Cheap Shot (11 page)

“I said I’m fine!” Jaxon gripped the back
of the bench seat. “You care to tell me what the hell was going on here? Why
did Riley have his hands on you?”

She felt the urge to cry but had no idea
why. “I… he…”

Jaxon’s face tightened as his skin
stretched into a snarl. “You looked like you were enjoying it. Is there
something you want to tell me? Are you two… together now?”

“What?” Sela rummaged in her bag some more,
trying again to find the pain reliever.

“What are you doing?” He reached for her
arm. “I asked you a question. Answer me, damn it!”

“I…” Her hands fluttered as though she had
no control over her movements. “Don’t know what’s wrong with me. I feel… weird.”

Jaxon dropped to one knee beside her as he
stared into her eyes. “When did you start feeling this way?”

“A few minutes ago.” Her words sounded
slurred, as if she’d been drinking. She hoped she could convince Jaxon she
hadn’t been. She couldn’t afford to get fired, and given how angry he was, she
couldn’t rule out the possibility. “Please don’t fire me. I haven’t been
drinking, Jax. I swear to you—”

“I know.” He grabbed her hand and hauled
her to her feet. “Can you walk on your own?”

Confused and tipsy, she admitted, “I don’t
know. I’ll try.”

He pointed toward the three stairs leading
to the main bar. “Try to walk in a straight line.”

He was giving her a sobriety test? So much
for trust. But Sela knew he was asking as her boss, and she had no choice but
to comply. She tried her best to put one foot in front of the other as she
focused on the floor under her feet, but by the time she made it to the stairs,
she had to grab the railing for support.

Jaxon slipped his arm around her waist.
“It’s okay. Let’s head back to the office.”

“What’s wrong with me?” she whispered.
She’d always been in perfect health. At her last check-up, the doctor had joked
that if he had too many patients like her, he’d be out of business. “Why do I
feel this way?”

“I have some idea.” Jaxon whispered
something in Becky’s ear.

Becky looked alarmed as she gaped at Sela.

“What did you say to her?” Sela asked once
they were out of earshot. “What do you think’s wrong with me?” When he didn’t
answer, she screamed, “Tell me! What is it?”

Jaxon ushered her inside the office and
helped her stretch out on the couch. “Just close your eyes for a few minutes,
sweetheart.”

“I didn’t have anything to drink, except
for the soda Riley ordered for me. I promise.”

“I believe you.”

He sounded cranky, making Sela wonder
whether he was irritated with her or Riley. “Are you sure you believe me?”

Pounding on the door made Sela jump.
“Police. Open the door, Mr. Davis.”

“What are they doing here?” Sela asked,
trying to sit up. The room spun, and she had to lie down or risk vomiting.

“I have a feeling I know,” Jaxon muttered,
yanking the door open. “Officers”—he gestured for them to enter—“I’m glad
you’re here.”

“We need to know what happened between you
and Mr. Riley, sir,” one of the uniformed men said. “According to him, you
assaulted him and uttered death threats.”

Sela felt as if she was slipping in and
out, like maybe she was on the verge of falling asleep.

“Is that what he said?” Jaxon shook his
head. “I don’t know why I’m surprised.”

Dylan rushed into the room. “What the hell
happened, Jax?” He looked from the police to Sela before his eyes settled on
Jaxon’s split lip. “I heard you and Riley got into it.”

“I think he slipped something in Sela’s
drink,” Jaxon said.

His voice sounded far away, but Sela didn’t
miss his claim. Was Jaxon right? Could that explain what was wrong with her?

“Sela?” One of the officers looked at Sela.
“Is this the young lady in question?”

“Yes,” Jaxon said.

“Is that true, miss?” one of the officers
asked, walking toward her. “Did you see Mr. Riley slip something in your
drink?”

“No, but—”

“He gave her the drink,” Jaxon interrupted.
“It couldn’t have been anyone else.”

“There’s a bar full of people out there,
Mr. Davis. If no one saw him do it, it will be tough to prove.”

“We have cameras,” Dylan said. “Was he
sitting in the V.I.P. lounge?”

“Yeah, he was,” Jaxon said, snapping his
fingers. “If he was stupid enough to do it at the table, we’ve got him.”

“Okay, but we’ll need you to come downtown
while we sort all this out, Mr. Davis,” the older of the two officers said,
reaching for Jaxon’s arm.

“No!” Sela cried, trying to sit up.
“Please! You can’t take him away. It’s not his fault. He was just looking out
for me!”

“That may be, miss,” the younger officer
said, “but it’s our job to get both sides of the story. I’d like to suggest you
go to hospital. If what Mr. Davis claims is true, you’ll want the test results
in case you decide to press charges.”

“I don’t wanna go to the hospital.” She
covered her eyes with one hand. “I just wanna go home.”

“Baby, please,” Jaxon said, sounding
desperate, “we can’t let him get away with this. If he slipped something in
your drink, he needs to go down for that.” Jaxon turned to Dylan. “Will you go
with her?”

“Of course.” Dylan rushed forward to help
her off the couch. “And if you need anything…” He glared at the cops. “Like
someone to bail you out of jail, just call me or one of the other guys. We’ve
always got your back.”

“Thanks, man,” Jaxon said. “Take good care
of her for me, okay?”

“You know I will.”

“I find it interesting,” Detective
Mulligan said, tapping his thick fingers on the scarred table top, “that in a
crowded bar, no one heard you threaten to kill Mr. Riley. Not one person. Why
do you suppose that is?”

Jaxon knew the answer: He had loyal friends
and customers. “No idea.” He shrugged. “Can you tell me what happened with
Sela? Did the test confirm he slipped her roofies?”

“Why do you think Mr. Riley would do that?”
Mulligan was non-committal, which didn’t surprise Jaxon. It was his job to
extract information, not offer it.

“He wanted to get her into bed.” Just the
thought of it made Jaxon’s skin crawl.

“Do you think Mr. Riley knew you’d be
there?”

“I doubt it. I’m not there every night.”

“How many nights a week would you say you are
at High Rollers?”

“Until recently, maybe one or two.”

“What happened recently?”

Jaxon had to come clean about his
relationship with Sela. If he tried to lie, the cop would see right through
him. “We hired my ex-girlfriend, Sela, to work as a hostess in the V.I.P.
lounge.”

“I see,” Mulligan said, clicking the end of
his pen. “So you’ve been hanging out more often to keep an eye on her?”

Jaxon wasn’t keen on sharing his personal
business with a stranger, but he had no choice. He knew he should lawyer up, but
he just wanted to get this over with, not draw it out. “I’d like to get back
together with her. I figure that won’t happen unless we spend some time
together.”

Mulligan said, “Did she have a thing going
with Riley too? Is that why you jumped him?”

Jaxon pulled his lips back in something
resembling a smile. “If they had something going, he wouldn’t have to drug her
to get her into bed, would he?”

“Did I confirm he drugged her? I think
you’re jumping to a lot of conclusions.”

“Have a look at the video tape,” Jaxon
challenged. “That’ll tell you all you need to know.”

Looking smug, Mulligan said, “I have looked
at the video, and you’re right, it’s very telling.”

Jaxon knew what he was getting at. The
video would show that he’d instigated the fight and threatened Riley. “If you
already know what happened, what are we doing here? Are you going to charge me,
or what?”

“I don’t know yet.” Mulligan cracked his
knuckles. “My boys are picking Riley up now. I’m anxious to hear what he has to
say about all this.” The cell phone on his hip rang, and he answered it. “What
have you got for me, McPhillips? Is that right? Can’t say I’m surprised. It
sure as hell looked like that in the video. Is she gonna be all right?”

Jaxon’s gut clenched. He knew they were
talking about the fact that Sela had tested positive for Rohypnol. If he saw
Riley walking past the glass right then, he might just make good on his threat.

“How is she?” Jaxon asked as soon as the
detective ended the call. “Is she all right?”

“She’s fine,” Mulligan said slowly. “She’ll
be out of it for a while, like sleeping off a bender, but there won’t be any
lasting effects. Your friend took her home.”

Jaxon tipped his head back. “Thank God. I
don’t know what I would have done if something had happened to her.”

Mulligan watched him closely. “I’d say
she’s one of the lucky ones. A lot of girls don’t get off so easily. Most are
the victims of sexual assault. Some even die from a bad reaction.”

Jaxon rubbed his face with his hands,
trying to erase those horrific images from his mind. “I can’t think about that.
Not here in a police station while I’m waiting to find out whether you intend
to throw my ass in jail for beating the shit out of a guy we both know deserved
it.” He looked the other man in the eye, hoping he’d see the truth. “Riley’s a
predator, Detective Mulligan. He tried to take advantage of the woman I love.
How would you have reacted if someone had done that to your wife… or your
daughter?”
Not that I had evidence he was a predator when I beat the hell
out of him.

Mulligan drew a deep breath as he hauled
his heavy frame out of the metal chair. “Gimme a minute, Davis.”

The next ten minues felt like the longest
of Jaxon’s life. He was dying to talk to Sela, to find out if she was okay. He
wanted to get the hell out of there so he could see her in person.

Mulligan came back into the interrogation
room. “Okay, my boss said you’re free to go, but don’t leave town anytime soon.
We may want to talk to you again after we’ve dealt with Riley.”

Jaxon could have reminded him he had a
business to run, but he didn’t think that would help his cause. “Fine.” He
stood, offering his hand. “Thank you. You’ve been more than fair, and I
appreciate it.”

Mulligan shook his hand with a slight
smile. “I don’t have to ask where you’re headed. I hope your girlfriend feels
better soon. Let her know we’ll need to get a statement from her as soon as
she’s up to it.”

“I will. Thanks again.”

*   *   *

Jaxon was relieved to see Dylan’s truck in
Sela’s parking lot when he pulled in. He didn’t know if they’d apprehended
Riley yet, and until he was sure Riley was in custody, he didn’t want Sela to
be alone.

He was exhausted after a long day and
longer night, but he couldn’t think about sleep until he knew she was safe.
Though her building was decent, the security was non-existent. Now that Sela
was living alone, Jaxon would have to talk to her about moving to a more secure
building. As much as he loved the idea of her moving in with him, he knew Sela
wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment. He had to be patient. That’s what he
kept telling himself. In time, he would get everything he wanted and be able to
give Sela more than she’d ever realized she needed.

He knocked on Sela’s door once.

Dylan answered it. “Am I glad to see you.
Sela’s been asking for you. She was worried the police decided to detain you.”

“No,” Jaxon said, brushing past his friend,
“when they got the proof they needed, they were more concerned with
apprehending Riley. Thanks by the way, for making sure they got the video.”

“Of course.” Dylan slapped him on the back.
“Anything for you. You know that.”

“Where is she?” Jaxon peered around the
corner into the kitchen when he didn’t spot her on the couch.

“I convinced her to lie down for a while. I
told her I’d make sure you woke her up when you got here.”

“Let her sleep for a bit. She needs her
rest.” Jaxon made his way to the kitchen. “And I need a beer. I wonder if she’s
got any in here.”

Dylan laughed. “Kiki was living here until
recently, wasn’t she? There’s gotta be beer in there somewhere.”

“You’re right.” Tucked away in the back of
the fridge on the top shelf, he found half a dozen longnecks. “You want one?”

“No, I’m gonna pass by High Rollers on the
way home.”

“Why?” Jaxon twisted the cap off the bottle
and tossed it into the trash bin below the sink. “Did you forget something?”

“No. Sabrina texted me. She heard about
what happened to Sela and you, and she wanted to know if you guys were okay.”

Jaxon smiled for the first time all night.
“She’s a real sweetheart.”

“Yeah, she is.” Dylan leaned against the
counter. “So is your girl, by the way. She was pretty out of it, but even with
all she was going through, she was more worried about you than herself.”

“God, I love her, Dyl.” Jaxon was amazed at
how freely those words flowed. “We’re not where I’d like us to be, but she’s
back in my life, and that’s more than I could have hoped for.”

“Jesus, y’all are droppin’ like flies.
Pretty soon I’ll be the only single one left.”

“I don’t know about that,” Jaxon said,
taking a swig of his beer. “I can’t see Brett gettin’ tied down anytime soon.”

“I can’t either, but I would have said the
same about Matt and Zach, and look at them now. Happily married, family men,
the whole nine yards.”

Jaxon had thought his friends were crazy to
commit the rest of their lives to one woman, but losing Sela made him see
things differently. He would never find someone to replace her, and he didn’t
even want to try.

“Hey,” Sela said, standing in the doorway
rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. “I thought I heard you out here.”

She looked adorable in a black-and-pink
sleep shirt with a serious case of bedhead. Jaxon wondered how she’d managed to
undress all by herself, but he wouldn’t stoop to asking. Dylan was like a
brother to him, and he’d never take advantage of Sela’s state.

“Hey, baby,” he said, setting his beer down
before he crossed the room to hug her. “Are you feeling any better?”

She wrapped her arms around his neck,
holding on as though he was her lifeline. “I am now. I was so worried they
would believe him over you. I thought they were going to lock you up.”

“Ssssh, it’s okay,” Jaxon whispered,
stroking her hair. “I’m here now. Everything’s going to be fine. They’re gonna
find Riley and lock him up. He won’t be able to hurt you or any other woman for
a hell of a long time.” At least that was the outcome Jaxon hoped for. He
feared the more likely scenario would have Riley posting bail and walking the
streets by tomorrow.

“I’m just so glad you’re here,” she said,
squeezing him tighter. “You can stay, can’t you?”

“As long as you need me to, sweetheart.” He
had no intention of going anywhere, but he wanted her to feel as though she was
the one calling the shots.

“Well, it looks like you’ve got everything
under control here,” Dylan said, slapping his friend on the back. “I’m gonna
head over to High Rollers and fill Sabrina in.”

“Thanks, man.” Jaxon disengaged from Sela
long enough to shake Dylan’s hand and draw him into a half-hug. “I don’t know
what I would have done without you tonight.”

“Hey, what are brothers for?” Dylan
chuckled.

Their running joke was that they were all
brothers from another mother, and Jaxon couldn’t have picked a better group of
men to stand beside him.

“You take good care of yourself,” Dylan
said, kissing Sela on the forehead. “Don’t feel you have to rush back to work.
Take all the time you need to recover.”

Sela stood on her tippy-toes to kiss
Dylan’s cheek. “Thank you for everything. You were amazing tonight.”

Jaxon wished he could have been the one by
her side at the hospital, but since it couldn’t be him, he was glad it was
Dylan.

“My pleasure, honey.” Dylan ran a hand over
her tousled hair. “You get a good night’s sleep, and you’ll feel like a new
woman in the morning.”

“I sure hope you’re right,” Sela said,
reaching for her head. “’Cause right now I have a killer headache.”

“Let Jax take care of you.” Dylan winked at
his friend. “He’s good at that.”

“Go lie on the couch while I walk Dylan to
the door, baby,” Jaxon instructed. “I’ll be right back.” They walked to the
door, and Jaxon whispered, “Let me know if you hear anything about Riley,
okay?”

“You know I will. G’night.”

“What was that about Riley?” Sela asked,
lifting her head off the cushion.

“Nothing for you to worry about,
sweetheart. Just lie down. Do you want me to get some tea?”

“No.” She held out her hand. “I just want
you to come over here and sit with me.”

“That I can do.” Jaxon smiled as he pulled
up an ottoman and sat beside her, holding her hand. “I hate that I let this
happen to you.” He’d been tearing himself down ever since he realized what
Riley had pulled off in his bar. “I’ll make sure we tighten security so nothing
like this can happen again. I don’t know where the hell Donnie was,” he said,
referring to the security guard usually posted in front of the V.I.P. lounge,
“but I intend to find out. When I do, he’d better have a damn good reason for
missing this.”

“Please don’t be upset with him,” Sela said
softly. “Donnie’s a great guy. This wasn’t his fault. I never should have
agreed to talk to Riley.”

“Why did you?” Jaxon had been wondering
that all evening. Why had she put herself in the line of fire, knowing Riley’s
only motive was to get her into bed?

“I wanted to tell him I wasn’t interested
in him.”

“Oh.” That made Jaxon feel better, but he
still wished he could have been the one to deliver that message.

“I’m sorry I caused so much trouble.” She
flinched as she brought her hand to her head. “I should never have gone out
with that jerk in the first place. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“I do.” He kissed her hand. “You were hurt
and angry, and you wanted to make the pain go away. No one understands that
better than I do.”

She tried to smile. “Thank you for
understanding. I was worried you’d be angry with me for setting this whole
thing in motion.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. Riley’s an
arrogant S.O.B. whose ego won’t let him believe any woman alive isn’t ready and
willing to jump into bed with him.”