Page 37 of Sinful Seduction

Monica held out thekey to Jayla.“Here’s your key, Miss Davenport.”

“Please call me Jayla.”

“All right,” she said and smiled.“Order from room service for dinner and breakfast.We have a tab here, so if I were you.I’d get the lobster,” she said and laughed.She watched the young woman walk to the window.They were on the twenty-second floor, so the view was breathtaking with the city and the buildings’ night-lights, which looked like a thousand fireflies.“Do you have any questions?”

Jayla turned back.“Can I make a call?”

Monica nodded.“Of course.As many as you want.”

Jayla’s eyes fell on a suitcase next to the dresser.“What’s that?”

“I was told it’s the clothes you’re going to need for the next few days.Is there a problem?”

“No.I just wasn’t told what was going to happen.Thank you, Monica.”

“We’ll be here to pick you up around ten.”

“I’ll be down in the lobby waiting.”

“We would rather you stay in the protected room.We don’t foresee anything happening, but we don’t want to take a chance.How about I just come to the room?I’ll make sure I’m the one that comes and gets you, so you feel more comfortable.”

Jayla tried to smile.“That would be great.”

“Get some rest.”

Jayla closed and locked the door behind the woman and turned.She felt aimless.She didn’t know what to think or do at this point.The director might know what’s going on.She sat on the side of the bed and lifted the phone.

It took talking to three people and ten minutes to get through to him.“Sir, it’s Jayla.”

“Jayla, I wish you’d stop calling me Sir.”

“I’m sorry.I wondered where Beau and Diego were.Would you have any idea where they might be or a number I can reach them at?”She grew more and more anxious as the seconds passed in silence.

“Jayla, I need you to concentrate on the trial.I’ll find the men and have them get word to you.”

“But why did they have to leave?I expected them to come into the courthouse.”

Another pause.“I’m not sure.”

“Sir, I know the reason they didn’t come in with me was because they had to call you.What was said to keep them away?”

“I’m sure they’ll contact you when they get a chance.”

Jayla paused for a moment.She didn’t believe him.Not one word.“Why are you doing this?”She swallowed the tears.She never wanted to let him know he had upset her that badly.

“What?”he asked, confused.

“Hurting me?What did I do to make you hate me so much?”

“Hate you?I’ve never hated you.I never could.You’re a part of the two people I’ve loved more than life itself.You’re the only thing left in this world I care about.”

Jayla shook her head and sat down on the bed.“I don’t believe a word you’re saying.If you cared about me at all, how could you have tossed me away like you did when I needed you the most?”

“Oh, Jayla.I felt like I was losing my mind.The school was the only thing I could think of to keep you safe because I couldn’t at the time.”

Jayla rubbed her forehead.“I’m going to hang up.I’m tired.”

“Did you hear what I said?”