Page 50 of Found By Him

I’m moments away from having her pants completely open so I can rip them from her body, when multiple malevoices, followed by footsteps and loud knocking on my office door, catch my attention. There’s a sharp intake of breath as Gisella freezes underneath me. I’m half tempted to go tell whoever’s knocking to leave us alone, but they’re quite insistent when someone bellows out my name. I can’t make out who it is, though, so I’m not convinced to stop what I’m doing, the waistband of her jeans in my grip. That is, until the knocking begins again.

“Goddamn it,” I huff as I push myself off her.

She follows me, sitting up. I hate that her face goes from the look she had a few seconds before to one of uncertainty. “Jack, who is that?”

“I don’t know, baby. Stay right here.”

Stalking to the door, I whip it open.

Nate and Carlos stand outside. Both of their faces are grim. It has my nerves immediately on edge.

“What the fuck is happening?”

Carlos frowns. “Jack, I need to take Ella with me.”

Fury demolishes my desire. I spit out, “Why?”

“After you told me about her getting fired and the possible accusations, I periodically checked in with the department that would cover that. I got word tonight that they wanted to question her. I told them I would go pick her up. They allowed me as a professional courtesy.” He raises his hands to stop the protest he could tell was coming. “It’s just preliminary questioning. I can’t guarantee, but I’ll try to be there with her. But she needs an attorney.”

A hand grazes my back. I spin around to find Gisella standing behind me, looking heartbreakingly resolute. “It’s okay, Jack. I figured this might happen.”

I blow out a rough breath and pull her against me, hugging her tight. “I’m calling a friend of mine to meet youthere. Do not answer any questions until he gets there, okay?”

She hugs me with equal ferocity. “Okay, don’t worry. I’ll be alright.”

A huffed laugh escapes my chest at her reassuring and comforting me. I kiss her for a moment longer than I usually would, with two of my best friends standing behind me. Gripping her hand tight in mine, I turn back to face Nate and Carlos. We all walk to the elevator in silence together.

Gisella squeezes my hand when the doors open before she trails Carlos into the elevator. She turns and gives me one last shaky smile, revealing the small cracks in her strength.

As soon as the door closes, Nate and I return to my office, where I swipe my cell phone off the coffee table.

After a few rings, his voice comes through the speaker. “Jack, it’s been a while. I’m assuming this isn’t to see if I want to get some beers?”

I drop heavily onto the couch and rub my temples. “I need your help tonight. A, uh, friend is being questioned about something she didn’t do. I don’t want her being questioned alone.”

A humorless laugh hits my ears. “Clearly, it’s been too long since we’ve gotten together. You seem to have forgotten I don’t practice criminal law anymore.”

“I don’t care that you don’t practice anymore, Chris. I need you to help me out. I don’t trust anyone else to be with her.”

Chris Rivers is one of the best attorneys in Nashville and a friend. He’s wrong, I didn’t forget he doesn’t practice criminal law anymore. I was just hoping he would have forgotten and help.

“Jack, it’s been five years since I was in criminal. Who is this woman?”

“Isn’t practicing law like riding a bike?”

He barks out a laugh at my question.

Not wanting to admit the entirety of my relationship with Gisella, I decide to appeal to his sense of justice. “To answer your other question, she’s someone I don’t think should go to jail for many years for something she didn’t do because she didn’t have the best lawyer with her.”

The silence is deafening.

“How sure are you that she’s innocent?” he asks.

That’s the easiest question I’ve been asked all week. “Absolutely sure. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

“Goddamn it,” he mumbles.

I scratch my fingers through my beard, waiting for him to agree.

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