeting. In my haste to get to him, I had forgotten.
The older man looks me up and down with narrowed green eyes. “Sure. I’ll wait outside,” he finally says after a long second. I hold my breath as he walks out still eyeing me up and down as if he wants to say something but decides against it.
“Who was that?” I ask rubbing my side that still stings.
“Doesn’t matter.” He waves him off. “What’s wrong?” he demands as he walks around his desk and comes to me. “And who was on TV?” he asks impatiently.
I continue to rub my aching side. “Rox. He was arrested. I saw it on TV.”
The concern falls from his face, and he stares down at me. “Reporter said surveillance …” I swallow thickly as my heart rate starts to pick up again. “Do you know what that means? We’re gonna get in trouble. The police are going to go over it and see us on it.”
He places his hands on my shoulders. “I’ll take care of it.”
“What does that mean?” I demand. “Take care of it? How are you going to take care of it?” I snap.
“Taylor, you don’t get to be where I am without making friends.”
My eyebrows pull together. My first thought is whether that guy outside is his friend, and if so, what was he doing here? “Do you even listen to yourself? Case, you can’t just make this go away,” I shout. “We could go to jail.”
“I promise you. You won’t go to jail,” he says softly.
I yank my shoulders away from him. “That is not a promise you can keep,” I say breathless once again.
“You think I’m that type of person? One who would let you take the rap for something you didn’t do?” he demands, his voice rising.
“Well, you sure as hell can’t do anything to stop it. They’re gonna see my face on that tape. Hell, I sat in a room with drugs right next to me,” I scream out now as I realize just what is happening. “I thought you were going to ruin my brother’s life, but it turns out you’re going to ruin my life,” I ramble out loud.
“Taylor,” I hear him say, but all I can picture is me in a cell for the rest of my life. “Taylor,” he yells and then shakes me.
“What?” I snap.
He looks down at me, and his blue eyes search my face. “Please trust me,” he asks softly. “You’ve trusted me this far. I will make sure nothing happens to you.”
I wanna ask him how he can make that promise, but I don’t. He was right when he said he didn’t get to where he was without knowing people. And he once told me that everyone in this town owes him something. Maybe he knows someone on the inside of the force. Maybe a crooked cop. I don’t ask because I’m better off not knowing. For all I know, it could be the guy standing right outside his office waiting for me to leave so they can finish their meeting.
I nod my head. But I feel numb inside. I’m going to go to jail and all because I fell for a man who is part of a world I can’t control.
“Why are you dressed in your work outfit?” he asks as his eyes finally take me in.
“I have to work tonight,” I say flatly.
“No, you don’t.”
I sigh. “I’m filling in for Jenna.”
“No, you’re not. Go home, Taylor. Or better yet, go up to my apartment. Calm down and take a nap …”
I pull away from him. “I’m sorry but at which point did you start telling me what I can and can’t do?” I demand trying not to go crazy. The thought of going to jail terrifies me to death.
His jaw twitches. “I am your boss,” his deep voice declares.
I snort. “And you think that gives you a right to boss me around? I told Jenna I would take her shift, and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.”
“Why are you fighting me with everything?” he snaps, running a hand down his face and letting out a frustrated growl.
“Maybe it’s because you are trying to rule my life.” I lower my head and rub my hand over my forehead. I let out a sigh as I think about the real problem here. “Look,” I say looking back up to him. “Maybe we should take a step back,” I offer. “I can’t do this right now.” Not with jail on the mind.
He tilts his head to the side with that aggravated look still on his face. “So let me get this straight. I want you to take a night off and relax, and you want to break things off with me? How does that make any sense? I’m trying to help you.”
