Page 81 of Cornered

SIXTEEN

CASSIE LAUNCHED HERSELFout of the chair she’d been sitting in, and she didn’t stop moving until she was in Donovan’s arms. He wrapped her in his embrace and pulled her tight against him. His lips brushed her temple, he took a shuddering breath, and then his big body shook around her.

She sensed more than saw the room empty around them as her cousins gave them privacy, and for several moments, the room was completely silent. She held him and he held her and it was impossible to know who was holding on tighter.

Eventually he released her, only to cradle her face in his hands and use his thumbs to brush away her tears. Cassie placed her hands over his wrists and leaned into him. “We need to get something out of the way right now.”

He tensed.

“I’m never letting you go.”

A faint smile flirted with his mouth and his thumb brushed across her lips. “Good.” The word came out deep and certain. “Then you won’t mind when I tag along wherever you go.” He swallowed hard. “Because you’re never getting rid of me.”

“Good.”

He brushed her nose with his, then placed the softest of kisses on the corner of her mouth. When she chased his lipswith hers, the laughter that rumbled in his chest sent a shiver through her. “Later, baby.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Your family needs to see you alive and well, and while I have a lot of questions, we need to get you checked out by a doctor.”

If they tried to make her go to the hospital in Asheville, she was going to refuse. “I want Aunt Carol.”

“She’s on her way here.” Cal’s voice came from the doorway. When she turned to face him, she kept her body aligned with Donovan’s, and he didn’t release her. Cal quirked an eyebrow and huffed out a breath that spoke volumes.

“Don’t go big brother on me, Cal.” She didn’t want to fight with him. He and Mo were her favorite cousins. But she would do what she had to. She wasn’t going to tolerate them hassling Donovan.

“Sweet girl, I’ll go big brother on you every day and twice on Sunday.” Before Cassie could protest, Cal pointed at Donovan. “’Bout time you got this sorted. Hurt her again and we won’t be forgiving.”

“Hey! I’m standing right here!” Cassie would have said more, but Donovan squeezed her close, and when she looked up, he gave her a wink before focusing on Cal.

“There’s no need to worry. I learn from my mistakes. I don’t repeat them.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Cassie buried her face in Donovan’s chest. “Make him go away.”

Not only did Cal not go away, but the next few hours were a blur. Her parents arrived and there was more crying. Then Aunt Carol, who was technically her great-aunt, Cal’s mom, and the town doctor, came to examine her and take so much blood that Cassie asked her if she had a secret life as a vampire.

When they got to the police station later, she settled in on the cozy couch in Gray’s office while Gray and Donovanasked her questions for what felt like forever. Nothing they asked helped narrow down the search for Steven’s accomplice. Nothing made any sense. And then Donovan handed her an iPad. “Bronwyn sent me a file with the photos of everyone on staff at The Haven.”

“I’m not sure if this will help.” Cassie studied each photo. She’d only been on staff for a month, and her interaction with employees had been extremely limited. “I haven’t met most of the people who work at The Haven. I haven’t even met all of the front of house staff at Hideaway.”

“How is that possible?” Gray asked. “Are there seasonal workers or...”

“No. Well, I mean, maybe there are some students who are only there during the summers. But The Haven doesn’t have an offseason so it’s not like anyone is getting laid off in the winter.” She pointed to the screen. “This girl. I’ve seen her. But I can’t tell you where. Maybe she’s a server. Maybe she’s a housekeeper.”

She scrolled through more photos and tried to concentrate. Even with nearly twelve hours of drug-induced sleep, her head still pounded and she needed more rest.

Her hand hovered over the screen, and she stared at the photo that filled the space. “This is Wyatt Patterson. I know him.” She shuddered at the thought of how and why his voice had been so familiar. How could he be here? “This is the man who was with Steven. He’s the one who’s been trying to get rid of me. What does he do at The Haven?”

Gray placed a call to Bronwyn. The answer was unexpected and unwelcome. “Bronwyn says he’s been a server at Hideaway for six months. His file says he has a good rapport with the guests and with his coworkers.”

“I bet he does.” Cassie had to force herself not to throw the iPad across the room.

“Why do you say that?” Donovan took the iPad from her.

“Because he’s a drug dealer. He’s the one who was supplying Chef Albert in Atlanta.”

Gray was typing away on his computer before she finished speaking. “Then why isn’t he in jail?”

“They couldn’t get proof that would stand up in court. But in the restaurant, it was an open secret. Lots of the staff got their cocaine from him. Can I see the photo again?”

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