Page 64 of Romancing the Rumrunner
“What are you waiting for?” Maude asked.
“I don’t know…I’m not even sure what to say to him. He betrayed me, destroyed everything…”
“And then refused to turn you over and got thrown in jail for it. I think he’s more than made up for it.”
Jessie shook her head, regret for her own actions filling her. She’d felt justified at the time, but now… “What if he doesn’t want to see me? He’s in that place because of me, and I was horrible to him.”
“You had every right to be. I’m sure he understands. Now get in there.”
Jessie took a deep breath, shoving her emotions back until she had time to deal with them, and opened the car door. She let her hope propel her forward, kept the image of his face the last time she’d seen him in her mind.
She was afraid it might be hard to get in to see him, afraid maybe Jameson had put some restrictions or something in place to prevent it. But the sergeant in charge had her sign in and led her to a visiting area. Tony wasn’t exactly seen as a high priority, dangerous criminal, so he would be allowed to see her without a pane of glass between them. But even so, when they led him out he was dressed in prison garb and had his hands cuffed in front of him.
Jessie froze at the sight of him, her blood pounding so furiously through her veins that it nearly deafened her. He stood there, his eyes crinkled with confusion, shame maybe…but that same glow of hope that flared in her breast shone from his face.
She hadn’t been sure what she’d say or do when she saw him, but it turned out she didn’t have time to think about it. As soon as he was close enough to touch she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest.
He hesitated only a second and then raised his arms, allowing her to slip under them so he could hold her.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, kissing the top of her head.
“What areyoudoing here?” she retorted. “What on earth were you thinking? Have you completely lost your marbles?”
He smiled down at her and the expression made her toes tingle. “I think I might have.”
She smiled back but shook her head. “Why did you…”
His arms tightened around her, his eyes flashing a warning at her. She suddenly remembered where they were.
“You’re innocent,” he said simply. “The Phoenix is the one who ran the club. He’s the one Jameson needs to be going after. Not you.”
Jessie looked up at him in surprise. Tony just smiled and gave her a small wink. She huddled back against his chest to hide her smile. It was sort of perfect, she supposed. Pin it all on the Phoenix. It would get them both off the hook and it wasn’t really a lie. They’d just keep the part about her being the Phoenix out of it.
Tony led her over to a bench and they sat as close together as they could, their heads bowed together so they could speak with some semblance of privacy, though a guard hovered nearby.
“I think you should tell Jameson what you know,” Tony said, his eyes quickly glancing at the guard and then back again.
Realization dawned on Jessie. That’s why it had been so easy getting in to see him. Jameson had probably hoped she’d visit, that they’d talk and maybe let something incriminating slip.
“If you think that would be best,” Jessie answered.
Tony nodded. “With the club compromised, especially since Willie’s guys burned your shop, the Phoenix has probably pulled out, anyway. Tell Jameson what you can, turn over everything related to the Phoenix that you’ve got, prove that you’re willing to cooperate, and Jameson will have to leave you alone. After all, you aren’t the Phoenix. You can’t be held responsible for his actions, and if you spill what you know, well then…there’s not a lot more Jameson can expect from you.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Jessie said.
Tony leaned in closer, spoke in hardly more than a whisper. “Make a deal. Show him everything you can in exchange for immunity. He’ll take it.”
Jessie nodded, then looked up into Tony’s eyes. “Why?”
He knew she wasn’t talking about Jameson anymore. “I owed you.”
“No. You didn’t. Not this,” she said, running her hand down his prison duds.
He brought his cuffed hands up and caught her hand, keeping it pressed against his chest. “I made a mistake. I’m just glad this was one I could fix.”
“Time’s up,” the guard said.
Jessie looked at Tony in sudden panic. “How long will you be in here?”
