Get Blondie

by Cassidy, Carla

  Adam had no idea what Burt’s plans were immediately following the distribution process, but Adam intended to be long gone by the time the dopers and dealers realized what was going on.

  The Fourth of July would usher in death and destruction, which would wreak havoc for days, weeks and months afterward. He had no doubt that there would be anarchy in the streets as people died. Fear would reign, then anger would follow.

  Adam was a patient man. It would be years before anyone would smoke a joint or snort some coke and not be afraid of instant death. It would be a kind of justice for Miranda.

  It would be nice if he had a beautiful blonde to share his triumph…a beautiful blonde named Jessica.

  Chapter 11

  “I want you to move in with me.”

  Cassie looked at Adam in surprise. It was Thursday evening and for the past three nights she and Adam had shared late night dinners after she finished working at the club. Tonight they were once again in Anthony’s.

  “I know it’s a big step,” he continued. “And you could have your own bedroom until you felt ready to take the next step and move into mine.” His voice was smooth seduction, but it had zero effect on her.

  She pretended to contemplate his offer. If she were living there, then surely she’d be able to find time to access the rest of his files and e-mails and get the rest of the details of his plan.

  “Look, I know you’re an independent woman and don’t want to be beholden to anyone, but this would mean so much to me,” he continued.

  “It’s a big step,” she said softly. She picked up her wineglass and took a drink, her expression thoughtful. She placed the glass back on the table and twisted the stem between two fingers. “We’ve had lovely times together so far. But living together is quite different than dating. You might find me utterly irritating.”

  He laughed. “I doubt that very seriously. It’s quite possible you’ll find me a bore.”

  “Never.” She frowned. “We really haven’t known each other that long, Adam.” She hesitated a long moment and felt his tension building. “What about a kind of trial run…maybe we try it for a week and see how things work out?”

  “Sounds like a good plan,” he agreed, obviously pleased. “I feel confident you’re going to see that we are meant for each other.”

  “At the moment the only thing I’m confident about is the fact that it’s past my bedtime and I need to get home.”

  “And pack,” he said. “If I had my way, we’d take you home right now, pack you up and get you settled into my place.”

  “Tomorrow,” she said. “I’ll pack up after a good night’s sleep and be at your place tomorrow.”

  He reached across the table and captured her hand with his. “I guess that will have to do, although I confess I’ve never been a patient man. I want what I want when I want it and I want you in my life, in my home, right beside me right now.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Good things come to those who wait.” She placed her napkin on the table and stood, eager to get home, take a shower and wash away the stress and strain of acting the smitten girlfriend with Adam always produced.

  Within minutes she was in her car heading for her apartment. Tomorrow she would be living in Adam’s house and surely at some point or another she would be able to either access the files on his computer to find the information she needed, or overhear a conversation that would clue her in about his Fourth of July massacre.

  In return he’d have access to her, running his hands over her shoulders with that smug, proprietary smile on his face. During the last several days she’d had to endure more and more of his touches, his love pats and strokes and always with ice-blue eyes gleaming with the pride of possession. It made her skin crawl.

  As she drove her thoughts turned to Max. She wondered how he was doing. Before this assignment she’d spoken with him almost every day. She missed him, missed his wit and frank advice, his ability to cheer her up and keep her honest with herself.

  But even though she’d like nothing better than to hear his voice, she didn’t want to risk calling him. She had no idea if Adam had tapped her calls, how far-reaching his power might be.

  Beyond exhaustion, she parked her car and got out. Even though it was late and she was tired, she needed to contact Kane and let him know her plans to move in with Mercer.

  As soon as she was in her apartment, she used the cell phone to call Kane. He didn’t answer and she left only a four-word message. “We need to talk.” She clicked off, opened the window, then sat to wait, knowing that he would arrive soon.

  Ten minutes later she watched as first one long leg, then Kane’s head appeared inside the windowsill. As always she was amazed by his agility. Even though she’d been expecting him, she’d heard no scrape or bump to herald his arrival. He’d managed to climb the building facade without making a single sound.

  “Got your message,” he said, once he was fully inside the apartment. “What’s going on?” He sank down next to her on the sofa.

  “I’m moving in with Adam tomorrow.”

  Kane stood and stared down at her, his eyes darker than she’d ever seen them before. He looked like a vampire ready to bite in his black get-up as he loomed over her. “Is that really necessary?”

  She could tell from his cool tone he didn’t like the idea. “I have to have access to his computer and living there will hopefully give me that access. Yes, it’s necessary.”

  “I don’t like it.”

  “I’m not jumping with joy over the prospect myself,” she replied dryly. “Please, sit down. You’re making me nervous.” In truth, she felt unusually fragile, worried about moving in with Adam and vulnerable to Kane’s nearness.

  He returned to the sofa and sat, a frown tugging at his handsome features. “How long do you think it will take to get the rest of the information for us? The Fourth of July isn’t that far away.”

  “I can’t make any promises, but I’d hope I can get something over the next day or two…if he leaves me alone long enough. What’s happening on your end?”

  Kane ran a hand across his lower jaw, a gesture she knew spoke of frustration. “Nothing. We’re trying to find out who is manufacturing the drugs, where it might be coming from. But none of our sources have come up with any information on this particular deal.”

  “So nobody on the street is talking about this?”

  “On the contrary, everyone on the street is talking about a big deal going down in the near future, but nobody seems to have any substantial information.”

  “All the more reason why it’s necessary for me to move into Adam’s house.”

  Kane stood once again and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I guess I figured it would come to this, but I was hoping it wouldn’t. You know this is the most dangerous part of your assignment.”

  She nodded, then tried on a small smile. “It can’t be any more dangerous than carrying a tray of drinks through a crowded bar.”

  “You spill a drink, no big deal. You screw up with Mercer you get dead.” He drew a deep breath and pulled his hands out of his pockets. “Mercer’s old girlfriend showed up last night.”

  “Really? Where?”

  “The morgue.” He paused a moment to let his words sink in.

  They sunk in all right…digging deep into her bones and injecting her blood with an icy chill. “I don’t suppose she died of natural causes?”

  “Only if you consider being strangled and having the hell beaten out of you natural.”

  Cassie sank back onto the sofa. “Where was she found?”

  “Some distance off one of the walking paths in Riverfront Park. Apparently a couple of kids playing in the park stumbled across her.”

  Cassie was silent for a long moment. Poor Nicole. From everything she’d heard from the other waitresses at Night Life the young woman had been genuinely nice.

  All she’d wanted was a better life than the one she’d been dealt, and she’d thought Adam Mercer was the ticket to that
better life. Instead she was dead, beaten and strangled and left in a park to be discovered by kids.

  “How long had she been there?”

  “Hard to say for sure, but my sources told me that the park was just the dump site and she’d been there for several weeks.”

  “Forensic evidence?”

  “Nothing so far and nothing expected to turn up. Unfortunately in the last couple of weeks we’ve had typical Missouri weather…high winds, rain and heat. Whatever trace evidence might have been there has probably blown or washed away by now.”

  Cassie swept a hand through her hair and leaned her head against the back of the sofa. “Will they question Adam?”

  “Certainly.” Kane leaned with his back against the wall next to the window. “He was questioned initially when she was reported missing but there’s no evidence tying him to the murder except that he once dated Nicole. They’ll question him again now that her body has been found.”

  “He was probably the last person to see her alive.”

  “True. But you have to remember nobody knows what we know about Mercer. To most of the world, to most of the cops in this city, he’s a wealthy man doing good works for this community and others.”

  “You know he killed her…or he had her killed,” she said. Probably Burt, if she had to make an educated guess. He already had a history of violence.

  “We’re coordinating with the authorities to go easy in their investigation of the murder where Mercer is concerned. We don’t want to put unnecessary heat under him and screw up the drug deal.”

  “Yeah, the last thing we need is to scare him off and have him set up another time in the future that we might not get wind of,” she replied.

  “Cassie, it’s important you understand that these men play for keeps. When Mercer breaks up with a woman, apparently he breaks up forever.”

  “I appreciate you telling me, but of course Nicole’s death changes nothing. If I don’t get in and get the information to stop the distribution of the drugs, then Nicole’s death will only be the first of thousands.”

  Cassie leaned her head against the back of the sofa and closed her eyes. If her mother still used drugs, then it was quite possible she could be one of Adam’s victims. If Billy had followed in their mother’s footsteps, then he, too, could get hold of the poisoned drug and die. “We have to stop him,” she said.

  She jumped and opened her eyes as Kane’s hands fell on her shoulders. She hadn’t heard him move behind the sofa. As his hands gently kneaded her shoulders, she closed her eyes once again.

  For just a moment she allowed herself to feel only the pleasure of his touch. She wanted him. Even though she’d left him years ago, even though she knew wanting him was the last thing she needed in her life, she couldn’t help the raw emotions that roared through her as he rubbed her shoulders.

  His familiar scent eddied in the air. She could feel his warm breath on her neck and a responding heat swept over her. “Don’t be a hero, Cassie,” he said softly. “If things get too dangerous, then get out.”

  “I’ve got to get the information.”

  He dropped his hands from her shoulders and walked back to stand in front of her. “It’s too late to save them, Cassie.” His voice was soft, gentle. “They were lost a long time ago.”

  She didn’t pretend not to understand who he was talking about. He knew her too well. He knew the hole inside that had been created when her family had left her on the street and driven away. Max was the only other person who knew her hunger to find her mother and brother.

  “They’re my family, Kane. I have to find them. And even if I can’t find out anything about their whereabouts, we’ve still got to stop this shipment. Too many lives are at risk.”

  “I wish we could trade places.”

  She stood and walked with him toward the window. She forced a smile to her lips. “I’m afraid you aren’t Adam’s type.”

  Those dark eyes of his gazed at her intently. “I wish you weren’t.”

  She frowned, not liking the way the conversation was going. She didn’t want Kane to care. His personal feelings for her was what had almost gotten him killed on the last job they had worked together.

  “Be grateful I am,” she said sharply. “Somebody has to get in and get that information. It was what I was brought back to do, remember?”

  A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Yeah, right. The White Rose is back on the job. I just don’t want to see you getting yourself killed by taking unnecessary chances.”

  “You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you, Kane?” Her words hit the mark. His features tightened and his hands fisted at his sides. Instantly she wanted to call the words back. An apology formed in her head, but before it could reach her lips, he backed her up against the wall.

  “You picking a fight with me, Cassie?” His voice was dangerously low as he pressed his body close to hers. She put her hands up against his chest to push him away, but it was like pushing against a rock-solid wall. Or maybe it was because she didn’t push all that hard.

  “I don’t want to fight.” Her voice was slightly husky and her heartbeat raced.

  “Neither do I.” His mouth crashed down on hers…possessing…demanding her to give in to the desire reeling through her. He shoved her hands away from his chest and pulled her tight against him, so tight she could feel every muscle of his taut body.

  His tongue battled with hers and instead of pushing against him, she found herself grasping his shoulders to pull him closer, closer still.

  She had no thought of consequences, no ability to think of anything but the heat of Kane’s mouth on hers, the frantic need that rose up inside of her and the crazy feeling of homecoming that filled her as she stood in his arms.

  With an abruptness that made her gasp, he dropped his hands and backed away from her and toward the window. His eyes glittered with something that looked like anger.

  “Just don’t take any unnecessary chances, Cassie. Get in, get the information and get out.”

  Then he was gone.

  She stared at the open window for a long time, waiting for the strength to return to her legs, for her heartbeat to find a more normal rhythm. She finally managed to close the window and stumble back to the sofa where she sank down and drew a deep breath.

  She hadn’t realized how difficult it would be to deal with Kane again. She hadn’t expected the memories or the unwanted renewed burst of desire for him that knocked her flat every time he was near.

  There had been other men in Cassie’s life, not many but a few. But none of them had affected her on all the levels that Kane had, none of them had touched her both physically and emotionally the way he had managed to do.

  Max was right. She apparently had unresolved issues where Kane was concerned. The problem was she didn’t know how to resolve them. So she did what always served her best…she stuffed them deep inside and ignored them.

  Besides, she had more important things to think about…like how to get what they needed and stay alive.

  “Where are you?” Adam’s voice drifted across the phone line.

  “Here. Packing,” Cassie replied. It was just before noon and she’d spent the last hour gathering the things she needed to make the move to Adam’s house.

  “I’ve been expecting you all morning.” There was a slight petulance in his voice.

  “I’m sorry. I slept later than usual and I’ve been moving slow this morning.”

  “Having doubts?”

  “Absolutely not…what about you?”

  “Never.” The petulance disappeared and his deep laugh filled the line. “In fact, I feel like a schoolboy getting ready for a date with the popular cheerleader of my dreams.”

  “I’m no cheerleader,” Cassie said with a laugh.

  “And I’m no schoolboy, but that’s how you make me feel…young and excited about life. How long will it be before you are here with me? Do you need help? I can send one of my men over to help you.”

  “That’
s not necessary,” she protested quickly. The last thing she wanted was one of Adam’s goons in her apartment. “I shouldn’t be too much longer here. I imagine I’ll be at your house by one.”

  “Then I’ll instruct Ramona to have lunch waiting for when you arrive.”

  “That would be nice. You know me, I’m always starving.”

  “And I’m starving for your nearness, the scent of your perfume and your laughter.”

  As she finished her packing she thought of the days to come. They were going to be difficult days and nights, spent with a man not only capable of murder, but planning the murder of many. She didn’t even want to think about the possibility of having to sleep with him.

  It was just a few minutes before one when she pulled her car in front of Adam’s house. Apparently security had been alerted of her arrival, for when she pulled up in front of the gates, they automatically opened to allow her entry.

  Adam greeted her in the driveway, flanked by Burt and Sebastian. He instructed the two men to unload the car and drive it to the garage, and then led Cassie inside for lunch.

  “So how do you like to spend your spare time?” he asked while they were eating lunch. “I don’t know what you do when you aren’t working or aren’t spending time with me.”

  “Not a lot,” she replied. “I don’t have a lot of hobbies, although I like to read.” She lowered her voice and continued, “When Jimmy was alive I didn’t have time for hobbies. I was so busy working and taking care of him.”

  “Now you’ll have time to pursue whatever hobby strikes your fancy,” he said. “In fact, I’d really like it if you would consider not working at the club anymore.”

  Cassie set down her fork and frowned. “But I have to work, Adam.” It would definitely work to her advantage not to have to worry about working at the club. The more time she spent in this house, the more opportunities she’d have to sneak into his study.