Page 15 of Jake
“Mom, while everyone’s worried about me, Michelle’s holding back. Who’s the bastard we need to bury?”
“No one. I swear. He doesn’t even know I exist.”
“Oh. I’m sorry,” I say, hugging my sister. I’ve been so worked up in my own grief and then happiness I forgot to check in with my twin. She’s always so reserved, and I didn’t see what’s right in front of me. “I’m so sorry, M. I should have noticed.”
“No, you shouldn’t have. I’ve kept it hidden. It wasn’t until Mom and Dad told me about you and Jake that it hit me hard. I know it’s selfish and wrong. Especially because you’ve been waiting forever for him, but I hate working for him.” She slaps her hand to her mouth, and Mom and I gasp. Her boss wasn’t the guy we were expecting her to say. Damn, she’s interested in the professor.
We hear footsteps coming closer. “I’m going to wash my face.”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
My father comes through the door just as my sister dashes up the backstairs.
“What’s going on? Where did Michelle run off to?”
“Work stuff,” my mother says, essentially not lying. He arches his brow but doesn’t say a word.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I have to run an errand and I wanted to give you a kiss.”
“Where are you going?”
“Nowhere important.”
“Liar.”
“Woman, just relax and do your womanly things. Okay?”
“Fine. Kiss me.” She pouts her lips upward and they kiss. When he breaks away, he pats my head and walks out of the kitchen.
“I’m a little nervous about what he has planned.”
“I trust he’s not going to do anything stupid.”
“Do you really?”
“Yes.”
Chapter Seven
Jake
The airport is crowded, but I am waiting for him to arrive. “Where is he?” I’m nearly jumping out of my skin, ready to get answers and then destroy him.
“Relax. You couldn’t be a spy,” my future father-in-law chuckles.
“I just want to get back to Lea,” I answer, shrugging my shoulders to ease the tension rushing through me.
“Well, this is a must.”
He’s right, and I know it. The older bastard has always been right even if I’m still not ready to admit it to him after all these years. “Thanks for doing this,” I say just low enough for him to hear.
“No problem. She’s my baby girl, and if there’s someone ready to take her out to eliminate the competition, I’d do it without legal assistance.” I nod. If I didn’t have the police lurking, I would have too. Mr. Black has no idea the lengths I’d go for Lea. She’s my world and I’ll destroy anyone who comes between us to ruin our happiness.
“He’s not alone.” I look at that bitch he brought with him. “Just as Anderson expected.”
“That’s because Cooper is good at his job and gets information in a heartbeat.” It’s hilarious that they named their twins like that, but at least they’re cool names.
A man I don’t know approaches my uncle and that twat Rachael, and they greet each other politely as if he’s their chauffeur and welcoming them to the city. We listened in from our spot in the airport lounge.“Let’s get out of here and talk shop. I have a waiting vehicle where we can go over the details.”