Page 66 of Live a Little!

“How dare you interfere—What?” she shrieked, interrupting herself as his words hithome.

“I said,” his voice was not raised, but all the more menacing as he repeated, “you’re off thecase.”

“Don’t push me, mister. I have a legitimate job. You can’t take itaway.”

“Yes,” he said simply. “Ican.”

“Don’t you threaten me. This isn’t about work, it’s about power. You’re a megalomaniac—you can’t stand it if you’re not in control of every little thing I do. Well, forget it. I’m my ownwoman.”

“You’re anybody’swoman!”

A cold, sick feeling swamped her stomach. “Excuseme?”

“Don’t play the innocent. Last night it was me, tonight you’re slobbering all over that prissy piece of work in the limo and tomorrow night some other poor bastard will be getting tied intoknots.”

“What are you talkingabout?”

“Check your calendar. You’ve got a date at some Italianplace.”

He must be referring to her date with Walter. “But that’sjust—”

“Save it!” Jake held up his hands. “I don’t care who it is. I’m taking my ball and bat and going home. My first impression of you was right. You’re so wild you need a cage, and I’m sick of playing lion tamer. Go knock yourself out with your Nevilles and your Walters and whoever the hell else you’re stringing along. As of this moment you and I are through, and the FBI thanks you for your efforts, but they are no longer necessary. Goodbye,Cyn.”

She heard the front door bang, and stood there, stunned. She grabbed the banister and sank down on the second stair, then slowly dropped her head to herknees.

He’d dumpedher.

Jake had just dumpedher.

And unless she was mistaken, he’d dumped her for being a slut. He was the second man she’d ever slept with, and in her fantasy world she’d dreamed that he’d be the last, that he might actually return her love. That they had a shot at a long and happy futuretogether.

Sure didn’t look like that was going tohappen.

In her mind, she replayed his bitter words. He’d sounded so angry, so hurt. Sojealous.Was it possible? Could he be jealous? Her eyes filled withtears.

She’d finally found everything she ever wanted in life. An exciting career, a man she loved. Best of all, she’d found herself—the woman who’d been hiding all those years. Now it looked as if she’d lost the first two in one miserableevening.

---