Right as I hang up my office phone, my cell rings. Not recognizing the phone number, I let it ring twice before I decide to answer.

“This is Luca West,” I answer curtly.

***

The police officer who called thirty minutes ago had much to share with me. Camden Steel passed the polygraph tests and his finger prints were nowhere near the safe in my dressing room. They still had him in a holding cell, but they can’t keep him for much longer without any more evidence that he actually has the jewelry. I asked that they keep him until I can get down there to pick him up.

I admit to the police officer that I believe Heath Landon is the person who took the jewels from my home. I also let him know Heath was in my office this morning. He decides to send a unit out this afternoon to comb my office for fingerprints. He asked me not to touch anymore jewels that are returned to me, no matter where they are.

I feel sick to my stomach. I have absolutely no idea what to say to Camden. A small part of me still believes that he has something to do with my missing jewelry but everything points to Heath being the thief. Did Camden let Heath in this morning? I called Danny right after I hung up with the officer to see if he saw anything yet. I ask him to fast forward to this morning, roughly around seven, when Camden left and I got into the shower. It had to have happened then. I just know it.

My mind bounces out of control with so many questions, most of which make no sense. Why did I automatically think it was Camden this morning? He left and texted me almost right away, wanting to see me again. That’s not something a guilty man does. Why did I immediately blame him when we were so intimate this weekend? Was there something more to me automatically blaming him? Was it because he wants me to leave my life as Lucia? Did I let my fear over take my rational thoughts? Am I scared to be with a man that wants me to change everything about my life just to be with him?

He makes me question everything I am once again. He is the only man that marks me inside and out. I feel sexy, smart, and intensely wanted in his presence. I’ve never experienced that raw intensity with any of the men I escorted. So, why did I impulsively throw him to the wolves? I am such a bitch.

I feel a migraine coming on and the pressure in my chest is killing me. I pick up the file for Steel Charter, the file I couldn’t find a damn thing wrong with, and make my way down to Mitch’s office. He is on the phone, looking out at his view of the snowy city. He is genuinely laughing and I’m jealous. That guy doesn’t have a care in the world. He goes to work, goes home to his family, hits repeat five times, before spending the weekends on family outings. The photos that line his walls prove that he is a social and loving human.

I realize that despite all the social calls I made in my past, I am not social. I am not loving. I’m a stone cold bitch.

He whirls around on his chair and looks at me with a wide smile. We are friends and I feel that even after all that has happened.

“What’s up, little Luca?” he asks, referring to my petite size and well, my naïve nature I had in college. This man knows the right things to say.

“Camden didn’t take anything. He passed the polygraph and there were no fingerprints on the safe matching his.”

Mitch furrows his brow. “Did they find any other fingerprints on it?”

I shrug. “I am supposed to head down there to talk with the police and get Camden. What the hell am I supposed to do? Someone out there took my jewelry while I was in the next room, Mitch. I am freaking out. I don’t want to go back to my apartment. And how do I possibly apologize to Camden after all I’ve accused him off?”

“Woah, woah. Wait a minute, Luca. He’s a guy and he really likes you. He isn’t going to hold this against you. From what you said, he was the only other person there. It was a clear assumption that it was him and I’m frankly surprised it wasn’t. Let him talk and then try to explain what you were thinking and feeling when it all happened. As far as a place, don’t go back there. Camden must be staying in the city, so figure out if you can bunk with him for a few days. If not, stay with me. My door is always open.”

A slow tear makes its way down my cheek and I feel like a lost, little girl. He rises to his feet and comes to pull me into a hug. He sways us back and forth and kisses my forehead.

“Go do what you need to do. Talk to the police. Talk to Camden and then when you find yourself somewhere tonight, check your email. There is a possibility I just landed Runner Run Magazine. I need you on this next account. And do not go anywhere without Colin. I mean it, Luca.” Mitch can be such a goof, but damn he is stern when he is dead serious.

“Yes, sir. Work, work, work.” I smile.

“You got that right, babe,” Mitch flashes a wide grin at me. “We have to beat our quota this year and a little ex-boyfriend and robbery action isn’t bringing Divider down.”

That makes me feel better. No matter what happens, I have a fantastic job with two extremely driven guys. I can’t begin to tell him what it means that he wants my head in the game, even after everything they know about me.

I practically skip back to my office, feeling rejuvenated from my little pep talk with Mitch. I see my voicemail light blinking and I hit the speaker button, retrieving my message.

A scratchy man’s voice comes over the phone, slow and deliberate. “Well, hello, Lucia. You look ravishing in your purple suit today. Were you missing some pearls? I made sure to drop them by this morning.” The voice cuts off and I hear me screaming out Camden’s name. We are fucking. This was recorded over the weekend.

The voice comes back over the line and I gasp at his venomous tone. “Fuck him again and you won’t see another piece of your jewelry. Understand me, Luca?” He chuckles until the phone beeps and the automated woman asks if I want to delete it. I press five to save the message. I don’t know what the hell is going on. Who the hell is doing this, or why, but god damn it, I will not let them get to me. I will not become a coward and hide away, letting whoever this is run my life, control my every breath, and every move. That fucker or those fuckers have no idea who the hell they are messing with. I believe it wasn’t Camden. He cares too much for me. I can feel it deep into my bones that I’m the one for him and he is the one for me no matter what. I’ll be letting the police listen to this message when I go pick up Camden.

Ten minutes later, Colin is opening the back door to the car with a shy, scared look. Shit, I was such a wreck this morning. I place my hand on his shoulder.

“You alright, Luca?” he asks. The sincerity is killing me.

“I’m okay. Things are just pretty fucked right now. I have some business with the Chicago PD, so let’s head down to headquarters,” I say as I slide into the back seat.

“You got it, woman.” His smirk makes me breathe out a sigh of relief. I am so fucking glad I have people in my life that let me have my privacy, even in the mist of all of this mess. I think of Lola and the fact that I have to call her. She is probably wondering if I’m still alive. I send her a quick text telling her I am thinking of her and will call as soon as possible.

Colin parks on the side of the road in front of the large building. As I start to get out, I realize Colin is trying to jump over a monster snow bank to get to me.

“No, Colin. Don’t worry. I’ll call when I’m ready to get picked up. I have a feeling I’m going to be in here a while.”

He doesn’t look pleased with me going in alone and I understand his reasoning. I think Mitch would have offered to join me, if he wasn’t the last standing partner at Divider. Once everything has calmed the fuck down in my life, I’m sending those two off for two weeks of enjoyment, so I can be the one to hold down the fort and they can have a break. But first, I have to get passed Colin to start getting things fixed in my life. I give him a look like he really shouldn’t fuck with me and he nods in acquiescence.