by Jen Talty
“I’ll handle my boss, but I’m concerned about safety. I wish you would take Coop. He behaves really well for you. He just gets riled up sometimes.”
“I’ve got too many errands to run today, so taking Coop isn’t a good idea, but I wouldn’t mind having him around when I get home.” What the hell was she doing? She needed to stay away from sexy men with adorable dogs.
Mason smiled as he dug his hand into his pocket. “Here’s my house key. He’s all yours. I’ll be home around seven, if nothing goes too horribly wrong at work. I’ll bring home some steak to grill.”
“Not necessary. I can feed myself.”
“I’m sure you can, but why cook when I’m offering. All you have to do is bring a bottle of wine.” Mason jogged down the steps. “I won’t take no for an answer. Call me if you need me.”
“Just remember it’s not a date.”
“Got it.” He waved as he jumped into the cab of his pickup.
She pulled out her phone. She was a lot of things, but she wasn’t too stupid to live. Making this phone call would give her peace of mind.
“Hey, Siri, call Uncle Richard.”
The phone rang once.
“What’s wrong?” Agent Sterling asked.
She bit down on her lower lip. “I was sort of a witness to a kid holding a knife—”
“Yes. I know. I’ve read the police report. I also know the boy is missing. Since Jake or anything else the cops are looking into in Thief Lake isn’t directly connected to your case, there isn’t much I can do. I doubt my boss would sign off on it at this time.”
“I don’t want to leave. I just thought you’d want to know.”
“Do you feel unsafe? Do you think anyone knows who you really are? The chief of police has had dealings with the Witness Protection Program. He’s a smart man, and so is his second.”
“Then why am I renting the assistant chief of police’s cottage?” Every syllable that rolled off her tongue was laced with a heavy dose of aggravation.
“Because it was the only one available. Besides, I figured it would keep you from running any gambling tables.”
“This town certainly has a shit ton of money.”
“Don’t even joke about stuff like that,” Agent Sterling said. “I believe your identity is safe and you have nothing to worry about. We’ll keep an eye on the situation. But if that kid does show up, don’t go playing heroics like you did in the diner. Just call the cops and let them do their job, got it?”
“Yes, sir,” she said.
“Sarcasm will always get you in trouble. Now, remember, we’ve got your back.” The phone clicked off.
She should feel better, but as she sat on her front porch, staring down at the small town, she’d never felt so alone in all her life.
5
Mason sat at his desk in the station and flipped open his laptop. He scanned in the images from his cell phone of the graffiti on the side of his cottage. He hoped something would pop up, giving him some insight into the image, but all he got was random drawings of shit that made no sense.
The closest thing he found was a logo for a small-time casino owned by a man named George Charleston just outside of Louisville, Kentucky.
Mason keyed both the name of the casino and the owner into the police database. George had been arrested twice for domestic abuse, but both times the charges were dropped. As it turns out, George owns three casinos in the state of Kentucky, as well as having investments in other businesses.
Money laundering.
It had to be.
But what, if anything, did that have to do with Destiny?
His fingers hovered over the keyboard. He’d done a standard background check and credit check on Destiny when she signed both leases.
Screw it.
He typed her name into the database. The cursor blinked while the computer combed through the system in search of Destiny.
Nothing found.
Well, he already knew she didn’t have a criminal record. He opened up a web browser and did a Google search.
A few images of her with friends popped up along with some older man. An article about her parents’ death also appeared in the search. There was nothing he could find that associated Destiny with this George guy.
Or the logo.
Shit. Mason closed out the search. Julia had really done a number on him when it came to trusting women. He knew deep down not everyone was like his ex, and Destiny was sweet and kind and a total spitfire. He loved her spunk, and her personality sat right on the edge.
He found that exhilarating.
And terrifying at the same time.
He glanced over the screen. Blaine stood at the front door of the station, leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. He wore his standard black shirt and jeans. He almost never wore a uniform and didn’t require it of any of his deputies. However, everyone else wore them, including Mason. Only, he was getting to the point where he might consider a change in attire.
“What are you staring at?”
“Lilly,” Blaine said.
“Good grief, why?” Mason closed his laptop and made his way across the station. The florescent lights bounced off the dull tile floor. The sun filtered through the glass, warming his face while the cool air-conditioning kept his body from sweating.
“I’ve seen that car twice now.” Blaine pointed to a four-door fancy Mercedes. “I ran the plates, and it’s registered to a transportation company out of Indiana.”
“I saw it the morning we arrested Jake.”
“Before or after and where?” Blaine generally didn’t get a bug up his ass, but obviously something about this car bothered him.
“A couple hours later. Parked in front of Lilly’s real estate office. The Babcock residence just went up for sale, and I know they listed it with Lilly. I nearly choked when I saw the asking price.”
“Ten million.” Blaine whistled. “Makes me wonder what I could get for my place.”
“Your wife would kill you if you wanted to sell the bed and breakfast, especially after all the work you put into it.”
“I didn’t say I wanted to sell it. I’m just curious. Maybe you could go ask Lilly and while you’re at it, find out who owns that car.”
“Um. No. If you need to know so badly who is inside that flashy car, you go out there.”
Blaine laughed. “I’m going to call on the boss card. Lilly isn’t going to gossip with me. She hates me. You, on the other hand, she’d do whatever it took to get you in bed, so use that to squeeze her for information.”
“Why are you so hot to know who owns that car?” Mason didn’t push back too often when it came to his boss. Blaine was good at his job, and for the most part, he let Mason do things his own way.
“Do you remember when Kaylee came back to town?”
“You’re still worried about the mob?”
“When they try to kill your wife, you’re always worried. Now go find out who the hell that is.”
“Yes, boss.” Mason pushed open the door and cringed.
“Mason!” Lilly slinked up the sidewalk. Her red pumps clicked against the pavement. Her hips swayed back and forth in an obvious attempt at being sensual.
He couldn’t deny the woman was beautiful. And she wasn’t a bad person.
She just wasn’t for him.
It would take a special kind of man to handle Lilly, and sadly, Mason didn’t think he existed.
Anywhere.
“I heard what happened with Jake Lawson this morning. I can’t believe he beat up his own uncle. Should I be scared?” Lilly reached out and curled her perfectly manicured fingers around his biceps.
He shrugged, forcing her to release her grip. “We don’t know that Jake is the one who hurt his uncle and—”
“You mean we have a criminal wandering our streets?” Lilly had a tendency to be overdramatic. She’d used it a couple of times to trick him into coming to her house on the pretense that someone had broken in. Sh
e’d backed off for a few weeks after he lectured her on the boy who cried wolf, but it seemed since Destiny showed up in town, Lilly was game on.
“We’re checking all angles. Who belongs to this car?”
She glanced over her shoulder, lifting her white sunglasses up on the top of her head. “Mr. Rivers is a wealthy client looking for a summer home for his family. He would have no reason to harm anyone.”
“Where’s Mr. Rivers from?”
“Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis.” Lilly smiled, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder.
The woman just tried way too hard.
“Where’s this Mr. Rivers now?”
Lilly pointed toward the diner. “He’s getting some coffee for us to go. Then I’m taking him to the Babcock estate. For the third time. I really hope he puts in an offer today.”
“That commission alone should take care of you for the rest of your life.” The average listing in the town of Thief Lake was four hundred thousand. But on the lake, or in the hills, it was well into the millions, and he suspected Lilly had nice little nest egg.
“I’ll cut my commission in half to make that sale.” She dropped her sunglasses back over her eyes. “Mr. Rivers is on his way back. I can introduce you, if you want.”
“Sure.” Mason rested his hands on his hips, eyeing the gentleman sporting a dark suit coat with matching slacks. His expensive-looking pointy shoes clapped against the pavement. He carried a tray with a couple cups and a bag.
“I hope I’m not illegally parked, Officer.” The man set the tray on the hood of his car. “If I am, perhaps you’ll let me go with a warning?”
Mason could appreciate the man’s humor.
“You’ve got a few more minutes in the meter,” Mason said, stretching out his hand. “Mason Cooper. I’m the assistant chief of police in Thief Lake.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Roger Rivers. I’m considering making this lovely town my summer place.”
“You couldn’t have picked a better spot for that.” Movement from across the street caught Mason’s attention. He smiled when Destiny waved. “Mind if I ask why this area?”
“My wife and I drove through here last year, and she hasn’t stopped talking about the place ever since.”
“It’s a beautiful location. You can’t go wrong. I’ll let you two get back to business.” He glanced left and right, then jogged across the road, his heart hammering against his throat.
“I’ll see you at the Walker party?” Lilly called out.
He stopped on the sidewalk and closed his eyes for a brief second. If he didn’t answer, he’d look like an asshole, but if he answered how he really wanted to, he’d be a bigger jerk. “Hey, you,” he said softly, staring into Destiny’s dreamy blue eyes.
“Want some help with your stalker?” she asked.
“Yes, please.”
Destiny rose up on her tiptoes, resting her hand on his shoulder. She waved frantically. “Hey, Lilly. I’m so glad you’re going to the birthday party this weekend. Maybe we can chat a little about your party needs.”
Did he dare steal a glance in Lilly’s direction? He did, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing as Lilly lowered those big white sunglasses and peered over them with a scowl. Her lips drew into a tight line. He’d seen that look before.
“She’s going to think we’re dating,” Destiny said.
“Would be that so bad?”
She patted his chest. “I’m not going to date you.”
“If I kissed you right now, everyone would think we’re dating.”
She cocked her head back. “I don’t mind helping you get Lilly off your back, since you’re not man enough to do it.”
“Not man enough?” he asked with a cough lodged in his throat.
“That didn’t come out right. What I meant to say was that you can only use me for so long because we’re not going to date, so you just really need to put your foot down.”
“I have,” Mason mumbled.
“Not hard enough.”
He nodded, taking a small step back.
“Now, I need to go get some lunch before my next appointment.”
Mason’s phone buzzed. He checked the caller ID.
Blaine.
“I have to get back to work.” Without thinking, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you later. Don’t forget the wine.” He made his way back across the street. The summer sun shone bright in the July sky. Only a couple more weeks before cool August nights grabbed hold of the Minnesota air, making it crisp like a pear. He loved the fall more than any other season.
Blaine greeted him at the door. “So, you and the new girl?”
“I was working on it before you so rudely interrupted me.”
“Duty calls. There was an incident down at Roady’s. I need you to go check it out.” Blaine slapped Mason on the back. “I think this one might really like you.”
“Hard to tell when my boss won’t let me get my game on.”
“You don’t have game,” Blaine said.
He had a point.
Destiny poured herself a hefty glass of red wine. She swirled the light liquid before bringing it to her nose. It was a far cry from the two-hundred-dollar bottle of pino noir that she’d been used to when she’d been with Lucas.
She closed her eyes and sipped.
But it would do the trick.
“You stay put.”
Coop rested his chin on his paws and closed his eyes. When she got home, she made sure she ran the dog hard. That way, he would nap while she took care of business. Glancing at the clock, she had only an hour before Mason would be pounding at her door.
Of course, she should have just left the dog in Mason’s house, but the damn thing started barking, and she just couldn’t leave the thing locked up in the house.
She tucked the box that had been delivered earlier under her arm and headed toward her bedroom. To be safe, she closed the door and locked it.
Twisting the knob in the master bathroom tub, she waited for the water to hit the right temperature. She rested the glass on the side and opened the box, pulling out a standard issue blue vibrator. Nothing outrageous, but she made sure it was waterproof.
She groaned, and not in a good way. It wasn’t that she’d never used a vibrator before. Of course she had. Hell, she and Lucas had a collection of tame toys.
But to use it so she could rid herself of all sexual tension so she could be in the presence of her hunky landlord seemed pathetic. She figured if she had a mind-blowing orgasm before he came home and cooked them dinner, then she wouldn’t find herself flirting back.
One of these days she’d have to take a trip into the nearest big city and find a one-night stand. Flesh and blood would be a lot better than a rubber object that wiggled.
She twisted the knob, and the thing flipped out of her hands and into the tub.
“Well, I might as well join you.” She shed her clothes and eased into the bathwater, which rippled over her skin. She downed the rest of the wine before finding the vibrator. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
Immediately, she let her mind wander to the sexy policemen. She pictured him wearing a pair of jeans with no belt, so they hung low on his hips. And no T-shirt, showing off what she imagined was a tight stomach and hard pecs. She also pictured his chest to be free of any hair. Just supple skin that made her fingers twitch.
She clutched her breast with one hand, rolling her nipple between her thumb and forefinger as she eased the vibrator up her leg, pretending it was the tip of Mason’s tongue.
Ruff! Ruff!
She sloshed in the tub, dropping the vibrator, on full blast, no less.
Grrrrrrr!
Ruff!
Grrrrrrr!
That didn’t sound good. Jumping from the tub, she quickly dried off and threw on her jeans and T-shirt, leaving her bra and panties on the floor.
And the water vibrating.
“What’s got you all riled up?�
� She stepped into the family room.
The hair on Coop’s back stood tall. He cocked his head and raced past her into the kitchen. His snarl turned deadly.
The sound of her back door rattling echoed between barks. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a silhouette race around to the side of the house. She squinted, trying to make out as many details as possible, but the shadow ducked behind the bushes. Quickly, she found her cell.
“Destiny?” Mason’s voice filled her eardrum, sending a warm shiver down her body.
Coop’s insistent barking didn’t stop.
“Everything okay?”
“Actually, no. I think someone just tried to break into my house. Whoever it was ran into the wooded area.”
“Stay inside and keep Coop with you. I’ll be there in less than five.” The phone went dead.
“Coop. Come here,” she commanded.
The dog did a dance by the back door, snarled once more, then trotted to her side. She leaned against the wall, holding the curtains between her fingers. The summer sun was still hours from settling behind the rolling hills. In the distance, she could see a patrol car pull out onto the main drag.
Her chest hurt, and she could barely take in a breath.
She didn’t wait for Mason to get out of his vehicle before opening the door. Coop took off like a bat out of hell.
“Leash,” Mason commanded in a dark tone.
Coop skidded to a stop, glancing over his shoulder.
“Oh, wait. It’s right here.” She quickly reached inside the door. “Why do you need it?”
“I’m going to check things out, and I want Coop with me.”
“I see.” She handed him the leash with a shaky hand.
“Anything you can tell me about what he was doing? Where he came from?”
“Whoever it was got Coop’s attention at the front door. By the time I made it out here, Coop was in the back, and I saw someone run into the woods. He wore a baseball cap. It was blue. Or maybe black. I don’t think he was too big. Certainly not as tall or wide as you. Hell, I can’t even be sure it was a man or a woman.”
“Get inside. Lock the doors. I won’t be long.”
