Page 103 of The Billionaire's Virgin

Jennifer smiled. “That’s exactly right.” She nodded. “It’s Sunday, and I’m taking some time off for myself.”

I smiled, but I couldn’t possibly be annoyed with her. It was Sunday, she had worked the whole of today, and she had worked through most of her weekends for the past several years. I was glad for her, and it was nice to know that her change in attitude had been inspired by me in some small way.

“So tell me about the date,” I said. “It obviously went well if—”

I tapered off as I realized a call was coming in on my cell phone. It was an unknown number, and I had been wary of those for the past few years.

“Sorry,” I said, standing up. “I really want to hear about the date. Give me a minute?”

“Sure,” Jennifer said, reaching for her beer.

I went out into the balcony and answered the call. “Hello?”

“Mr. Davis?”

“Speaking,” I said. “Who is this?”

“I’m Officer Avery, sir. We met a few days ago at the station.”

“Of course,” I replied. “I remember. What can I do for you, Officer Avery?”

“Actually I just called to… um, inform you of something. This is not an authorized call. It’s just that I thought you should know… and I wasn’t sure…”

“Officer Avery?” I interrupted. “What is it?”

“You should know that the judge granted bail to Sofia Burton,” Officer Avery replied. “It was a steep bail, and we assumed… anyway, bail was posted. Sofia Burton is no longer in our custody.”

I felt a curse rise to my lips, but I forced it down. “Her father posted bail for her,” I said. “He was never going to leave her sitting in a jail cell for long. But… I can’t believe the judge granted bail. Did he hear about the incident? She lunged at me from across the table when I went to visit her.”

“It was on record, sir.”

“And he didn’t care?” I asked. “That or his palms were greased.”

“I couldn’t possibly say, sir,” Officer Avery replied. “But rest assured that we’re going to keep an eye on her.”

“You and I both know that the station doesn’t have the manpower to keep tabs on a New York socialite, especially when she has a powerful father.”

“She may be walking free, sir, but she can’t come close to you. She can’t try anything,” Officer Avery told me. “Your pressing charges means that she has to appear in court to defend herself. If she tries anything, she’s basically incarcerating herself. Not even her father will be able to save her then.”

“True,” I said. “Sofia wouldn’t be so stupid as to approach my family or me. In any case, her father will make sure she behaves herself until the court date. Thank you for calling me, Officer Avery.”

“Of course, sir,” she replied. “And um… sir?”

“Yes?”

“Would you mind not mentioning this call?” she asked. “As I said, it was unauthorized and—”

“Say no more, Officer,” I said. “My lips are sealed.”

“Thank you, sir, goodnight.”

I hung up and went back into the living room where Jennifer was waiting for me. “Everything all right?” she asked, as I sat down beside her.

“I don’t know,” I said uncertainly.

Jennifer frowned. “Who just called?”

“One of the officers at the station,” I said. “She wanted to let me know that bail was posted for Sofia today.”