Page 63 of Prey for You

The first time Jeremy had driven me around forofficial business,I teased him for being a walking cliché.

He informed me the vehicles were assigned by the Bureau and stereotypes always started somewhere.

I didn’t care. I dubbed it his Batmobile, and the moniker stuck. At least, for me.

“Na na na na na na, na na na na na na, batmaaaaaan.”

“You’re not cute,” Jeremy growled from the driver’s seat.

“He thinks I am,” I said, nodding to one of the younger agents who was always following him around and who’d taken the front passenger seat.

“That’s why he’s here. To learn,” Jeremy shot back.

The guy frowned. He looked to be about the same age as me, but the Jeremy clone version—suit and tie over an athleticbody, square jaw, cocky tilt to the chin, tawny hair, short sides and back, but that tousled length on top that could be slicked back or down for a more professional impression. Of course, he didn’t say anything. In this guy’s world, Jeremywasbatman.

I rolled my eyes, but no one was looking, so they didn’t catch it.

Instead, with a fierce sense of relief, I pulled out my phone and texted Sam. After all, everyone knew now. No matter what a clusterfuck the rest of this day had been, that much was good.

I couldn’t shake the unease, though.

That hadn’t gone the way we’d expected. It was so hard watching Sam walk away and not knowing what he was feeling.

ME: You ok? I’m in J’s car on the way home. I’m going to be “debriefed.”

SAM NOTPRIEST: I’m ok. It was hard to walk away. You looked pale. Are YOU ok?

ME: I need to see you. Since they know now, we might as well just do it. Do you want to come to mine, or I’ll come to you?

It took him a little longer to answer this time, which made me nervous. I reminded myself that he was with his lawyers, and probably getting reamed like I would be when we got home. I knew there was no way Jeremy was just leaving me alone afterthat.

SAM NOTPRIEST: Babe, the restraining order’s still in place. I’m not supposed to be within fifty feet of you without legal counsel.

ME: I’ll see if I can get that lifted now.

SAM NOTPRIEST: I’ll ask my guys too. I hope they can. When you get home, stay there. I’ll come to you.

ME: No if, Sam. I need to see you. They can’t stop a married couple from seeing each other.

SAM NOTPRIEST: I don’t think they see it that way. Maybe we should ask them. I’m sure they’re getting all these messages.

ME: JEREMY YOU FUCKING PERV, GET OUT OF MY PHONE.

ME: We’re making this happen, Sam. I need to see you.

SAM NOTPRIEST: *Laughing emoji*

SAM NOTPRIEST: Don’t worry, babe. We’ll get through this. I’m innocent and they know it. They just want to justify their jobs.

ME: I’ll talk to J. I’ll find a way to help.

SAM NOTPRIEST: His help is the last kind I need.

ME: He’s the one who requested the restraining order. He can get it lifted.

SAM NOTPRIEST: I guess we’ll see.

SAM NOTPRIEST: Maybe leave that up to my lawyers. You worry about you—I’m not getting you put in jail for the sake of a few hours talking. It’s not worth it.

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