by Stacia Wolf
Cass grimaced. They'd been having this argument for nearly an hour, since he'd picked her up at her house. He'd summoned her by honking his horn, obviously his way of staying out of her house. Not that she'd been planning on doing anything. At least, not right then.
"Cass, you know Cal's clients aren't upstanding citizens. They live on the edge. They aren't stable. I've done back-up for your brother when he's needed it, and I know that it isn't always safe.” Opening the cafeteria door, Mike let Cassie go in first. But she could tell by his frown that he wanted her to turn around and hightail it home.
"Mike, I worked in similar clinics in L.A. for years. Never had any problems I couldn't handle."
"Sometimes cockiness goes before a fall, Cass.” His words were soft, reminding her how seriously injured he'd been after falling through a roof during a fire.
"I'm not cocky. I don't take chances.” No, nothing in her life matched braving life-stealing flames. “Remember that brown belt in jujitsu I got in high school? It's now a black belt. Like I said, I can handle myself."
Mike shook his head. “And do you remember that scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark? Fat lot of good that big sword did against a gun. Same thing with your black belt. Best way to stay safe is to stay out of dangerous situations."
Like what she found herself in with Mike? All last night she'd dreamt of him. When she hadn't been sleeping, she'd been fantasizing. She gave herself a mental shake, trying to dismiss images of Mike naked. Sweaty. Eyes glazed with passion...
Damn, Cassie, you're sad.
"I'll be perfectly safe,” she said, turning from him and heading towards the cafeteria. “Cal's way too protective of me to let me get into anything dangerous.” Yes, she'd been fighting that quirk in her brother's personality all her life, despite the fact that she, by virtue of fifteen minutes, was older.
Mike grunted. “Cal doesn't think clearly when it comes to his clients. He's always too trusting and optimistic."
"With his track record, he has reason to be. He does a good job for them.” She knew that feeling quite well. It was what kept her going as an attorney. Helping at clinics had made up for the hours of boring, uninspiring corporate law.
She laced one arm through his. “Let's go find Cal, and please let's not argue any more. I'll be fine. You'll keep me safe."
She smiled up at him, but he still wore a frown. “Cass, there are limits to what I can protect you from. If you've got to do this, fine, but please don't make a habit of it. Okay?"
She didn't reply, and she knew he didn't expect her to. Her stubborn Delistraty streak ran deep. He could say the words, but they both knew that Cassie'd do whatever she felt was right, damn the consequences. She'd proven that in the past, from her kissing Mike all those years ago to marrying Ken.
Okay, bad examples, but if she decided to help Cal out in his clinic, then she'd do it, despite Mike's protests. Nobody ordered Cassandra Delistraty around.
Well, except for her mother, of course.
* * * *
Mike watched the stubborn set of her jaw, and knew he'd have a battle on his hands. Nothing new. Cassie'd always been a handful, just like her mom, only more intense and focused.
He wondered at the logic of getting involved with such a woman. Here he was, solid and down-to-earth, and Cassie floated in the clouds. Everything she did was unorthodox and usually bent some sort of rule. He'd always wondered if that meant she bent her moral standards as well. Now he knew better.
Actually, he admired her. She'd remained true to herself, and as a beautiful woman she must have surely been inundated with opportunities. But Cassie always remained focused on her goal to find the right guy.
Only now, she seemed to have altered that goal into ‘drive Mike insane.'
Although, truth to tell, he looked forward to the next Cassie onslaught. Even though she disturbed his peace of mind, he also felt more alive than he had in years.
He shouldn't have let himself feel that way. Just her being a Delistraty, the darlings of American politics, lifted her way above him. She had cousins and uncles who were senators, congressmen and governors all over the country. Her own grandfather had sat on the State Supreme Court until his retirement a few years ago. He'd met the man twice, and each time he'd felt like a gnat the Judge had dismissed without a second thought.
And Cassie herself—all through her life, she'd been getting in and out of scrapes. Demonstrating to have a beloved teacher reinstated, circulating a petition to ban a fraternity from campus when they'd discriminated against a black man. Stealing back her friend's diary in junior high, despite the fact said diary resided in the boys’ locker room. And the underwear raid in college in retribution for a similar raid. Yes, Cass was nothing but trouble. And Mike had been right to stay away.
But now he didn't want to let her go. It felt too good to have her arm linked with his, to see her smile aimed his way, and to kiss her. How could he walk away from that?
They entered the cafeteria, and Cal looked up, waving as he caught sight of them. As they sat down opposite him, Mike noticed that Cal looked tired. But his voice showed nothing of that as he launched into the case he wanted Cass to take over from him.
"She's from Russia, and American law makes no sense to her. She'd been married to the guy for five years, has a kid with him, then the guy and his mother die in a car accident.” Cal handed Cassie a manila file, which she opened while Cal continued. “His father, a real prick, evicts her. He'd sold the house to his son; he's the mortgage holder. Seems that she missed a payment in all the chaos after the accident. Even before the funeral, he tells her to get out, that she has no legal claim to the house. And his grandson? He questioned whether it's really his son's kid."
Mike's stomach clenched. What a creep. “So he tossed them out like so much garbage?"
Cal nodded. “It gets worse. Somehow he took all the money from their joint bank account. Apparently he'd been listed as the beneficiary from before the marriage occurred. So not only is she homeless, but penniless. When she showed up at the downtown shelter a few days ago, they'd been living in her car. They referred her to me immediately. So, Cass, think you can help her?"
Her eyes never leaving the file, Cassie nodded. “I'm sure I can, even if he didn't leave a will. His choice of beneficiaries from before the wedding will be considered null and void, especially with the birth of his child. I'm sure I can get her back in her house in only a matter of days.” Her eyes lifted, and Mike recognized the burning emotion he saw. A need to see justice done. He'd witnessed it so much in both Delistraty twins that it no longer surprised him at how zealously they'd work to meet that goal.
The foreboding didn't come from Cassie's driving desire to see things set right. No, it originated from the knowledge that Cassie rarely set limits on what she'd do to see an injustice overturned. He also knew that there'd be no stopping her.
"So when can I meet with her?” Cassie closed the file, her eagerness rather endearing.
"How about right now?” Cal nodded toward a corner of the room, where a tiny dark-haired woman sat, holding a baby on her lap. “She's over there, waiting for you. She's pretty scared and confused, and her English is a bit rough. But she's very bright. You shouldn't have any problems getting her to understand you."
Cassie nodded, standing up with the file held loosely in one hand. Mike could see the wheels turning in her head. She sparkled with energy, even in the somber circumstances. He realized that Cassie needed something like this in her life, a niche where she could make a difference. It reminded him of how he'd felt being a firefighter. He only wished she'd find something safer.
"Mike, do you mind?” At the last moment, she'd turned to him, asking his permission. Like they were a real couple.
He surprised himself with the feeling of warmth and closeness that filled him. “Of course not, babe. Go get ‘em."
Smiling, she walked away. Mike watched her fawning over the baby, which immediately erased the tension on the mother's face. Go
od tactic, Cass, Mike approved silently. He couldn't help but admire her for wanting to help the young woman.
"I'm glad we have a moment alone,” Cal said, his voice holding a knife edge. “I want to talk to you regarding your intentions toward my sister."
* * * *
"You can help me?” Irina Richter clutched her baby to her, her dark eyes luminous with hope.
Cassie nodded and forced a smile. That wasn't an easy task over the mound of bile that rose from her stomach. She'd never heard of such callous, cold behavior as Stan Richter, Irina's father-in-law, exhibited to this petite beauty. She couldn't wait to make the bastard squirm, and return Irina's home and money to her.
But that would never wipe out the pain in Irina's eyes. Her agony hung about her, as apparent to Cassie's eyes as the black mourning outfit the young woman wore. How did someone survive such loss, Cassie wondered, then suffer through such horrible treatment as Irina had at Stan's hands? She admired the young woman's strength. Even under such circumstances, she held her shoulders back and her chin up.
"Yes,” Cassie told her, “I'm positive we can help you. It's going to take a while, though. Do you have a place to stay?"
Irina nodded. “Yes, at the shelter on Ames Street."
Not good enough. That shelter, although adequate, lacked good security. Plus it was crowded and noisy. Opening her purse, Cassie removed some money and placed it in Irina's hand. “Here. Find somewhere safer to stay."
The young woman shook her head vigorously. “No. I will not take money. It is not right."
"You want me to help you and your son?” At Irina's nod, Cassie smiled gently. “I can't do my best work if I'm worrying about you and the baby. So humor me, take the money and take your son somewhere safer. You can pay me back when I get your money and house returned to you. All right?” She closed Irina's fingers around the bills. “Could you do this for me?"
Irina studied her with clouded, troubled eyes. Cassie heaved a sigh of relief when she nodded at last, her shy smile lighting her face. “Very well. I will pay you back."
Sitting back, Cassie grinned at her. She loved the way taking on such a challenge felt, the way her blood pumped and her mind raced from one fact to another. Old Stan Richter had better be ready for an ass-kicking, Cassie-style.
She could think of only one other thing that felt better than helping people. Glancing over at Mike, she remembered the excitement of being in his arms, his erection hard against her belly, his mouth devouring hers. If she melted into a puddle at mere kisses and caresses, how explosive would it be when she finally convinced him to let go and make love to her?
Mike's face didn't look like he harbored any good thoughts at the moment. She'd never seen him so dark and unapproachable. Cal was talking, but Mike raised a hand and interrupted him. Both men looked as if they could kill the other. She knew that her dating Mike would be an issue, but to bring the two best friends to blows?
Then he glanced over at her, and their eyes met. He smiled and his gaze filled with tenderness. It was the kind of look that touched her heart.
The kind of look that two lovers shared.
An ache built inside of Cassie. She wished they truly were lovers, that Mike felt something for her other than lust and a time-worn affection. That they could truly have what others thought they did, a close intimate relationship with the promise of so much more.
With the promise of forever.
She turned away. Dangerous thoughts. She shouldn't have them. She couldn't let them grow. He'd never accept her for what she was: a Delistraty. Not that many people could live with that kind of legacy. Her mother hadn't. She'd rebelled and chosen a middle-class lifestyle, surviving on her own.
She snuck a look back over at Mike and her brother and realized that things were heating up. Both men were red-faced and their voices were getting louder. Others closer to them were openly staring and eavesdropping.
"Your sister's old enough to know what she's doing."
"Damn it, Mike, you're going to destroy her and you're too damn stupid to realize that."
She had to stop this before they started swinging. In a flash, she turned to Irina. “I need to go. You have my card. My cell phone number's on there. The instant you get checked into a hotel, call me.” When she was certain Irina understood, she gave her a smile and a swift squeeze on her arm. Gathering up her attache, she went off once more to rescue Mike.
* * * *
My intentions? Mike thought. What the...?
He didn't like Cal's question. Or his tone. “That's between me and your sister. Stay out of it."
Cal's eyes hardened. “Because she is my sister, I won't stay out of it. I'm not going to see her hurt again. That asshole she was married to did a number on her, and I'm not going to stand by and watch someone who hasn't worked through all his baggage take it out on her."
Briefly, Mike longed to ask Cal what ‘number’ Ken Travers had done to Cassie, but stopped. If this relationship was real, he'd already know. So he attacked the rest of Cal's statement.
"I'm not carrying any baggage. Even if I was, I respect Cassie too much to take anything out on her. So back off and let us work this out."
Cal leaned forward, the knuckles on his folded hands whitening. “Have you ever noticed how much Sharon was like Cassie?"
Mike jerked at the idea. “Are you trying to say I'm involved with Cassie because she reminds me of my ex-wife?"
Cal sneered. “No, I'm saying you married Sharon because she reminded you of my sister. She felt comfortable and familiar when you first met her, didn't she?"
Blood pounding in his ears, Mike barked his disbelief. “You think I married Sharon because I couldn't have your sister?"
Cal's tone showed his temper was rising as well. “I think that you're not seeing Cassie for what she truly is, and that's going to stop you from treating her right. Your view of her is clouded by your marriage, and I'm damned if I'm going to stand by and watch my sister be hurt."
Mike leaned forward, trying like hell to keep his voice low. “Cal, you might be my best friend, but if you think I'm going to sit here and let you say garbage like that...” He bit off his words. “I'd never hurt Cassie."
Cal shook his head, his eyes hard. “You might not mean to, but she's not as tough as she likes to make out. Of all the guys she could have picked, you're the only one that could break her heart.” Cal stabbed the table with one finger. “Think about that before you touch her again."
Break her heart? No. He couldn't believe that. Cassie was tough, feisty and capable of taking care of herself. She'd made it very clear she lusted after Mike, but no indication that her heart was involved.
If he thought that, then how would he feel?
He glanced over at her, and caught her looking his way. The warmth in her eyes lit him up immediately. Damn, she was beautiful, and so sexy. And she made him laugh. It felt good to laugh so freely.
Catching the look between the two, Cal's hand formed a fist. “Don't play with her. You can't see the real her; you just see another person like your ex. So back off."
"Your sister's old enough to know what she's doing."
"Damn it, Mike, you're going to destroy her and you're too damn stupid to realize that."
He couldn't take much more. “Why the hell don't you trust her to make her own decisions? She knows what she can handle."
Cal stood up, leaning over the table. “Because you're her blind spot! And that makes whatever game you're playing with her thoughtless and cruel."
Mike stood as well, barely stopping himself from knocking his friend on his ass. “What the hell can I say to make you back off?"
"Hey!” Like a heat-seeking missile, Cass showed up out of nowhere and shoved her brother. Hard. “I don't need the over-protective brother act, Cal. Mike's right. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself and make my own decisions.” Her jaw thrust out. “And right now I've decided to be with Mike. So although I do appreciate your concern, I don't need your int
erference."
Cassie lifted her chin under her brother's glare then moved close to Mike, wrapping one arm through his. Mike admired her for that. She had spunk, even more than when she'd been a kid. And now, intermixed with a certain class, she was sexier than hell. Sexy, classy, spunky and never boring. She had it all.
Cal moved his gaze from Cassie to Mike. “I'm watching you. You break her heart, I'll break you.” Snatching up his briefcase, Cal stalked off.
Mike watched his friend for a moment, then glanced at Cassie. She turned a brave smile to him, but he saw the cracks through her facade. She's not as tough as she likes to make out. Muttering a curse, he pulled her in his arms.
She snuggled into him, and he tightened his hold. He wanted to believe she was indestructible, that she could withstand anything. Right now, she felt less like a pillar of strength, and more like a woman in need.
He discovered he liked being needed. Especially by Cassie.
He pressed a kiss into her hair. Cassie glanced up, plastering on a brave smile, then stepped back from him. “I'm fine, Boy Scout. You're right, I know what I can handle. I'll be okay."
He let his fingers drop from her as he watched her closely. Those were the words he wanted to hear, the words that let him not worry about Cassie's feelings or her vulnerability. Those simple words could set his conscience free. Even if they made love, she understood the situation and was free to walk away.
What was that smile truly hiding?
Was she truly a woman of flight and fancy? Or did her smile hide the beginnings of love, the same emotion he fought in himself?
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Chapter Six
Mike's fingers let go of her, but Cassie felt their reluctance. His eyes lingered on her face and he frowned, as if he saw her for the very first time. The sensation unsettled her, and she prayed that whatever he saw pleased him. Her heart would break if he didn't like what he found in her.