“No idea. You know I like to keep an eye on things. We even have a security system in place. But someone was skilled enough to bypass it. I . . . I just don’t know, Cassidy.”
“I can send the cameras off to be tested. Maybe . . .”
Ty nodded. “It can’t hurt.”
“But you don’t think it will tell us anything.”
“I don’t.” Finally, in a raspy voice, Ty voiced his fears. “But what if DH-7 has found you?”
He couldn’t bear the thought of it. He knew when he married Cassidy that their lives together would never be normal. But Ty had hoped for the best, hoped that the incident with DH-7 was behind them.
What if everything came to the surface again?
“What if this isn’t DH-7?” Cassidy’s voice cracked as she said the words.
Her question jolted him from his thoughts. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, there are other people who might want to harm me. This doesn’t necessarily mean DH-7 has found me.”
“Anthony Gilead?” Ty suggested, though he didn’t find much comfort in that thought.
“Maybe. He likes control and power. Letting me know he knows my real identity would be one way to flex his muscles, so to speak.”
Ty couldn’t deny that the man was a manipulator who liked to think he was the smartest man in the room but . . . “How would he have found out?”
“I don’t know. I mean, the world thinks I’m dead. That a member of the gang shot and killed me. But that doesn’t mean that if someone searched hard enough for information about me that they couldn’t discover it.”
Ty rubbed his jaw, liking this less and less. “Anthony Gilead seems like the type who does his homework.”
“Yes, he does.” Cassidy crossed her arms and stared out the window. “Anthony Gilead or DH-7 are the most likely culprits behind the text. But there are also those bodies that were discovered today. Someone didn’t want us to find them and fired on me and my crew. Sometimes there are a few too many layers to the crime world here on this island.”
“People see the secluded location and think it’s perfect to accomplish their tasks.” The unease in his gut grew as he said the words aloud.
“Just like the pirates of many years ago, I suppose.”
“Exactly,” Ty muttered.
Cassidy leaned toward him, her gaze softening. “Thanks for being in this with me.”
“Always.” As Ty reached for her, his hand slipped to her neck. Gently, he tugged her closer until their lips met. He didn’t ever want to let her go.
No, sometimes Ty wanted to whisk Cassidy away from this place, take her somewhere she’d never be in danger again.
But life didn’t work like that.
But he meant what he’d said. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for Cassidy—nothing he wouldn’t do to keep her safe.
He only wished that resolve wouldn’t be tested again and again.
Cassidy called Skye and asked her to let Lisa know that she and Ty had to bow out of the rest of the wedding shower. Later, Cassidy would call Lisa herself to apologize. She hoped their disruption hadn’t ruined things for the soon-to-be bride and groom.
But, as Cassidy stood on her screened-in porch with Kujo beside her, her thoughts remained on that figure who’d been hiding in the church’s dark hallway.
She’d barely caught a glimpse of him, only enough to see that he was dressed in black and that he had a gun. She’d seen enough to know he was fast and nimble. Sensed enough to know he was dangerous.
But nothing else.
Cassidy had already run his plates and discovered that the car had been stolen from up in Hatteras last week. Could that person have been the traitor she feared was in her midst? Could it have been Dane or Leggott?
More anxiety squeezed at her gut.
She didn’t know. And, until she did, she would have to proceed with caution. She’d asked Dane to handle investigating the vehicle she’d chased, and then she’d headed home to attempt to rest.
As a breeze swept through the screen, she lifted her head, welcoming the cool wind and the scent of the sea that came with it. Something always comforted her about the earthy smell.
Her hands gripped the rough wood along the railing that lined the room. Tomorrow would be a new day, and, after some sleep, maybe Cassidy could think more clearly. More clearly about those bodies. About Serena. About the man hiding out at church during the wedding shower. About that text message.
That text message . . . every time she thought about it, Cassidy got chills. Who had sent it? Though she’d tried to remain composed for Ty, the thought of it shook Cassidy to the core.
If someone affiliated with DH-7 found her . . . she’d be a dead woman. There would be no greater accomplishment for the former gang members than to track down the supposed traitor who’d single-handedly torn apart the organization, and then kill her.
As Ty fixed them some popcorn, Cassidy remained where she was. Memories filled her. She didn’t often think about Seattle and her old life. It had been two years since she’d gone deep undercover and left everything she’d ever known behind. It had been a year since she fled the trouble there and came here to this North Carolina island.
Lantern Beach was supposed to be only temporary. It had been a hiding place until she could go to trial, put the bad guys away, and then resume her old life.
Except, deep inside her, Cassidy knew she’d never resume her old life again.
Her dog, Colombo, now had a new home. Her parents, for the most part, had continued without her, managing their multi-million-dollar business. Though her dad had recently had a stroke, her parents seemed to be weathering the changes well. Their lives had always been separate from hers.
Then Cassidy had met Ty, and everything seemed to work out for the best. She preferred her life here to the life she’d had in Seattle. But maybe thinking that it would last forever was too good to be true.
Now the old could be threatening to catch up with the new.
The realization caused her head to pound.
Ty knocked on the window. “Popcorn is ready.”
Cassidy waved to him and then stepped inside.
As she did, her phone rang. It was her friend Ernestine, the Lantern Beach newspaper editor. If Ernestine was calling at nine at night, then something was probably up. What now? How much more could Cassidy put on her plate without dropping everything?
“Hi, Ernestine,” Cassidy answered.
“Cassidy, I just heard something that I thought you’d want to know.”
“Please tell.”
“I was talking to a friend who works down at the town office. She told me that someone else has entered the mayoral race. He got the paperwork in just in time, apparently.”
“Okay. Who’s that?” It didn’t sound too serious—thank goodness.
“Cassidy . . . it’s Anthony Gilead.”
Cassidy’s stomach clenched. Anthony Gilead? Running for mayor of Lantern Beach?
The whole idea was worse than horrible—it was abominable.
Chapter Ten
Moriah awoke bright and early the next morning and got dressed. A surge of pride rushed through her as she rubbed the rose-scented lotion into her skin. Every time she smelled it, she felt powerful. Brave. Like she could conquer the world.
Moriah was going to be someone that others could look up to for wisdom. The progress she’d made since coming here felt amazing—exhilarating, for that matter.
Desperate not to fumble her latest task of being a mentor, Moriah had asked Serena to meet before breakfast. Moriah needed to teach her the way things were done here at the Cove. The girl seemed willing and enthusiastic to learn, and this could be Moriah’s chance to prove to everyone here that she had what it took to do this. To be Gilead’s bride and partner.
She stepped from her room and nearly collided with her fiancé.
Her chest filled with warmth when she saw Gilead, especially when a grin spread across his handsome face.
&
nbsp; “Moriah, where are you going so bright and early?” He paused in front of her, his dark hair glistening, as if he’d just gotten out of the shower. Just recently, he’d begun growing a beard and mustache that he kept trimmed short. His figure wasn’t necessarily buff, but he kept himself thin and healthy. To Moriah, he might as well be a movie star.
“I’m meeting my mentee.” Pride stained her voice.
Something flickered through his gaze. “Is that right? Good. I’m sure you’ll be great for her.”
“I’ll do my best.” Moriah couldn’t let Gilead down. She wouldn’t.
He stepped closer. So close that his hands rested at her waist. That his head dipped toward hers. That his breath whispered across her cheek and caused a new round of tingles to invade her body.
“I need you to do one more thing for me,” he said quietly.
“Of course. Anything.” Moriah’s voice sounded thin with anticipation. She always felt this way when Gilead was close. The man just did something to her.
“I need you to report back to me,” he said.
Moriah had no idea what he was talking about, but she knew she’d do anything for him. “I’d be happy to report back to you.”
He drew back enough to lock gazes with her and smiled before wrapping his arms around her. Moriah’s head hit his chest as he pulled her close. Close enough that she could feel his heart beating against her own body. That she could hardly breathe.
Gilead kissed the top of her head and stroked her back, seeming to forget her wound was still healing. Every time he got close, she flinched, anticipating the pain.
“You trust me, don’t you?” he whispered.
“Of course.”
“Then relax.” His hand veered dangerously close to her wound again.
“Of . . . of course,” Moriah stumbled.
For a moment—just a flash, really—she felt trapped. Like she couldn’t move. Couldn’t get away.
Like Gilead was exercising some kind of power over her or something.
The thought was crazy . . . Gilead loved her. He just didn’t realize how tightly he held her. Or how overwhelmed she felt.
“We shouldn’t be this close yet,” Gilead whispered. “I shouldn’t be holding you like this. But I can hardly wait until our wedding, Moriah.”
Her doubts scattered like seagulls being chased by a rowdy canine. “I feel the same.”
“I have exciting things planned for us.”
“Anything with you will be exciting.” Moriah meant the words. Gilead was the most fascinating person she’d ever met.
His lips touched hers, and her emotions exploded inside her with so much force that she nearly felt dizzy.
As quickly as the kiss started, it ended. But Gilead didn’t move. He remained near the wall, studying Moriah’s face with . . . some kind of glimmer in his gaze.
As her dizziness receded, she remembered Gilead’s earlier words. I need you to do something for me. I need you to report back.
“You didn’t tell me what I needed to report to you,” Moriah said.
His hands, at one time tugging on her back, now burrowed into her skin with enough force that Moriah flinched. Gilead must not realize that he was hurting her. Otherwise, he would stop.
In the distance, the sounds of breakfast being prepared—the clanging of pots and pans—echoed up the stairway. The subtle scent of food—maybe eggs or it could even be oatmeal, Moriah wasn’t sure—drifted up also, making her stomach rumble.
“I need you to talk to your new mentee and find out any information you can on Cassidy Chambers.”
The breath left her lungs as Ruth’s words echoed back to her. I’ve seen the way Gilead looks at that woman, the police chief. There’s more there than a professional curiosity.
What if Ruth was right? What if Gilead—her Gilead—actually was in love with Cassidy? Could a man desire two women? Could God direct a man to have more than one wife?
Moriah didn’t know. But all the certainty she’d felt just moments ago about Ruth being wrong vanished like the fog on a sunny day.
“Did you hear me?” Gilead’s fingers pressed deeper until Moriah let out a groan.
“Yes, I heard you. But why—”
“It’s not your job to question me. I just need you to do as I ask. Do you understand?” His voice took on a hard edge.
Moriah had angered him. Her questions were pestering. Her best friend growing up had always told Moriah that—told her that she needed to let things go.
Shame filled her.
Gilead hardly ever got mad. Yet Moriah had managed to bring it out in him. She’d thought she was maturing, but maybe she was wrong. Maybe she was the same old worthless Moriah Roberts she’d always been.
“Yes, I understand,” she finally said, but her voice sounded breathless.
A smile tugged at Gilead’s face again, and he released his grip on her. “Good. That’s what I was hoping you’d say. Try to get any information you can from her.”
“Yes, Gilead.”
“Make her like you,” he coached. “Then she’ll do whatever you want. You just have to know how to handle people.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Good girl. We’re going to be so happy together, you know that?” Gilead stepped back.
As he did, the tightness in Moriah’s lungs eased, and she drew in a deep breath. “Yes, we will be.”
He lowered his head until his lips barely touched her neck. “Only two more days.”
A shiver raked through Moriah, but she didn’t know why. A shiver of excitement? Of fear?
It was just anxiety, she realized. Marriage was a big step. Especially marriage to a powerful man like Anthony Gilead.
And, though part of her wanted to question him why he wanted information on Police Chief Cassidy Chambers, Moriah knew better. Maybe once they were married it would be different. He would be more open. He’d listen to her more.
Right now, Gilead was just as distracted as she was.
But soon everything would be better. All Moriah had to do was say, “I do.”
Then her life was going to change.
Chapter Eleven
Before Cassidy went into the office the next morning, she headed down to the ferry docks. She knew it was a longshot, but she wanted to speak with the superintendent there. Maybe—just maybe—in all of his treks from Lantern Beach to Ocracoke, he’d seen something suspicious going on at the lighthouse beach.
She parked and sauntered toward the office area. A man in a khaki uniform stopped her before she reached the door. “Can I help you?”
Cassidy stared up at the man, whose intense eyes bore into hers like a bodyguard on duty. “I need to talk to Superintendent Rodgers.”
“Your name?”
“Chief Chambers.” Cassidy had thought she’d met most of the people on the island at this point. But not everyone who worked the ferry system lived on the island.
“One minute.”
As he walked inside the building, Cassidy paced over to the drink machines. Against her better instincts, she put three quarters into one of the slots and was rewarded with a dewy, cold can of Coke. She tried not to drink too many, but sometimes the extra caffeine and sugar were just what she needed.
As she waited, she spotted a collection bin for stuffed animals. The laminated sign taped to the front advertised that the donations would go to children in need in the Outer Banks.
She hadn’t realized that donations were allowed here at the docks, but the gesture was nice.
“Can I help you?”
Cassidy turned and offered a smile to Rodgers. The man seemed friendly enough, though the northeast native could be brisk at times, which turned some locals off.
“Good morning,” she called.
“Oh, it’s you, Cassidy.” His shoulders relaxed. “Sorry. I’m fielding calls about having the ferry system shut down last week. You wouldn’t believe how many people are still angry about that, and I don’t have time to deal with e
veryone personally.”
“I guess it cut some time out of people’s vacations since they couldn’t get to the island, not to mention the fishing tournament.” Cassidy popped the top of her drink and took a quick sip.
“And now they want us to reimburse them. That’s why I have one of my guys acting as secretary. None of us have enjoyed the hate mail we’ve been getting about that.”
“I can imagine.”
He straightened. “Now, what can I do for you?”
“Listen, we’re investigating a case right now, and I’m wondering if you may have inadvertently seen anything while en route. It’s the area by the lighthouse beach. Have you noticed anything going on there?”
“Heard about the dead bodies.”
“Did you?” Nothing stayed quiet for long on this island.
“Wayne Waters and I play poker together. He swore me to secrecy.”
“And everyone else who was there as well, I assume.”
Rodgers shrugged. “Of course. Anyway, I’ve been thinking about that beach ever since I heard about those bodies. I have to say that I haven’t seen anything taking place there, though. Occasionally, I’ll see a fishing buddy out there. But no one else.”
Cassidy bit her lip, disappointed that he didn’t know anything more. She nodded anyway and thanked him. “If you think of anything, let me know. In the meantime, maybe I’ll get some donations for your stuffed animal drive here. Nice touch since everyone is so mad at you right now.”
Rodgers smiled. “Whatever we can do to make the community better. Have a good day, Cassidy.”
“You too.”
After leaving the docks, Cassidy went to her office and made a list of everything she needed to do. If she didn’t write it down, she knew it would never get marked off. No, her thoughts were going in too many different directions.
First, she needed to track the cell phone number connected to that threatening text she’d gotten about her past. She knew that most likely it was a burner phone and the information would lead nowhere. But she had to at least try.
She also needed to follow up with Abbott about the human remains found on the beach, see if there were any updates.
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