Page 76 of Taking Care of the Target

Vince wiped them away with his thumb. “Please don’t cry, baby. I already feel bad enough.”

“I don’t want to go back to being alone. You ruined me. I can’t go back now that I know what it’s like to be with someone I can be myself around. Someone to share dreams with.”

He closed his eyes, just for a quick moment, and then they met hers. “Find another someone. Someone better.” He wound a strand of her hair around his finger. “Maybe try to find someone whose boss—whoseuncle—hasn’t sent them to kill you.”

“Is that supposed to be funny? I can’t just find another someone.” More tears spilled down her cheeks. “You’re it. I loveyou.”

“And I love you. That’s why there’s no other way.”

The announcement that the bus for Oklahoma City was now boarding came over the speaker. “You need to go,” Vince said. “You’ve got all of your cash, plus I put most of my stash in the backpack. I wish it was more, but between bailing out Bobby and giving him money for rehab, it’s not as much as I’d hoped. But it should at least get you started.”

“I don’t want your money. I want to come with you and help. I’d rather risk being shot than start over again.”

“Well, I’m not willing to risk it.” He grabbed the stupid pink backpack, pulled her out of her seat, and started toward the bus loading area. The stubborn donkey philosophy seemed as good as any, so she dragged her feet and pulled against him.

Unfortunately, Vince was strong enough that she wasn’t sure he even noticed. “Do I have to carry you onto the bus? Because I swear to God I will.”

“If you try it, I’ll start screaming.”

Vince spun around and tugged her to him, so fast her chest bumped into his. “Please don’t make this harder than it already is, Cassie. I love you, and if you love me, you’ll do this.”

“You’re not playing fair,” she said, and a fresh wave of tears rose up.

Vince crashed his mouth over hers. The kiss was wild, reckless, half-torture, all pleasure. His tongue memorized hers, and her body molded to his, the flood of sensations nearly sending to her knees.

When he broke the kiss, both of them were gasping for air. As the rest of the world pushed in, she realized they’d gained the attention of everyone around them. Vince leaned in, and his lips brushed her ear. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he said, and then he strode away and never looked back.

Chapter Thirty-Four

At least the bus hadn’t been completely booked, allowing for a few empty seats. Cassie would’ve felt sorry for anyone forced to endure her crying, sniffling, and subsequent stormy mood.

Four miserable hours had passed, and she hadn’t bothered stretching her legs at the first twenty-minute stop. But by the time they pulled in to Pittsburgh for their dinner stop, her body ached to move, and her stomach protested skipping the chance to eat. She frowned at the sign announcing their location—considering she’d left the state this morning to go to Maryland, only to come back, it felt like she was going in circles.

On autopilot, she walked into the diner and sat at the counter, which only reminded her how alone she was. When the waitress came by, she asked for a club sandwich.

“Excuse me?”

A neatly dressed woman with a stylish white bob smiled warmly, while the man next to her looked like he wanted to bolt. If she had to guess, she’d put the couple in the late sixties age range.

“Now, Maude, remember how we’re going to stay out of other people’s business?” he asked, gently nudging her toward a table. Or at least trying to; Maude was obviously better at dragging her heels than Cassie.

“Thanks for the reminder, Harold, but I just want to chat with her for a minute.” She made a shooing gesture. “Go have a seat and order me the special when they come by.”

Harold shook his head and made his way over to a booth, muttering under his breath. Maude sat on the stool next to Cassie. “I’m Maude, and I can’t help but notice you’ve had a rough day.”

“It’s been a little rough, but I’m fine, really.” Cassie even attempted a smile, but it didn’t feel right.

The skeptical press of Maude’s lips told her she wasn’t buying it. “My husband’s right. I get into other people’s business, but I like to think I help, and you, missy, look like you can use some help. So, unload. You rant or cry, and I’ll listen. After we hash it out, we’ll order a slice of pie, and you’ll feel better, I guarantee it.”

Cassie wondered how Maude would react to her telling the truth—she was on the run from the Mafia because she’d witnessed a murder, and to top it off, she’d fallen in love with the man who’d been sent to kill her. Oh, and he also happened to be the bad guy’s nephew. She doubted Maude would say, “My friend Gladys had the same thing happen to her!”

At least it’s an original problem,she thought, not sure whether she should laugh or cry.

“It’s that guy, isn’t it? The whole station saw that goodbye kiss, let me tell you.” Maude fanned her face. “Are you missing him already?”

“Yeah,” Cassie answered truthfully. “The problem is that I’ll miss him forever. That was goodbye.” Tears got caught in her throat, and she swallowed them down. No more crying.

“Oh, I don’t believe that. It might seem impossible now, but you two obviously have something special. You’ll work it out.”

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