Page 14 of Dauntless

CHAPTER FIVE

Tove looked at the two of us.

“The police are already on their way. What do you want to do?” he asked

“We’ll deal with them when they arrive,” Elliott answered at the same time I told him, “send them away.”

Elliott helped me to my feet, and I turned away from him crossing my arms. It wasn’t his fault, but I was angry all the same: Angry that The Agency had recorded me without my knowledge. Angry that they were trying to blackmail me to drop the charges and take a settlement offer instead. I didn’t know how to deal with it, but what I did know was that I’d have less control if I handed the picture in to the police. “Give it to me. I’ll destroy it now. The image was sent as a threat. It wouldn’t go further than that right now if I get rid of it.”

“Give us a minute,” Elliott said to Tove. He came around to stand in front of me. His lips pressed tightly together. “I know you’re upset, but I can’t let you rip it up. It’s evidence.”

My mouth twisted in disgust. “You call that evidence? It’s revenge porn. Now, I can give a statement. I don’t need to turn in that picture.”

“You do,” he argued. “This could make a stronger case against these assholes. You turn it in now, and if it comes out, we have back up they came for you first… I won’t let you destroy it.”

I snorted. “Let me? This is my house. It’s my property. It was sent to me…” I gulped air and pushed on his chest when he tried to put his arms around me. “No. There is nothing you can say to me that will make what you want to do okay. My life imploding is just a means to an end, right? As long as you get your case?”

“Come on, Gia. You know that’s not true,” Elliott pleaded. “Do you honestly think tearing up this photo will be the end of it? I’ll tell you right now it won’t be. Whoever sent this has the original. You give in, and they have you, and trust me, there will always be a next time. You come out ahead if you stand up to them.”

“Standing up how?” I ran my hands over my arms protectively. “I’ll have no way to defend myself.”

“You have me,” he replied. His voice was a soft caress and burrowed its way right in the center of my chest. I threw my hands up in frustration. “But you’re here. They are still getting to me.”

My heart thudded so hard I could feel it pounding in my ears.

“I’m sorry if it looks like we dropped the ball,” Elliott said rubbing his jaw. “We will find out who sent the photo and charge them with blackmail, sexual harassment, anything we can get that will stick. I’ll make sure the people handling are respectful. You need to understand that this is part of my job as an officer, and I wouldn’t be any good if I let evidence that can put them away get destroyed on my watch.”

I looked down. “How can you? He called himself Simon, it’s probably not even his real name. There is no way anyone will believe my case against The Agency after seeing me like that. I’m of no use to you now. Once they destroy my life, I will need the settlement, which that Simon asshole on the phone told me I had to take.”

“What exactly did he say?” he asked intently. “Tell me everything.”

I told him but wouldn’t look at him anymore.

Deep down I trusted him to handle the image and try to protect my privacy, but things happen. People leak things all the time in ongoing investigations. He couldn’t give me one hundred percent assurance that the image wouldn’t be leaked out. Then again, even if I did what the blackmailer asked, how would I know he’d give me the original in the end? There was no guarantee and giving in could make it harder the next time, should he decide to use the information against me more than once.

I understood, but there was something really bothering me about Elliott. I had thought he’d feel differently when it came to me. That he’d put me and my feelings first. Now I understood why he said things weren’t simple for him. He’d have to make choices, and he didn’t choose the way I had expected he would if he cared about me.

The local police arrived first, and I numbly gave them a statement. I hadn’t seen the photo again and assumed it had been placed into record. After they left, the federal officers asked their own questions. Their approach was less abrasive than Trish’s. They were kind and made me feel like they were taking my situation much more seriously. It was a solemn change. A new line drawn, Certainly, reporting the photo to the police instead of giving in to their demand was my answer to The Agency. I wasn’t playing the game and I, as sure as my next breath, was certain there were going to be consequences. Knowing that much, I wanted them all gone so I could think; so I could lick my wounds in peace.

My solitude was cut short when Elliott walked back in after they left. He sat down on the couch next to me and broke the silence. “The team handling the image are professional—”

“Don’t bother,” I cut him off. “I don’t want to hear any more promises. I just want you to leave me alone.”

His nostril’s flared. “No. I won’t.”

My eyes widened in shock but then narrowed. “You won’t?”

“No, I won’t,” he repeated clenching his jaw. “You will leave this house with me right now. I’m taking you where I’m sure you’ll be safe.”

My anger faltered a little once I gazed fully at him and saw the slack expression on his face. Still, I told him, “I’ll be fine. Thanks.”

“I’m on your side,” his voice softened. “I know it doesn’t feel like that right now, but I am. I want to rip Vincent apart for recording you.”

A recording? My heart sunk down to my feet. “You think the picture was cut from a recording and not just a photo?”

He blew out. “From experience, I’d bet the image isn’t a photograph. This was an act of desperation on their part. The Agency members know we are all over them and are trying to silence you and the other women, but I swear if you give us time, we’ll stop them.”

“You think so?” I covered my mouth with my hands.

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