Page 34 of Taking Care of the Target

Holy shit, am I really going to be shot at again?Abandoning all worry of looking like a crazy person, Cassie sprinted full out. She made a sharp right and nearly plowed into a family of four.

Cassie apologized profusely and then peeked around the corner of the building, keeping her body as covered as possible by the sturdy brick wall.

The silver car was gone.

She rolled flat against the wall, working to get her heart rate back to normal. Her hand trembled as she ran it halfway through her hair and rested it on the top of her head.I think I’m going crazy.

She honestly didn’t know if the car just happened to be going her way, or if someone was watching her.It’s completely irrational to think someone would follow me, right?

After being shot at, her trust in the general public was a bit shaky, and yes, it could be affecting her judgment. But her instincts screamed that something wasn’t right. Hadn’t been quite right since her accident, if she were being honest.

If I would’ve taken Vince up on his offer to come get me, he’d know if that car was following me. Then again, if he’d picked me up, we’d be in his Jeep and the car probably wouldn’t follow us.

Besides, Vince had only made the offer because he wanted to loom in the corner while she talked to Tom, and the last thing she needed was for him to start a fight with a cop over nothing.

Her thoughts turned to Vince, the way they tended to do a lot these days, and she couldn’t help replaying last night. First he’d acted jealous and possessive, then there was the amazing make out session he’d abruptly stopped with no explanation, but then everything was fun and normal again as they’d cooked and ate dinner. Yet when he went to kiss her goodbye, it was uncharacteristically quick.

He was still holding back, and she couldn’t figure out why.

Maybe he just needs time. Hopefully he’ll eventually realize he can let me all the way in and we can move past…whatever we need to move past.

Cassie cast one last glance around and then pushed into the deli. While it was a bit cool outside, the heat pumping through the deli seemed extreme. She shed her coat and draped it over an arm. Tom wasn’t there yet, and she checked the time on her phone. Thanks to running like a lunatic for part of her walk, she was a few minutes early.

The sound of the opening door made her turn. Tom walked in wearing his police uniform. For some reason she hadn’t expected the uniform, which made it seem so official. But he was probably just on lunch break, while she hadn’t even started her workday.

He surprised her by pulling her into a hug. “It’s good to see you,” he said.

“Yeah, you too.”

Definitely a good thing Vince isn’t here.Maybe he’d be fine, but that scary gleam that entered his eye when she mentioned this meeting told a different story. She’d like to say she was above his jealousy turning her on a little, but she’d be lying.

Another thing she’d never experienced with any other guy.

She pulled back, realizing that in thinking about Vince she’d been the one to extend the hug too long.

“You look great,” he said, shooting her a wide grin. “As usual.”

“Thank you.”

Tom pulled out a seat for her at one of the nearby tables. The menus sat in the middle, and she lifted one and scanned the sandwiches, going back and forth between a couple of options. She’d just decided on the club when she lowered her menu and noticed the very distinct Jeep parked at the curb.

She slapped the menu down on the table.Okay, I take back liking the possessiveness. He’s clearly trying to give me a panic attack.

“Everything okay?” Tom asked.

She propped her mouth into a smile, hoping that having to force it didn’t make her look like a crazy person. “Yeah. Totally. I’m just hungry and can’t wait to eat.”

After she ordered her sandwich at the deli counter—and while Tom was distracted ordering his—she peered through the glass storefront of the deli, into Vince’s tinted window, trying to relay that he should not, under any circumstances, come inside.

But since she couldn’t see his face, she had no idea if he got the message.

***

Fucking cop.

He was going to get Cassie in trouble—or worse. Vince probably should’ve hung back. Been discreet. Instead he’d parked right in front of the deli window, so that if anyone else was watching Cassie, they’d have to get out of their car to do it, and then he could intercept them.

A silver Ford Taurus had driven by and slowed in front of McCarthy’s. Vince didn’t like it, but right now his hatred was mostly aimed at the cop, who was clearly there for more than checking up on Cassie’s medical condition.

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