Page 48 of Regards, Mia

A shiver runs through me as the cold night finally breaks through the heat of my adrenaline.

Jay drapes a jacket over my shoulders. I hadn’t realized he left the balcony because he moves like a jungle cat, hardly making any noise at all.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asks.

To my surprise, I do. “The boys all had rich parents, scholarships, and legacies.”

“Boys?” Jay’s skin pales under the moonlight. “There was more than one involved?”

“You might have seen it in the news. It was everywhere. The boys’ lacrosse team was accused by multiple women.”

“The team?” He grits out the word.

I nod. “They manipulated women into thinking they wanted to have sex with them because they were the most popular boys on campus.”

“Assholes.” His eyes turn dangerous.

“I testified at the trial. My boyfriend was one of the guys, so I didn’t make a great witness.” I cringe at how much Elena and I have in common.

A storm crosses his features. “Whoever sent this knew you were a witness.”

“It was a public trial.”

“Bastard. He’s been planning this.” Jay’s posture changes. He’s suddenly on full alert, scanning the woods beyond my yard as if he senses danger. “How close are you to getting this guy?” he asks.

NotifI will get him, butwhen.Jay has more faith in me than I do in myself. A strange, prickly sensation buzzes through my body. Maybe it’s the nicotine, maybe it’s Jay, but I feel my heart stutter and race.

“I won’t stop until I get him.”

Jay covers my hand with his and squeezes. His big hand is warm and comforting, and it sends a jolt of awareness through me. “Good girl.”

Hearing his praise sends a shiver of longing down my spine. That deep voice makes me ache.

“Can I ask you something?”

A shell hardens around me as I brace myself for his question. “Go ahead.”

“Did the assault make you want to be a prosecutor?”

It’s an easy question. “Yes.” I take a drag and blow smoke into the air. “I switched to pre-law after the trial and never looked back.”

We are quiet for a moment, then Jay breaks the silence. “Your turn,” he says.

“What?”

“Ask me something.”

I play stubborn. “There’s nothing I want to know.”

“You sure?” He’s perfectly relaxed, his face an unreadable mask.

I know he’ll be open with me. Jay would never lie, but I’m not sure I want to know the answers.

He pushes up his sleeve and shows me his right elbow. “You want to ask about this?”

Curiosity burns inside me. “Yes.” I brace for the answer, knowing nothing he can say will justify his crime.

“What do you want to know?”

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