Page 130 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

Jake grinned as he identified the silhouette emerging from the shadows beyond the streetlights. He’d done as Dana asked. He’d pulled the car around and was patiently leaning against it, waiting for her to say her goodbyes. If trouble came looking for him, he wasn’t going to ignore it.

In this case, trouble came in the shape of the NOPD detective he used to call friend.

George sauntered over, beer bottle in hand. Only one. It was abundantly clear this wasn’t a peace offering.

“Shepard,” George greeted. “Just the man I want to see. Got a minute?”

“A minute? Yeah, that’s about all I’d need to kick your ass.”

George grinned. “Same old, Shep. No wonder she’s not eager to head back to D.C. with you.”

Jake pushed off the car. “Watch it,” he warned. He’d told Dana he’d wait for her. He didn’t say anything about not pummeling George’s face in the meantime.

“Believe it or not, I’m not here to start shit with you, Shepard. I just want to make sure you’re gonna respect Dana’s wishes.”

Heat flooded through Jake. “She suggested I’m not? ”

“No, but I know how persuasive you are when you think you’re right.”

Jake smirked. “Lemme guess, you think I’m wrong wanting to put her safety first?”

“That’s not what I’m saying,” George argued.

“Then why don’t you spit it out?” Jake remarked.

“She’s determined to see this case through, and I think we need to respect that.”

“You have no idea the level of respect I have for that woman. But that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t want to see her put herself in danger. What I don’t respect is the fact that it’s so easy for you to stand by and watch.”

“I get that,” George replied, his voice steady. “But you know she’s capable of taking care of herself. You’re the one who told me she’s one of the best partners you’ve worked with. If anyone can handle this case, it’s her. We need to trust her judgment.”

Jake flexed his jaw, confliction pulsing through him. George was right, but that didn’t make things any easier.

“Listen, I’m sure I’m wasting my time giving you advice, but for Dana’s sake, let’s say I’m not.

If you truly care about her, you need to let her make her own choices.

She’ll come back to you if she’s meant to.

If you force her to go with you, you’ll always second-guess if she regrets her decision. ”

If George’s words didn’t take the fight out of Jake, the reassuring hand he put on Jake’s shoulder did. “Good luck, brother,” George said. Then he headed back into the shadows, toward the party.