“I guess you know the truth now.” Donovan wanted to hang his head in shame, wanted to let the tears fall that he was barely holding back. Instead, he stood from the table and looked down at Jeremy. “I’m exactly what everyone says I am, and I don’t give a shit what you think anymore.”
“I don’t believe that, Donovan.”
“Yeah?” Donovan forced himself to shrug. He wished he didn’t have to be mean to Jeremy, but he didn’t want his friend cashing out that IRA plan or mortgaging his house. The man was in his late sixties. Doing something like that at this point in his life could be the difference between a comfortable retirement and working until he died. Donovan nodded to the guard, who stepped forward. “I’m ready to go back to the holding cell.”
The guard nodded.
“Wait.” Jeremy fumbled around the table to stand in Donovan’s way. “We’re not done here yet.”
Donovan had to convince Jeremy it was pointless to help him. He could find a new lawyer, one that would just do his job and not get emotionally involved. He loved Jeremy too much to put the man’s future on the line.
Pain clenched his chest even tighter, but Donovan forced a sneer on his face. “Oh, we’re done, Mr. Rains. Leave me alone. You’re fired.”
Chapter Seventeen
Madeline looked at the clock beside the bed and groaned. Now she understood how Donovan ended up in his robe when Suzie showed up at his house a few days ago. Noon—and she didn’t want to move. She felt like a slug, lying there, but she’d only slept a few hours last night, too upset to sleep soundly.
Donovan’s words echoed in her mind. ‘And, really, you could stand to lose a few pounds.’
Had he meant that? Madeline couldn’t decide. He’d been so sweet earlier in the day. She had a hard time reconciling the way he’d acted in the jail with the man who picked pineapple off pizza and tried to stuff her full.
Her cell phone rang, buzzing against the nightstand and jittering around the top of it. She let it ring, not interested in talking to anyone today. She’d already missed two calls from Jeremy Rains last night and three from Lindsey this morning. Eventually she’d have to get back to them, but for now, ignoring them seemed best.
Donovan seemed concerned about the money aspect, and she thought at first he was trying to drive her away because of that. Once he’d attacked her weight, however, Madeline lost it.
She felt bad for slapping him. Mostly because she broke a promise to herself that she’d never be that type of girl. Still, he more than deserved it.
Her phone stopped ringing, only to start up again within seconds. Madeline hit the ignore button and then turned the phone off. Pulling the comforter over her head, she closed her eyes. It seemed like a great idea to stay in bed all day.
***
Donovan looked at the man sitting on the bench next to him. He’d arrested Brent quite a few times. All the men in here were petty criminals, not hardened felons. The usual charge was DUI, although he knew Brent likely got an overnight stay for public nudity, as he had several times in the past.
Even though his cellmates were unlikely to harm him, despite his earlier fears, it had been an uncomfortable night, made all the worse because he knew he hurt Madeline. He still didn’t know if he made the right decision. If he ever got out of here, she wasn’t likely to forgive him for that last dig about her weight.
The one thing sure to bother her and he used it against her in the most vicious way he could. He longed for her after she left, knowing he might never see her again. He’d been so stupid. He needed to call her. Even if she didn’t want to hear it, he had to apologize. It was too cruel. He couldn’t let her believe he really meant those words.
“Andrews,” a guard barked. “You’ve got a visitor.”
Donovan jumped up, eagerly approaching the gate. He couldn’t believe it. Madeline must have figured out he didn’t mean it and came to see him. That was better than he dared hope. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. If Maddie wanted to stand by his side throughout his incarceration, he’d let her. He’d also do everything in his power to prove his innocence so they could have a life together.
“Does she look pissed?” he asked.
The man shrugged. “A little upset maybe, but nothing you can’t handle. We all know how you are with the ladies.”
Donovan shook his head. “Yeah. Well, except last night. I wasn’t terribly smooth then.”
The guard laughed. “I heard about that from the night shift. They said that woman has a hell of a right hook. I’m surprised you don’t have a bruise across your face today.” He opened the door so Donovan could step out.
“I got lucky.” Donovan followed him into the visiting room.
“There you are, Donnie. I’ve been so worried.”
The excitement ran out of Donovan like air deflating from a balloon. Suzie jumped up and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, doing his best to squirm from her clinging grasp.
“I’ve been working all morning to gather the money you need, baby.” She beamed brightly. “Are you ready to get out of here?”
Stunned was not the word to describe how this news made him feel. “You’re paying my bail?”
“Mmmm hmmm.” She bumped her hip into his playfully and held his hand. “There’s only one teensy little condition.”
“There always is.” Donovan sighed. He wasn’t getting out of jail today. If it was anything like her last deal, he’d turn her down. “What’s the condition?”
She swished her hips back and forth, biting her lip as dark hair bounced over one eye. “You heard I was a bad girl and told Maddie we were engaged, didn’t you?”
Bad girl indeed. She almost did as good a job keeping him away from Madeline as he did himself. “She told me.”
“Make the lie a reality, and you are on your way home.” She giggled. “Well, to my home.”
He pulled his hand out of hers and shook his head. “You and I both know that isn’t happening. You’re going home alone. I don’t know how much clearer I can make myself. We,” he waved his hand back and forth between them, “are not happening...ever.”
“Why not?” She put a hand on her hip. “Give me one good reason.”
“I’m in love with Maddie.” Donovan folded his arms together, putting as much force as he could in his voice. “Why can’t you understand that? I don’t love you. Blackmailing me with various schemes won’t change that.”
Her eyes narrowed. “So, as long as Maddie’s around, I don’t have a chance. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Suzie, please! I’ve tried so hard to be nice to you, but you need to get a grip on reality.” He stepped away from her and looked back at the guard, jerking his head toward the door.
The guard nodded his understanding and walked across the room to open it.
“There is nothing between us and never will be.” Donovan turned his back on Suzie, walking to the door.
An unexpected shove from behind sent him sprawling. He tried to stand up and a high heel dug into his back, pinning him to the ground. His instinct was to throw her off him and take her down, as his training dictated, but he stopped himself just as he flipped over and twisted her foot in his hand.
“Everything under control over there?” the guard hollered from the doorway.
Suzie looked up and smiled. “We’re fine, sir. A misunderstanding, that’s all.”
She returned her gaze to Donovan and the smile slid from her face. “Maddie’s become quite the problem for us, Donnie,” she said in a soft voice. “You need to get your head straight, but it seems you can’t on your own.”
“Leave Maddie out of this,” Donovan said, hoping the guard would overhear him and do something. Then again, who wanted to confront the Chief’s daughter? Stone would never listen to a word against her.
Suzie yanked her foot out of his grasp. “I’ll take care of everything. You can stay here another night and think about wha
t you want to do. I know you’ll change your mind tomorrow. You won’t have a reason not to.” She stepped over him, her heels clicking on the floor as she walked to the door.
“What do you mean by that?” Donovan pushed himself off the floor, rising to his feet.
Suzie paused and glanced up at the guard before facing Donovan, a puzzled look on her face. “All I want is to help you, Donnie. We'll talk more tomorrow.” She shrugged at the guard and smiled before stepping through the doorway and disappearing down the hall.
“Did you hear any of what she said to me?” Donovan asked the other man.
He shook his head. “You sure have problems with the ladies lately.”
The guard hadn’t heard her. Damn. Panic raised a cold sweat on Donovan’s brow. What did Suzie mean? Did she plan to harm Madeline? “I need you to let me make a phone call. It could be life or death.”
Whatever happened, he had to make sure Madeline didn’t let Suzie into her house.
***
The pounding on her door wouldn’t quit. For ten long minutes the violent hammering continued. At first she tried to ignore it, but the person obviously wasn’t going away. Madeline dragged herself out of bed and put her robe on. It seemed whoever called earlier was no longer content to get her voice mail.
She had a moment to worry that her hair was a mess and her breath stinky before she walked into the living room. However, if her uninvited guest didn’t want to wait until she called them back, they deserved whatever they got.
Madeline looked through the peephole and sighed. That wasn’t one of her callers. She left the security lock engaged and cracked open the door. “What do you want, Suzie?”
“Maddie, you have to let me in,” the other woman said. “I’ve just come from seeing Donnie. We have to get him out of that place. It’s awful.”
Maddie and Donnie in the same sentence, really? “Look, I have no interest in helping Donovan. He’s on his own.” And I almost mean that.
Suzie’s eyes widened and she blinked a few times, clearly surprised. “I thought you cared for him.”
“Relationships with Donovan go through rapid changes. Surely, you know that. According to you, twenty-four hours ago you were engaged.”
Suzie shrugged. “I wish that were the truth, that’s why I lied about it.”
Madeline felt sympathy for the other woman. After all, she knew what it felt like to love someone, only to find out he didn’t love you back. Well, she thought she’d loved Cameron anyway, at least in the beginning.
The spark she felt for Donovan wasn’t even worth thinking about. He’d quickly shown his true colors...if those were his true colors and not him worrying about the money. She wished she knew the answer to that little puzzle.
“You should move on,” Madeline said. “Donovan won’t reciprocate your feelings. I don’t know if he can love.”
Suzie lifted her head and met Madeline’s eyes. “At least, he can’t with you in the picture.”
“I think you’ve got the wrong impression about me and Donovan.” Madeline didn’t know why she felt it necessary to tell Suzie this, maybe something in the other woman’s wistful expression. “We’re not together.”
“You aren’t interested in him?”
Well, if that wasn’t ever a loaded question. “Let’s just say, he and I aren’t compatible.”
“Does that mean you won’t help me get him out of jail?”
This girl had it bad. She wanted to help him, even though he had rejected her several times. Madeline didn’t understand that. What hold did he have over her? Maybe it was her original assumption. Hot sex.
“Donovan can rot in jail as far as I’m concerned,” Madeline replied, ignoring the little jab of panic that gripped her gut when she thought of that. “He made it perfectly clear he doesn’t want help from me.”
“That’s funny,” Suzie said. “He told me not fifteen minutes ago that he loves you. I can’t imagine why you think he doesn’t want your help.”
“He said that?” Infuriating man! Was it an excuse to get Suzie away from him or did he mean that?
“He was very clear about his feelings.” Suzie cocked her head sideways. “Why don’t you let me in? We need to figure out how to come up with the bail money.”
Madeline tried to hold onto the anger she’d felt yesterday, but wavered in the face of Suzie’s insistence. Maybe Donovan really was worried about owing her money and that motivated him to treat her so poorly yesterday. With Suzie’s help, she’d get him out of jail. Once they’d secured his freedom then she could find out why he said those things.
Still, she hesitated over letting Suzie into her apartment. From Donovan’s description, the woman wasn’t completely sane. She didn’t think it would be a good idea to spend time alone with her.
“Look, Suzie. Why don’t you give me time to shower and get dressed? I’ll meet you somewhere for lunch and we’ll talk about things.”
Suzie shook her head. “Haven’t I expressed to you how urgent this is? You need to let me in. You can shower after we have a plan.” Tears welled beneath Suzie’s lashes and she sniffed. “They’re hurting him, Maddie. We can’t leave him there.”
“Hurting him?” Madeline’s heart fluttered uncomfortably. “What happened?”
Fat teardrops fell down Suzie’s cheeks. “They beat him last night. He looks rough, Maddie. His face is all smashed. They might have broken his nose. He said his ribs ache horribly.”
“No! The guard promised he would keep an eye on him.”
“What do the guards care?” Suzie shrugged. “To the people there, Donnie’s a cop gone bad. They’d all like to see him hurt. I wouldn’t be surprised if the guards helped. I’ve grown up around this stuff all my life. I know how it works.”
Madeline felt awful. What if some of the calls she ignored this morning were Donovan needing her help? “Hang on.”
She shut the door and flipped the latch off the lock. A small tendril of fear coiled in her gut at the thought of letting Suzie in her house. Then again, Donovan needed her.
Shaking her head and hoping she wasn’t making a mistake, Madeline twisted the knob and opened the door wide. “Come on in. Try not to worry. We’ll figure this all out.” She turned to lead the way into the living room, leaving Suzie to shut the door. “Jeremy and I figured out how to come up with sixty thousand. We just need ten more.” She motioned to the couch for Suzie to sit and took her place in her favorite chair. “Do you think you could get your hands on that much today?”
Suzie paced back and forth in front of the coffee table, not sitting. Her hands were deep in the pockets of her jacket as she walked. “I probably could.” She looked toward the kitchen area. “Do you mind if I get myself some water? I hurried here straight from the jail, and I’m parched.”
“Sure,” Madeline said, waving her hand in the direction of the kitchen. “There’s bottled water in the fridge. Help yourself. I’ll call Jeremy and make sure he’s still willing to help.”
Suzie passed behind her, and Madeline caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. The woman removed her hands from her pockets.
A frisson of awareness passed down Madeline’s spine, and she tried to stand just as Suzie’s hands pressed into her shoulders.
“What are you doing?” Madeline asked, surprised by Suzie’s strong grip.
“He said he could never love me while you’re around,” she said softly. “I have to do something about that.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Are you calling your lawyer?” the guard asked, switching directions to lead Donovan to an office. “We don’t really let you make phone calls anytime you want, you know?”
If only I had a lawyer. Still, Donovan knew he could call Jeremy and get Madeline help that way. “Yeah,” he replied. “I need to call to Jeremy Rains.”
The guard nodded and pointed to a piece of laminated paper stuck to a desk. “The phone numbers are over there if you need them. I’ll give you some privacy. You have five m
inutes.” The man walked out of the office, shutting the door behind him.
As soon as the latch clicked, Donovan punched Madeline’s number into the phone. After one ring, her voicemail picked up. He hung up and hit redial with the same response.
Shit! I have to get a message to her.
Donovan wavered between calling Jeremy for real or calling the police station. Then again, he’d probably be able to get Jeremy to listen to him within his five-minute time limit. Considering his call would report the daughter of the Chief of Police, Donovan didn’t know if he could get anyone at the station to believe him before the guard returned.
He punched Jeremy’s number into the phone and waited with his breath held, praying Jeremy answered.
“Rains,” Jeremy said after the third ring. He sounded drained, exhausted.
“Jeremy? It’s Donovan. Please don’t hang up.”
A sigh came across the line. “What do you want? I’m not in the mood for this today.”
Guilt clenched against Donovan’s heart. Of course he wasn’t. Not only had Donovan been a jerk, Jeremy then spent the night making plans to bury his wife. “I’m sorry. I know I screwed up yesterday, but—”
“I still love you, Donovan,” Jeremy interrupted. “You should know that. I’ve always thought of you as my son. I just don’t understand why you won’t let me help you.”
Donovan glanced at the clock, wondering if Jeremy could convince an officer to check on Madeline before Suzie got to her. “I love you, too, but I really need your help. We can worry about everything else later. Madeline is in danger.”
“From who? How do you know this?” Jeremy’s voice had a tinge of panic in it, relieving Donovan that he would spring to action.
“Suzie Stone was here, wanting to pay my bail as long as I agreed to marry her. She made a veiled threat about Maddie being the reason I don’t want her and said she would take care of that problem. I don’t have time to convince anyone at the police station of this. I need you to do that.” He snuck a peek at the guard standing outside the door. “I only have a few minutes left. I’m going to try Maddie’s phone again. I have to warn her not to let Suzie in the house. I need you to get the cops over there or head there yourself.”
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