Page 49 of Once Kissed

I meant it to be funny, but this time Tess isn’t laughing. Her voice develops that hint of sadness it usually carries, and it bothers me more than it should. “I know you’re used to getting a lot of attention from women,” she says. “And I know you have a lot of experience. But my experiences are few, as are the men I’ve cared for.” She sighs. “I don’t want to be used, Curran. And I won’t be.”

“I’m not trying to use you,” I tell her truthfully.

“Then don’t,” she says. Her warm breath teases my skin as she thinks things through. “I’m not asking you for a commitment, only honesty. The reason I’m clean is because aside from my time with you, I’ve been really careful.” She lifts her head. “If you want to be with someone else, that’s your right. I don’t need details, or names, or anything. I just need you to tell me.”

My fingers stroke her lower back. “You won’t be mad if I’m with someone else?”

“No. But I won’t welcome you back in my bed, either. There are a lot of things wrong in my life, Curran. I don’t want you to be one of them.”

Chapter 12

Tess

“What about the paperwork to the judge?” Declan asks as he continues to sort through his notes.

I scroll through my iPad. “All sent, all received.” I finish reading through Simon’s email. “His law clerk is reviewing everything now. He assures me that he’ll have a trial date for you this afternoon once the judge wraps up his sentencing.”

Declan’s stance relaxes, but only slightly. The Montenegro case is proceeding full speed ahead. We’re holding his second, and one of his hit men, on charges varying from narcotics distribution to murder. Their hearings will have to wait. But Montenegro’s can’t.

If Montenegro’s men don’t help put him away, Declan is determined to make them pay. Yet even with their help, this case won’t be easy. Montenegro is cunning and has covered his tracks well. But that doesn’t mean he’s safe against Declan.

Declan is known as “the lion” among the other DAs, and by the looks of it, that lion is readying to go after his prey. I put my iPad away and sort through the files he needs to review. Our current issue is that we still have nothing on the third in command.

Declan leans back in his chair, appearing lost in his thoughts, but then his expression changes and he smiles. “I almost forgot.” He reaches into his drawer and pulls out a flip phone, then slides it across the desk to where I’m sitting.

“What’s this?”

“Curran said you didn’t have a cellphone.”

I try to brush off the remark. “Oh, I can’t afford it. Tuition, rent—everything seems out of control.”

Declan scoffs. “Tell me about it. Even with all the aid I received, I’m still paying my law school tab.” He motions to the iPad. “Do you at least get text access on that thing?”

“No, and I don’t have money to go wireless. My apartment offers free Internet. I tap into the Wi-Fi there, here, and at school when I need it.”

Like Curran, Declan seems to realize I’m holding something back. I’m thankful he doesn’t press. “Well, then Curran’s right. Looks like you need one. It’s from the Victim Services Unit.”

I glance up. “Won’t the team there miss it?”

“Not at this time. There’s a tremendous turnaround in that department—a new director’s taking over. She’s been saddled with supervising all the units in the county and is restructuring them accordingly. She’s visiting each one now to get things started, but her home base will eventually be here.”

“Wow. That seems like a lot of work.”

He laughs. “Tell me about it. It’s Miles Fenske’s daughter, though—I think her name’s Melissa—and if she’s a workhorse like her old man, I’m sure she can handle it.”

I tilt my head. “Isn’t there a conflict of interest, seeing how he’s the acting DA here?”

Declan unbuttons the cuffs of his sleeves and rolls the first one up. “I think that’s what most are going to assume. Hell, I did. But she started out in Harrisburg at the state level and really kicked ass—cut a lot of baggage loose, and hired people who were committed and had the education to help victims of violent crimes.”

I play with the phone in my hand as I consider his words. “How was she able to do that? With so many budget cuts, it seems impossible to hire the right people with the right education.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” he says, adjusting his other sleeve. “From what I hear, her dedication caught the governor’s attention. The governor credits Melissa with her reelection based on her accomplishments and changes to the victim assistance program.” He quirks a brow. “The governor apparently gave her all the money she needs for the restructure, the hires, and pretty much anything Melissa wants—including smart phones for her staff. You’ll get one when they come in, in a couple of weeks.”

“How? I’m not working with Victim Services in any capacity.”

“Contessa, Miles told me he’d get me anything I need. You’re my legal intern, and you need a phone. So he secured one through his daughter.”

“Well, thank you. I appreciate it.”

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