Derek was caught between a rock and a Taggart.
“I’ll go with you.” Vanessa stepped out from behind him. “I don’t want to cause a scene.”
A scene was exactly what Junior wanted. It was the whole point. All Junior had to do was put the story out there, and then it wouldn’t matter if it was true. The press would leap on it, and then even when they proved the whole story wrong, it would have caused the damage Junior wanted it to.
“I think we can wait to put the cuffs on her until we get to the car.” Derek put a hand on her arm, and Michael was overcome with the urge to punch the guy. Anger thrummed through his system because even though Derek was a friend, Vanessa was his woman. Derek sent him a stare. “Hey, man, I’m going to make sure she’s fine. If what you say is true, she won’t be there for long. You can stop growling at me.”
He’d growled?
“Dude, you got crazy eyes.” Kyle was frowning his way. “She’ll be okay. I happen to have been recently arrested by DPD, and I came out of it all right. And I was an asshole. They’ll be gentler with her. Vanessa, do not let them bring you food. That’s the real torture.”
He could punch Kyle, but he was panicking that she was being led toward the door. “Let me go with her.”
Vanessa looked back at him. “I’ll handle this. It’s my problem, not yours.”
“I can’t let you go with her, and you know I can’t.” Derek opened the door. “I’m taking her downtown. You can meet us there.”
“I hope it was worth it to you, Vanessa.” George Jr. sneered her way. “I know I’m ashamed of everything we did behind my father’s back, but I won’t allow you to blackmail me. You wouldn’t take no for an answer, and I’m just a man. I couldn’t resist. You’ve brought enough shame to my family. I’m not letting you get away with anything else.”
Michael saw red and heard someone scream. He wasn’t sure what had happened but suddenly he was on the ground with two cops on top of him, and Junior was crying in the corner, holding his nose.
His arm was wrenched behind his back, and he felt the cuffs go on.
“Well, that’s one way to go with her.” Big Tag stood over him, shaking his head. “Derek, I’ll send someone down to make bail for them both. Kyle, get the crew ready. We’re going to the station house. It’s another fun day. And someone get the crying billionaire off my floor. Preferably someone large and cranky. I think Boomer had to skip lunch.”
“I’ll handle the fucker,” Deke promised. “Mr. Benedict, let me help you out of the building.”
“Captain!” Junior yelled.
But Derek was busy holding the elevator doors open for Vanessa. Michael caught a glimpse of her pale face as he was hauled up to standing.
“Thank you, Deke,” Derek called out. “I’ve obviously got my hands full. Boys, I’ll take Ms. Jones. You handle Malone.”
The elevator doors closed, and his heart sank.
He had to hope the doors hadn’t closed forever.
* * * *
Five hours later, Vanessa was brought into the interview room. Once she’d played the girlfriend of a crazed killer on a police procedural show, and now she realized they’d gotten the set pretty right. It was utilitarian and chilly. The chair they led her to wasn’t meant to be comfortable for long periods of time, though she was sure she would be here for hours.
How had her life fallen apart so quickly? She’d woken up this morning looking forward to the rest of the week, looking forward to the weekend and going to The Club with her Dom.
Her awful, horrible, lying Dom.
She’d had most of the day to think this through. She could almost forgive Julian. He’d been trying to protect Danielle. He’d read about his wife’s new friend and seen what the world wanted him to see, and he’d reacted. He didn’t know her, and the stories about her were awful enough to make anyone worry, much less a paranoid billionaire.
It was harder to forgive Michael.
Michael hadn’t had to sleep with her. He could have investigated her without humiliating her. Michael had gotten to know her. She’d been more open with him than she’d been with anyone in years. Emotionally. Physically.
She’d been falling in love with the man, and he’d been using her to further his career.
So why had she nearly run back to him? Why had she reached out for his hand when she’d realized everything was going bad? She’d wanted him with her, wanted him to protect her.
She was an idiot.
The door opened, and she was surprised to see the big blond guy from Michael’s office walk in followed by Deke Murphy. Kyle Hawthorne brought up the rear.