Page 27 of The Billionaire's Temptation

She looked up at him, tilting her head back to look into his eyes. “What’s going on?” she whispered in as low of a voice as possible.

“Tell you later.”

An enormous German Shepherd pranced into the room at that point and came over to sit very politely next to the tall stranger, who was glaring at the officers with his arms folded over his chest.

For the next twenty minutes, the only sounds were the playful shrieks and drunken laughter of the people playing out by the pool. Someone, most likely Levi, had turned off the outdoor speakers, but no one outside had even noticed. They were that drunk and, apparently, high from whatever drugs they’d taken.

The stranger walked over to Levi. “They don’t have a dog. We’re safe,” he murmured in a low voice, scratching the German Shephard behind her ears affectionately.

Levi nodded and tightened his arm comfortingly around Clarissa’s waist.

The police in the great room were searching under the cushions and furniture, using their flashlights to examine the glass and glossy surfaces. The officer who had been in the kitchen came back and shook his head at the officer in charge. Then all four of them continued to search, opening drawers, feeling under the tables and furniture, probably for something taped to the bottom. They looked in very odd places and more obvious areas. Every box and book was opened and shaken.

After thirty minutes, they seemed to give up and heavy sighs were heard. The guy in charge looked frustrated, his hands fisted on his hips.

He looked over at Clarissa. “Ma’am, we were sent an anonymous tip that there was a large quantity of drugs in your residence.” He paused and glared at her. “Would you care to explain that?”

Clarissa was angry now. She finally understood what was going on and her gaze moved towards the pool area. The pool lights had been turned on but she couldn’t see anyone in the pool at this point. That meant that everyone had either passed out, like the couple snoring behind the sofa, or they were doing other things. Activities about which Clarissa didn’t want to speculate.

She straightened, no longer afraid. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared back at the man. “Officer, this is the second time in less than a week that the police have come to my house.” She slipped out of Levi’s arms, grateful for his strength a moment ago, but determined to stand on her own now. “A couple of days ago, your officer,” she indicated at the angry man, “had me in handcuffs, attempting to arrest me for driving my own vehicle.”

“It wasn’t like that!” the officer blurted.

She turned and glared at him. “It wasexactlylike that!” she countered. “You didn’t give me a chance to defend myself or explain. You had me pinned to the hood of the car, my hands restrained, before you even allowed me to speak.” Her anger was boiling hot now. “And today, you come into my house and accuse me of…what?” she asked, exasperated now and throwing her hands wide, as if encompassing every part of the house. “Of doing drugs?” She reached up and jerked a piece of hair out of her scalp, then held it out to the man. “I don’t do drugs. Ever!”

The officer looked at the strand of hair, but didn’t take it. “Then why did someone call in a tip that there was a large amount of drugs here?”

Clarissa shrugged. “I don’t know,” she replied, her voice laced with sarcasm now. “Perhaps because I’ve just come into wealth and people are trying to take me down because of it?” She stepped closer. “Perhaps because someone is trying to make it so that I can’t inherit my father’s house?” she offered as an explanation. “Tell me officer, if youhadfound drugs in the house, what would have happened”

“You would have been arrested,” the man replied without hesitation.

“Exactly. And if the amount was large enough, wouldn’t civil forfeiture laws kick in?”

The officer shrugged, his fingers resting on his equipment belt. “Potentially. That decision would be up to the district attorney. That’s wouldn’t be my call.”

“Think about it, sergeant.”

There was a long silence as the sergeant chewed on the inside of his cheek thoughtfully. Then he glanced over his shoulder, noticing the pool lights shimmering in the darkness. “Are those the rest of the party-goers?”

Clarissa nodded and a new idea occurred to her. One that might get this police officer out of her hair. “Yes, and they are about to be kicked out of my house. I will order taxis for them, however, I’m guessing that several will refuse.” She paused, tilting her head. “I suspect that, if you and your officers here tonight were to wait on the corner, you might be able to catch them. They will all be well over the legal limit to drive and, I’m guessing, have partaken a sample of whatever drug you were sent here to find.”

The sergeant thought about that for a moment, then his smile widened. “You think that one of those people tried to set you up?”

Clarissa shrugged. “I don’t know, nor do I care. I didn’t see any drugs, but their behavior tonight indicates that several chemical substances were enjoyed.”

Two of the other officers smiled, one of them rubbing his hands together gleefully. “Sounds like we didn’t waste our time after all, sarge,” one of them said.

The sergeant nodded his agreement. “I agree.” He reached into one of the many pockets on his uniform and pulled out a card. “If you wouldn’t mind letting me know if any of your guests refuse the offer of a safe drive home, I’d appreciate your help. As you suggested, we’ll be waiting about a block away.” He handed her the card. “Hopefully, they will be smart and wait for a taxi.”

“I hope that as well, sergeant,” she replied, pocketing the card.

“We’re outta here!” he declared. Moments later, the officers were gone.

There was a long silence after their departure and finally, she turned to find Levi looking at her with a heat in his eyes that she didn’t completely understand.

“I should….” She paused and pulled out her cell phone. “I should order drivers for the guests,” she whispered, her voice faltering.

Levi moved closer. “I agree.”

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