Page 66 of Claimed by Him

Thirty-Two

I likedthe ADA trying this case. No bullshit. Straight to the point. She’d called me when the trial had broken for lunch and asked me to come to her office at five. We’d eaten takeout, and she’d gone over things with me.

Vijay Castellanos was ambitious, that much was clear, but she didn’t let it get in the way of her humanity. She still believed in the system and her part in all of it.

When she’d been satisfied that I wasn’t going to freeze up or go back on what I’d originally told the police and then the jury, she’d told me to go back to the hotel and get some sleep. I was going to be called first thing in the morning, and she needed me well-rested.

I didn’t bother to tell her that I hadn’t been well-rested in a long time. I was half-tempted to ask the cop outside to run to the store and get me something to help me sleep, but I knew those things left me groggy for at least an hour after I woke up. I needed to be sharp first thing tomorrow. Vijay had confirmed what I’d already been thinking. The protections I’d been given last time wouldn’t be there for me this time. The defense was going to hammer me about accuracy, as well as question my motives, my relationship with my parents, and anything else they could do to put my testimony in doubt.

Basically, a fun time for all.

Those were just a few of the many things I was thinking about while I stretched out on the bed, wearing my favorite flannel pajamas, and flicking through channels. I wasn’t actually looking for anything to watch, but I had a feeling I’d go crazy if I turned it off. I didn’t need silence right now.

Someone knocked on the door. “Miss Quick?”

I sighed and climbed off the bed. A quick look through the peephole revealed the cop who’d been standing outside my door, now looking thoroughly annoyed.

“Yes?”

“You have a visitor,” he said. “I told him to go away, but he’s quite insistent that you’ll want to see him.”

I smiled as I pulled back the security bar at the top of my door. Clay had texted a couple hours ago to say his flight was delayed and he didn’t know what time he’d get in, but he must’ve found another flight. That was good. I didn’t think I could handle being alone tonight.

“I’m glad you could get–” It wasn’t Clay. My entire body stiffened. “Jalen. What are you doing here?”

I didn’t even try to be polite. Not even when I saw how awful he looked.

Dark circles under bloodshot eyes. Face pale and drawn. Clothes rumpled, as if he’d slept in them.

I couldn’t help the satisfaction that came with the realization that he’d been miserable this weekend, and I really didn’t want to. I didn’t consider myself a vindictive person by nature, but the way he’d handled things had been immature and hurtful.

“May I come in?”

I crossed my arms, glaring at him. “I don’t think you’re really in a position to be asking that.”

“You’re right. I deserve that.” He glanced behind him at the annoyed police officer. “But I think your bodyguard here would feel better if you weren’t standing in the doorway.”

“And I’m safer with you in my room?” I asked. I slathered on the sarcasm. “Because you’d never hurt me.”

He flinched, more color draining from his face. “I deserved that.”

“Damn right you do.”

I looked over Jalen’s shoulder at the clearly uncomfortable cop. His job was to protect me and make sure I showed up at the courthouse tomorrow. He wasn’t here to listen to whatever bullshit Jalen was selling.

“Come in.” I stepped aside. When the officer took a step forward, I said to him, “It’s okay. He doesn’t have anything to do with the case. Just an ex who feels guilty for being a shit.”

I closed the door and walked back over to my bed. I sat on the edge and pointed at the stuffed armchair against the wall. Jalen sat, elbows on knees as he leaned forward. I could feel the nervous energy rolling off him, and it set my teeth on edge.

“How’d you know where I was?”

He flushed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I went to talk to Rylan, and when Jenna was chewing me out for what I did, she accidentally let it slip that you’d gone back home for something. I made a few calls.”

“Nice to know that anyone can find me if they have enough money.”

“I’m sorry,” he blurted out. “I was an idiot.”

He paused, looking at me like he either expected a reaction or a reassurance. I wasn’t going to give him either. “Go on.”

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