Hands On (17 page)

“What?” She threw the rest of her neatly folded clothes in a sloppy pile and closed her suitcase. The police had told everyone to vacate the house within fifteen minutes and that was fine with her.

“It's too late to drive back to Midland.” He reached for her suitcase but she grabbed it first. His gaze narrowed. “There's a motel about five miles from—”

“I'd rather go back tonight,” she interrupted. “I'll drive if you're too tired.”

“Honey, what's wrong?”

Cassie took a calming breath, stopped and turned around when she got to the door. “You accuse me of being patronizing?

“You tell me what a great job I did—did you mean for a rookie? Or maybe I didn't do too badly for a dumb blonde?”

“Hey, come on, Cassie.” What he'd said registered in his face. And then regret. Too late. “You know better.”

“I thought I did.” She left and started down the stairs.

She heard voices coming from the first floor and wished like hell she could take another way out of the house.

Zelda and Harvey and Tom and Kathy all waited with their suitcases in the parlor. A pale and stricken
Mary Jane sat in the corner bring questioned by one of the officers. Cassie had already learned from Hamada that they didn't suspect Mary Jane was in on the con. She was just another pawn who'd fallen for Bask's charm.

Cassie made way for two agents carrying out Bask's computer. Right behind them was Dalton. She hurried toward the front door, trying to avoid him, which was stupid since they still had to ride back in the same car.

She got outside and saw Bask sitting in the back seat of an unmarked white sedan. Simone stood outside the car next to Hamada, her hands cuffed behind her back. As soon as she saw Cassie she started to laugh.

“You know why Zelda was the pigeon and not you?” she called out to Cassie. “You're gonna love this.” Simone laughed again. “Robert thought he didn't have a chance with you. He said you and Dalton were too tight. Too much in love. Nothing would break you two up.” Still laughing, she used her shoulder to wipe her nose. “And you turn out to be cops.”

Cassie said nothing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Dalton had come up behind her. He'd obviously heard. That ought to lift his mood, make him laugh.

God, she did not want to drive back with him.

“We'll be locking up the house now,” Hamada said as everyone filed out in sheepish silence. “Got everything out?” The looks on Tom, Kathy and Zelda's faces tore at Cassie. They'd arrived trusting Bask, hop
ing he'd help repair their marriages. At least Cassie had known what she was getting into.

She bit her lower lip. No, she hadn't. She hadn't expected to fall in love. And damn, she hadn't expected Dalton to be like all the rest. Screw him. She was a good investigator. And if this was such a fluff case, why were their four agents involved? No matter, his words still stung. She gripped her suitcase tighter and lifted her chin.

“Thanks for everyone's cooperation,” Hamada said. “We'll be in touch. Everyone okay? You all have rides?”

Before Cassie even knew what she'd done, she waved at him. “Sergeant, if it's not too much trouble, I could use one.” She didn't dare so much as glance back at Dalton.

 

“T
HAT'S THE TROUBLE
with you, Styles. You think rules and regulations are made for other people.” Hector leaned back in his black leather chair and locked his hands behind his head, his smug, superior expression burning a hole in Dalton's gut. “I hope the Bask fuck-up taught you a lesson.”

Dalton sat in the designated seat across from his boss, and then swung his feet up onto Higgins's desk, mostly because he knew it pissed him off.

“But you didn't expect me to collar Bask.”

Hector's gaze narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“You just wanted me out of the way for a week.”

“I don't know who you've been talking to but—”

“Come on, Hector, I know you. We go way back.
You wanted me out of the way while you lobbied for a nomination.”

“That's absurd.” Hector unnecessarily pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, a nervous habit he'd had for as long as Dalton could remember.

“What did you do, imply I was on suspension?”

“Where are you coming up with all this nonsense?”

Dalton knew he was right. He could see it written all over Hector's face. “See, I know I present a problem for you. On the one hand, my successful arrest record has made you look damn good. But my unconventional methods, which account for my success I might point out, have called too much attention to the bureau. And you.”

“You screwed up, Styles.” Hector's face turned red. “Admit it and quit dancing around the issue by fabricating a bunch of bullshit.”

“I admit I screwed up.” His thoughts went to Cassie. He'd only talked to her once since Bask's arrest a week ago. About the case. The conversation had been brief. She hadn't been angry or sarcastic. Just sad. It tore at his heart. “I botched a simple case…a case I should never have been assigned. What happened, Hector? Getting the bad guys used to be just as important to you. More important than private agendas.”

He put up a silencing finger. “If you shut up right now, I won't have the Bask incident documented in your file.”

Dalton stared at his old friend. All Dalton ever wanted to be was a good agent, and at one time a good husband and father. He'd failed at the husband part.

And lately he hadn't been a particularly good agent. So who the hell was he anymore?

“Tell you what, Hector,” he said, swinging his boots off the desk. “You do whatever you want. I quit.”

“You can't do that.” Hector's fists clenched as he glared in warning.

“You'll receive my formal resignation tomorrow.” Dalton smiled as he stood. “All typed up nice and neat just like it should be.”

C
ASSIE STRETCHED
out on her back on the couch and placed the bowl of popcorn on her stomach. This was her second serving with extra butter and she knew she'd end up feeling sick. But her bigger concern was what the hell she'd done with the remote control.

Over the past week she'd gotten hooked on
Days of Our Lives
and she couldn't stand it if she didn't find out what happened between Roman and Marlena. Or maybe her name was Kristen…

Pathetic. Cassie had made it through college without once getting involved in a soap opera like all her friends had, and now she planned her days around them. They'd become a distraction she craved like chocolate on certain days.

It was all Dalton's fault. She wished she'd never met the jerk.

She put the popcorn aside and searched between the sofa cushions for the remote. Tomorrow Jennifer had another case for her to start. She would accept it of course, even though she didn't have much heart for tailing a suspected cat burglar, who also happened to be the son of a prominent politician.

It was a touchy case that needed to remain low pro
file until Cassie could provide substantial evidence. That Jen had that much faith in Cassie should have made her feel good. But Dalton's dissertation on what a nothing case the Bask investigation had been still rang in Cassie's ears.

Dalton had called once, tried to make amends in a roundabout way by asking unnecessary questions about the case, but the sting hadn't ebbed. The fact that he'd made no attempt to see her proved that he wasn't all that concerned about her feelings. It also meant it was over. They were over. Of course they'd never promised each other anything more than a week's fling.

She sniffed. So why did the thought of not seeing him again hurt so damn much? She missed his sexy smile, and the way he could make her laugh. And God, but she missed his touch….

Nope. She couldn't go there. That was trouble. Big trouble.

She dabbed at her misty eyes and spotted the remote wedged between the
TV Guide
and the pink throw pillow her mother had made eons ago. Cassie aimed the remote at the television, turned on the tube and then got back into position with the bowl of popcorn.

She'd barely gotten comfortable again when the doorbell rang. Startled, she jerked upright and popcorn flew everywhere.

“Dammit!” She didn't care about the mess, but now she'd have to make another batch. And melt more butter.

Cassie unlocked the deadbolt and mentally chastised
herself for forgetting to use the peephole as she started to open the door. If it was a salesman, he'd be sorry he stopped at her door. Although it was probably the courier Jen used to…

“Dalton?” Her hand flew to her hair. One big tangled mop. “What are you doing here?”

“I guess I should have called, huh?” He gave her an unapologetic smile. “Can I come in?”

She thought about the blanket of popcorn all over her couch and floor. “Oh, brother.”

His smile vanished. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and moved back a little. She'd never seen him look so uncertain. Butterflies fluttered in her chest.

“Come in,” she said, sighing, and hoping he didn't see her hand tremble as she swung the door open wider. “At your own risk.”

He frowned but stepped inside. When he saw the popcorn sprayed across the carpet he choked back a laugh. “What happened?”

“The doorbell startled me.”

He peered at a clump before he removed it to sit down. “Too bad. Lots of butter. Just how I like it.”

“The kitchen is right there.” She gestured, amazed that she could appear so calm when her heart raced a mile a minute. “Help yourself.”

Dalton had already focused on the television.
Days of Our Lives
had just started. “I thought I was going to miss this episode. Roman hasn't admitted to where he's been the last month yet, has he?”

Cassie stared at him. “You watch soap operas?”

He gave her a sheepish shrug. “Just this past week.”

“I thought you'd be on another assignment by now.”

“I quit.”

She continued to stare at him, even though he seemed suddenly absorbed with the TV. “You quit?”

He nodded. “You have a Coke or beer or anything?”

Ignoring the popcorn, she sank down next to him. “Why?”

“Kind of a long story.”

“I have time.”

He rubbed his jaw, the back of his neck. “I needed a change.”

“That's not a long story.”

He turned to look at her. “I'm sorry, Cassie. You did a really good job with the Bask case. I screwed up, and I tried to downplay it by downplaying the case. I was wrong. My ego got in the way.”

She'd pretty much guessed that in her more rational moments, but it was good to hear it come from him. “You didn't quit over that.”

“No, but the whole thing helped me see some truths about myself. All I ever wanted to do was be a good cop. And good husband. I failed at that part, and I couldn't let myself fail at my job. At any cost. Until it cost me you.”

Her stomach flipped over. She took his hand.

He smiled. “Cassie, I know we haven't known each
other long. And we didn't get off to the best start, but I feel this connection with you I can't explain.”

She nodded. “Me, too.”

“Yeah?” His smile broadened.

“Yeah. So what now?”

“I'm moving to Midland.”

Her breathing stopped altogether.

“I have money saved until I get a job and then—”

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him so hard he fell backward. Popcorn crunched beneath him making them both smile. And then he deepened the kiss, using his tongue to part her lips, and then slowly sweeping the inside of her mouth.

When they finally came up for air, he said, “I'm going to take that as approval.”

She laughed. “That would be a safe bet.”

“I love you, Cassie.”

She swallowed. “I love you, too.”

He got a serious look on his face and held her gaze steady. “I have one for you.”

“What?”

“What did the blonde say—”

She gasped and put her hands over her ears. “I can't believe you're saying this. You—”

He pried her hands away. “What did the blonde say when the cop asked her to marry him?”

“You pain in the—” She blinked. “Dalton…”

“The blonde probably wanted to think about it, probably go slow and take some time….”

“The hell she did.” Cassie kissed him again, and this time they weren't so quick to come up for air.

“I
HAVE A PROPOSITION
for you.” Jennifer sat at her desk with her swollen feet up, her gaze on Dalton as he fed Annie her bottle.

Cassie watched him, too. She loved seeing him with the baby. He was such a natural it gave her a warm fuzzy feeling.

“Dalton, I want you to join the agency.” Jennifer rubbed her very pregnant belly. “I can't pay you what you made with the government but if the cases keep pouring in the way they have, that could change.” Jen smile slyly. “Plus, we don't have many rules around here.”

Dalton stared at her. Annie noisily sucked the nipple trying to get more juice.

Cassie had known the offer was coming. Jen had asked her first if Dalton working with her would be a problem. Yeah, right, as if… “Here,” Cassie said, when he still looked a little dumbfounded. “Give me Annie.”

He passed her the baby. “You really have enough cases?”

“Are you kidding? We're swamped. You know how hard I've been working Cassie this past month.”

Dalton smiled and then turned to Cassie. “Honey, what do you think?”

“I think if we ever want to see each other you'd better say yes.”

“Good.” Jen was back to business, looking at her calendar. “Let's see…your wedding is in two weeks. Heck, no reason you couldn't start tomorrow, right?” She pulled out a hefty stack of file folders. “Take your pick.”

Cassie stared in disbelief. “Those are all pending cases?”

“I started getting behind again when Zach left.” A wry smile curved Jen's lips. “At least I know you guys won't be leaving me to get married.”

Dalton picked up the first two folders and leafed through them. “Hmm…” He scanned the notes. “We can get this one knocked out in a couple of days.”

Cassie and Jen exchanged amused glances. He certainly wasn't lacking in confidence.

“Here, Cass.” He handed her the folder. “You take this one. Possible insurance fraud.”

She blinked. “The one we could knock out in a couple of days?”

“Yeah, you could handle this with one hand tied behind your back.”

She felt that flutter of pride his faith in her prompted.

“You'll be working on another case?”

He nodded, already busy studying the contents of the next file.

She glanced at Jen who beamed from ear to ear.

“You guys have just made my day,” she said and then grimaced. Her hand went to her stomach. “Oh-oh.”

Dalton looked up.

“What?” Cassie moved closer.

“I'm not sure but—” Jen winced again. “Okay, now I'm sure. Who wants to drive me to the hospital?”

“Oh, shit!”

Both women looked at Dalton. He set down the folder, his face as white as a sheet.

Jen laughed. “Looks like you're driving, Cass.”

“This is early. You have a bag ready?”

“In the closet.”

Cassie looked at Dalton. “Can you hold Annie?”

He nodded and reached for the baby without a word. Probably, Cassie suspected, because he couldn't speak. She hid a smile as she went for the bag. Her big, hunky, macho husband-to-be looked scared out of his wits.

Was it possible that she could suddenly love him twice as much?

Holding Annie in one arm, he used his other to help Jen to her feet. “Don't worry about a thing, boss,” he said, and kissed her cheek.