Page 230 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1
"We can't really discuss that with you right now. I'm sure Joe will be in contact with you shortly."
"I think that you both should leave."
"James, it's fine. I'll talk to them." The last thing we needed was for James to lose his temper and punch a detective.
"You don't have to answer their questions, Penny. Let me call my lawyer. He'll handle this."
"It's fine. I really don't mind."
James stared at me for a second. "I guess I'll be in my office then." He put his hand on my shoulder and then walked away.
I stood there awkwardly in the foyer. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. But I didn't have to decide. Both detectives walked past me toward the living room.
"If you wouldn't mind taking a seat, Penny."
Okay.I followed them into the living room and sat down on the sofa. Both of them remained standing. They were definitely trying to intimidate me.Screw them.
"I see that James has been buying you presents." Detective Reed looked at the T.V. It was still in its box and there was wrapping paper on the ground.
"No. He bought that for himself." I had taken a criminal justice class with Melissa my freshman year. I knew they were trying to get me to admit something without actually asking a question. I folded my arms across my chest again.
"Does he wrap everything he buys for himself? Or just expensive things?"
"I don't know. We've only been dating a few months."
A smile broke over Detective Reed's face. "You know, when people act defensive, it usually means that they have something to defend."
I glared at him. "I don't have anything to hide."
"Good. I expected as much. You're an open book, Penny. Straight As in high school. Same here except for the occasional B. You're a good girl. Respectable. A First State scholarship winner even. That must have made your parents proud."
"Yes, it did." My father's words came back to me. There wasn't anything I could do to disappoint him. He'd always be proud of me. I didn't need a scholarship to prove that.
"So the question is, what made you risk all that? What made you decide to sleep with your professor? Were you worried about losing your scholarship?"
"What? No."
"What kind of arrangement did you two have exactly?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." I knew what he was suggesting. And it made me sick to my stomach. It was like what Raymond Asher had said. Why did everyone assume it was something terrible that brought us together? Why couldn't everyone just see that I was in love with James?
"Was it for the presents? Or maybe you weren't doing as well this semester. You have a C average in your statistics class right now. Did you do it for the grades?"
"Do what exactly?" It was hard to stay calm.
"Did he, or did he not, agree to give you an A in his class if you gave him sexual favors?"
I stood up. "I think you should go."
"So it's true, is it?"
"You have no idea what you're talking about. We never did anything that we didn't both want to do. James is a good guy."
"Good professors don't sleep with their students."
"Tim." Detective Turner had finally spoken. He put his hand on Detective Reed's chest, as if holding him back. "Why don't you let me take it from here." Detective Turner gestured toward the couch.
Detective Reed nodded and sat down on the sofa. I stared at Detective Turner, who was now smiling. I was a little surprisedby the sudden change. Were they seriously trying to good cop, bad cop me? I internally rolled my eyes.
