Page 26 of Taking Care of the Target

Vince didn’t move, didn’t breathe, simply stared straight into his uncle’s eyes. “If it comes down to it, I’ll do what needs to be done.”

Chapter Fourteen

Daylight, library nearby, Vince even closer—all reasons Cassie should feel safe. She definitely felt safer with Vince than she would’ve without him, yet she couldn’t help but flinch every time a car drove by.

Without a word, Vince reached over and took her hand. The panic clawing at her insides eased, allowing her to take a few half-breaths. When the next car drove past, she didn’t flinch, simply held on to Vince a little tighter. Her lungs inflated and deflated as normal. Progress.

“We made it to the park,” he said, giving her hand a light squeeze.

Trees. Grass. Water. No streets that allowed cars to come whizzing past, which added another couple of safety points. The last of the tension in her body faded as Vince guided her farther inside George Page Park. She’d expected swing sets and kids running around, but there was only a large stretch of grass, trees with leaves in varying shades of yellow and red, and a stream.

She lengthened her stride and stomped on a few of the leaves that’d already fallen, the satisfying crunch giving her more courage. The amused smile Vince shot her made her forget why she’d hesitated over his suggestion to take a walk in the first place.

The sound of a car made her spin around. At least twenty yards and several trees separated them from the blue sedan, but she still watched until it turned down another street. Okay, so maybe he couldn’t help herentirelyforget, but his smile was a nice reward for going out despite her fear.

Vince didn’t say much, simply held her hand and scanned the area like a silent sentinel. Sunshine warmed the top of her head, and she wanted to stretch out like a cat and absorb all she could before upper sixties temperatures disappeared for several months.

The pathway led them to an old metal and wood bridge. Their footsteps echoed against the planks, along with an occasional creak.

“I’m assuming this is an offshoot of the Delaware.” Cassie wrapped her free hand around the cool metal supports and poked her head over the side. The slow moving water below couldn’t be more than a couple of feet deep. “What’s it called? Do you know?”

“Assunpink Creek,” Vince said.

Cassie narrowed her eyes. “Ass-a-what? Are you messing with me because of my memory problems? Because that would besonot cool.”

The smile she’d expected didn’t come. She thought back to this morning, when he asked if she’d ever get her memories back—asked it like so much rode on it. Only she couldn’t tell which way he hoped for.

Maybe I answered the wrong way and now I’m just reminding him I’ve got issues.Not like she could do much about it. She nudged him with her elbow, trying to lighten the mood. “I was kidding.”

Finally, his lips curved, but only a fraction. “Hey, I didn’t name it.”

She watched the water until it felt like the bridge was moving along with it. Slightly dizzy, she glanced at Vince. She wondered whether long stretches of silence bothered him or not. She was used to them, but she didn’t want it to reach the awkward level, especially since her attempt to tease him hadn’t gone so well.

“You know, with all the craziness last night, we sorta skipped the get-to-know-you talk.” Last night’s near death experience made her automatically feel bonded to him, and she wanted to explore that connection and see if it ran deeper—she certainly hoped so. “What’s your last name?”

“DaMarco,” he said.

“Mine’s Dalton. Okay, so what do you do for work?”

“I…manage a restaurant.”

“Hmm.”

His shoulders tensed. “What’s thehmmfor?”

She shrugged. “Nothing. Just not what I pictured you doing. I expected you to say, like, bodyguard. Or professional gym rat. Something like that.”

This time she got the full smile, and it warmed her from the inside out.

“The manager thing explains why you were so interested in my job last night, though,” Cassie said. “What? Checking out the competition?”

Vince pulled her in front of him and wrapped both arms around her waist so that her back met his firm chest. His whiskers tickled her ear when he said, “I told you. I was interested in you.”

The blood in her veins turned to liquid fire, and just like that, they were back to where she wanted to be. For a moment she’d been afraid he only felt responsible for her. Or that they were turning into friends, and she definitely had more-than-friendly feelings for him, common sense telling her he was way out of her league be damned.

She brushed her thumb over the coarse hair on his forearm and leaned back into his embrace. “My manager’s a bit…I can’t think of the right word. ‘Eternally grouchy’ is pretty accurate, although he took a chance on me, so I can put up with a little grouchiness. What kind of manager are you?”

“I’d like to say that I’m the perfect blend of grouchy and friendly.” His low voice rumbled through his chest and echoed in hers.

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