Page 94 of Tell Me Your Desires
Plot twist.Anya pushed away from the counter, determined to keep an open mind about Taylor and Jaime’s relationship. Whatever Max said, it was all outside perspective. No one but Jaime now knew what really went on behind closed doors. Still, Anya had to take a deep breath and take a moment to center herself before she asked Max any questions. So, she grabbed two bottles of water out of the fridge and brought them back to the island.
“That was the same reaction I had,” Max said as he graciously accepted the water.
Anya twisted the cap from her bottle and took a drink. “You’re an exceptional detective, Max. Here I thought I was hiding my annoyance. Do I want to know why Taylor refused?”
“Will it change your mind about anything you plan on doing tonight?” Max asked in return.
“No. This is about Jaime for me, not Taylor. I will do whatever I can to find the answers Jaime needs for closure.”
“And this is why you’re good for her.” Max shrugged. “It wasn’t about her. That’s why Taylor didn’t go. At least, that was my interpretation. Jaime said Taylor wasn’t feeling well, but I saw the disappointment. I finally got the truth out of her on our next shift when she confided that she was thinking of calling off the engagement. But their anniversary was coming up, and Jaime just couldn’t do it.”
“And then Taylor was murdered.” Jaime’s guilt made more sense to Anya now. When Jaime came into Lady A’s chambers that first night, that need for pain ran deeper than scars left for failing to go out for a pack of cigarettes. “This is why Jaime holds so much guilt.”
“The way I see it, she wanted Taylor gone, and then she was. Then she went into a spiral, forgetting the worst parts of the relationship. She had convinced herself they were perfect for each other, andshewas the one who fucked it up and let Taylor down. When she couldn’t find the bastard who shot Taylor, that was another failure.” Max reached across the island and placed his hand over Anya’s. “When I said this wasn’t about your ability, I meant it, Anya. Jaime’s guilt fueled her more than despair. Searching for closure kept her going. But if anything happened to you, I’m afraid it would be a despair she would never recover from.”
Anya gently patted Max’s hand with her other hand. His words touched her, but if he thought they would deter her from what she was about to do, he was wrong. They only strengthened her resolve. “I don’t intend on letting anything happen to me. And on that note,” one more pat on Max’s hand, and Anya pushed away from the island. “Let’s discuss the plan.”
Max scoffed, a small smile playing on his lips. “You’re definitely perfect for Jaime. If anyone can keep that woman in line, it’s you.” He eyed Anya for a moment. “You didn’t tell Jaime the plan, did you?”
“Are you insane? We want Jaime’s wounds to heal, not be ripped open just because she needs to play the hero. I was honest with her about why I wasn’t telling her any details, and after a bit of pouting, she understood.”
Max laughed. “Yep. You and I will get along just fine. Just tell me this isn’t as dumb as Jaime’s plan.”
Anya made a face and shrugged a shoulder. “It’s our best option. Kate and her team are sitting on the club now. As predicted, Sapphyre and Sonny are there as though nothing happened, so I’ll go to work on the pretense of quitting. Hopefully, no one will believe I’m heartless enough to stick around after what happened to Jaime. While I’m there to clear out my stuff, I’ll try to draw Teddy out while Ruby is occupied. He’s the weak link. If I can convince him to talk, he’ll turn on his sister.”
“When you say draw him out…”
“I’ll convince him to come to my chambers.”
“You’re going to be in a room alone with a man who slices women up, and you want me to be okay with that?”
“He won’t hurt me, Max.” Anya held back her frustration. She imagined it would be challenging for people who didn’t study behavior to understand the nuances of individuals. Unfortunately for Max, she didn’t have time to explain it to him. “This is just one of those things you’re going to have to trust me on.”
Max nodded, though Anya could see the stress and disapproval in his eyes. “How can you be sure Ruby will be occupied?”
“The FBI is establishing a client for Sapphyre, and one of Kate’s team will be inside the club keeping Frank busy.”
“Do we think Frank is involved?”
“In the murders? No. But I do think he’s helping Ruby traffic girls. Whether he’s doing it willingly or not isn’t something I’m interested in. Kate can get that out of him if and when they arrest him. For now, you and I are focused on Ruby and Teddy.”
“For Jaime?”
“For all of the women those two have ever hurt or killed,” Anya amended, then checked her watch. “We have to get going soon. I need you to leave your phone here.” She opened a drawerand pulled a nondescript phone out, passing it to Max. “I’ve programmed this with my cell number just in case.”
“What’s this?” Max took the phone and examined it closely, as though he’d never seen one before.
“A burner.” Anya chuckled lightly at the look of complete confusion on Max’s face. “Jaime is a great detective. Obviously, with her covert operation, she thinks the suspects are from the club. But that doesn’t mean that’s where all of this is going down. However, if she tracks your phone using Find My Friends and it shows you there, her suspicions will be confirmed, and she’ll try to show up there, gaping wounds and all. If your phone shows you here…”
“She’ll either be confused as hell or show up here and be out of harm’s way,” Max finished for Anya and laughed. “Damn, you have that woman’s number. I almost feel sorry for her.”
“She’ll be fine,” Anya winked. “Now, a quick rundown of what’s going to happen when you drop me off. Teddy will be watching. You’ll drive away and rendezvous with Agent Anderson at this address.” Anya handed Max a piece of paper with an address a few blocks from the club. “He’ll drive you back to the surveillance van with Kate and her team. You won’t be away any longer than ten minutes, and Kate will have eyes on me the entire time.”
Max stood and slipped the burner phone in his pocket. “If you know he’s watching, why have me drop you off?”
“Becausehe’s watching. It would be far more suspicious for me not to have an escort after seeing my lover shot right in front of me.” Anya’s composure cracked slightly as the memory of seeing Jaime crumple to the ground, her blood seeping through her shirt.
“Don’t go back there, Anya,” Max said softly. “Jaime needs you to focus on what you’re doing now, not what happened before.”
