Page 127 of Girl Betrayed

“I still can’t believe it was Max,” Meredith said, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. “I always thought he was just a pawn in whatever Dvita and Claire were playing at. There was definitely a power struggle in their dynamic.”

“I never got a chance to meet him, but I agree. I was so sure Dvita was behind it all.”

“But it’s over now, right?” Meredith asked.

Dana nodded. “Seems to be. There’s a few loose ends Hartwell and the FBI have to tie up before they can officially close the case. Jake and I are going to take Claire and get out of town. Go to the cabin. Get some peace while the dust settles.”

“That’s a good idea,” Meredith said. “I’m still so grateful you figured out I was a target. How did you know?”

Dana shrugged. “When I saw your room number written in Dvita’s planner, I knew. Something just felt wrong in my gut. Jake always tells me to follow my instincts, so I did.”

“Then I guess I owe Jake a thank you, too. You two make a good team.”

Dana bit her lip. “Maybe more than that.”

“What do you mean?” Meredith asked.

“Jake said he wants more.”

Meredith’s big blue eyes widened. “More, more? As in a relationship?”

Dana nodded through the heat burning in her cheeks.

“Is that what you want?” Meredith asked.

Dana covered her face with her hands to hide her burning cheeks but couldn’t resist nodding. “Yes, I think so.”

Admitting it out loud for the first time overwhelmed Dana with emotion.

Meredith squealed and pulled Dana over to the bed. Both girls pulled their knees up, grinning at each other like they used to in college when gossiping over boys. Meredith took Dana’s hands and said, “Tell me everything.”

112

The countryside blurredby as Dana’s old ’83 Classic Range Rover chewed up the rural dirt roads. The cabin couldn’t arrive soon enough. Jake had bitten his tongue twice since they left the paved roads of civilization behind.

“Tell me again why we decided to take your car?” he complained, his teeth rattling with each bump the timeworn suspension failed to absorb.

“It’s a classic,” Dana said, grinning as she shifted gears in her ancient rust box.

Jake struggled against the fraying tan seatbelt that seemed to be getting tighter by the moment. “Yes, and it would be better off in a museum than on the road.”

Claire’s monotone voice drifted from the back seat. “She’ll never get rid of it. It was her father’s.”

Jake’s eyebrows rose. “Is that true?”

“Yes,” Dana replied with a sudden vulnerability that made Jake regret his words.

This sentimental side of Dana was unexpected. The entire time he’d known her, Jake had only seen one framed photo of her parents, which she kept on her desk at the Smithsonian. Next to it was the retired green pager. It too had belonged to herfather. Another fact Jake had only learned after his relentless teasing.

Frowning, he made a mental note to ease up on his sarcastic nature. It was a trait he’d sharpened to perfection in the Army and often slipped out without regard. He knew Dana had thick skin and was tough enough to handle some ribbing, but she’d had to endure an entire lifetime of mockery. Jake didn’t want to be the source of more.

Especially when it was merely a defense mechanism to deflect the inadequacy he often felt in her presence. Dana was by far one of the most incredible people he’d ever encountered. He was beyond grateful that they were … well, whatever they were to each other.

He’d made it clear that he wanted more and was working on making his peace with not getting it. He would find a way to be satisfied with having Dana in his life in whatever capacity she offered.

“I’m glad we’re doing this,” Jake said, changing the subject.

“Me too,” Dana agreed.