A hard glint reflected in Kenji’s dark eyes, his voice low. “We’re even after this, you hear me?”
As far as he was concerned, Jake couldn’t wait to have all ties with Kenji gone. “Yeah, I hear you.”
Shaking his head, Kenji reached inside his jacket and pulled out a brown envelope. With steady hands, he handed it over to Jake. “This girl better be worth it.”
Jake reached for the envelope. “She’s worth it,” he muttered.
“This guy’s dangerous, Jake. Don’t tangle with him.” Kenji’s tone was serious, almost as if he was worried about Jake getting in too deep.
Heedless of his warning, Jake ripped open the envelope and pulled out a photograph, a name scrawled at the bottom. Eyes wide in shock and horror, he stared at the person staring back at him.
“Told you you were way over your head.”
His ears were ringing at the implications of the face staring back up at him. There was nothing he could do to help Gia if this was her attacker.
“Fuck.” He’d never felt so helpless until this moment.
“My thoughts exactly.” Kenji shoved his tattooed hands into the front pockets of his dark denim pants. “Want me to take care of him for you? Keep your golden boy image clean?”
Groaning, Jake shoved the photo back into the envelope and tucked it into his back pocket. He ran trembling hands through his hair. Jake knew the information Kenji provided him was good. He didn’t know what he could do with it now.
He hadn’t thought whoever left those marks on Gia’s body would be virtually untouchable. No wonder she had finally fled LA and returned to Willowbrook. She probably didn’t know what else to do.
Despite the circumstances, a small part of him was pleasedthat being here made her feel safe. She was unknowingly seeking comfort and protection. Maybe a small part of her recognized Jake would let nothing happen to her.
“No, I’ll figure something out,” Jake finally answered Kenji’s question. He didn’t know the extent of Kenji’sbusiness, but he knew enough to know involving Kenji and his “friends” would be more trouble than it was worth.
“I’ve dealt with guys like him before. He’s not as untouchable as he thinks he is. Word of advice, yeah? Keep the girl away from him. If he catches wind of someone looking into him, your girl is collateral.”
Panic seized Jake like a hand squeezing his heart.
“Thanks, man. How’s Hiro doing?”
At his brother’s name, Kenji’s hard demeanor dropped for a brief second before returning. Hiro had gotten in over his head with a deal gone wrong when he was a teenager. Hiro got it into his head he could handle life as a criminal, except he got set up to take the fall by the dealer he was meant to meet up with. When the cops showed up, having received an anonymous tip, it left Hiro holding the bag.
Jake stepped in to get him the help he needed and got him out on misdemeanor charges, instead of the felony they had been trying to slap on his case. It would have meant Hiro being charged as an adult instead of a juvenile.
“He’s better. Trying to get out of the family business, like you suggested.” Kenji’s lips quirked up in a smile. “It’s nice this time of year. I miss this place.”
“Yeah… It’s…” Jake offered a fist, which was ignored as Kenji walked past him and bumped his shoulder. Jake turned around and stared at the space where Kenji should have been. He was nowhere in sight, as if he’d somehow vanished. “Nice.”
Taking a moment to glance around, Jake reassured himself he was alone.
The sound of the rushing water as it fell over the edge helped to soothe his frayed nerves. On one hand, he was glad to know theperson who hurt Gia. On the other hand, it was almost as if his hands were literally tied behind his back. What could a small-town lawyer like himself do to someone like him?
Staring at the waterfall strengthened his resolve in his goal to keep Gia safe. He’d have to keep his investigation quiet, formulate a plan that wouldn’t lead people to Gia.
No doubt this information would cause a massive scandal if word ever got out.
Jake stood with his hands on his hips and inhaled deeply. The damp air filled his lungs as swirls of mist floated above where the waterfall met with Crystal Hollow Lake. It would be an otherwise breathtaking view if not for his heart hammering in his chest.
What the fuck was he going to do?
Fifteen
GIA
What the hell is Jake’s problem?
