Beyond A Reasonable Doubt Read Online Free PDF Page B

stewardess had put them in the back away from the majority of passengers. “Stop tugging on my arm. I put my career and my life on the line to do this. I need you to promise that you aren’t going to do anything stupid.”
    Jordan raised an eyebrow. “Such as?”
    “Oh, attack your father. Make a scene. Try to escape.”
    He laughed softly. “You’ve been a prosecutor too long.”
    “Clifford Beaumont had you released into my custody, Jordan. It came with a warning. Anything goes wrong, he’s holding me personally responsible.”
    Jordan eyed her quizzically. “You agreed to that?”
    “It was the only way I could get you released in time.” She smiled. “Besides, I think Kamela would have had him beat me if I’d refused.”
    Jordan sat back, once again pulling her arm over the armrest as he stretched before leaning back in the seat.
    “Michael’s a lucky guy.”
    Jenna jerked on the handcuff, bringing her arm back across the chair. “So are you. Keep it that way.”
    The mention of Michael made Jenna realize she hadn’t told him they were coming.
    “Damn,” she whispered, rummaging in her purse for her cell phone.
    Jordan opened one eye, grinned at her, and promptly closed it again.
    She dialed the number and cursed again as she was immediately transferred to voice mail. Michael had his phone turned off. Of course, he could still have been asleep. She decided to leave a message and hope for the best.
    “Mike, it’s Jenna. I, uh… I got Jordan released. We have to change planes in Atlanta, so we should be arriving in Lexington about eight a.m. Can you meet us at the airport? Please call me as soon as you get this.”
    Closing the cell phone, she leaned back and closed her eyes. Tiredness washed over her. Twenty-four hours before, she had been an up-and-coming prosecutor. Someone to be dealt with. Today, she didn’t know what the hell she was doing or why she was doing it. She’d realized weeks before she wasn’t in love with Michael. She’d been lonely, tired of working all the time. Michael Elkins was handsome, rich, and she’d been flattered by his attention and impressed by the lifestyle he’d introduced her to. The sex had been great, too… at least in the beginning. Lately, even that was beginning to get stale. So why had she stayed with him? And why the hell was she on an airplane, handcuffed to his brother?
    Jenna twisted in the seat, seeking a more comfortable position. She felt not only dirty and grungy but also shallow, having admitted the truth to herself.
    “You forgot to tell him you loved him.” Jordan leaned across the seat to whisper the words in her ear.
    “What?”
    Jordan laughed softly. “Michael. You forgot to tell him you loved him. If you do.”
    Jenna ignored the taunt. “And you still haven’t promised not to do anything stupid,” she reminded him.
    Jordan laughed again. “I think I’d like having you as a sister-in-law if my brother wasn’t such an ass.”
    “Jordan?”
    “If I promise, will you let me go to sleep?” Jordan asked.
    He was insufferable, but she could see why Kamela had fallen in love with him. “Maybe.”
    “Okay, I promise I will not leave your side while we’re in Kentucky.”
    Jenna pondered the promise as she listened to his even breathing. It hadn’t been exactly what she’d hoped for, but she figured it was the best she was going to get. Leaning back, she closed her eyes again, letting the gentle motion of the plane rock her to sleep.
    ~ ~ ~
    Michael checked his phone and punched in the number for voice mail. Jenna’s message reopened the rage he’d been feeling since his father’s call. “Damn her to hell.”
    William Elkins poured a cup of coffee and joined his son in front of the picture window overlooking the huge lawn.
    “Who are you damming to hell this early in the morning?”
    “Jenna. She somehow got Jordan released, and they’re on their way to Kentucky. She wants me to pick them up at the airport at