“We were in Washington and Oregon most of the time. When I left, I made my way down here.”
“Why did you leave?” Dooley asked.
“Because it was a terrible existence. I didn’t want to spend my life like that.”
Dooley tapped his pen to the pad of paper. “How about you come down to the station until we verify everything?”
Panic blossomed in Blakely’s eyes. He had to do everything in his power to keep her from being taken in.
“It could take you days or weeks to figure everything out. She is staying with me. You can come by to ask questions if you need anything from her.”
It looked like Dooley was going to argue when someone in a suit came over. “
“Hi, I’m Detective Riser.”
“Hello, Detective, I’m Jump and this is Blakely.”
“Anything important I should know about?”
Dooley frowned and motioned for Riser to follow him. James took Blakely’s arm and led her a few feet away from the other officer. They were behind his friends.
“Are you okay?”
Blakely nodded. “Yes.”
“You’re not going to go sit at the police station. If they keep insisting, we’ll find a lawyer for you.”
Blakely shook her head. “You don’t have to help me. I’m probably more trouble than I’m worth.”
He pulled her into a hug. “No way am I leaving you to the wolves. I’ll stay with you and help you whatever way I can.”
“Thank you, but I don’t know why you are helping me. I’m no one.”
He leaned back and met her gaze. “Everyone is someone and I want to help you. You deserve help.”
“I don’t know that I do. What if the community I grew up in decides to file a complaint that I stole the money?”
“The money is still in the account, and the account is in your name. They have no legal claim.”
“Still, they would see it as wrong. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Her eyes were on the ground, and he put his fingers under her chin, lifting her head so he could see her blue eyes that drew him in. He wanted her safe, and more than that, he wanted her to have a good life. If she was left to Grayson, he would destroy her, and if the cops pinned this on her, that would destroy her, too.
Staring into Jump’s brown eyes brought goosebumps to her shoulders. What was up with her feelings? No one had ever made her feel this way, and that scared her. Maybe walking away from him would be best for her. But the thought of leaving him was more than she could bear.
He might tell her to leave once he figured out that she was more trouble than she was worth, but for now, she would stay with him. When he eventually tired of her, she would go quietly.
Maybe it would be different. What if some of those movies she watched, the newer ones made this century were real, and she found someone who loved her?
Before meeting Jump, she never thought she would find anyone. She hadn’t even believed love existed. She’d never seen it before, but Jump was treating her like she was special.
She wouldn’t get her hopes up, though. One thing she knew about life from the cult was nothing was permanent. They’d moved from house to house, skipping out after months or a few years, never staying in one place long.
“You’re being way too nice to me.”
“No, I’m not.”