Chapter 44
“Cas…you cannot blame yourself for anything. My father made this mess. Please, let me handle this.” Vee begged.
“How?” he asked.
“I don’t Vee started, then stopped. Her eyes drifted to the window. I don’t know yet p>
Cassidy exhaled slowly. He already knew where this was going. He had known since Luca Genovese first stepped into his living room.
“Are you going to let him sleep with you to let Valentina go?” he asked quietly.
“I Her throat worked. I’ll do whatever it takes, Cas. I’m not going to stand here and lie to you or sugar coat anything p>
His lips thinned as he nodded once.
“I get it. I get it.” A bitter huff escaped him. “I guess he was right then. He really does own the NYPD. Everyone is afraid to touch him p>
“Cas Vee stepped closer, her hands curling into fists at her sides. “I am so sorry. You really are a sweet man p>
He smiled, crooked and sad.
“Did you mean what you said last night?” he asked.
“What’s that?” Vee said.
“You said you love me p>
“Uh…yes.” The pause before the word was small. Too small to call hesitation, too big to ignore.
“You sound unsure all of a sudden,” Cassidy said gently. “Has he gotten into your head p>
Vee crossed the remaining distance between them. She didn’t touch him at first, just stood close enough that he could feel her warmth.
“I do care about you, Cas. A lot p>
He caught it instantly. The shift. Love to care. A downgrade. His jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
“I would hate to see anything happen to you,” she continued. “But if I do get out of this, and if you will still have me p>
She trailed off, the sentence unfinished. If she survived this. If she came back in one piece. If she wasn’t changed beyond recognition.
Cassidy reached out then, taking her hands. His thumbs brushed over her knuckles.
Then he held her cheeks in his palms and kissed her.
It was a sad kiss at first, lips pressing together. Cassidy deepened it anyway.
Vee’s breath caught, a soft sound against his mouth. Her hands rose to his chest by instinct.
He pulled back just enough to kiss her neck.
“Cas Vee whispered.
“I’m going crazy, Vee,” he murmured against her skin. His hands slid up to her chest. “I can’t stand that you’re with him p>
He popped open one button.
Her heart stuttered. “Cas, wait p>
He popped open the second, fingers clumsy, shaking slightly. And then his hand snagged on something that definitely was not a button.
Cassidy stepped back.
“What is it?” Vee asked, confusion flickering across her face.
“I think… I think he planted a bug on you p>
He pulled her shirt wider apart, and plucked a tiny black device from the seam near her bra strap.
Cassidy held it up between his fingers.
“What?” Of course. Of course Luca wouldn’t trust her. The realization landed with a bitter thud in her chest. She laughed weakly. “I don’t know why I expected anything different p>
Cassidy’s jaw tightened. He turned the bug over, examining it.
Vee folded her arms around herself, suddenly cold. It wasn’t the device that hurt the most. It was what it represented. Control. Possession.
“Is this the kind of man,” Cassidy said, “you want me to just lie back like a puppy and watch while you trust that things will work out p>
She flinched at the edge in his tone.
“Cas p>
“No,” he cut in, pacing now, running a hand through his hair.
She stepped toward him.
He dropped the bug to the floor and crushed it with his foot, grinding until the tiny shell gave up with a brittle snap.
“If the police cannot get him, Vee,” Cassidy said quietly, dangerously, “I will kill him myself p>
“Don’t say things like that p>
“Then you have no idea just how He broke off and pulled her into him again, hard enough that she felt his heartbeat slam against her ribs. His mouth found hers, not gentle this time, not sad. This kiss was feral.
His hands trembled against her back. He was losing control and he knew it.
Then her phone vibrated in her pocket.
Cassidy pulled back.
Slowly, she reached into her pocket and brought the phone out. The number was hidden.
She swallowed and answered. “Hello p>
“You have three seconds to get out of there.” Luca’s voice was calm. Bored.
The call ended.
Vee stared at the screen then looked up at Cassidy.
“I have to go p>
Cassidy nodded once. His jaw tightened. “That was him, wasn’t it p>
She nodded. There was no point pretending.
“Do you promise to stop?” she asked quickly, stepping closer again. “I will handle this. I promise p>
He exhaled. “Yes p>
“For real, this time.” She searched his face, her hands gripping his shirt.
“Yes,” he repeated, slower. “For real p>
She leaned up and pressed a light kiss to his cheek.
Then she turned and hurried out of the house.
Cassidy stood there long after the door closed behind her. The silence rushed in. He looked down at the crushed bug on the floor, its tiny pieces scattered.
“So this is how you play it,” he muttered to the empty room.
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “You really do think you’re untouchable p>
Cassidy crouched and picked up the remains of the bug, then let them fall through his fingers.
“I’m going to kill you, Luciano Genovese,” he said softly. “I will kill you p>
Bastardi arrived at the meeting point ahead of schedule. Marco had chosen the location carefully, a forgotten supermarket parking lot wedged between a shuttered laundromat and a warehouse with broken windows. Marco was not about to lead Bastardi anywhere near the safe house.
Marco sat in the driver’s seat, one hand on the wheel, the other resting loosely on his thigh. Valentina sat beside him, knees drawn together, arms folded tight. He glanced at her, then out through the windshield.
Bastardi leaned against his car, jacket open, gold chain catching the light. His men formed a loose half circle behind him, pretending to look casual while scanning every shadow.
(This is to 100 powerstones. I’m sorry it came late. Its Saturday and well. I spent my time relaxing in my bath tub with a strong bottle of alcohol and music. Don’t blame me, I am single p>