by Amelia Shea
“What the fuck is goin’ on, T?”
“You asked me to keep them, I did, got attached to the brown one, now he’s mine. I’ll get her a new one.”
“You got attached?”
“Yeah.”
“To a dog?”
T rolled his eyes. “Yeah, got a problem with that, asshole?”
“T.” He felt Cassie’s small hand on his but he refused to look back at her. This was her dog now and he was staying.
Stone looked over at Cassie, then back at T. His face softened and he smiled. “Oh, I see.”
“What?” Sadie asked.
“T didn’t get attached to the dog.” He raised his brows. “Cassie did.”
Sadie looked at Cassie then back at T.
“T, stop glaring at him. It’s her dog, not mine.” Cassie stepped in front of him. “I’m sorry, guys, this should be a happy sweet moment and T’s ruining it because of me. He won’t keep either of your dogs, I promise. They’re great dogs, Sadie, super sweet.” She walked over to Baxter and petted his soft head. “He’s really playful and loves his belly rubbed, and he’ll get the tennis ball if you throw it. He just won’t bring it back. He likes to sleep in your lap and he snores.” She giggled.
“What about her?” Sadie started to pet Lulu.
“Oh, she’s a real sweetie, too.”
Sadie smiled, knowing the same thing T did—Baxter was hers. Sadie was good that way, she was sweet, it was what made Stone fall for her. T watched her pick up Baxter and place him in Cassie’s arms.
“He’s yours, Cassie.”
“What? No. He’s yours, not mine. Stone got him for you, both of them.”
Baxter curled in her arms and reached up to lick her face.
“See, he’s yours, Cass. I don’t need two dogs. All I ever wanted was one.” She looked down at Lulu. “And now I have one.”
Cassie looked over her shoulder at T, her eyes begging him to help her out. He just shrugged. She glared at him.
“I can’t keep Baxter.”
“You named him?” Stone shouted accusingly.
“I’m sorry.”
Sadie laughed. “There ya have it, you named him, you have to keep him. Did you give her a name?”
T smirked. This was fucking awesome.
“Uh, yeah, but only to have something to call her.” She looked up at Stone. “You guys should rename her.”
“What did you call her?” Stone asked suspiciously.
“Um.” Cassie gulped. “Lulu?”
“Oh, my God, I love it!”
“Fuck no, there’s no way I’m having a dog named fucking Lulu!” He looked over at T and scowled at him. T grinned.
“I love it, Stone.” She picked up her dog. “Lulu fits her perfect.”
“Sadie,” he growled.
She turned on Stone. “She’s my dog and I get to name her. And I love Lulu.”
“Fuck me.” He sighed in defeat.
Chapter 21
THE day had been crap. T had left early yesterday morning. He and Stone had gotten a lead on Jimmy and they thought they’d get him. Bogs stayed with her last night and would stay tonight until T got back. She liked Bogs, he was funny and fun. But she missed T. He wasn’t big on texting so the few messages that she sent went unanswered for hours. When he finally did respond they were one word answers. He said he’d call when they were heading home but that could be days.
The last two days had dragged at work. They were coming into the fall and it slowed down for a month or two at this time, picking up again in November. With her limited hours and need to stay in the office, all the errands had been left to Evie.
She stared at the clock and watched it hit five. Done, finally! She packed up her stuff and walked to the door. Evie had left with Beverly earlier to go over the event on Friday. Beverly gave her no sympathy when she explained about being attacked and needing to do office hours only for the next few days. She grumbled about Cassie being high maintenance and overly dramatic. Poor Evie was stuck touring all the event details with Beverly. She would find a way to make it up to her.
She looked into the empty lot. T had been adamant about her not leaving the building until he pulled up, which she found ridiculous, but did it anyway. Purposely pissing him off had not been on her agenda but today Bogs would be there. There was no way he’d yell at her.
Cassie opened the door, slid out, and locked up. She paced in front of the door watching for Bogs but the parking lot was quiet. She reached for her phone. Maybe he was running late.
“All alone?” Jimmy’s croaking voice had her jumping back. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. She took a step to the side, alert to the situation she was in. She was fucked!
Jimmy scratched his arms, almost drawing blood, while looking around the lot. “Where’s your bodyguard?”
“Jimmy, he’ll be here any second, you better go.” Her voice trembled.
He let out a nasty snarl. “Aw, Cassie, you worried about me? I’m touched.” He grabbed his crotch. “Really touched.”
Her entire body trembled and she decided to make a run for it but her decision came too late. He pounced on her as she turned and wrapped his arms around her stomach, pinning her arms to her side.
“Where ya going? You can’t leave before I give you a message for your dickhead.” His breath wafted over her nose and she retched, it smelled like onions and ass. His mouth came to her ear and she continued to struggle in his hold.
“You tell him, I gotcha once, I can do it again. I want my sister out of the rehab, he’s got until tomorrow. If she’s not out, I’m coming for ya, Cassie.” He dug his erection in her back. She struggled harder but she couldn’t get loose. Her eyes teared up in fear.
“And I will come for you, bitch.”
He dropped her to the ground and she barely caught herself. The sound of a car had her looking over her shoulder to see a blue SUV barreling toward her. Bogs. Thank you, God! She looked around her with no sight of Jimmy. It was as if he’d disappeared. The car slammed on the brakes and the door flew open. “What the fuck happened?”
Cassie felt large hands under her arms and she stood up, wiping the tears from her eyes. She hated crying. Bogs looked her over. His face appeared so different; she had never seen him like this, he was distressed. He lightly shook her. “Cassie, what happened, are you okay?”
“I-I…don’t-t-t kn-kn-ow, he came out of nowhere,” she stuttered.
“Who?”
“Jimmy.”
The color drained from Bogs’ face. His body tensed and the grip on her arms tightened. This was another look she hadn’t seen. Rage.
“That was Jimmy? He attacked you?”
She nodded.
Bogs dragged her to the truck, opened the door, and ushered her in. He slammed the door closed. She watched him walk to the front of the truck and stop. He was looking down and a second later his phone was at his ear. She couldn’t hear what he was saying but she watched his face turn from pale to red. His empty hand balled in a fist and he angrily glared at her. She shrunk into the seat. She knew who he walking talking to and she knew she had messed up.
Bogs got in the car and drove out of the lot. His anger permeated the truck. She took a breath and opened her mouth. “Bogs, I…”
His hand came up in the air and stopped her. “Shut up.”
“But I…”
“Shut up, Cassie, I mean it.”
“Why are you so mad?”
He looked at her incredulously. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
She didn’t answer, stung by his anger.
“You were supposed to stay in the fucking building.”
“I know but I just thought…”
“What?”
“I just don’t get why you are so mad.”
“What? You got hurt on my watch. What the fuck don’t you get? I had to make that call to T, he’s fucking livid. H
e’s hours away and if he could, he would have jumped through that fucking phone to beat the piss outta me. And I would have deserved it.”
“I’m so sorry; I didn’t think…I wasn’t thinking. Bogs, I’m sorry.”
“Just…” He paused, running his hand through his hair. “Please, just shut up.”
At that point, it was the least that Cassie could do, so she did what he asked. She shut up.
It was a long eight and a half hours. That was the time it took for T to drive back from wherever he was and charge through the door. She tried calling him in hopes of defusing the situation but her calls went straight to voicemail. She texted a few times.
Please answer your phone.
I’m sorry; it was stupid of me to leave before Bogs got there.
Please don’t be mad at Bogs. This is my fault, not his.
All the texts went unanswered. It was now three o’clock in the morning and she still hadn’t heard from him.
She was texting him again when she heard the car door slam and saw T charge through the door. Stone was a few feet behind him. He looked pissed off but T looked far more than that. He looked enraged.
She backed up as he stalked toward her. His face was red and his eyes were so dark they almost looked black. Fear ran through her as she stepped back from him. He stopped only a foot away, his body towering over hers.
“What the fuck were you thinking?” He yelled so loud she flinched back another step.
“T,” Stone warned from behind him.
“Stay the fuck out of this.” His eyes never left hers. “Huh? What the fuck where you thinking? Answer me!”
Cassie stuttered her words. “I j-just thought…I did-d-n’t know…”
“He could have fucked you up, you know that? I told you about him, he’s fucking dangerous.”
“I didn’t know he was there.” Cassie held out her hands.
“Well, he was, and if you had fucking listened to me, then he wouldn’t have gotten to you. I warned you to be smart, fucking think.”
“I’m sorry, I thought…”
“No, you didn’t think, you were fucking stupid.” He ran his hands over his head and she digested the sting of being called stupid. “You’re going to your parents.”
Cassie’s head snapped up. “What?”
“You’re staying with your parents until he’s caught. Maybe you’ll be fucking smart and do what you’re told, ’cause you sure as shit ain’t listening to me.”
“But, T—”
“Go pack up your shit, I want you outta here. Bogs will drive you up after work.” He walked away and she grabbed his hand.
Tears streamed down her face. “I’m sorry.”
“Too fucking late.” He tugged his hand away from her, storming out of the living room. She could only watch him go. Her sobs grew louder when she realized he wasn’t going to change his mind. He wanted her gone, from his house, and probably from his life. She had really messed up.
Bogs came over to her and put his arm around her. “Shhh…Cass.” He rubbed her arm trying to soothe her. “Calm down, sweetheart.”
She sobbed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think.”
“Okay, baker girl, just calm down.” His voice was soft.
She stared at the empty hallway T just stormed through, praying he’d come back.
“I’ve never seen him so mad,” she whispered.
“That wasn’t anger, that was fear,” Stone said from across the room. Her eyes met his and his face was hard. He knew what T was feeling; she could sense it in his tone and read it on his face.
* * * *
T had been at the office since four in the morning. He glanced at the clock—12:36 pm. He rubbed his eyes. He was beat. No sleep in almost twenty-four hours. But there was no way he could sleep or even stay at his house. Cassie had made a stupid choice and now he needed her gone. He needed her safe. The ride back after he got the call from Bogs had ripped him apart. By the time he got to her he was raw. His chest ached, his head throbbed, and anger filled in body. That was the effect fear had on him.
T had just hung up with Trent when his dad stood in his doorway.
“Son.”
“Dad. It’s not a good time.” He looked down at his screen pulling up directions from the file. They had new information and they were closing in on Jimmy. Trent got word from the underground where he was hiding out. He needed to be patient if he was going to get Jimmy, but he would get him.
His dad strolled into his office and sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. He stretched his legs out and looked around T’s office.
T leaned back in his chair and sighed. “What’s up?”
“Heard Cassie’s gonna stay with her family?” he asked nonchalantly.
T kept his breathing even, though his heart hammered.
“Yeah, it’s for the best.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it is.” The silence sat between both men. They stared at each other until John released a short laugh. “Ya know, someday I’m going to die.”
“What the fuck, Dad?” T sat up, shocked by his dad’s statement.
“It’s true, I’ll die, and you’ll die. It’s the circle of life. People come in and out of your life, some stay a short while, others longer, and some forever, but no matter how short or long they stay, someday it will end.”
T put his hand up; he knew where his dad was going with this.
His dad ignored his hand and continued talking. “I miss your mom every day. I wake up every day and think, “another day without her,” but I get up and I live, ’cause I know that’s what she’d want for me. When she first died, I wasn’t sure my heart could take it.” John looked down at his hands in his lap. “She wasn’t supposed to die, T. We had plans, big plans. We were supposed grow old together, spoil our grandkids, share our empty house. She was supposed to outlive me, that’s how I wanted it.”
T was overwhelmed by his dad; he was never the one for heart to hearts. That was his mom’s job.
John’s voice cracked slightly, full of emotion. “But I wouldn’t change a thing, not one.”
T looked into his dad’s eyes. “I loved every minute, every second I had with her. I lost her too soon but I had more love and happiness with your mom than most men have in a lifetime. No, I wouldn’t change it. For as hard as her loss was, and still is, I would do it all again, because, T…” He stared at him. “It was worth it—she was worth it.”
T heard his dad’s words ring in his head. She was worth it. Cassie was worth it. He let his fear of losing her outweigh being with her and loving her.
“I was scared.” His voice was so low he wasn’t sure his dad heard him. Feeling the fear was one thing, admitting it was harder.
“I know you were, you still are. Giving someone your trust and your love, that’s no easy task. And it’s always a risk. But fourteen years ago you risked it, and I know you were scared. I know we agreed not to talk about it and I won’t break the vow your mother and I made to you. But we know the pain you suffered before coming to us. Then coming into a new family, not knowing if you could trust us. But you did, eventually. Loved us, eventually. It took time and patience but we knew you were worth it, T. Knew it from the first day we met you.”
“What if she doesn’t think I’m worth it?”
“Nonsense. You have the biggest heart out of all my boys; yours is just guarded the most. But Cassie, she knows. No matter how hard you try to keep it from her, she knows.”
Without another word, John got up and walked out his door. T watched him leave.
Chapter 22
BOGS had picked her up from work and brought her home about twenty minutes ago. He would be driving her to her parents’. It was better this way—a clean break from T.
Cassie tossed her sandals into her bag. It looked like her packing was done. She got onto the floor and lay down, looking under the bed. Nothing. She had everything. It was time to go. She got up from the fl
oor, tossing her bag over her shoulder. Turning around, she flinched. T was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame in his usual uniform of ripped jeans, works boots and a black T-shirt straining against his chest. Gorgeous. Why did he have to look like that?
“Oh, hey.” She tried to keep her tone light. She messed up, did something stupid—he didn’t want to deal with that. She understood. But it still hurt. There was a part of her that still held out a little bit of hope. When Jimmy was caught, maybe they could try and work things out.
“Done packing?” His deep voice vibrated through the small room.
“Uh, yeah, got it all.” She walked to him and before he could turn around she reached out for his hand. This time he let her take it. “For what it’s worth,” she smiled, “thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he grumbled, but didn’t let go of her hand. “Let’s go.”
He pulled her out of her room, three steps across the hall, and into his room. He let go of her hand, took her bag from her shoulder, and walked over to the bed.
What was going on? She looked around the room and then back to T. He folded his arms and stood tall. “Unpack your shit. Some of the drawers are empty. You need more, take them. Move my shit if you have to, I don’t care. Half the closet’s yours, or more if you need it. Don’t touch the gun safe, we’ll get you the code when I teach ya how to shoot.” He sighed a big breath that seemed like he had been holding.
“You want me to stay?” Cassie muttered.
“Yeah, if you want.”
Cassie walked up to T and wrapped her arms around his waist. His arms came unfolded and crossed over her shoulders. He pulled her into him and laid his lips sweetly to hers.
“I want to stay.” She smiled through the kiss.
He slapped her ass and walked to the door. “Unpack, I’ll start the grill for steaks.”
“T?”
He stood half in and half out the door and turned his head.
“What changed your mind? About me.”
“I finally realized something I knew all along.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re worth it.”
He walked out the door and Cassie listened to him descending the stairs.
