Page 33 of Jase

She did have a point.

“No.”

“J.”

“No.”

I gripped the steering wheel tighter as I turned into the parking garage of my building. This was on me. I didn’t look more into the operation David was running, or part of. Truth was, I jumped to conclusions. I believed he was working alone. My biggest mistake was assuming. Kody could have easily been found by now. They were biding their time, waiting for the police presence to fade, and had I not been watching, she’d be dead.

“Let the cops do their job. You can call the department and talk to them later. If they want to meet with you, I’ll take you to the station. How about that?”

She twisted the strap of her purse tighter before giving a nod. “Only for a few hours. We can let time pass, and then you can drop me off at Tiffany’s. I’ll be safe there.”

“No you won’t. If he found you, he found her. She’s safer without you there. He’ll be watching, waiting for you to show up. Think about it, Kody. You have to be here. I want you here. You’re better with me.”

For her to argue was pointless. I was right, and she knew it. If someone was trying to find her, she’d lead them right to her friend.

“I need to call Tiffany. You threw out my phone. Can I let her know what’s going on?”

“Absolutely. I’ll let you use mine for now; it’s safe. Let’s just get upstairs first so I can see what’s happening.”

Hesitation. “Alright.”

I opened the door, walking around to meet her as she shut hers. My eyes scanned every shadow as we headed for the elevator. It was automatic and built in from my past. I couldn’t help who I was. It was all I had known for so long. It was also why I needed things like the dark web.Revenge.It ate at me nonstop.

“J?”

Kody held to her purse like a vice as fearful eyes searched mine. It was clear, she wasn’t sure what to fear more: me or this person I fed her. She wanted to know if I was telling the truth. If maybe I wasn’t the one to truly fear. Oh, she was right to see all possibilities. She’d lived through real hell. She was smart, and it put me at ease when I wasn’t sure it should.

“I’m not going to hurt you; I told you that. Think about it. We’ve met a couple of times. I could have easily taken you the night I saved you. I could have pushed my way past the flimsy lock and made it into your apartment if my intentions were not good. If anyone should be weary right now, it’s me. Do you know who I am?”

Kody stared for all of a few seconds before she shook her head. The elevator doors opened, and I led her forward, pushing the button to the top floor before turning back to her.

“You don’t recognize my name or face?”

“I do. I just can’t place them. I feel like I know you, but I don’t believe we’ve met. Do I know you?”

“No. If we had met, even in passing, I’d remember.”

“How do I know you, then?”

“I don’t know. TV, maybe? The news? Tabloids? I think I’m more relieved you can’t place me. Especially from any of that.”

The doors opened and I led her into the entrance area of my penthouse, reaching forward to punch in my code for the front door. Once I did, I placed my thumb down, letting it read my print. I laughed at Kody’s look.

“No one’s getting inside my place. You can bet on that. That’s why you’re safe here.”

The door beeped, and I opened it, gesturing for her to head inside. She didn’t jump to enter my private space like anyone else would have. Kody looked between me and the barrier, hugging both arms to her chest.

“If I go in there, I’m stuck. Is your door voice activated from the inside too? I’m not sure I can do this.”

Tears. They pooled so big in her eyes; I couldn’t take it. Anyone else could have cried me a river, and I would have let them drown in it. Kody was different. I would have killed a million times without a shred of emotion just to take her fear away.

I opened the door wider.

“Yes, but there’s an emergency number you can enter to override it at any time. Do you want the number?”

She paused but nodded.