Jesse studied her, looking a little like he wasn’t sure he believed her. “Are you sure that he wasn’t just a bum making his way across the parking lot?”
Casey found her way to the cushy chair and slumped into it. She shoved her hands over her face. “No, I’m not sure.”
She blew out a breath, disturbing a strand of hair that had fallen over her left eye.
When Jesse said nothing, Casey continued.
“It’s just that, I felt like whoever was out there was coming for me. I know he was walking toward me, and then he walked faster when I got to the door. Why was your door locked?”
She wondered if and when Jesse would ask her why she was paranoid. Ask her about her past or if she had a reason to believe someone would want to harm her. But…he didn’t.
The guy was an ice sculptor, not a cop or even an investigative reporter. What did she expect from him?
He stared at her, concern in his eyes. “Did you get a good look at him?”
Casey closed her eyes, trying to focus on the image burned there. “No, he looked like any other guy. Average everything.” Except for…his eyes. But what could she say? She’d only seen the guy in the light for a millisecond. Still trembling, she shoved from the chair. She had to lose her fear if she was going home tonight.
“Why didn’t you wait for me?” Jesse unplugged the coffeemaker. He turned off the lights in the back of the room and grabbed his hoodie and a flashlight. Then he slipped something off the counter.
“I…you were on the phone.”
He quirked a brow at her and tugged the hoodie over his head. “You’re impatient, you know that? Here. Now you have a key.”
Casey looked at the small key in his hand and hesitated.
“Go ahead. I could be using the chain saw and in that case, I’d never hear you knocking.”
She could always go through the reception area. Nah. Casey took the key. “I promise to give it back as soon as I’m done with the story. Um…thanks.”
Jesse nodded and pressed past her to the door.
“Are we…? Are we going back out there?”
Smiling, he closed the distance between them and rubbed her shoulders. “You’re trembling,” he said, his smile flattening.
The tenderness in his voice nearly made Casey forget about the scare. Why couldn’t she ignore the way he affected her? She nodded, unsure what to say or do because she didn’t want to go back outside. Not yet.
“Don’t worry. You’re with me now. I’ll protect you.”
Could he really? “With what? Your flashlight?”
Jesse held up the big Maglite. “You’d be amazed at what harm can be inflicted with one of these.”
“You’re serious?”
“Trust me, will you?” He lowered the lights and whispered in the darkness. “Stay right behind me.”
Casey clung to the back of Jesse’s hoodie as he opened the door and stood in the doorway, shining the flashlight around the unlit parking lot.
“Is it usually so dark out? What’s wrong with those lights?”
Jesse moved forward, Casey with him, and allowed the door to close behind them. “Maybe a tripped circuit. I don’t know.”
For someone who didn’t seem to believe Casey had reason to fear the parking lot stalker, Jesse’s muscles were tense as she pressed her hand into his back.
* * *
Confident the man who scared Casey was long gone, Jesse escorted her to her car and waited for her to start it. “Go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.”
She gave a little nod and a tenuous smile. “Thanks, Jesse. I appreciate this.”
Jesse suspected he was days away from the next smuggling transaction. All players were preparing on both sides—agents and local authorities on the side of the law, and those in the crime ring.
While he was relieved that Casey didn’t press the matter, his sense of unease regarding her safety was mounting. He tried not to appear overly concerned, hoping his manner would keep her from full-blown panic.
Jesse followed Casey’s car along Shoreline Road as fog began drifting in. Headlights appeared in the distance, driving toward them. Tension coursed through his body as he waited and watched, but the vehicle passed without incident.
Casey was on edge and with her experiences last night, this morning and now tonight, she had good reason. She pulled into the driveway and waited while the garage door opened.
Jesse kept his Jeep running and the lights on while she pulled the car in. He hopped out and followed her into the garage just as the door began to close. She turned on the garage light.
He looked around, impressed with the spotless surroundings. Usually, people had all sorts of junk stored in their garage. “All clear,” he said.
She nudged him with her bag and smiled. “Coming in?” she asked, as she made her way to the door of the house.
Good. She’d relaxed some. Jesse stepped inside, his senses on alert. Without any discussion, he helped her turn on all the lights and walked through the house with her, similar to what he’d done the night before to make sure there wasn’t a man lurking in the shadows.
Like Spear. Would he come back to search for his missing thumb drive?
Jesse’s gut instinct told him that this woman had lived in a world of fear long before coming to Orange Crossings, and he’d bet she left her job because of it.
What or who are you running from, Casey Wilkes?
Standing in the foyer, Jesse knew he didn’t want to leave. Casey rubbed her arms and leaned against the wall. He could tell she wasn’t looking forward to being alone.
“Listen, I have an answer for you,” he said.
She quirked a brow. “What was the question?”
“Forget already? Well, in that case…” Jesse turned to open the door.
If only she’d forgotten her request, then Jesse could be done with the interview and concentrate on his assignment. But she’d remember soon enough, and besides, after three close calls, no way was Jesse going to abandon her.
He needed to keep her close because by all appearances, someone was out to get her, and if that was the case, his worst fears were coming true.
Casey was at his side, her hand on his arm. Again, the shock of her touch coursed through him.
“No, wait. Please, what’s your answer?” she asked, her voice a soft whisper. The sound of it tied him in knots. Why, oh, why, did he have to be attracted to a woman he needed to protect?
Jesse swallowed, shoving down his rising desire. He cupped her chin but then just as quickly released it. “You can tag along with me for the next few days for your story. That is, if you still want to.”
Her answering smile sent his heart stumbling. Her lips were inviting as she lifted her face and held it mere inches from his.
Jesse pressed closer, drawing in the scent of her. Her breath came faster.
What are you doing, man?
For her sake and for his, he cleared his throat and took a step back.
“I’ll look into the mysterious man in the parking lot for you.” And he would, but she had no idea just how much danger she could be in…or did she? The sooner he found out what was going on, the better.
“Thanks.” Casey smiled, but he could see the disappointment in her eyes. Frustration he keenly felt himself.
Or…on second thought…
He studied her. Maybe what he was seeing was a frightened and vulnerable woman who needed a distraction. Then again, he’d sensed she was attracted to him before tonight. But in his line of work, he couldn’t mix business and pleasure.
That could mean the end of him.
“Good night,” Jesse said and stepped outside. As he waited, listening to the telltale sound of the dead bolt, he ground his teeth. He’d practically had to wrench himself away from her, from kissing her. With a weighty sigh, he scanned the yard and decided to check the perimeter.
Somehow he needed to accelerate this operation, before someone else got hurt.
CHAPTE
R NINE
After a morning of working with the ice, Jesse shoved open the door and strode into the parking lot, welcoming the warmth from the sun on his face and knowing that soon enough his chilled body would begin to thaw.
Jamming his hands in his pockets to warm them, he walked the perimeter of the building and turned the corner, making his way to the loading dock. A refrigerated semi was backed up to the entrance, preparing for long-haul ice deliveries.
As he approached, the familiar noise of the trailer doors being slammed and fastened resounded. The truck jerked with a rumble and slowly moved forward, pulling away from the loading dock.
Miguel stepped into view and hopped from the ledge. He spotted Jesse and waved him over. Jesse grinned. The more time he could spend with Miguel the better. Desperately, he needed in the circle. Too bad he couldn’t have gotten a job driving a truck to begin with instead of working as an ice sculptor. It had made his mission even more difficult—yet, he’d come this far. Still, driving wouldn’t keep him at the ice company to make the contacts he needed.
Carlos stood at the dropoff and scowled when he saw Jesse. He turned his back to him.
Likewise, dude, likewise.
Where he’d scored points with Miguel, even being called his brother, he’d lost them with Carlos. The man could be the reason Jesse wasn’t pulled completely into the crime ring.
Carlos was standing in the way.
Jesse approached Miguel and stood next to him, watching as Miguel took a drag of his cigarette.
“What are you doing outside? Did you get too cold?” Miguel asked, a familiar wry grin on his face.
“Something like that,” Jesse said, and returned the smile. The guy really liked him, Jesse knew that. It made him feel all the worse for the charade he played.
To hide his traitorous thoughts, he looked away from Miguel.
There, leaning against a light pole in the distance, stood the same guy he’d seen last night, scaring Casey. Jesse was sure of it because the guy hadn’t bothered to change his clothes. He wore the same maroon hoodie and worn jeans. Though Jesse had only gotten a glimpse of the guy previously, it was enough to recognize the guy who was loitering now as the very same one.
“That’s him,” Jesse said and left Miguel’s side, stalking toward the man.
“Hey, Jesse, where you going?” Miguel called. “Who is he?”
“Some guy who threatened Casey last night.” Jesse marched toward the man, knowing that Miguel and most likely even Carlos would be watching this encounter.
Miguel snickered. “So, you got a girlfriend now.” His tone was teasing. Jesse didn’t respond. He couldn’t exactly question the guy in front of them—at least what he really needed to ask him—that would blow his cover. Seeing the guy and doing nothing about him would likely raise their suspicions. He needed to respond in a natural way—one that Miguel and Carlos would understand.
Even from this distance, Jesse could see the guy’s squint and the very instant he realized Jesse was coming for him.
Good.
The guy straightened, shoving away from the light pole as he tossed his cigarette down. His stance told Jesse he was bracing himself for a confrontation.
Even better.
And it told Jesse a little more about him—he was military. Marine, maybe?
Jesse was ready for the confrontation, too. The guy’s actions alone went a long way to confirm to Jesse that he hadn’t just scared Casey because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He’d intended to do harm.
Had he been expecting her today?
Once Jesse stood directly in front of him, he poked his finger in the man’s chest. “Who are you? What do you want?”
The guy flipped opened a switchblade—by the look of it, old German style, white Macarta handle.
Jesse laughed. “You call that a knife?”
The man snarled. “Your girlfriend was scared of it.”
Jesse didn’t remember a knife, nor had Casey mentioned one.
But that remark was all it took. Before the guy could react, Jesse grabbed his wrist and twisted his arm behind his back.
He threw himself into a forceful head-butt. The knife clattered to the ground. The man threw a punch at Jesse, who took that as an invitation to do more damage. He was on the guy in full force, landing blows to his gut.
The guy shoved his fist into Jesse’s nose. Adrenaline kept the pain at bay. Jesse shoved the flat of his hand in an upward motion at the jerk’s nose. Jesse looked on as the guy’s eyes watered.
Still, the guy managed a smirk as he stared at Jesse.
Unbelievable.
Then he turned and, scraping his knife up, ran away. Maybe he thought Jesse would simply let him go, but Jesse followed and caught him. Pinning him down, Jesse lifted his fist with every intention of pummeling him senseless.
What are you doing, man? Jesse didn’t want to seriously injure this man, but he’d just broken his nose and could have killed him with that move. The guy was strong and knew how to fight, too. Things could easily turn his way, could easily get even more out of hand.
Jesse eased back and drew in a breath. He couldn’t allow his anger to get the best of him. He drew in a quick breath, planning to ask the man who had sent him.
A shadow fell over him.
“You all right?” Miguel asked.
“Yeah, I got this,” Jesse said. Then to the hoodlum, he warned, “If you ever show your face here again, I’ll kill you.”
Jesse released him, though he didn’t want to. The man scrambled to his feet then took off. The look on Miguel’s face said it all. Jesse’s pulse had begun to slow, if only a little, but now it raced again. This could be exactly what Jesse needed to prove himself, get points for being a tough guy. That is, if he played things just right.
Miguel’s expression was one of amusement and concern. He squeezed Jesse’s shoulder. “You don’t look so good.”
After dragging in a few more calming breaths, the adrenaline receded and Jesse felt the pain in his face. His nose throbbed, and his eye was swelling.
Together, he and Miguel walked back to the loading dock where Carlos stood with a big smile on his face.
It was the first time Jesse could remember seeing a look of approval from Carlos. Jesse had earned Carlos’s respect for beating up the guy. He would use this, play it for everything.
“You’re such a tough guy, why didn’t you just kill him?” Carlos asked.
Blood dripped onto the floor, and Jesse realized his nose was bleeding. He shoved past Carlos. “Too lazy. Didn’t want to clean up the mess,” he called over his shoulder.
Carlos and Miguel followed him from a distance as he made his way through the loading dock, toward the entrance into the building. He could use the sink in his studio to clean up.
“Sounds like you have some experience,” Carlos said, a challenge in his tone.
“I do.” Jesse glanced over his shoulder, then he opened the door and walked out.
And he did. As an agent, he’d taken the life of another human being in self-defense. Carlos didn’t need to know the particulars. It was enough for him to know that Jesse would and could kill.
Maybe now, Jesse would be worthy.
* * *
Casey’s eyelids drooped as she stared at her laptop. Since she’d fled from Oregon, it seemed like she’d run from one stressful situation to another and hadn’t had a chance to recuperate from the initial shock of Tannin’s threat. At this rate, she wondered if she ever would, and the strain was wearing on her.
Dressed in sweats, she’d made herself comfortable on the sofa as she watched a news program and dug into research on the new story Danny had given her. It was a good sign, and showed his confidence in her abilities.
She was thankful he wanted her to continue her work on the sculpting story and upcoming competition. She was looking forward to seeing Jesse again tomorrow.
Noting that it was already nine o’clock, she sighed. She hadn’t seen Jess
e today, but a day not spent in his company had probably been for the best. Where Casey was concerned, the man was habit-forming. Every time she turned around she was in his arms. While she found a measure of peace and safety there, she wasn’t sure it was in her best interest, or his. Jesse had no idea Casey had driven a man to threaten her life and that man was potentially searching for her right now.
Every time she considered telling Jesse, she decided against it. The story was difficult to believe, and she didn’t want to sound crazy. In a way she was trying to start a new life here, at least until things died down. Did she want to spoil her chance to start over, to start fresh, by telling Jesse? No. At least not yet. Maybe the time would come, though, when she would feel comfortable sharing that with him.
Please, Lord, let me find a safe harbor, a place where I no longer have to worry about Will Tannin’s threat.
And a time when she would no longer have to fear for her life. A person couldn’t imagine what a driving force that could be until experiencing it. She certainly hadn’t. And yet, she’d brought it on herself to some extent.
But as Meg had said, Tannin was still in Oregon and, at least for the time being, she hoped he hadn’t found her. While she tried to push aside the incidents of the past two days as merely coincidental, it was almost impossible. She couldn’t let her guard slip and she remained cautious and on edge—something she was sure Jesse had noticed about her, hence his questioning her reaction to the man in the parking lot, and to the SUV’s intent at harming her. Still, despite what he might or might not have believed, he’d proven himself a protector, watching out for her.
Someone knocked on the door.
The sound startled her. Her senses ramped into high gear. Who could be knocking at this hour? It was late for a house call, especially without phoning first.
Wary, Casey crawled from her comfortable position on the sofa. She didn’t really know anyone in town, except Danny, Jesse and a few coworkers she’d met today. When her aunt and uncle returned, Aunt Leann would probably introduce Casey to her friends.
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