Melissa nodded. “Thank you. I was really close to living out a nightmare. If your ice cream truck hadn’t had the brakes go out when they did . . .”
“It’s a good thing Elsa has a mind of her own.”
Melissa gave her a hug. “Thanks again.”
She paced toward the officers, who wanted to talk to her again. While Melissa did that, Cassidy turned toward the medical personnel behind her. Most of them were busy fussing over the state police officer who’d been shot.
The Cobra was strapped to a gurney, waiting to be placed in the ambulance. No one was paying much attention to him at the moment—which meant this was Cassidy’s perfect opportunity to have a chat.
“I know who you are,” she whispered. “And you’re not going to get away with what you’ve done.”
He scowled. “Who are you?”
“No one important. But I know about your island. I know you kept women there. That you came here looking for your ‘inventory’ that got away. You’re despicable.”
He grunted. “You can’t prove anything.”
“I know you’ve got a cobra tattoo. And I know how you got that injury on your arm, as well. Myrtle Beach ring any bells?”
He scowled again and then spit, the liquid hitting her cheek.
Cassidy grimaced and wiped away the spittle. “The world is a better place without you as a part of it.”
“You’re clever. But you’re not going to get away with this. I have more men, you know.”
“And none of them can obviously think for themselves. If they could, they wouldn’t have followed you so blindly. And I’m sure once they’re pressured, they’ll cave and save themselves by selling you out.”
He struggled against his restraints, snarling. “If I could get my hands on you.”
Ty joined her, placing a hand on Cassidy’s arm. “Come on. Let’s go. The police have everything they need, and they’re calling the FBI in.”
She gave Savage one last look before allowing Ty to pull her away. She needed to get out of here before the feds showed up. The last thing she needed was for them to nose around in her life or put her name into any type of file.
Cassidy and Ty had to go to the police station to give an official statement. Thankfully, Elsa still worked. The bumper was dented, but the girl was so old that she was made like a tank.
As they left the station and climbed back into the truck, Cassidy sensed the questions Ty must have for her. Before he could ask any of them, she blurted, “I need to go talk to the ladies at Mac’s place. Are you okay with that?”
“Of course,” Ty said.
But his gaze looked heavy and deep, like the questions floating there were burdens.
Cassidy understood that all too well. She wished more than anything she could pour out the truth to him. But she couldn’t. Not now. Maybe not ever.
With the parade over and the streets open again, it took only five minutes to reach his place.
Mac answered the door, his eyes also full of questions. He’d obviously been listening to the police scanner. “I was itching to get out there. But I stayed here, just like I promised.”
“I knew you would. Thank you,” Cassidy said. “I’ll explain more to you later, but could I have a moment with the ladies first?”
“Of course.” He disappeared onto the deck with Ty and left Cassidy with the three women.
“What happened?” Rose demanded, crossing her arms with that same hardened look on her face.
“They caught the Cobra,” Cassidy stated.
Rose’s gaze softened ever-so-slightly. “Are you sure?”
Cassidy nodded and held up her phone. She’d snapped a picture of him on the gurney. “Is this him?”
Rose’s eyes widened. “I’m nearly certain that’s him. I mean, I didn’t get a good look at him, but . . . I just know it. How . . . What . . .”
“He was posing as a coastguardsman.”
“One of his friends is a cop, though,” Rose said.
“How do you know?”
“I saw it out the window. Someone came to the island wearing a uniform. It wasn’t the Cobra.”
A looming feeling of dread swirled in Cassidy’s stomach. “Now that the Cobra will be behind bars, his whole network will fall apart. More information will come out as the FBI questions him. If there is a cop working for him, his day is coming. Just give it time.”
Rose rubbed her arms. “I hope so.”
“Let’s just say the Cobra will most likely be going away for the rest of his life. You don’t have anything to be afraid of.” She looked forward to the day when someone might say those same words to her. Sometimes it didn’t seem like a possibility.
“I don’t know how we can ever thank you,” Trina said.
“There is one way,” Cassidy started, her throat suddenly dry. “When you talk to the FBI—because you’re going to have to talk to them—don’t mention me.”
“What do you mean?” Skepticism etched Rose’s gaze again.
“Could you just tell them you found that abandoned house and stayed there?”
“Why wouldn’t we mention you?” Rose continued.
“It’s just less complicated if you leave me out.”
“You did something bad, didn’t you?” Rose said. “I could see it in your eyes from the moment we met.”
Cassidy remembered when she’d killed Raul. She remembered when she’d sent Sloan away, and how no one had heard from him since. How two women had been killed because they’d looked like Cassidy.
Yeah, she had done some bad things. She had regrets she’d have to live with for the rest of her life.
“I have. And I don’t want the FBI poking around. Please.”
Rose stared at her a minute before finally nodding. “Okay. You saved our lives. We can help you out too.”
“Thank you. Now, if it’s okay, I’ll have Mac take you down to the station.”
“He’s a funny man,” Kat said. “He taught us how to properly clean a gun and some basic self-defense moves.”
Cassidy smiled. “That’s Mac for you.”
Before Cassidy realized what was happening, Rose threw her arms around her. “Thank you. We’d be dead if it wasn’t for you.”
“I’m glad I could help.” Emotions clogged Cassidy’s throat.
Kat and Trina also threw their arms around her.
Now that this was over, it was time to talk to Ty. He’d seen a side of Cassidy today that she’d tried to conceal. But he was no dummy. He had to be piecing things together.
The thought left her gut twisted into a knot because she wasn’t sure what this meant for her future.
Chapter 30
Cassidy had promised to go home, get cleaned up, and then meet Ty so they could talk. It was already eight o’clock, and the sun was setting rapidly on this memorable Fourth of July.
When she stepped outside, she spotted Ty on his deck, sitting on the porch swing and waiting for her. His eyes met hers, and he waved.
With a touch of hesitation, she headed over. The night had cooled off, and the crickets were already humming. She took her time as she headed across the sand and up to his deck. She dreaded this conversation. Dreaded the questions she knew would come.
Kujo greeted her with a moist lick on the face. She rubbed his head in return and promised to play fetch later.
A book sat in Ty’s lap, and his face lit with a soft grin when he saw her. On the small speakers he’d set up in the corner, patriotic music played. Mannheim Steamroller, if she had to guess.
“Hey there,” he murmured.
“Hey.” She sat beside him and peered over his shoulder. “You’re reading.”
He turned the book over so she could see the cover.
“A memoir?” she questioned. “About a man and his dog?”
“What did you expect?”
“I’m not really sure. Maybe I didn’t expect you to read.” She elbowed him playfully.
He clutched his heart. “Ouch.”
“No offense.” She smiled, letting him know she was teasing.
“No offense taken. I used to read Tom Clancy and Lee Child. After serving overseas, I couldn’t read those books anymore. So I started on memoirs. They’re not too bad.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Any updates?” He turned toward her, his eyes all serious now.
“The women are being helped by the FBI,” Cassidy said, a touch of apprehension in her voice. “The police found the locket with the coordinates in the car, and I heard they’re sending a team to the island to make sure there are no other women there. The Cobra is behind bars.”
“You did that, you know.”
She shrugged. “Not really. All I did was try to help those who needed help. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“I’d say it was.”
Cassidy had done what needed to be done, but she wasn’t sure what the outcome would be. Only time would tell.
“Smooth move with the spray paint,” Ty said.
“I had to think quickly.”
“You’re pretty good at that.”
Ty gazed at her a minute before leaning forward and planting a soft kiss on her lips. “You’re beautiful, Cassidy Livingston.”
She looked away and pushed a hair behind her ear. “Thank you.”
“Are you blushing?” A teasing tone lilted his voice.
“Me? I don’t blush.” At least, she hadn’t until recently.
“That’s what I would have thought, but I do believe your cheeks are turning red.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
He leaned close again. Close enough to touch her jaw tenderly. Close enough that his scent consumed her. “I think it’s adorable.”
Cassidy’s heart pounded. The truth was that she felt giddy. Giddy. She’d never in her life felt giddy before and hardly knew what to do with it.
Accept where you are and make the most of every day. That is the definition of being happy.
“Is this where we talk about our problem?” she asked, clearing her throat before she got caught up in the moment.
Ty pulled back, his grin disappearing. “I think so.”
“I feel like I should apologize for kissing you and confusing you . . . but I just can’t,” Cassidy admitted, startled by her own honesty. She decided to start by talking about their kiss. It seemed the easiest of the two options.
“I’m glad you’re not apologizing for it.”
She sucked in a shaky breath. “But the truth is . . . I don’t know what’s in store for my future and . . . I know you probably have a lot of questions about my past.”
“Questions that you’re not ready to answer,” Ty said.
She swallowed hard, swinging her leg as the swing rocked back and forth. “I’m sorry, Ty. I know it doesn’t help if I tell you it’s complicated. But . . .”
He waited.
“Honestly, there’s so much I want to say. But I can’t. Not yet.”
“You will when you’re ready,” he said.
Relief and surprise filled her at his patience. What had she ever done to meet someone as kind and honorable as Ty Chambers? She had no idea. But she felt grateful.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Listen.” He nudged her chin up. “I may not know the details about your past or what brought you here or what it is that keeps you constantly looking over your shoulder. But I do know who you are apart from those specifics. I know you have a heart of gold. I know you make me feel things I’ve never felt before. That you’re strong and capable and the most intriguing person I’ve ever met.”
Tears filled her eyes. She tried to quickly brush them away, but it was too late. Ty had seen them.
He gently caressed away the moisture on her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to make you tear up.”
Her throat ached from all the emotions running through her. “This may not make a lot of sense, but my whole life, people have only ever liked me for the specifics of my life. You’re one of the first people to ever really liked me just for me.”
She’d never spoken truer words. Other than Lucy, people had always used their relationship with Cassidy to get ahead. Even Ricky Ernest had only dated her because he wanted an internship with her father’s company.
Thankfully, the man—now a PI—hadn’t shown up here. Yet. She’d keep her eyes open, though.
But she’d think about that another time.
Ty cupped her face. “Well, I think that’s a shame because you’re a beautiful person, Cassidy Livingston.”
More moisture filled her eyes. “Thank you.”
He lowered his head toward hers again. “That said, how about if we take it day by day?”
“Explain your definition of day by day.” Her heart pounded in her ears as she waited for his response.
“I mean, let’s do what you’re supposed to do when dating. Let’s see what’s there. Then we can determine the future after that. After all, all we’re guaranteed is today. You and I both know that, don’t we?”
His words sounded too good to be true. Would that work? Could Cassidy actually be okay with taking things day by day, knowing that it would end with . . . with what? How would it end?
What if she did go back to Seattle and testify? What if she put away members of DH-7 for life? Was it a possibility she might be able to come back here and actually be with Ty?
She’d never thought so. Until now.
Maybe if they were meant to be together, it would work out.
“Did I leave you speechless?” Ty whispered.
“Yeah, you kind of did.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t know that defining dating might do that to you.”
She slapped his arm—the uninjured one.
“You’re always such a smart mouth.” The teasing left her lips, though. “You’d really be okay with that plan? For taking it slow? Day by day? No promises about the future?”
“We’re not promised the future, Cassidy. We’re only promised right now.”
“Okay then. Let’s try the right-this-moment.”
Ty grinned, and she tucked herself into him. As she did, the fireworks began exploding down the shore, bright displays of red, white, and blue.
And, for the moment, everything was perfect—perfect beyond her wildest dreams.
Also by Christy Barritt:
Other Books in the Lantern Beach Series:
LANTERN BEACH MYSTERIES
Hidden Currents
You can take the detective out of the investigation, but you can't take the investigator out of the detective. A notorious gang puts a bounty on Detective Cady Matthews’s head after she takes down their leader, leaving her no choice but to hide until she can testify at trial. But her temporary home across the country on a remote North Carolina island isn’t as peaceful as she initially thinks. Living under the new identity of Cassidy Livingston, she struggles to keep her investigative skills tucked away, especially after a body washes ashore. When local police bungle the murder investigation, she can’t resist stepping in. But Cassidy is supposed to be keeping a low profile. One wrong move could lead to both her discovery and her demise. Can she bring justice to the island . . . or will the hidden currents surrounding her pull her under for good?
Flood Watch
The tide is high, and so is the danger on Lantern Beach. Still in hiding after infiltrating a dangerous gang, Cassidy Livingston just has to make it a few more months before she can testify at trial and resume her old life. But trouble keeps finding her, and Cassidy is pulled into a local investigation after a man mysteriously disappears from the island she now calls home. A recurring nightmare from her time undercover only muddies things, as does a visit from the parents of her handsome ex-Navy SEAL neighbor. When a friend's life is threatened, Cassidy must make choices that put her on the verge of blowing her cover. With a flood watch on her emotions and her life in a tangle, will Cassidy find the truth? Or will her past finally drown her?
Storm Surge
A storm is brewing hundreds of miles away, but its effects are devastating even from afar. Laid-back, loose, and light: that’s Cassidy Livingston’s new motto. But when a makeshift boat with a bloody cloth inside washes ashore near her oceanfront home, her detective instincts shift into gear . . . again. Seeking clues isn’t the only thing on her mind—romance is heating up with next-door neighbor and former Navy SEAL Ty Chambers as well. Her heart wants the love and stability she’s longed for her entire life. But her hidden identity only leads to a tidal wave of turbulence. As more answers emerge about the boat, the danger around her rises, creating a treacherous swell that threatens to reveal her past. Can Cassidy mind her own business, or will the storm surge of violence and corruption that has washed ashore on Lantern Beach leave her life in wreckage?
Dangerous Waters
Danger lurks on the horizon, leaving only two choices: find shelter or flee. Cassidy Livingston’s new identity has begun to feel as comfortable as her favorite sweater. She’s been tucked away on Lantern Beach for weeks, waiting to testify against a deadly gang, and is settling in to a new life she wants to last forever. When she thinks she spots someone malevolent from her past, panic swells inside her. If an enemy has found her, Cassidy won’t be the only one who’s a target. Everyone she’s come to love will also be at risk. Dangerous waters threaten to pull her into an overpowering chasm she may never escape. Can Cassidy survive what lies ahead? Or has the tide fatally turned against her?
Perilous Riptide
Just when the current seems safer, an unseen danger emerges and threatens to destroy everything. When Cassidy Livingston finds a journal hidden deep in the recesses of her ice cream truck, her curiosity kicks into high gear. Islanders suspect that Elsa, the journal’s owner, didn’t die accidentally. Her final entry indicates their suspicions might be correct and that what Elsa observed on her final night may have led to her demise. Against the advice of Ty Chambers, her former Navy SEAL boyfriend, Cassidy taps into her detective skills and hunts for answers. But her search only leads to a skeletal body and trouble for both of them. As helplessness threatens to drown her, Cassidy is desperate to turn back time. Can Cassidy find what she needs to navigate the perilous situation? Or will the riptide surrounding her threaten everyone and everything Cassidy loves?
Lantern Beach Mysteries Box Set Page 54
