Caleb sighed, “Look, I’m sorry.”
“Save it.”
She really knew how to make a person feel like an ass. Of course, it didn’t help that he was acting like one. “I mean it. I’m sorry.”
The awkward silence returned. This time Caleb just dealt with it, and focused on the road.
“I was just trying to push him off of me,” Cassie mumbled.
“What?”
“Mr. Carson. I was just trying to get him off of me,” she said. “I didn’t mean to kill him.”
Caleb had suspected as much. He read over the case, but it was good to hear it from her. The only part that had been giving him trouble was how the guy had actually died. His head had impacted against the wall a dozen feet from the floor, with enough force to crush his skull. Seeing Cassie in action the past few days had cleared that right up. “So, you don’t know why you can do what you do? I mean, you weren’t bit by a radioactive spider or anything?”
Cassie snorted, “No.”
“You sure?”
She rubbed her eyes. “It just happened. One minute I was on my back getting choked, the next I kicked him across the room. What difference does it make anyway? I thought I was only a paycheck to you...coming at me sideways like that. I have to admit I didn’t see the Taser coming.”
Caleb grimaced, “Not one of my finer moments.”
“Really?” Cassie stated dryly. “Could have fooled me.”
“I didn’t intend for us to… you know,” Caleb replied. “I don’t do that sort of thing. I thought... I don’t know what I thought. I lost control of myself, and my better judgment.”
Cassie looked out the window without a word.
Caleb shook his head. He’d compromised himself, her, and the job, with his actions. Now he didn’t know what to do. Nice going, dumbass. She could be lying of course, but the way she was acting seemed genuine. It was a tough decision between morals and money sometimes.
They rode in silence again until exit 184 came into view. It was another small town called Russell. Caleb got off the highway, and pulled into the nearest gas station. He leaned across Cassie, and did the only thing that he felt he could live with—he opened her door. “Go ahead. I won’t hunt you anymore.”
She sat there, looking out the door, but did nothing.
“I’m serious,” Caleb said. “Go.”
Cassie turned to look him in the eyes. Hers were red, and filled with tears. Two streams ran down either cheek. She must have been crying for some time, but hadn’t made a sound. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”
Something inside Caleb broke. It might have been his heart, or soul, or something. Whatever it was, he realized he couldn’t watch her suffer. “Hey, it’s going to be all right.” He reached out, and softly placed his hand on her shoulder.
She collapsed into him, and began to shake with the force of her sobs. “I’m so tired of running. I can’t take it anymore.”
Caleb stroked her long, dark hair, and wrapped an arm around her. It seemed as if she was made to fit by his side. Lavender filled his nostrils, as he breathed her in. She was so tiny and weak in that moment. He felt he had no choice, but to protect and comfort her. “Shhh, it’s okay.”
“How can it be?” she cried into his shoulder. “I’m a wanted criminal, and that thing is after me!”
“We’ll figure it out.”
Cassie pushed away from him. “God, I hate crying.” She wiped her eyes roughly. “And I hate being scared. It pisses me off.”
“Let’s get to Salina, Kansas, get some food, and come up with a plan,” Caleb suggested. “It’s another couple of hours away in this weather, and should give us some breathing room.”
Cassie nodded, and pulled the door shut.
Caleb gassed up, and they headed out. It took longer than two hours to get to Salina, but they arrived safe. “Got a preference on food?”
“Anything’s fine,” Cassie answered. “Well actually, if there’s an Italian place, that would be good.”
Caleb tapped on his GSP screen, and pulled up a place called Martinelli’s Little Italy. “Italian it is.” The place had street parking, which was pretty empty. Tire tracks from previous patrons were the only things that marked where the spots were since the lines were buried in snow. He checked to make sure his gun was in its holster under his jacket, and then hopped out. He opened the door to the restaurant for Cassie. They took a booth in the back, so he could see the entrance clearly.
The waitress brought them some menus. “What would you two like to drink?”
Caleb glanced up from the menu at Cassie. She appeared to have recovered from her breakdown, but was still a bit pale. “What’s your poison?”
“Unsweetened tea,” she said, “And Chicken Parmesan.”
He nodded, “I’ll have the same.”
“No messing around with you two.” The waitress smiled. “I’ll have that out as quick as I can.”
Cassie fidgeted with her coat for what seemed like an eternity, until she finally said, “It really was an accident you know. I didn’t mean to kill Mr. Carson, even though he was trying to rape me.”
“I believe you,” Caleb answered earnestly.
“It was the first time my super strength manifested,” she continued. “I don’t know if it was fear or anger, or something else that triggered it. I’ve tried to be really careful, and not hurt anyone else.”
“That must be pretty hard, especially when bounty hunters are coming at you.”
Cassie smiled, and it lit up the room. “Yeah, sometimes.”
“Well, I’m glad you took it easy on me,” Caleb said.
“I didn’t want to mess up your pretty face.” She turned bright red suddenly, and looked away.
“Amazing,” he replied. “I was thinking something similar when I tased you in the side, instead of your cheek.”
Cassie rolled her eyes, “What a charmer.”
“Nothing helps picking up women like a Taser.”
“Now that’s just wrong,” Cassie blurted, as she began to laugh. “And yet, I’m not surprised.”
He sighed, “I suppose I deserved that one. Again, my apologies.”
The waitress came out with their drinks. Cassie settled, and took a sip of her tea. She set the glass down. “I didn’t hold back with that monster at the restaurant. It didn’t seem to make a difference. If you hadn’t shown up...” Her gaze drifted down to her hands. They were bruised and swollen. Moisture welled in her eyes.
“It scared me too,” Caleb said. “Hell, you scared me when you broke the cuffs in the bathroom.”
She barked a laugh. “The look on your face was priceless. Looked like you’d seen a ghost.”
Caleb nodded, unable to deny her claim. “My jaw is still sore by the way. Not to mention the wild goose chase you sent me on.”
Cassie wiped the back of her hand across her eyes. “How did you find me?”
“I have a tracking device on my car.”
“Ah, of course.”
The waitress returned with their dinner. “Can I get anything else for you two?”
“It looks great,” Caleb answered. “I think we have everything, thanks.”
Cassie dung into her food like a stray dog finding a freshly filled dumpster.
Caleb watched her for a minute, amazed. “I guess using your strength really takes a toll, huh?”
She nodded, but didn’t stop eating.
“So how strong are you? If you don’t mind me asking.”
Cassie choked a bit on her food, as she laughed. “You worried?”
“Maybe. Mainly just curious though.”
“I’m not sure really. I used to lift logs at the lumber mill when no one was watching, just to see if I could do it. One time a truck rolled back on a guy, Fredric was his name. I lifted it off him. The others didn’t see me do it. They went looking for something to use as a lever, and asked me to stay with him. When they got back, I told them it just rolled off of him.”
&n
bsp; “I’d say that’s pretty damn strong. Scary strong.” Caleb worked on his own Chicken Parmesan. “How do you control it?”
“Most of the time it’s not a problem,” Cassie replied. “It’s when I get mad or scared, when the trouble starts. I try to get away from people when it turns on.”
“So, you can’t ‘shut it off’ or anything?”
“Nope,” Cassie shook her head. “I used to try, but it never worked.”
“Well, that sucks.”
“Tell me about it.”
“What about your family?” Caleb asked. “Isn’t there anyone you can go to for help? Maybe it’s a genetic thing?”
Cassie shook her head again. “I’ve never heard about anyone in the family having super strength. Even if they did, it wouldn’t matter. I’m on my own. I have been ever since that day in woodshop. Actually, since before then. My family life wasn’t that great.”
Caleb always tried to do a thorough background check on the people he hunted. He wasn’t sure about her extended family, but he knew she was on the level about her parents. “You know about your mother’s passing then?”
Cassie nodded. “I kept tabs on her every-so-often.” She tried to laugh it off, but it sounded fake. “You know, I don’t think she even knew I was gone for that first week, after I took off for good. She was so out of it.”
“Surely the school would have called her,” Caleb replied.
Cassie smiled. This time it was genuine. “One of the benefits of being a troublemaker at school; they didn’t kick up much of a fuss when I skipped. One principal even waved goodbye when I ran off of campus.”
“Man, that’s harsh.”
Cassie shrugged. “It’s what I’d become. In hindsight I probably should’ve stayed, but my life was too messed up already, and I was scared. HRDC had been out to the house a few times that year. I didn’t want to be taken away, even though it sucked being at home.” She took another sip of her tea. “Better to leave when it was my choice, although, it really wasn’t ‘my’ choice.”
Caleb scratched the stubble on his chin. He’d seen enough cases like this not to be surprised about the broken home. The scenario was like all the others, except for how her teacher, Mr. Carson, had been killed. The circumstances of his death is what had initially intrigued Caleb, and eventually spurred him to take the job. Now that his curiosity had been somewhat sated, he found himself going where he shouldn’t. He was starting to care.
“I’ve tried to be angry with her,” Cassie continued. “But it never stuck. Dad’s death broke her. It broke us. I’m actually surprised she lasted as long as she did with the amount of alcohol she was drinking.”
“Sorry all of that bad shit happened to you.”
“Me too,” Cassie said. “But I’m tired of running. I’d like to stay in one place for a while, and away from monsters. Even if that place has to be in jail.”
Prison had its own monsters, but nothing like the creature Caleb had smashed into with the car. He was tempted to lock himself up with her, if it would rid him of the memory. “I get that.”
They finished their dinner, and Caleb stretched. “I’ve got to hit the can before we find a place to stay.”
“Me too,” Cassie said. “You sure we should stay though?”
Caleb rubbed his eyes. “I’m pretty wiped out, and you don’t look much better than I feel. No offense.”
Cassie waved a hand. “You’re right.” She looked out the window. “And the weather isn’t getting any better.”
“Meet you at the car.”
Cassie nodded.
Caleb did his thing in the boy’s room, and then moseyed out to the entrance. He didn’t go outside, it was too freakin’ cold, but he stayed near the door, and scanned the street for trouble. The monster was the main thing on his mind, though he knew other bounty hunters were out there. The warrant on Cassie’s head was pretty hefty. Caleb himself had been tempted by less. What am I doing? I can’t turn her in. Part of him hoped she would just run. Then he wouldn’t have to deal with the conflict, the emotions, and all that shit that comes along with caring for someone.
Cassie stepped out of the ladies’ room, and walked toward him.
Caleb let out a breath he hadn’t realize he’d been holding. He opened the door for her, and they both got in the car, as quickly as they could.
“Sorry about your door,” Cassie said, her breath floated over the dash. She rubbed her arms furiously.
“Just a dent. Easily fixed.” Caleb started the car to let the engine run.
“I should have known you’d have a tracking device on this car. It’s a cherry ride.”
“You know about cars?”
“I used to.”
“Used to?” Caleb raised a brow. “What does that mean?”
“My dad loved cars. He had a 1963 Buick he’d work on in the garage. I used to ‘help’ him with it.”
Caleb laughed, “No shit?”
“I would hand him tools, and bring him water when he was thirsty. He even made me my very own creeper, so I could roll under the car with him.”
“You’re just full of surprises,” Caleb shook his head. Great, another reason to like her.
He brought up hotels in the area on the screen in his dash. There was a Traveler’s Lodge not far from them. “Looks like a winner.” He put the car in gear, and cruised a couple of blocks to the hotel. The buildings were single story and of an older construction. But, when they got checked into the room, it was spacious and clean. Along with the low price, the room turned out to be a good deal.
“I think I could sleep for two days straight,” Caleb mumbled, as he sat on one of the two queen sized beds. “I don’t think I’ve slept in like, thirty-six hours.”
“Go ahead, I’m good,” Cassie said. “I promise not to steal your car again.”
Caleb had to laugh at that as he laid down, but the mirth didn’t last long as he passed out almost immediately. He dreamed of how foolish he was acting, and how this girl was going to take him for the sucker he was. Then the tingling started. That burning touch that drove him mad with desire. He moaned as the warm electrical pulsing traveled through his body.
Caleb jolted awake. “What the fuck?”
Cassie sat beside him on the bed. Her hair was wet, like she’d taken a shower. She jerked her hand away. “I’m sorry, I just... I wanted to test something.”
Caleb rubbed his chest. His shirt had been untucked, and rolled up to his neck. He could feel the faint surge from where she had been touching him. “What’s with that tingling...”
Cassie’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and she shook her head slowly. “You feel it too? I thought there was something wrong with me. What do you think it is?”
“You’re the one with the superpowers,” Caleb blurted, still not awake. “How am I supposed to know? I’m just happy I’m not going nuts.”
Cassie shrugged, “Me too.”
Caleb noticed that she was wearing one of his shirts, and not much else. Her nipples were quite pronounced against the soft fabric. He swallowed, and tore his gaze away. “Sorry we haven’t stopped to get you a change of clothes.”
“It’s okay,” Cassie answered. “I got this out of your car. Hope you don’t mind.”
“No, that’s fine.” Caleb risked a glance at her. She hadn’t moved off the bed. He couldn’t help but wonder what her hair felt like when it was wet, or remember how soft her skin had been under his hands that night in his Mustang. He closed his eyes to try and slow his breathing. Keep cool, man. Don’t screw things up more than you already have.
The tingling suddenly returned, as Cassie touched his stomach.
Caleb snapped his eyes open. What little control he’d managed to regain slipped away. “What are you doing?”
“I just want to feel good for a little awhile,” she breathed. “I want to get away from all the pain and fear.” Her chest started to heave, showing off more of her hardened nipples. Her hand slid up his belly to rub his chest.
He couldn’t take it anymore. He snatched hold of her wrist, and pulled her down on top of him. He kissed her, taking two handfuls of her hair. Her lips were on fire, and pressed roughly against his. The sensual tingling cascaded through him.
Cassie broke the kiss, pushing herself up. She yanked the shirt over her head, and threw it aside. Her body, perfect in its nakedness, swayed teasingly back and forth.
Caleb sat up, and cupped her breasts, taking one of them into his mouth. She moaned in delight, and tore at his clothes, as he sucked and rubbed her hard nipples. His hands strayed to her back, and continued down to grip her round ass.
His shirt was ripped away, but his pants were still on, restraining his arousal. He flipped Cassie over onto her back, and stood to free himself. Her hands brushed against his hips, sparking the tingle once more, as she helped him out of his jeans. Once free, he eased down on top of her, raising her arms over her head.
The look in her eyes was one of pure desire. Her legs spread, as she thrust her hips toward him. “Do it!”
He slid into her.
She was so warm and smooth, he almost came right then. Gritting his teeth, Caleb fought the urge to climax. Regaining mastery of himself, he gyrated his hips, driving deeper into her core. She joined his rhythm, and suddenly yelled out her orgasm, while clawing at the headboard. He continued his strong pace, fighting off the insatiable need to come. He brought her to climax a second time, and then a third. He wasn’t sure how much more he could handle, the desire to release was so great.
Cassie growled, narrowing her eyes at him. She ripped her hands free, and grabbed his shoulders, driving her nails into his skin. He hardly noticed. All he was conscious of was the pulsing in his hardness.
She began to grind her hips, building up speed with each rotation.
He finally lost control. “I’m coming!”
His words only spurred her into a greater gyrating frenzy. His eyes fluttered, as he released his passion, but Cassie continued to grind until there was nothing left of him.
He collapsed beside her in a panting, useless heap. “You’ve done me in.”
“I certainly hope not,” she replied, breathing heavily. “I’m far from done with you.”
Cassie (The Coven's Grove Chronicles #3) Page 5