Brianne’s pulse began a thready beat and a wave of light-headedness assaulted her, a combination of shock, nerves and anxiety. Real anxiety, the kind she hadn’t had in so long, but the kind she’d experienced again upon meeting Jake. She had no doubt she could overcome it; she just hated that she had to.
Jake. Their connection had been intense and emotional from the beginning. What she felt for him was so strong, so consuming, she was afraid to put a name to it. But raising an adolescent had taught her the value of honesty, and the least she could do was be truthful with herself.
Brianne was afraid she was falling in love with the detective. But love was everything about who a person was inside as well as out. Jake’s job was an essential part of Jake Lowell, the man. So how could she have such a strong, negative reaction to his career choice?
If she truly loved him, she had to love everything about him. And she didn’t love his job. She admired it, and him—but she couldn’t accept the circumstances that went with it. She chose not to accept it for herself.
She’d spent years forging a safety net for Marc and herself. And Jake, a narcotics cop, was as far from safe as Brianne could possibly get. Any foolish notions she’d held about making a long-term relationship with Jake work sank along with the elevator he’d stepped into.
JAKE AND VICKERS walked out of the building and into the hot, humid New York City air.
“I hate hospitals.” Vickers gave a visible shudder.
“Then you’re in the wrong profession, my man.” A narc spent too many damn hours in hospitals.
“Well, I’m out of here. I’ve got some paperwork back at the precinct. I’ll call you when the toxicology reports are in.”
Jake nodded, swallowing around the last of the dry sandwich he’d picked up inside. While Vickers headed back to the precinct, Jake looked around for David. He found the man in his appointed spot, watching Brianne’s back from a location outside the hospital. They’d agreed they couldn’t cover all entrances and had settled for the one closest to Rehab. Since Jake couldn’t have Brianne tailed inside the hospital without her catching on, he had no choice but to trust she was safe in her daily routine.
He stopped near the sidewalk vendor who was selling hot dogs, hot pretzels and drinks from his cart. “I’ll take two colas.” Jake pulled some folded bills out of his pocket and paid the man, then walked over to David.
Jake handed a can of cola to his friend. “So what’s been going on?”
“Looks like your hunch was right. I saw your pal Ramirez taking a morning stroll outside the hospital about half an hour ago. Maybe he figured Brianne would be coming out for lunch.”
Although he’d suspected as much, Jake’s stomach clenched when he heard the news. “Damn,” he muttered.
“Don’t worry. He’s close but I’m closer.”
“Just keep it that way, pal. And remember, I’m trusting you with my life.”
“You mean her life,” David corrected him, but Jake heard the teasing in his friend’s tone.
“I never say what I don’t mean, so watch her back.” Jake meant no insult. He knew David would do his best no matter what, but telling David how strongly Jake felt about Brianne helped him entrust her life to someone other than himself.
He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Vickers. “Do me a favor. Turn around and come back,” Jake said without preamble.
He hadn’t wanted to let the police in on Ramirez’s interest in Brianne, but now he had no choice. He had to get the scum off the street for good, but he’d settle for Vickers keeping him busy while Jake checked out The Eclectic Eatery. The cops could pick up Ramirez for jay-walking and detain him for a little while. That was all the time Jake needed to do a little experimenting himself. He’d order off The Eclectic Eatery menu and, with a little luck, he’d score drugs. Then they’d be able to nail Ramirez and keep him in custody where he belonged.
Luck had better be on his side, Jake thought. Because if he came up empty and they had to let Ramirez go, Jake would have to tell Brianne he’d put her in danger—he’d have no choice. Without that knowledge, she wouldn’t be aware and careful enough to protect herself inside the hospital. On trips to the ladies’ room and supply closets, Brianne needed to be alert and on guard.
But he shuddered to think of her reaction. And he hated causing her pain or a return to the old fears she thought she’d put behind her. He knew Brianne was strong. She’d pull herself together enough to get through this. On a personal level, however, being honest with Brianne would mean not just the end of his summer fling, but losing her trust and faith in him, probably for good.
JAKE STEPPED INSIDE the too-quiet penthouse. With the silence surrounding him, he missed his apartment, a place where he could slam his front door shut in pure anger. Goddamn pansy elevator and its easy glide did nothing to alleviate his frustration. Norton slid on his run to greet Jake as he entered the apartment.
Jake scratched the back of his ear, the same way he’d seen Brianne pet the dog. Norton wasn’t satisfied and lowered himself to the floor, seeking a longer stretch of attention. No matter how much love and affection Brianne gave him at night, they were both still gone during most of the day. The pooch was obviously starving for affection if he sought it from Jake. He leaned down on his knees, gave the dog the petting he desired and got slobbered on for his trouble.
Before he could unwind and lose the tension of the day, Jake took Norton for a quick walk. Thank goodness, the dog cooperated, and he was back home before he knew it—home to mull over his unsuccessful trip to the gourmet shop where he’d failed to score. Of course, the order that signaled a request for drugs could change weekly or even daily. Jake had known that going in, but he’d still hoped this case would have an easy wrap-up. For Brianne’s sake. He dreaded reigniting her anxieties, and now he had no choice.
The
only thing he had going for him—they had going for them—was this secure building. As angry as Brianne might be, she’d be foolish to leave here and the safety it offered. At least Jake would still have the summer to get back into her good graces, while keeping her safe at the same time.
He walked down the short hall to her room, but the door was open. A quick knock and look inside told him she wasn’t there. He headed across the marble floor and toward the gym, but that room was empty, too. He cursed.
“Today’s the day for strikeouts,” he muttered.
After he couldn’t score the pills, he’d called Duke and discovered the Forensics results were in. Duke had met him on the street away from the precinct, where Jake found out that Marina and her boyfriend had ODed on Ecstasy, Ramirez’s stock-in-trade. As far as Jake was concerned, the information was one more nail in the scum’s coffin. All they had to do now was link the pills to The Eclectic Eatery and link Ramirez to the restaurant.