�When?� Nickolas asked.
�The other night. I went to the bluff and he showed up.�
�Damn it.�
�He scared the shit out of me and for the first time in my life I was afraid of dying.�
�What happened?�
�I was just standing there and he snuck up behind me and took me to the ledge.� Nickolas listened carefully. �He said he wanted the box and I told him I didn�t have it and that I didn�t know what was in it. He knew I was lying though and kept getting closer to the ledge.� She sighed. �He�s the one that sent me the snakes.�
�How do ya know?�
�Because he recited some of the note to me; the beginning of it.� She held back her tears while remembering what exactly happened.
�Anything else?�
�Just to tell Kev to let Stevens handle the case and that if there�s a third warning I�m dead.�
�So you have to tell Kevin. I mean he didn�t listen to me, but I�m sure he�ll listen to you.�
�Kev only listens to me when he wants to�which isn�t often.�
�But your life is on the line.�
�Tell the Sarge that.�
�I did.�
�And?�
�He said he can�t close the case, because Callen was like a sister to you and you�ll kill him if he closed it.�
�That is so typical of Kevin; put his life before mine. Some things never change. Damn it, he really pisses me off.� Nickolas looked at her. �He really doesn�t have to close it ya know.�
�How so?�
�He could say he did, but work on it secretly. I�m sure they�ll back off when they hear he closed it.�
�You might have a point.�
�But Kevin won�t listen.�
�He should hear ya out though.�
�I don�t know though.�
�He�s a good Sergeant and I�m sure he�ll consider it.�
�Maybe you should tell him.�
�It was your idea.�
�Yeah, but you have his ear when it comes to police work. He doesn�t listen to what I have to say.� He didn�t say anything. �Please, Nick? I�m scared out of my mind.�
�But you�ll be fine, because I won�t let anything happen to you.� He reached over and took her hand.
�Are you going to protect me?�
�If I have to, yes.�
�Would you kill to save me?�
�If I have to.�
�Would you die for me?�
�Uh�let�s not push it.� They looked at each other. �Take it one step at a time.�
�Alright.�
�I�ll do my best in protecting ya.� She nodded.
�I�m going to cooperate with ya. I won�t go sneaking out anymore at night and I�ll listen to you and�well just you.�
�Alright.� She grinned and he kissed her hand.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�It looks like Dani and Justin are in bed,� Jenai said putting her bag by the sofa.
�Yeah,� Nickolas said, as they looked at each other.
�Actually Orlando�s in there with Dani,� Justin said and they looked.
�Oh,� Jenai said.
�They wanted sometime alone,� Justin said.
�Well I know where I ain�t sleeping,� Jenai said.
�Then you can have my bed,� Nickolas stated.
�I can sleep on the sofa,� Jenai replied. �No biggy.�
�No; you can use the bed.�
�It�s yours so you use it.�
�But I�m giving it to you.�
�I don�t want it.�
�Well it�s yours.�
�I�m fine with the sofa so let�s drop it.�
�But you deserve the bed.�
�Detective, I can sleep on the sofa.�
�You�re getting the bed and that�s that.�
�Then why don�t we both use the bed?� Nickolas and Justin looked at her. �So we both have someplace comfortable that is.�
�You can have my bed, J,� Justin suggested not wanting her in the same bed as Nickolas.
�No,� Jenai said. �Nick and I can share a bed. It ain�t going to kill us.� She smiled and looked at Nickolas. �Kevin won�t care, because I�m a big girl.�
�Um�alright,� Nickolas hesitated.
�We can use separate blankets so it ain�t that uncomfortable for us.�
�Whatever you say.�
�Alright.�
�I�m going to go check the surveillance cameras,� Justin said.
�Ok,� Nickolas said and Justin left the room.
�Ok,� Jenai said and Nickolas looked at her. �So the only reason I suggested we share a bed is because of Justin.�
�Excuse me?�
�I didn�t want him to suggest we share a bed so I quickly suggested you and I share a bed.� He just looked at her. �I got this weakness thing when it comes to Justin and I�m trying to get rid of it.�
�I see.�
�I don�t want him to think he still has a chance with me, because he doesn�t.�
�He doesn�t?�
�No and he has to know that.�
�Ok.�
�He really hurt me and a big part of me hasn�t forgiven him and most likely never will.�
�But he still wants you and a part of you still wants him.�
�Exactly, but�� She stopped herself from saying anymore and thought about what she just admitted to.
�Of course.� Nickolas sighed and walked out to the balcony disappointed. He leaned on the banister and looked down to the city, as Jenai stood in the doorway looking at him.
�Nick?� He turned his head a little to show she had his attention. �I�m sorry. I�it�s not�� She sighed and stepped outside, closing the door. Nickolas stayed where he was and so did Jenai. �The part of me that still wants Justin is a very tiny part. I have no intentions of getting back together with him. Yes I still love him, but not like I use to. He�s my past and staying there.�
�It�s none of my business, JJ. I don�t care where Timberlake stands in your life.�
�Yes you do care and it is your business.� He looked at her.
�And why is that?�
�Because you like me.� He looked at her surprised. �I know you do. I seen it the first time I saw you at the club; the way you were watching me the whole time I was on stage. I also noticed the way you paid no attention to the other girls, but right as soon as I got on stage again your attention was back on. I noticed it, because I was watching you also.�
�You think I like you? Get over yourself.�
�I don�t think it, Detective, because I know it. And I also know you hate being stuck here with my ex who still wants me. I hate it too.� He didn�t say anything and turned from her. �Don�t try denying it, Nick, because I know the truth.�
�What does it matter any to you? You still want Justin.�
�I do not want Justin!� He looked at her. �Son of a bitch!�
�Then prove it to me.�
�How the hell do I do that, Detective?�
�I don�t know.�
�It was your idea so ya should.�
�Well I don�t.�
�You�re a typical guy.�
�What the hell do ya want me to tell ya to do? I�m not the one that hates cops and fighting my feelings for one.�
�I ain�t fighting shit.�
�God you�re so bull-headed.�
�You�re a prick and just like every other cop I know.� She went to go inside and he grabbed her arm. �What?� She looked at him and he grinned then kissed her. She kissed him in return a few seconds later, as Justin, Dannika, and Orlando watched.
CHAPTER 21
HOME