Oh, Jake really wanted to punch Hernandez in the face. Asshole. He wasn’t going to give an inch. “You know where to find her. If you have any other questions, call me. She’s not going to be answering her cell phone any longer.”
Chitwood nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. It’s very clear this person isn’t going to go away. He seems to have a point to make. Tell me something, Miss Brooks. Have you thought about pulling back from work for a while? Maybe putting off the release of this new book? It might quiet him down.”
Now Jake wanted to punch the shit out of Chitwood. “She’s not putting off the release of her damn book. She hasn’t done a goddamn thing wrong. She’s trying to work in a legal profession, and she’s not going to give in to someone who is trying to intimidate her.”
Chitwood held up his hands. “It was just a suggestion.”
Hernandez frowned. “It was a good suggestion. He’s just trying to keep her alive. But, hey, if her little books are more important than her life, then she should go for it.”
“Hernandez!” Brighton yelled from his office, his face red. “My office. Now.”
Hernandez stiffened and then turned and walked to his boss’ office.
Chitwood leaned forward. “Forgive him. He’s very conservative. He’s Catholic. He thinks your books are pushing the Mormon faith. I’ve tried to explain to him that your books have nothing to do with religion.”
It was time to get Serena away from these people. He stood. “Thank you. Please keep in touch.”
Adam stood as well, his entire body stiff. He looked like he was ready to throw a punch, but he seemed to contain it. “We should get our charge home. And her book is coming out on time. She’ll be signing at the opening day party. I have some friends in the press who would love to know if the Dallas Police Department cares about stalking victims. I suspect I’ll see you there.”
Chitwood gave them the fakest of fake smiles. “We wouldn’t be anywhere else. We are taking this seriously, gentleman.”
“Serena.” Jake turned and waited for Serena to stand. She did it, but she moved in a way that worried him. She moved, but there was no spark of life, no animation. She was like a zombie, shuffling along, going where he told her to go, doing what he told her to do. She’d completely shut down, and that was a problem.
She looked up at him. “I know I shouldn’t, but could I go to the bathroom, please? I didn’t actually make it to the one at the restaurant.”
Chitwood stood, gesturing toward a female uniformed officer. “Leah? Could you escort Ms. Brooks to the bathroom? She shouldn’t be left alone. Check the stalls before she goes in.”
Leah, who was called Officer Nelson from her badge, gave Serena a smile. “Of course. Right this way.” As they walked off, she leaned over, and Jacob could barely hear her words. “I heard you’re a writer. That’s so cool. Hey, do you happen to know Melissa Schroeder? I love her books. What do you write?”
Adam followed the women, planting himself outside the bathroom door.
“So, are you coming out of your pout?” Jake asked because he was really sick of dealing with delicate moods.
“Fuck you, Jake. And yes, I’m coming out of my pout.” He stared at the door. “I don’t know what I’d do if she died. Look, I admit it. I want to run. I don’t think this will work because I don’t think she’s going to let it work, but he torched her house. The least I can do is make sure this asshole goes down. I owe her that much.”
“You’re not willing to fight?” It was incomprehensible to Jake. How could he just let Serena go? A spark of anger lit him. “You got me into this relationship.”
“And you got us out of it,” Adam spat back.
Ah, there was the real reason. “I said I was sorry. I said a bunch of things I shouldn’t have said. I took everything wrong. I was an asshole. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to make the mistake of walking away now.”
“I told you. I’m not walking away. I’m here. I’ll do my job.”
“Your job is to love her. It’s both our jobs. Don’t you see how this is going to go? If you both go to your corners, it’s going to fall apart.”
“It already fell apart,” Adam growled his way.
Jake was past frustrated. “Then we fucking put it back together. Goddamn it, Adam. You know, maybe you’re right. Maybe you should let Liam come back in because if this is the way you’re going to be every time something goes wrong, then I don’t want you in this relationship. I’m going to get her back, and I need a partner, not some whiny asshole who can’t get over his daddy issues.”