The Men With the Golden Cuffs(81)

He’d set it to run before he’d gone and fucked Serena’s brains out. Now Jake wished he’d been a little less giving. He could have forced his way in. Adam would have let him. He could have had one more night with her.

“Here it is.” He slowed the tape down.

“I don’t recognize that person.” Serena peered down, her eyes narrowing on the lone figure. The person, obviously female, walked into the library, a huge bag on her shoulder. She wore sunglasses, her figure hidden by a long coat. She stopped in the middle of the lobby and pulled out her phone. She pushed the sunglasses off her face. She smiled as she placed the call, her face turning right toward the camera.

Jake studied Serena carefully, and he felt a punch to his gut as her eyes widened and her mouth dropped.

“That’s Lara.” Her hand came up over her mouth, covering it. She shook her head. “You’re wrong. This doesn’t prove anything.”

“She showed up at the Irving library, too.” He held up her phone. “Would you like to know who she’s calling here?”

Serena had gone stark white, all the color draining from her skin. “I’m sure it was me. It has to be, right?”

“You don’t clean off your messages.” Jake pushed the button and the message played.

“Hey, Serena, babe, it’s me. Look, I know you’re worried about the promo for the new Sweetheart book, but I promise you I have it all taken care of. I did exactly what you told me to. It’s a little unorthodox as promos go, but hey, you’re not exactly writing sweet Regency romances. I think you’re right. This will work. I’ll set it all up. Talk to you later.”

Serena’s whole body seemed to droop. Her shoulders slumped, and her head hung a bit as though some force had been animating her and now it was gone. “You won’t believe me, but that message was about a signing I’m doing at an adult toy store to promote the new book. I had to talk her into it. She thought it would be trashy, but I thought it would be fun. I even talked to a friend who makes naughty cupcakes. She’s catering it. But it doesn’t matter. I’ll just go now.”

She started to turn away. Jake didn’t like the way she looked. He’d seen the same blank, glassy stare on victims of trauma. When he’d been in the service, he’d seen the exact vacant look in the eyes of men and women who’d just had their houses blown up by a bomb. It was as though they couldn’t really process the horror of what had just happened.

She seemed a little dazed and unsteady on her feet. For the first time since he’d seen that damn video, he felt uncertain about just what he’d witnessed.

“Serena, do you need help?” He wasn’t going to let her fall over no matter how angry he was with her. God, just looking at her was making his heart hurt, and for the first time he had to really consider the fact that he might have to forgive her. Really forgive her because she had become necessary. He started to reach out. She really needed to get ice on that wrist.

“Don’t touch me.” She stepped away, her jaw clenching. “Don’t ever touch me again.”

“Serena, would you like to explain yourself? I’m willing to listen.” Adam’s voice came out on a shaky breath, as though he knew he was walking a tight rope, and he was pretty sure he didn’t want to fall off.

“Listen? You’re willing to listen? Fuck your listening, Adam because I’ve been listening to both of you, and I don’t like a word I’ve heard.” Her fists were clenched at her sides, her face a deep red. She was crying again, the tears running down her cheeks. She looked young and vulnerable and so fucking fragile in Adam’s shirt and those glasses she hid behind. “You want the truth? I’m everything you’ve ever thought I was. I’m just a greedy slut. I used you both, and now I’m really upset that you found out because I haven’t hit the Times yet and I was really hoping to hit the Times. If you hadn’t found out, I was planning on faking my own rape and torture so I could move up on the best seller list. So congratulations to you both. You were right. I was always a wretched whore. Jake, you should go back to sulking, and Adam can go forth on his quest to find the perfect woman. It sure as fuck isn’t me.”

She turned, but Jake was faster. He moved in front of her, cutting off her retreat. “No, Serena. I think we’re all going to sit down and talk. I apologize for what I said earlier. I was overly emotional. Now please sit down and let’s discuss this.”

“Shove your apology straight up your ass, Jacob. Or you could have Adam do it for you. He likes to be helpful.”