Free 36 Hours by Allison Brennan

say?”
    “She’s angry and worried. She got your message, but she’d also heard about Angel—she knows Angel’s your daughter. Maddie Burke isn’t stupid, she put two and two together.”
    “You didn’t tell her where I am?”
    “No—because I don’t know where you are.”
    Jake had to give Cutler credit for being a smartass. “Where is she?”
    “She’s waiting for your call. Be careful.”
    “I didn’t know you cared.”
    “You’re my best guy, Jake, the only one I trust not to stab me in the back.”
    Jake cut Cutler off and called Maddie. She answered on the first ring.
    “Jake, what’s going on? I got your message and then Cutler wouldn’t tell me anything. Is it true that your daughter is in trouble? That she was involved in a gang shooting?”
    “Yes, and no.”
    “What the hell, Jake?”
    “Yes, she’s in trouble—but the G-5 gang is trying to kill her. We need your help.”
    “I know what’s going on—the best thing you can do for Angel is bring her in. I’ll meet you at my office, we’ll take her to the main precinct, get her arraigned quickly, and—”
    “Listen. G-5 has a cop or an attorney on the take. Angel isn’t safe in custody.”
    “You’re being paranoid. She’s wanted for killing a police officer!”
    “She was the target.” Jake rubbed his eyes. “I need you to trust me.”
    “Jake, you’re putting me in a tough position here.”
    “Never mind.”
    “No—no, I want to help.”
    Jake was on the fence. He wanted to trust Maddie—she’d been a rock during his plea negotiations—but she didn’t know Angel, she didn’t know the whole story.
    “Where are you?” she asked.
    No way was he telling her. He needed her, but he didn’t completely trust her. “I’ll pick you up.”
    “Jake—”
    “Angel was nearly killed twice last night. I’m not putting her in further danger. When you hear the whole story, you’ll agree with me.”
    “Working outside the system didn’t help you before,” she said.
    “Meet me at the Observatory.”
    “Why?”
    “I need to make sure I can trust you.”
    “That hurts.”
    “It’s not for me, Maddie, it’s for my daughter.”
    “You’ve never talked about her before, and now it’s my daughter this and Angel that. ”
    “You sound jealous.” If only. Maddie was far out of his league.
    “I can be there in twenty minutes.” She hung up.
    Angel was standing in the dining room, sleeping bags on the floor next to her. “I need to go,” he said.
    “Okay.”
    She didn’t ask where or why. Jake couldn’t read her expression. “I’m picking up Maddie and bringing her here.”
    “She doesn’t have a car?”
    “I’m not giving her this address.”
    “I thought you trusted her.”
    “I do.” Mostly. “This is a precaution.” He tossed her a burner phone. “My number is in there. Call me if you hear or see anything suspicious. I’ll call you if you to get out fast. If there’s any trouble and you can’t reach me, call Lucky. I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”
     
    ###
     
    Jake arrived early and watched the parking lot. Maddie arrived exactly twenty minutes after their call and parked her efficient Honda Accord at the edge of the parking lot.
    Angel had called Maddie his girlfriend, but nothing could be further from the truth. It was clear from the minute he met Maddie that she wanted to fix people. She thought he was broken and her job was to make him whole. She’d done a good job fixing the situation of his attack on his partner, but he refused to be treated as damaged. He was who he was. He didn’t have a problem with it. At least he was fucking honest with himself and recognized his faults.
    But Angel had picked up on something he hadn’t spoken about. He wanted a woman like Maddie—smart, independent, compassionate, beautiful. Hell, he wanted Maddie Burke so bad he’d risked his heart. He wasn’t surprised that she shot him down. After all, he’d been her client, he’d been on the verge of