Jeremy stood there, staring at me, looking confused. What was there to be confused about? I told him to go, so he needed to leave. “What’s wrong?” he finally asked.
“You tell me.” I crossed my arms, gripping my elbows hard so I wouldn’t launch myself at him and take him down. “Or better yet, don’t. Just go. Tell your boss you failed to con me. I saw through your lies and kicked you out, cop.”
He set the drinks down and walked toward me, making me stiffen. I didn’t want him close to me. If he touched me…“Chels—”
“Oh, and FYI?” I picked up his phone and hurled it at him. He caught it easily, making me want to punch him even more. It would have been so much more satisfying if he hadn’t. “There’s an option on iPhones to make the text in a message not appear on the lock screen. Since you’re trying to trick women into spilling information while undercover, you might want to use it.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I can explain.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you can,” I said sarcastically. “And I’m sure you’re also convinced you can put a spin on this so I’ll magically forgive you, and I don’t blame you for thinking that, considering our history. Something like, ‘I was trying to save you. To help you.’”
His jaw flexed. “It’s the truth.”
“Yeah. Sure it is.”
He reached for my arm, but I lurched back. “Damn it, Chels. You know me. I didn’t come here to hurt you. I’ve been watching—”
“You’re a cop.” I shook my head, backing away from him, my eyes burning. “What the hell, Jeremy? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Actually, I’m not a cop,” he said, dragging his hand through his hair. “I’m DEA.”
I threw my hands up. “Doesn’t matter who signs your checks, you’re law enforcement.”
“Look, I am here to help you.” He caught my hand, not letting go when I tried to tug free. His skin on mine, after finding out he’d been using me, felt wrong. “I’m not the enemy. I lo—”
“Tell me, were you laughing at how easy it was for me to believe you came back to me, after all these years, begging to be mine? Did you and all your little agent friends laugh at me when I kissed you in your motel room? Did you strategize together about how to pump me for information? Did they give you shit when you freaking begged me to let you in, to trust you? I bet that was a laugh. And when you got me to have sex with you again? Well, that must’ve been a real bonus.”
His cheeks flushed. “Damn it, Chels. You know I wouldn’t do that to you, or use you like that.”
“Do I?”
“Damn right you do. I was protecting you even though you refused to tell me what happened between you and Richard. Even though you lied to me, time and time again, I stood here, watching your back—”
I laughed. Legit laughed. “You’re going to try to lecture me about lying? Seriously?”
“Yes.” He grabbed my shoulders gently, his touch burning right through my T-shirt. “And when your brother was attacked, I made sure he had a guard, that he had protection, even though you wouldn’t tell me a damn thing about what happened or what you know. Why else would a mugging warrant police protection?”
“Well, that was all for nothing,” I said, jerking free. “Why bother pushing me to open up, to reveal all my secrets in the first place? You already know what I did, don’t you?”
He remained silent, not bothering to lie again. That was all the answer I needed.
“That’s what I thought. You know the truth. I killed a man. I shot him where he stood, and I watched the blood soak the carpet as his body went limp.” I pointed to the door, trembling slightly. “Get out before I kill you, too.”