Page 29 of The Billionaire Babe

“This is AJ,” he answers abruptly. I turn slightly, trying to give him some privacy, but his hand lands on my waist, keeping me close, like he is scared I will walk away from him.

“AJ. I’m in trouble. I need you to come and bail me out.” I hear the voice on the other end, and it sounds serious.

“What happened?” he barks out, and my brow furrows, but he won’t meet my eye.

“They picked me up for robbery. I’m downtown,” the other person says. I take in a breath because whoever it is sounds young.

“Fucking robbery? Levi!” AJ shouts, running a hand down his face. “I’ll be there in twenty. Behave until I get there.” Looking down at me, he releases a heavy breath. “I’ve got to go.”

“Is everything alright?” I ask, concerned, and he shakes his head. I feel him pulling away, both physically and emotionally. Whatever moment we had tonight is now over. His hand that was on my waist drops, leaving me cold.

“Everything is fine, sweetheart. I just need to go and get my young training partner out of some trouble,” he tells me as he packs away the jacket and helmet.

“Can I help?” I ask, stepping toward him.

“No,” he says sharply, and I stop abruptly. “Look. You should go upstairs. I’ve got to run.” Sitting on his bike, he starts it up, and before I know it, he has kicked up the stand and is roaring away without saying another word.

15

VALERIE

I watch his bike until it turns the corner, and even then, I remain standing on the curb, listening to the roar fade. I heard the phone call. I know where he is going.

“Victor!” I yell to my doorman, who has been too observant tonight.

“Yes, Miss Van Cleef?” he asks, appearing right behind me. I love Victor, and I trust him. We have known each other for years.

“I need a car,” I say to him. “Now.”

“Certainly. Donnie is right here, ma’am,” he says, moving down the curb to the dark town car and opening the back door for me.

“Thank you,” I tell him as he shuts me in.

“Where to, Miss Van Cleef?” Donnie asks.

“Police station downtown, please.” I settle into the leather seat, grabbing my cell from my bag to do some quick research. Juvenile robbery charges are taken seriously, but depending on what he stole and from where, it may not stick. I don’t know his age, and I don’t know his history, but I am assuming this is the boy he was training with at the gym last week when I walked in there. If this isn’t his first arrest, then it will be harder for him. Not impossible, but increasingly harder with every misdemeanor he commits. I am making a lot of assumptions, and I am hoping I am correct.

In no time, the car pulls up at the police headquarters, and Donnie jumps out to open my door for me.

“I will walk you up, Miss Van Cleef.” He almost falls over himself to help me. It is ridiculous, and I have no idea how I never saw this all before. It is almost like I am seeing my life from the outside, and the more I see, the more I dislike.

“No need. Wait here for me; I don’t think I will be long,” I tell him, my words holding more confidence. But I am already halfway up the stairs, secretly glad for my weekly Pilates class now that I am running in my high heels. I spot AJ’s Harley over to the side, so I know I am in the right place. I push through the double glass doors and make my way around to the desk.

“What do you mean, I can’t see him?” I hear AJ’s voice, and I look over to spot him talking to an officer at a desk at the side.

“I’m sorry, sir. Only family or his lawyer can see him,” the officer says. I walk over slowly because I can tell AJ is angry.

“He doesn’t have any family. His mother is a drunk. His dad is not around. I am all he has,” AJ tries to explain calmly, but I know it won’t make a difference.

“Sorry. Lawyer or family only,” the police officer reiterates.

“What is his bail?” AJ asks.

“Bail hasn’t been set,” the officer says.

“What do you mean, it hasn’t been set? He has been here all fucking night.” AJ’s voice rises, and I take a deep breath. “I need to see him. Make sure he is alright. He is just a kid.”

“Family or lawyer only.”

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