No in Between (Inside Out #4)(58)

The moment I speak, David launches into a rant. “I’m not sure what kind of Jack and Jill trip he thought he was taking you on, but get up and leave. He snuck over there and pulled that shit knowing I was here. He won’t be showing your journal to anyone.” It’s hard for me to believe that, after my conversation with the detective, but I’m not going to argue. David doesn’t give me time to anyway. “Text me when he’s gone or if there’s a problem. I won’t be able to take the call unless it’s critical.”

“Yes. I will.”

“Good. Now get up and leave. Oh, and you did good calling me, babe. Kudos, sister.”

Babe and kudos, sister. I almost laugh. Really, what else can I do at this point? It’s like I’m living in a soap opera with really bad writers. I stand up and the detective follows me. “I’m sure you know I can’t talk,” I tell him.

“We’ll talk,” he assures me. “Maybe not now, but we’ll talk.”

A loud crash thunders from the counter, and suddenly Raf is on top of it with Corey straddling him. Raf manages to kick him away, and the next thing I know, they’re both tumbling behind the displays.

“Well, well,” Detective Grant murmurs, “isn’t that interesting. I was hoping our little meeting would stir up some sort of reaction, but this is even better than I hoped for. I might be a jerk, Ms. McMillan, but I’m a calculating jerk. Sometimes you have to put flames under a pot to make it boil.

“And just so you know, Ava will likely get out on bail, but I’ll get you your restraining order and I’ll get you a conviction. I’ll be in touch.”

He dashes toward the counter and I stand there stunned, watching as he climbs over the counter and throws himself into the scuffle. He grabs Raf and Corey hits him, and I dart for the door for help, bursting through the exit for Jacob.

“Fight,” I pant. “There’s a fight inside and the detective needs help.”

Jacob curses and opens the door. He takes one glance inside and grabs the walkie-talkie on his belt. “Kelvin, I need backup. Come get Sara now.” Then to me: “He’s two blocks away. Don’t move.”

“Okay. Be careful.”

He enters the coffee shop and I turn to watch for Kelvin, whom I’ve met before and trust, only to discover instead that I’m staring into the eyes of the worst mistake of my life. “Michael.”





Eighteen



Michael presses against me, his hands shackling my waist, and the feel of his hands on my body makes my skin crawl. “Let go of me,” I hiss, shoving at his unmovable chest. I hear the sound of sirens nearing in the background, but they aren’t here to rescue me. I need to rescue me.

He dares to slide his hand down my waist to my hips, and anger explodes from some deep, pent-up place I had forgotten existed. “I said, let go,” I growl, swiftly lifting my knee and fully intending to plant it in his groin. He captures my leg, the touch wrong in every way.

“You have two seconds before I start screaming,” I warn.

“You don’t want that attention right now.”

“Try me,” I challenge. “Go ahead.”

His eyes narrow and he seems to sense just how dangerous the ground he walks upon is, and he moves his body from mine. But his hands flatten on the wall beside me, his arms caging me in. But I don’t want to escape. I want to finally face him, and the past that’s haunted me for far too long.

“Why are you here?” I demand. He looks so civilized in his perfectly fitted black suit and deep blue shirt, no doubt chosen to match his eyes, yet he’s such a barbaric *.

“I didn’t come to San Francisco to testify against you,” he claims, lying as easily as he has a million times before. “I came here to protect you, since your ‘boyfriend’ can’t seem to get the job done. I’ll be right here in town until the trial is over, no matter how long I have to stay. You can count on it.”

I laugh and I sound a little insane, but it’s controlled insanity. My kind, and I’ll unleash it my way, in my time. “That’s truly priceless, Michael,” I say. “You’ve managed to turn this into a way to get back into my father’s good graces.”

“I didn’t ask to be called into this, but I’m here now, and it’s clear I’m needed.”

He’s so damn believable in the role of Mr. Tall, Dark, and Perfect, that it makes me sick to my stomach, thinking of all the people he takes advantage of. And I was one of them.

“You know what?” I demand. “Fuck you, Michael. Fuck you. Fuck you. And f*ck you.” Shock slides over his face, and I revel in it. “If you think hanging around with the threat of butchering me in court is going to scare me into helping you get your job back with my father, you’re wrong. I’m already going to be sliced and diced by the press, so it doesn’t matter what you do.”

There’s a movement to my right, followed by Jacob’s harsh command. “Step. Back.”

Michael’s eyes glint with irritation but he’s smart enough to listen, pushing off the wall. A moment later I have Jacob on one side of me and Kelvin on the other, but Michael’s cold, calculating blue eyes don’t move from me.

“I’ll be at the Fairmont,” he says with barely contained anger. He pauses, for effect no doubt, and adds, “Indefinitely.”