Page 85 of Taking Care of the Target

“Your grandma.” Cassie smiled at Maude. “She made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

“But what made you leave Maryland in the first place? I never heard that part of the story.”

Her defenses prickled. She wanted to tell him she didn’t come over to be interrogated, but Owen’s expression held more interest and curiosity than challenge.Relax. He’s just trying to make conversation. Trying to get to know you.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option. She’d always have to hide part of herself, and from now on, she needed to keep better track of every lie she told or she’d trip herself up on them. As much as being a loner sucked, it might be the way to go. The more involved she got with new people, the more complicated things became.

“I just needed a change.”Even though I didn’t want one.“A fresh start.”That was supposed to be with Vince.“And I want to get a degree in culinary arts. Platt College has a program, so I’m looking into enrolling there.”

She hoped the college topic would move them away from the why-she-came-here one, even though she couldn’t help but think of how Vince was the one to lead her to look into it. For good measure, she added, “I hear you’re going to vet school.”

Luckily that shifted the conversation, and the tension in her body eased as dinner turned back into a casual, light affair. After they pushed away from the table, Cassie snuck away to do her internet search.

She’d just pulled up the Trentonian when Maude found her. “Are you texting your man?”

Cassie lowered her phone. “I don’t have a man.”

Maude placed her hands on her hips and twisted her mouth, like she was trying to figure out how to say what she wanted to say. Since she normally blurted out whatever she thought, Cassie held her breath, waiting for whatever it was. “I’ve tried to give you time. I figured you’d come out with it sooner or later, but when are you going to tell me what happened? And when is that man going to come and make up with you?”

“I told you. I’m never going to see him again.” Once again, she was reconsidering her move here. As much as she hated to leave such a nice situation, maybe she should move on before she got any deeper.

“Oh, I don’t buy that. You keep forgetting I was there when you said goodbye.”

“’Goodbye’ being the operative word. He was in town on business when we met. Our relationship progressed quickly.” Cassie paused, thinking of how she could put it. “I found out later that he hadn’t exactly been truthful the whole time. He had to go back to take care of his family, and I felt like I couldn’t truly start over unless I found a new place where our memories together wouldn’t constantly drag me down.”

Anger flickered across Maude’s features, and Cassie tried to figure out what she’d said that could’ve caused such a strong reaction. “His family?You mean he was married already? Did he have kids?”

Cassie wanted to say, “Of course not!” But then she realized the questions about Vince would stop if she let Maude believe the conclusion she’d jumped to. “I was heartbroken when I found out. They were separated when we first met, but…well, he felt he owed it to his kids to give it another shot.”

Guilt ran through her—over lying to Maude and saying anything bad about the guy who saved her life again and again, and had gone back to do it one more time.

Maude pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. “I had no idea. Don’t worry. You’ll find someone else.”

“Thanks. And thanks for taking me in. It helps to have some friends.”

“Well, you’ve got some. Now, let’s get dessert. That’ll make everything better.”

Cassie hadn’t known Maude long, but she was quickly realizing that she thought there was nothing dessert couldn’t fix.

If only she were right, life would be so much easier.

As Maude headed to the kitchen, Cassie took the opportunity to finish her news search. Her eyes skimmed down the headlines. She was so used to not seeing anything that she nearly missed it. But there, on the right side, under the most popular heading was the thing she’d longed to see ever since her missing memories came back.

FBI ARREST FIFTEEN MAFIA SUSPECTS, INCLUDING ALLEGED NEW JERSEY MAFIA BOSS, CARLO ROSSI…

Chapter Thirty-Eight

This waiting stuff was bullshit. The New Jersey prison didn’t have him in an orange jumpsuit, but the tan colored one wasn’t much better. He liked his clothes on the tailored, expensive side, with fabric that caressed instead of irritated, and right now he looked like a sack of potatoes.

He could hardly believe he was stuck in prison, bail denied. He’d always disposed of witnesses. He was beyond careful. Someone ratted, obviously, and he wanted to take care of him before this became his permanent residence. Problem was, too many of his boys had been arrested.

Last time Allegra visited, he asked her to get ahold of Vince and have him come in. He was the only one of his guys who didn’t have a rap sheet a mile long and hadn’t been charged with the RICO Act. Right now, Carlo was glad his nephew had kept his nose clean. In order to have a chance of getting out of here, Vince needed to get his hands dirty.

I hate this hamster-trapped-in-a-fucking-wheel feeling.

The door swung open with a screech of metal against metal, and Ufizzi strolled in. Between his bald head, hooked nose, and scrawny build, the guy reminded him of Mr. Burns from theSimpsons.But his lawyer got him and his boys out of trouble again and again, so while he might not look tough, he was a viper in court.

“I know you didn’t fight the expedited trial date the DA pushed for at your arraignment, but I could file a motion to extend. I really think—”

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