expression darkened with anger as he took in Jane’s face.
“Jamie’s right, Jane. Kramer will pay.”
“Not you too, Asher.”
“Not like you think.” He rounded the bed to the other side, to take the empty chair there. “I just spoke to my contact at the FBI.” Asher shifted his gaze from me to Jane. I tensed, my grip probably too tight on Jane’s hand, at the mention of the bureau. “They arrested my father this evening and Kramer will be taken into custody once the hospital releases him.”
“What?” Jane breathed.
Yeah, what?
Blood rushed in my ears.
Asher shot Jane an apologetic look. “I’ve been working with the FBI since before we met. Just a few weeks before we met, actually. They’ve been building two cases against Foster, and I helped them with both. Steadman Productions was funded with money provided by a criminal organization. An organization Foster is still actively involved with. He’s been swimming in shit for a long time. They’ve also been working with some of my father’s victims to bring serial sexual assault charges against him.”
Holy shit.
Jane’s nails dug into my skin as she looked at me, astonished. “Jamie.”
“What does this mean?” I asked, trying to stay cooler on the outside than I felt inside.
“It means that you’ll have to talk to the FBI.” He gave me an apologetic smile. “I know you probably don’t trust the justice system in this state very much, but I told them what I knew about your case. With Kramer attacking Jane, they want to hear about Skye and what Foster did to you. Don’t get your hopes up yet, because they’ll need the cashier who got shot to come forward for there to be a chance of you being cleared for the robbery.
“But whatever happens, Foster is looking at a long time in prison. No matter how the trial turns out, my father will lose everything.” Satisfaction gleamed in his eyes. “His company, his reputation. The world will know what a predator he is, Jamie. I’m sorry Skye didn’t live to see it, but she’ll get her justice.”
A sob from the bed brought my eyes to Jane.
“That’s what I couldn’t tell you, Jane.” Asher reached for her other hand. “That’s why I had to keep you out of it by lying. We couldn’t have you interfering with the long game. I hope you understand.”
She nodded through her tears and turned to me.
I didn’t know what to feel.
I thought in that moment that I’d feel euphoric or hopeful … or anything.
But I was numb.
Everything I’d been focusing on since getting out of prison was suddenly swept out of my control.
And Jane …
I knew deep down that she deserved better than me. She deserved someone who wouldn’t have put her in danger because of his own fucking vendetta.
The truth of that hurt so much, I went someplace else inside me. Someplace where I could feel nothing.
So that’s what I felt in the end.
Numb.
34
JANE
I knew something was very wrong when Jamie didn’t show at the hospital the next day to pick me up. Apparently, he’d asked Asher to do it.
Dread swam in my gut.
The pain in my face had decreased, but the pain in my ribs had only worsened. Every time Asher took a corner, I had to bite back a growl of frustration. Asher had brought me a pair of sunglasses so I didn’t have to walk around looking like I’d just gone ten rounds with Tyson Fury. Truthfully, however, I was glad to be out of the hospital. Especially after the police showed up to interview me about Kramer’s attack.
Reliving it wasn’t pleasant, and although Asher was by my side, I resented Jamie’s absence.
“The FBI might take jurisdiction over this case since it’s connected to a major crime committed by Foster, so expect more interviews,” Asher warned as he drove toward my apartment.
“Why didn’t Jamie come?” I asked.
“He didn’t say.”
Fifteen minutes later, we walked into my apartment, and I drew in a deep breath as images of yesterday’s attack flooded me.
No. I wouldn’t be afraid of this place. I wouldn’t allow that. I couldn’t.
It was easy to tell myself that.
Harder to feel.
I gazed around, noting the door and table were already fixed.
“Ivy.” Asher read my expression. “She’s pretty impressive.”
“I need to thank her.” Jamie told me last night about how Ivy had come to my rescue and stopped Kramer from getting away.
“There’s time for that. Why don’t we get you settled in?”
My eyes caught on a huge bouquet—beautiful, expensive white roses and pale pink peonies.