Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
About a half hour later, the landline rang. Devon went to answer it. “It’s Max.” He held out the phone, his face impassive. “He’d like to speak with you.”
Aurora held the handset to her ear. “Max?”
She had managed to keep herself calm for the last few minutes, surfing through Chase’s cable channels.
Devon hadn’t spoken to her; instead, they’d been ignoring one another, which had saved her some further awkwardness.
She could almost pretend she was back on her own couch, binging on home improvement shows and trashy reality drama.
But with her brother on the line, the overwhelming emotions of that day crashed back over her. She closed her eyes, fighting back tears.
“Hey, Rory. I hear it’s been a rough day.”
She was still angry that Max had lied to her. Had forced Devon to lie to her. But she was in no position to get snippy with him when his plan had saved her life.
“Not one of my best. I need to know what I’m supposed to do. How can I help fix this?” She wanted to get her testimony on the record so she could nail these monsters.
Max sighed. “I wish it were so easy. I’m doing all I can, but things have been crazy over here.
Somebody got into our system, and we’re still trying to get to the bottom of it.
What I really need is for you to sit tight.
Officer Collins has been in touch with me, and it sounds like you’re as safe at his residence as anywhere else.
If I try to move you now, it will just be opening you up to more prying eyes. ”
“So I can’t testify yet.”
“No. Not yet. Lana is working on that.”
“Is Lana there?” She wished her best friend could come to her, but that would probably just put Lana in danger. Too bad because it would’ve been nice to have a buffer between her and Devon.
The chemistry between them in the kitchen—Devon’s shirt off, water dripping from his skin—it had been almost too much to bear.
She didn’t want to embarrass herself any more than she had already.
He was attracted to her, sure, but not enough to break the rules.
He’d made that clear. In fact, Devon preferred never to see her again if he could help it.
There was only so much rejection a girl could take.
“Lana’s here, and she wants to talk to you. But a couple more questions first. Officer Collins said you weren’t hurt, but I’d like to hear it from you. Is there anything you need?”
“I’m fine. I mean, my phone is gone, I have nothing except the clothes I’m wearing…
But, um, Devon took care of me.” She glanced over.
Devon was pacing across the living room, hands on his hips.
He’d taken a quick shower and changed into new clothes.
Some of Chase’s, she assumed. The two men were around the same build.
“And thank god for that. I know you didn’t want protection, but I followed my gut. I saw the aftermath of that firefight on the terrace. It was ugly.”
“I didn’t see much of it. I used the escape ladder.”
“Good. You did really good. After you talk to Lana, I’ll need to speak with Devon about logistics. I’m hoping that tomorrow I’ll be able to relocate you, and Devon can get back to his usual tasks.”
The sinking feeling in her belly surprised her. “Okay.”
Her best friend came onto the line. Aurora sat on a kitchen chair, resting her forehead against her hand.
“Rory? Are you okay?”
“I’m in one piece.”
“You have no idea how scared we were. Me and Max both.”
“It was awful.” Aurora heard Devon in the living room, still fidgeting. “When can I testify? I can’t just sit here. Especially when you and Max could be in danger, too, but you have to stay visible. I have to do something.”
“We’re negotiating with Crane’s defense lawyers, but it’s complicated. This isn’t the usual procedure. So far, they’ve been playing hardball.”
“What does that mean?”
“Obviously, the Syndicate already found out your identity. But Crane’s lawyers want to know where you are, which I am not going to tell them.
And even if they agree to let you testify early, Crane’s counsel would be there in the room too, questioning you.
That’s a defendant’s right. But I’m not okay with that until we can be sure you’ll be safe. ”
Aurora groaned, folding her arms, and dropping her head onto them.
“We’re doing everything we can. It won’t be long, I promise.”
“Lana, did you know? About…Devon?”
“Hold on.” Lana went quiet, and it sounded like she was murmuring something in the background.
“Okay, I got rid of Max for a second, so I can talk to you as your BFF, and not Assistant DA. I had no idea until Max told me. Your hot neighbor Rick Harrison is really your bodyguard?” Her voice had gone up several octaves. “I mean, what the actual fuck?”
“I know. It’s messed up.” Aurora snuck a peek over her shoulder. Devon’s eyes briefly met hers, and then he disappeared into a bedroom. Yep, he’d definitely heard all of that.
“Especially because I kissed him earlier. It’s so embarrassing, L.”
“Wait, Aurora Bennett is embarrassed? Since when? You’re the girl who was brandishing a vibrator at him a couple of nights ago.”
“It’s embarrassing because…” She was already speaking quietly, but now she lowered her voice to a whisper. “I thought he liked me. But he was only hanging around for his job.”
He’d claimed to be attracted to her. That hard-on in his pants hadn’t lied. But an active sex drive wasn’t the same as feelings.
“Sweetie, you’ve been through far too much today. It’s amazing you’re keeping it together at all. Focus on your hot bodyguard all you want if you need to. Hell, kiss him again if that’s what it takes to get through the next day.”
Aurora snorted. “That would be a no.”
“Whatever. But from everything I’ve been hearing from Max, Devon is a really good guy. I’m sure he’s been doing his best, just like the rest of us. Don’t waste any energy on embarrassment or feeling bad. You’re too precious. And unless Devon is a total brainless dumbass, he already sees that, too.”
She doubted that. But it hardly mattered. They’d be parting ways soon enough.
After talking to Lana, Devon took his turn with the phone. Aurora found some leftover pizza in Chase’s fridge and ate it cold.
By then, it was getting late, and her body was slowing down. She could barely keep her eyes open.
Aurora stumbled into the nearest bedroom and fell right to sleep.