Free Fugitive Millionaire (Fugitive Millionaire Book One) by Jaclyn Brooks Page A

kiss.”
    Fabian rushes back and embraces Claire tightly. “My Claire. I knew you wouldn’t let me go that easy.”
    Claire pulls Fabian into her apartment to avoid being seen by her nosier neighbors. She notices he’s wearing a long coat and rugged boats. “Are you going to go hide out in the Catskills?”
    Fabian laughs despite the grave situation. “Nope. I’m not telling you where I’m going. It’s better that way. You can tell the cops you don’t know where I’m at and be telling the truth.”
    “You don’t have to be so mysterious. I’m not wearing a wire. Go ahead and frisk me.”
    Claire holds her arms high up in the air like she’s seen on countless cop shows.
    “I trust you, Claire. The thing is, you could get arrested if the cops think you’re helping me. I want you to stay out of this as much as possible.”
    What will she do without him? Wither away from loneliness? It’s not like she can turn back the clock and pretend they never met, or had the greatest sex of her life. She can never forget how wonderful it feels to be held in his arms. To be caressed by his hands. To be kissed by those sensuous lips.
    Fabian glances at his watch. “I can’t stay more than a few minutes. I’ve already made arrangements to leave New York.”
    “I can’t stand not knowing anything. Can’t you give me a tiny hint?”
    Fabian gazes into her eyes and gives in. “Two words. Private jet.”
    Claire realizes he’s going to be flying far away from her. Wherever he’s going her heart will be willing him to come back to her every second he’s away. “I guess I won’t be able to call you or text.”
    “No. It’s best we don’t have any communication. I need to make sure you’re not implicated.”
    “I need to make sure you’re okay!” Claire is suddenly feeling angry. It’s not fair that she is being left in the dark about where he’s going, or who he’s going to be with. As the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind. He’ll be on the run meeting other people—other women, and before you know it, she’ll simply be that brief romance he had with a cool girl during a hazy past. Well, she’s not happy about it one bit.
    Fabian pulls Claire close to him. “Hey, I’ll be okay. I can’t say any more than that.”
    Claire pulls away. “I’m not okay, Fabian. I have so many questions about what’s going on between you and Sloane. I wanna know why you were in her hotel room, and…what’s in that suitcase?”
    Fabian holds his head as if it aches. “Argh! I don’t have time to explain anything. There’s a good explanation for why I was there, that’s all I can tell you. I found the suitcase by the door, so I took it down and left it at the front desk. Maybe someone claimed it.”
    “I still don’t understand.”
    “I know, Claire. I wish I could stay and talk about how I’m being framed for something I didn’t do, but I gotta go catch a plane.”
    “Fabian, why don’t you turn yourself in? Tell the police everything you know and let them follow up leads.”
    “Right. They’ve already issued a warrant for my arrest. That means they will handcuff me and take me to jail. I could get out on bond, but I’m not sticking around to let myself go through all that public humiliation. It will ruin my reputation and any chance I have of being a successful film producer. My only chance is to stay free so I can use my personal resources to clear my name.”
    Claire is on the verge of tears. “I don’t know if I can handle being away from you. We were on this big high, and then this happens. I’m afraid of losing you.”
    Fabian hugs her from behind. “You’re not losing me. This is only temporary, until this thing is sorted out.”
    “How long is that gonna take?”
    “I don’t know, babe. It may be a while.”
    “Nathan thinks you hurt Sloane. He told me to call the police if I saw you.”
    “He did, huh?”
    “Yeah, but I’m not going to because I want you to do what you have to do to