Still Into You: A Novel (Better Than Series Book 3) by Emme Burton Page B

DANGER!” 
    I shake my head yes and then no, responding silently that there will be no danger. I do it, but I don’t know if it’s true.  “We need to let Donnie in.  It’s been over two minutes.”
    Davis takes a hand from my hip and waves it toward the door.  He motions with resignation.
    ***
    I open our front door.  Not only is Donnie there, but Jake is in the hallway.  Jake Gianni is standing outside the door to the home I share with Davis.  I’m astounded.  Jake is the last person I would expect to be here.  I turn my head to Donnie.  I know my eyebrows must be pinched together and I tilt my head and then shake it ever so slightly, a non-verbal, “What the hell?” shooting straight at him. 
    I snap my head back to Jake, “What are you doing here?”  Before he can answer, I’m right back on Donnie rapidly asking, “What is he doing here?”
    Davis calls, “Biz, what’s all the noise?  What’s going on?”
    I feel Davis step up behind me and put a hand on my lower back, “Hey, Liz…ar…” He doesn’t even finish my nickname, when he sees Jake standing next to Donnie.  Davis is not so subdued in his questioning of the situation. “What THE FUCK? Jake Gianni?”
    Donnie in a serious tone and measured rate, devoid of emotion tells Davis, “You need to let us in.”
    If there isn’t a linear mark permanently worn into the carpet behind the couch, I’ll be amazed.  Davis has not been able to keep his seat or his cool throughout the discussion with Donnie and Jake.  He’s sat for approximately 30 seconds at a time, hopping up and pacing as every new aspect of the plan to snare Randall is revealed. He’s sure to have taken the nap on the carpet down by at least half an inch with his constant back and forth.  The final step in the plan is divulged and Davis is livid.
    “NO!  Do you hear me Biz! NO! We will not do this! YOU will not do this!  This is… This is fucking insane… No.”  The last couple times I’ve seen Davis like this someone got punched or almost punched.
    “Jake, Donnie… could we?  Could Davis and I have a few minutes?” I ask sweetly.  It’s up to me now.  If we are going to make this plan believable, it’s up to me to sell it.  Davis won’t listen to anyone else.  I need to talk to him alone.
    Jake takes the hint immediately. Donnie, though an investigator, isn’t picking up on the cue that I need to speak with Davis alone to get agreement from him. Jake places a hand on the detective’s shoulder, “Let’s go down to Starbucks and get a coffee.”
    A look of revelation comes of over Donnie Garrett’s face, “Oh…” He looks at me, I smile tightly and cock my head quickly toward the front door. “Oh, yeah…I do need a little caffeine.  Didn’t sleep much.  Back in say, five…Biz?”
    “Make it fifteen.” I tell them both.
    While I’ve been “kicking” Jake and Donnie out, Davis has continued to pace and grumble.  Once I hear the front door to our condo close, I go to him.  I stop his pacing by standing directly in his path, sliding my hands up his chest, over his shoulder and into his hair.  I do that thing I like so much.  I rub his hair together between my fingers.  It’s a small thing that can both calm and excite me.  Right now, I need to calm.  Davis and myself.
    “Please come sit down with me,” I request.  “Davis, I can’t think with you pacing and growling. I need you to listen to me.”
    Davis allows me to take his hand and bring him around to the front of the couch.  I sit and then pull him down to sit next to me.  Usually, after being away from home and each other, this is the moment I’d kick off my shoes, tuck my feet under myself and snuggle right into his side.  But right now, I need him to listen to me.
    I start to speak, but Davis cuts me off, “Biz… I don’t like it.  It’s risky… dangerous.  I think it’s dangerous. I am NOT okay with this.  How are you okay with this?… with this