“Cassie, it’s not my business to say, but sometimes misery loves company. Maybe he’s not ready to stop. How bad is his addiction?”
I shrugged and looked out the window as I answered. “I don’t know. He seems to be in more control over what he does. It’s easier for him to stop and start up again. Before we dated he was into it pretty bad. He cleaned up when we got together.”
“Are you okay?”
“I honestly don’t know. I’ve done so much to be with him; to make him happy. Maybe I’ve never been enough for him.”
“Are you sure I can’t call someone from your family?”
“I’m fine. I’m a big girl. I made this mess, and like my Momma always told me, I need to fix it myself. I’m responsible for where I am.”
“Family forgives, Cassie.”
“I’ve had about enough of your positive vibes. Can you please just find a place for us to eat? I’ll even buy the food. Just get there faster.”
“I’ll pay for it. I’d hate to eat with money you took from someone else.”
“I resent that. I’m not a terrible person. Yes, I’ve made mistakes, but only because I was desperate. I’m trying to be better, but you should know more than anyone that it takes time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, dude.”
We finally pulled up at a fast food franchise. My heart started to flutter at the idea of shoving greasy food into my famished mouth. Agent Campbell ordered for himself while I scoped the menu for the most fulfilling meal. He let me order my own food and pulled around to pay for it and pick it up. We sat in the parking lot gobbling it up as if it were the last food on earth. I licked my fingers after tossing a few fries in my mouth. “I know my life is a freaking mess, but this feels like heaven.”
When I turned to see his reaction, I noticed he was staring at me with wide eyes. “I’ve never seen someone scarf down food the way you can. Are you sure you’re chewing it?”
“I told you I was starving. Don’t be a hater.”
He left the remainder of his food in the bag. “I’m going to finish at home. I need a shower and some Aspirin.”
I kept eating my fries until the container was empty. As much as I wanted to devour my burger, I knew it was respectful to save it until we’d reached his house. When we pulled up I was surprised. I guess I pictured his home to be small. It was the opposite. Much like Rocky’s house, it was very spacious and on a corner lot. “Wow. How do you afford this on an agent’s salary?” I wondered how much money someone in the FBI made. Maybe I should have wanted to fight crime instead of the path I was on.
“I inherited money when my parent’s died, not that it’s any of your business. Keep in mind you’re only here because I have no where else to put you unless you want to spend the night in a jail cell.”
“Geesh, you don’t have to be so mean.”
He walked by me and unlocked the door, opening it all the way for me to be able to enter. He flicked on a light and led me up a set of stairs. The living room was the first place we came to. In the rear was a large dining room and to the left of that was a big eat in kitchen. “The bathroom is down the hall if you need to use it. I’ll show you your room after I eat, if that’s okay with you?”
“It’s fine.” I took the seat across from him and pulled my burger out of the bag. We sat in silence for several minutes while eating. Finally he dropped his sandwich to sip at his drink.
He kept looking at me, as if he was trying to read me. Maybe it was a FBI profiler thing. I hadn’t been around enough to know. “What’s your deal anyway? What did you want to be when you were a kid?”
“I wanted to be a kid when I was a kid.”
“You know what I mean,” he retorted.
“First I wanted to be a doctor, until I realized people would bleed. I was afraid of needles, so that was a no-go. Then I wanted to be a professional ice-skater, but I broke my arm when I was seven while trying to skate on our family’s pond. After that I suppose I wanted to do hair like my mother does. The older I got the easier the jobs became. For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a wife and mother someday. I thought I’d have that life with Brant, but now I’m wondering if he’s not the right guy for me. I know you probably don’t care about my drama, so I’ll shut up now.”
“It’s cool. I asked.”
“What about you? Did you always want to be an FBI agent?”
He seemed bothered by my question. “Not really. I didn’t decide to go into the police academy until I lost my parents. From there I graduated and proceeded to get into the bureau.”
“How did they die?” I felt like it was a legitimate question, though I could tell I’d hit another nerve. He took another bite of his sandwich before answering me. “They were murdered.” He tossed what was left of his food back in the bag and stood up. “Are you okay here while I get a shower? ”Our conversation was over just as fast as it had begun. I couldn’t read the agent to save my life. One minute he seemed to care about other people, but the next he was withdrawn and angry.
When he offered to leave me alone while he showered I knew it was my chance to leave. I had to get to Brant. Even if he was okay, I had to see it for myself, or else I’d be worried. If he was partying while thinking I was in the hospital I was going to give him a piece of my mind. I didn’t deserve to be lied to, especially after what I’d done to be a part of his crazy life.
Chapter 16
Logan
I should have known better than to think she’d stay put. The moment I stepped out of the shower I knew something was wrong. I hurried to dress, only to find my worst fears confirmed. Cassie had taken off and I knew exactly where she’d be headed. This chick was obviously going to be a pain in my side. If my boss got word of me losing her, I’d never hear the end of it.
I hopped in my car scanning both sides of the road as I drove along. She couldn’t have gotten far, not without calling for a ride, which she’d have to wait for in this part of town.
Street by street I searched until finally I saw her walking. The moment she spotted my car she took off through a person’s yard. I parked a little further down, judging where she’d surface again. While making my way in her direction, I spotted her before she could see me coming. I ducked back behind a house to gain space between us. She was hiding behind a shed when I found her. I waited until I was a few feet away before startling her enough she’d turn around instead of running. “I should have known you wouldn’t listen.”
I grabbed her by the arm and started leading her back to the car. “Get off me,” she fought.
“I need you to listen, Cassie. I’m doing this to keep you safe, not to be an asshole. You have no idea what you’re walking into.”
“Don’t you get it?” She argued. “I don’t care what I’m walking into. I have to know he’s okay.”
“I’ve already confirmed it. Let us do our jobs.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t. You can drag me to jail if you want, but I’m not going down without a fight. I need to see him. Please. You say you want to help, but you’re not doing anything I need you to.”
“I’m prohibited from allowing you to complicate our investigation. You’re safe with me. That’s all you need to worry about right now.”
Before she responded I felt a swift kick between my legs, sending me down to my knees. The pain radiated into my stomach, crippling me for a brief moment. It was enough time for her to break free of my hold and take off down the road.
It took me a minute to regain composure. When I did I drove as fast as I could toward the suspects property. If Cassie was determined to go there, I’d be waiting to stop her. I couldn’t let her appearance ruin our chances of catching Mr. James. We’d put too much time and money into closing the case for a crazy insecure woman to interfere.