Chapter Thirty-Four
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R ob cast another furtive glance through the tiny gap he’d opened at the edge of the motel room curtain. It had been three days since the fire. Three long, agonizingly slow days he’d been holed up here, afraid to move.
His head pounded from another hangover, made worse by the measly two hours of sleep he’d allowed himself last night. There was no way he could keep this up.
So far no one had come looking for him. Or at least they hadn’t found him yet. But that was only a matter of time, and the longer he stayed in the area, the more dangerous it would get.
He didn’t know where Cassie was now. Hadn’t been able to find out anything since escaping the area. He almost hadn’t made it out of there. That had been way too damned close. Cassie’s fuck buddy had almost hit him.
He was completely exhausted. His cash was almost gone, along with his food supplies. He didn’t know where to turn next. Had only one remaining option.
With the greatest reluctance, he reached out to his only hope, using his last burner. It’s me. Need help. She’s with that guy. The redhead.
Rob set his jaw, knowing he was likely the number one suspect now. He had never dreamed it would take this long or be this hard to get his revenge. It should’ve ended with Penny’s death. That should’ve been enough to ruin her life, and he’d spent weeks getting everything in place to make it happen.
Now the element of surprise was long gone, and she had protection. Good protection, along with the full force of CPS’s resources behind her.
I just need one more chance when she’s alone and isolated. A location would give me that shot . If he could find her, he would wait until her guard was down. All he needed was a few minutes.
After that, he either left the area and escaped the country before the law caught up with him, or he wound up back behind bars.
He was willing to take the risk as long as she died.
He would face whatever consequences came after that. Including another prison term, even for the rest of his life, as long as he did it knowing she wasn’t breathing.
There was no reply. He set the phone down, contemplating his limited options, and the increased pressure of facing a literal deadline. A location would give him a starting point, but no plan. He needed a new plan.
“Come on, think !” He banged the heel of his hand against his forehead.
Targeting Cassie again while she was anywhere near her lover was pointless.
He stilled, a thought occurring to him.
But the lover was a less obvious target. Alone, he probably wouldn’t have his guard up. Wouldn’t be expecting a threat to him.
Yeah, he thought, his enthusiasm growing as the idea took root. It could work. Going after the lover would also pretty much guarantee Cassie coming to his rescue.
He got to work. Figured out his best options. The boss called back a few hours later with information. The address of Cassie’s lover, where she was likely staying. An upscale condo building not far from the waterfront. Along with a name.
Tristan Abrams. Another CPS agent. According to the boss, apparently, he and his twin brother were scheduled to be on a security detail together for some other Hollywood bigshot who was coming to meet with Becca Sandoza and Chase Davenport.
He smiled grimly as all the pieces fell into place. He didn’t need Abram’s address.
He already had Crimson Point Security’s.
****
N ow that the moment was here, Tristan inwardly groaned at the thought of walking out the door. He hated the thought of leaving Cassie. “You sure you’re okay here—”
“Don’t finish that sentence. Because if you were about to ask me whether I’m okay being left here while you go to work, then we’re going to have our first fight.”
He smothered a laugh and tugged her to him. “I just hate leaving you here.”
“I’m the one who pushed you to take this job, remember? Ryder was really stuck. You had to help him out.”
He wouldn’t have even considered going back to work this soon, but it was only one day, and Ryder had been scrambling to find someone after one of their agents had called in with a family emergency. “I know, but now I’m wishing I’d said no.”
It had only been four days since the fire.
Strong as she was, there was no way she’d even begun to pick up the pieces yet.
He’d been helping her as much as he could while she dealt with the cops, CPS, and the insurance company.
Because of Quinn’s criminal background and suspected crimes here in Oregon, the FBI were involved now too.
In terms of the threat level, things had been quiet.
While it seemed like her ex had left Crimson Point and was lying low, nobody knew where the hell Quinn was, and they couldn’t prove that he’d been behind the fire or any of the other incidents.
Tristan wouldn’t rest easy until the bastard was brought down.
Cassie leaned into him, patted his back in reassurance.
“I’m fine. Bristol’s coming over later. She’s on call, but if she doesn’t have to go in, she’ll hang out with me here all day.
And even though I’m desperate enough to put on a disguise just for the chance to get out of here for an hour, I’ll be good and stay put.
So don’t worry. I’ll be here waiting when you get back. ”
“Thank you.” This building was secure. The only more secure location for her would be at CPS. But he felt better knowing she wouldn’t be alone all day.
“Before you go... Can we talk about something?”
That didn’t sound good. “Sure. What is it?”
“It’s something Gavin said to me when everyone came over for brunch.”
“Okay.” Oh, hell, what had he said?
Cassie searched his eyes. “He basically pointed out that it was a big deal for you to share your food with me.”
Oh. “Did he?”
“Yes. What did he mean? Why is it a big deal?”
He caught her hips, boosted her up to sit on the edge of the island and moved in between her thighs. “Childhood stuff.”
She nodded. Waited. “You always eat everything on your plate—and whatever I leave on mine. And you don’t like sharing with most people.”
Anyone else pointing that out would have left him feeling embarrassed. But he wasn’t with her. He wanted her to know him, quirks and all. “We didn’t always have a lot of food around after our mom died. So seeing food go to waste...triggers all of that.”
Pain flashed in her eyes. “That makes sense. Oh, but I hate knowing you went through that. It makes me so sad—”
“Don’t be sad.” He dipped his head to kiss her. “Anyway, that’s why. It’s an issue I’m aware of, and I’m working on it.”
A slow smile spread across her face. “I actually am pretty flattered that you shared your bacon with me.”
“You should be. There are very few people I would share it with.”
Her teeth flashed as she grinned. She looped her arms around the back of his neck. “I’ve got issues too.”
“Do you?”
“Mmhmm. I’ve got a history of making bad decisions with relationships. But it’s an issue I’m aware of, and I’m working on it. Right now, actually. You’re the first non-toxic man I’ve ever been with. Congratulations, and thank you.”
He smothered a laugh and dipped back down for another kiss. “No, thank you . Because it’s my pleasure, sweetheart. Believe me.” He settled his hand around her nape. Deepened the kiss. Couldn’t help himself. She was addictive. One taste and he needed more.
She went with it, started to melt but then caught herself and made a sound of protest. She pushed at his shoulders. “No. Bad. You have to go.”
Chuckling, he straightened. “We should be wrapping up around seven. I’m planning to be home by eight, but if something comes up—”
“It’s okay. I know how it works,” she said dryly. “Don’t worry. Now go.” She planted a chaste kiss on his lips and gave him a little push toward the door. “You meeting Gav at the office?”
He eyed her, thinking for the hundredth time how damned lucky he was. He loved being with her, loved having her at his place. And sex with her was off-the-damned-charts good.
So yeah, leaving her, even for only eight to ten hours, sucked. “No, at the pickup point. I gotta stop at the office to grab some stuff first.” Actually, maybe they still had enough time for a quickie if—
Cassie laughed at him. “Don’t even with that look. No. Go on.” She gave him another little push. “Miss me.”
“Already do.” He dropped another kiss on her lips before walking out and locking the door behind him.