Page 30 of The Billionaire Babe

“I’m his lawyer,” I say, walking forward, and AJ spins around. If looks could kill, I would be dead. “I am his lawyer, and I would like to see him right now.” I slide my card across the desk.

“Miss Van Cleef… I’m sorry, I didn’t realize…” the officer starts to say.

“Didn’t realize that holding a juvenile overnight is in complete contrast to the new policies currently being discussed by your police chief with the government just this week? That the young boy you are holding is probably with adult males who are not meant to associate with young boys, but you have them all in the same holding cell? I don’t have specifics, but I think we both know how these things work, so you have exactly five minutes to take me to my client or things will get extremely uncomfortable for you,” I tell him, my voice strong, even though I can feel AJ’s stare burning into the side of my face.

“Uncomfortable, ma’am?” The officer doesn’t move from his spot.

“Well, it is a Thursday, and we both know the police chief would hate to be interrupted from his weekly chess game. I think he is probably sipping scotch with my father as we speak.” I watch him carefully, seeing the moment the penny drops that I am not someone to be messed with. Not that I would call my father. I haven’t answered any of his calls to me lately. I am surprised I haven’t been summoned to his office at this point, but so far, I have been able to dodge him, giving me enough time to get my thoughts in order.

“Right this way, Miss Van Cleef,” he says, walking to the side and opening the hallway door. I turn to AJ.

“Okay, I know you are angry, but just text me quickly what I need to know,” I whisper to him as his eyes look deep into mine. His jaw is set, his shoulders high, but he grabs his cell from his pocket to text me before I turn and follow the police officer down the hall. I wait mere moments for Levi to be brought into the small office I am left in. Full of attitude, he saunters in before he looks at me, and I see clear surprise on his face.

“Hey, I remember you, you're AJ’s girl.” I try to tamp down the butterflies swirling at his observation.

“I’m getting you out of here. You will still have charges, but they can’t hold you,” I tell him, almost positive that the officer is out front, printing the release forms as we speak.

“So you are a bigwig lawyer… What are you doing with AJ?” he asks, trying to figure me out.

“You're a fourteen-year-old kid. What are you doing robbing a liquor store?” I ask, having quickly seen the text AJ sent me as I was waiting here for Levi.

“Touché.” He sighs like the smart-ass kid he is.

“Let’s go.” Walking to the door and down the hall, Levi follows me. I am not sure of his history, but I guess I will find out all of it soon enough.

I sign a few papers as AJ and Levi have words in the far corner. AJ looks mad as hell, so I sure wouldn’t like to be Levi right now. Maybe a prison cell would be a better option for him.

“All done,” I say to them, handing some paperwork to AJ. “He needs to come back tomorrow, talk through some things. Second offense is not ideal. I suggest not doing that again, Levi.” All Levi does is smile and give me a wink.

“Manners, asshole,” AJ mumbles, hitting his shoulder.

“Thanks, Miss Van Cleef,” Levi says sarcastically, and we all turn and walk out.

“Go wait by the bike,” AJ says sternly, and I watch Levi saunter off to the side.

“He seems like a handful,” I comment, taking a deep breath.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” AJ says, looking at me with his jaw clenched. I swallow harshly, trying to not feel slightly hurt by his tone.

“I was just trying to help.” I have stuck my nose in his business, but I got a good result. Can’t he see that?

“I don’t need you coming in and threatening to call your daddy whenever you need to throw your weight around.” His words sting. I am quiet for a beat as I look at him. I did drop my father’s name, and I think about what that must have sounded like, and he is right. Even though they knew exactly who I was anyway. I feel sick. I am stronger than that; I am good without my father. If I am to become CEO, I need to start remembering that fact.

“Well, we are even now. You saved me at the club, and now I saved your friend,” I say, hoping we can broker a peace treaty.

“Didn’t know we were keeping score,” AJ huffs, looking everywhere but at me.

“Maybe not. But people help people they care about.” That has his gaze settling on mine. His eyes burn into me, holding a mountain of emotion.

“You’re a pretty little rich girl who has daddy’s billions to fight her battles. I’ve barely twenty bucks to my name and couldn’t even tell you who my father is,” he grits out, and my heart sinks, taking in the information. “We can’t be anything, sweetheart.”

“But that’s the thing, AJ… I think we already are,” I say, stepping away from him and walking to my car where Donnie waits, the back door open, allowing me to slip inside and into the secure back seat. Once the door closes, I release the breath I was holding, along with all the bravado, and my hands start to shake. I have never done anything like that before. I am a corporate lawyer. I’ve barely ever set foot in a police station. I have no real idea exactly what Levi has done or what he is capable of, but because AJ believes in him, so do I.

I am not sure how such a fun and perfect night could end in ruins. Maybe I was wrong to help, but eating burgers with AJ and getting to know him more, kissing him like that, there was never a chance I wasn’t going to help.

As we drive away, AJ stands on the steps, watching the car leave. Anger, confusion, and stress are evident in his gaze, and I have no idea what to think or where this leaves us. He is right, we are completely different, yet I feel drawn to him like no other.

It is then I come to the conclusion that over the years I have raised millions of dollars for charity, but never once have I actually stepped in their shoes. Levi is a kid, with no one else to call besides AJ, his boxing teacher. A real person who needs help. Not a fancy luncheon, where the rich donate purely for show and to help their tax situation, with no real idea where their money is going and how it is going to help. No idea of the grassroots issues within our city.

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