Page 150 of Girl Between
He lunged forward, shoving her back into her room, the syringe already in her neck. The sudden pinching sensation made Dana flinch, her eyes watering against the pain. His familiar face came in and out of focus as her vision swam.
His hot breath caressed her ear as he lowered her onto the bed. “Hello, again,” he crooned.
It was the last thing Dana heard before the world went dark.
132
His black coffeehad gone cold an hour ago, but Jake still kept picking up the white ceramic mug and putting it back down. Years of military training taught him to hide his tells, but Dana had a way of driving his emotions to the surface—good and bad.
He checked his watch again. It was a quarter to one. Long past when she should’ve been here.If she’s coming.
Jake’s trigger finger itched the side of his phone, eager to text her. He’d have to leave soon if he was going to catch his flight. There were two later flights available. He’d already checked. But there was nothing he could do about the date of Claire’s trial.
He opened his text app, pulling up the last message he’d sent Dana.
Jake:Noon. Café Beignet. Tell me you’re coming, and I’ll wait.
There had been no response.
Jake let his mind pull him back to the night before, the intimate moments they’d shared on the dance floor, then in his car.
The way they left things wasn’t the best, but he still thought she’d show once she had time to wrap her head around everything he’d said. Was he wrong? If so, maybe he didn’t know Dana as well as hethought. Maybe George was right. He needed to leave her alone, give her space to sort out what or who she wanted.
It would kill Jake to lose her, but ultimately, he just wanted her to be happy. And she could do worse than Vincent George. The thought filled him with unbridled bitterness, but he made himself swallow it.
The app on his phone dinged, reminding him to check in for his flight. Jake abandoned his cold coffee and dialed George as he left the café. He skipped formalities when George picked up, getting straight to business. “Is she with you?”
“No.”
Jake pinched the bridge of his nose. Not sure whether to be relieved or worried.
“Honestly, I thought she was with you,” said George.
“Why would you think that?” Jake asked.
“I saw you two at the wedding. It’s pretty clear how you feel.”
I wish it was clear to her. Jake ignored the thought. “So you haven’t spoken to her since last night?”
“We haven’t spoken, but she sent me a text.”
“When?”
“Last night. Late. A little after midnight,” said George.
“Are you at the precinct?” Jake asked, already striding toward it.
“Yeah. Why?”
“I need to see that text.”
“What’s going on, Shepard?”
“Maybe nothing, but …” He didn’t want to finish his thought. “Dana was supposed to meet me an hour ago. I’ve called and texted with no response. I don’t have a good feeling.”
133
What startedas a hunch had grown into full-fledged panic after speaking to George. The text Dana sent the detective should’ve made Jake’s heart soar, instead it plummeted, realizing there was only one reason she wasn’t here with him right now.
