Page 28

28

Ella

“ J ack, I appreciate yesterday because that was obviously unexpected, but I cannot let you get me an attorney on top of everything else,” I argue as I pour a cup of coffee.

“Gisella, you’re being unreasonable,” Jack retorts as I pull down a travel coffee mug for him. He has to leave early to go home to shower and change since he stayed over unprepared last night.

This conversation started last night, but I was too exhausted mentally to have it. We have been going back and forth for about fifteen minutes now about him getting Chris to represent me in whatever may come of yesterday. Neither of us is showing signs of backing down. I know I need an attorney, but it makes me uncomfortable to rely on Jack to help fix yet another thing in my life .

“This isn’t unreasonable. In my opinion, not having you help me is the most reasonable thing.”

“So what are you going to do? You can’t go at this alone.”

I hesitate. He isn’t wrong, but I’m not ready to concede. “I’ll figure something out.”

“Like what? Gisella, you don’t have anyone else to help you.”

My jaw drops at his statement before I snap it shut and swallow the lump of emotion.

He grimaces the moment he realizes what he said and mutters, “Fuck.”

But it’s too late.

He’s right. I don’t have anyone else. I’m alone.

I turn to the fridge to grab the coffee creamer, hiding my emotions. My chest tightens as I try to contain them.

His body heat envelops my back as his hands find my biceps.

“Gisella. I’m sorry. That isn’t what I meant.”

I stand motionless, stomach twisting.

Jack heaves out a breath. It tickles the hairs on the back of my neck, causing goosebumps to travel down my arms.

“Go to work, Jack. We can talk about this later.”

He doesn’t move for a breath. Then I hear his footsteps retreat toward the door. As soon as the click of the latch sounds, I slump against the counter and cover my face with my hands.

And then I cry.

I cry because I’m scared. I cry because I’m pissed. I cry because I’m pretty sure I’m already half in love with Jack.

I cry because, for the first time in a very long time, I feel like I have a place in the world with people who genuinely care about me, and I’m terrified all of that will be ripped away .

It really couldn’t have happened at a worse time, but I cannot deny that I feel that way about all of them.

Once I’ve cried all the tears, I pull myself together with a steadying breath.

I know Jack didn’t mean anything by what he said. And now that I have had a very cathartic moment of emotional release, I can admit that I really don’t know what else to do besides allow him to help me.

Again.

I pick up my phone.

Me: I’m sorry…I was being unreasonable. I would like Chris’s help if he’s willing.

Jack: Baby, you have absolutely no reason to be sorry. I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m glad to hear you are willing to have him help. He really is the best.

Me: Thank you Jack

Jack: Don’t thank me. You know what my payment scale is for my services.

I laugh at his attempts to lighten the mood, glad we can both move on from this morning the best we can.

Jack: He wants to meet with you today if you’re up for it. I can let you know what time someone will be by to pick you up.

Me: Sounds good

I grab my coffee cup and start to get ready.

Jack and I are seated at the conference table, similar to the day I told him and Nate about being fired. We’re waiting for Chris to arrive. Nerves flutter through me as I jiggle my leg under the table until Jack’s hand finds my thigh.

“Relax, baby.” He clasps my leg and gives me an encouraging smile before returning to whatever he’s looking at on his phone.

I blow out a breath through pursed lips and nod.

He watches me for a few moments before leaning back in his chair on an exhale.

The door opens, and Chris walks in, followed by Nate and Ian. Chris nods his greeting to us and takes a seat at the head of the table.

Nate addresses me first. “Ella, I hope it’s okay that Ian and I are here. If it isn’t, let us know, and we can leave.”

“You can stay,” I confirm quietly.

They take a seat across from Jack and me.

Chris pulls out a file folder from his bag. “Since you haven’t actually been charged with anything, I can’t have access to the evidence like I would if we were going through discover.”

My shoulders sink. I knew that. But seeing what I’m up against would have been nice. No telling what Craig fabricated. Chris continues. “However, I have some friends who were willing to talk with me off the record. The evidence the cops have is…let’s say, uninspiring.”

I perk up at his statement.

“What do you mean?” Jack asks.

Chris sighs and half shrugs. “I’m sure I didn’t get to see everything. But unless they have something more concrete in the works, everything they have is extremely circumstantial. They’re making some leaps based largely, from what I could see, statements from your former bosses and a few invoices and payment approvals. I don’t believe they have anything that links you to the bank accounts.”

“They won’t find any link because I didn’t do anything,” I assert adamantly. All of this sounds promising, but this is my first time dealing with the possibility of being accused of a crime, so I could certainly be wrong.

Chris gives me a solemn nod.

“What happens from here?” I wipe my clammy palms on my jeans.

Chris leans forward, placing his elbows on the table and interlocking his fingers. “Look, Ella. I don’t want to sugarcoat this. I’ve seen cases brought to trial with only circumstantial evidence.”

I press my fingers to my lips, sucking in a breath.

He holds up his hand. “But any two-bit defense attorney fresh out of law school could rip this apart in court.” His face breaks into a cocky smile. “And lucky for you, I’m not a two-bit defense attorney fresh out of law school. Now that they know I’m representing you, they’re going to make damn sure what they have is solid and unshakable before they move forward. Which I’m just not seeing as of yet.”

My watery smile is forced, but I appreciate his reassurance. “Okay, thank you.”

Chris stands and gathers the papers. “Get my number from Jack, and if you think of anything that might be helpful, call me immediately. I know this is easy for me to say, but try not to stress. Right now, we wait.”

I nod my understanding as he stalks out of the conference room. Nate and Ian follow him out, leaving Jack and I alone.

My chair swivels toward him from his grip on the armrest. When I’m facing him, Jack looks into my eyes and says, “Gisella, I know I already this once, but I’m very sorry about this morning.”

I inhale shakily. “What you said hurt, but I know you didn’t mean anything.”

He opens his mouth to say something, but quickly closes it. Pushing his chair back, he stands and holds out his hand. “Come on. I’ll take you home. It might be a late night, but I’ll be by after the event that I have to work.”

Sometimes, I don’t know how he and Nate are doing it all. Especially Jack. Between dealing with making sure I’m taken care of and running a business that’s growing by the day, he’s running himself into the ground.

I grip his forearm to get his attention as we walk to the elevator, enjoying the feel of his muscles beneath my hand. “You need to hire some more employees. I’m worried about you.”

We step into the elevator, and after he pushes the button for the ground floor, he pulls me into his side. His arms wrap around my shoulders, and his lips graze the top of my head. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine. But you aren’t wrong about hiring more employees.”

By the time we make it back to my condo, our moods have lightened some. There will be time to stress about everything later, but right now, no matter how few they are, I want to try to enjoy the moments I have with Jack that don’t revolve around the messiness of my life.

We walk hand-in-hand down the hall, a small smile on my face. When we get to my door, there’s an envelope taped to it.

I glance around. I don’t see one on anyone else’s door.

Jack rips it off the door, concern lining his features.

I pull out my keys, my hands are quaking ever-so-slightly. “It’s probably just a letter from the building management. Usually, they email, but sometimes they leave notes on our doors.”

Jack doesn’t look convinced as he follows me inside.

Before the door even closes behind us, Jack is tearing open the envelope.

“Goddamn it!” he bellows as he tosses the contents on my kitchen counter and pulls out his phone.

My heart stutters, and I cautiously walk across the room to see what has him reacting that way. I squeeze my eyes closed when I see what it is. The hairs on my arms stand up, and I feel sweat form down my back. Eyes popping open, I move the first photo to look at the next. Then the next. Until I get to the last one.

The photos are of me. Me with Tyler standing outside the flower shop, a red X over me. Me with Ian as he picked me up for work, the red mark aggressively colored over my face. The next is me and Jack outside the senior center. This one is different.

Over Jack, DEAD is written in shaky handwriting.