“I was worried. I did not know who this man was that Koko saw with you.”
More than likely, her mother thought she would catch her doing something illicit; and, of course, she would have if Drew hadn’t turned her down.
“I was just talking about the case, but I didn’t tell her much.”
“You have your first lead,” her mother said, an accusatory tone in her voice.
“I told you that.”
“Well, I did not know that you had dragged Drew into it.”
“She didn’t drag me. Besides, I was happy to help. This person is killing other people. Cat’s going to catch her.”
“Her?” her mother asked.
“Yes, we think it is a woman. Cat is convinced of it.”
Then, Cat watched as her mother turned and smiled at Drew. It was a genuine one too. The one she reserved for Father Alan at church. He met Cat’s eyes over the top of his coffee cup. There was a smug humor there that almost made her want to punch him as much as she wanted to laugh.
“Do quit hovering, Catherine,” her mother ordered. “It isn’t very ladylike.”
She wanted to tell her mother to shove it, but that would end with a fight. She didn’t have time to make nice with her mother. If she explained it, her mother would just come up with some other reason why she needed to talk to Cat. Thankfully, Drew must have sensed her irritation and her thought process, and he stepped in.
“We really have to go. Cat has to give an update on the case to the crew.”
Her mother looked at her and then back to Drew. “Okay.”
Cat blinked. Who was this creature? The one that seemed to be okay with doing anything Drew told her to? She walked her mother to the door and out onto the stoop.
“I thought maybe you had a man here.”
“If I did, it wouldn’t be any of your business.”
“You are always my business.”
She sighed. “What I mean is that I am an adult. And while I appreciate you wanting to watch over me, I can take care of myself.”
Her mother walked out to the car and Cat followed. She knew that wasn’t the end of the conversation.
“You know, I always worried about you.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“But, you were always strong. Even after we lost your father, you were the one there, taking care of the others, cooking dinner, and keeping the house clean.”
She said nothing, as she watched her mother get into the car. Then, her mother sat there, saying nothing for a long time.
“You don’t have to be the person who does everything.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that every now and then, it is good to let someone else carry the load for you. You don’t always have to be the strong one.”
It was the closest thing to a real conversation they had had in months. She had missed this part of the relationship, where they had real conversations and did things together. Of course, her mother being who she was, had to ruin it.
“Call your sister.”
Then she started the car and backed it up. Cat stood there completely confused by what just happened. She watched her mother drive all the way down the street until she could no longer see her taillights. Then, she turned to walk back in the house. Drew was standing there, leaning against the doorjamb, a coffee mug in his hand.
“Everything okay?”
She nodded as she walked up to him. “I think she likes you more than she likes me.”
“That is understandable.”
“Let’s get going. I have a meeting to put together, and you have another date to make with our suspect.”
“If you say so, boss.”
She shook her head and reminded herself not to let her emotions take over. There was no telling where they were headed after this, but she knew that for right now, everything was fine. She was just probably feeling weird because her mother had thrown her for a loop.
Cat was reading over a report of Lana’s financials, noting there was something off about them. They looked almost a little too perfect. She was just about to pull up another document when there was a knock on the doorjamb. She turned around and found Autumn standing there. Great.
“Hey, there.”
“Did you need something?” she asked, trying to be professional and probably failing. She had a problem with hiding her true feelings. Always had.
Autumn didn’t take the hint. Instead, she stepped into Cat’s office and shut the door.
“I feel like we got off on the wrong foot, and I wanted to set things straight.”
“Okay. But I don’t think there is anything wrong.”
Autumn chuckled them. “Oh, please. You gave me a death glare when I was talking to Drew. I didn’t know you two were an item.”
“We aren’t. Or we weren’t.” Dammit. One day and she was spilling secrets to the new girl. “We…never mind.”
“That sounds all interesting. Care to share?” Autumn said, sitting in the chair. Again, she did this uninvited. Cat had a feeling that she and Autumn were not going to get along.
“No. Not really.”
Autumn deflated a bit. “Okay. Just know that I didn’t know I was poaching on goods. I don’t do that. Sharing is not something I’m good at.”
“Didn’t you grow up in a commune?”
“No, I grew up in a cult, and you had to share everything. Absolutely everything. It was insane. Food, water, clothes, pencils, the works. I drew the line at underwear, because that’s just gross.”
“I have to agree with you on that.”
“So, I’m kind of possessive of things, including my men. But I wanted you to know that I would never do that to another woman. Not my thing.”
She couldn’t help it. Cat smiled. “Thanks. Although, nothing really happened.”
“Please. I could smell the hormones in the air this morning.”
Cat frowned. “During the meeting?”
Autumn nodded. “I almost got a contact high from it.”
“Damn.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t think anyone else noticed. I mean, they know you two are hot for each other, and there is some kind of office poll going on, but I don’t think they picked up on it.”
“But you did?”
She nodded. “Well, you know, when you grow up with a bunch of people around you all the time, you know the signs.”
“How long did you live in the cult?” Realizing how rude that was, especially since she coveted her privacy, she immediately regretted the question. Sorry, that was kind of nosey.”
“Not at all. I have never hidden my strange beginnings. I assumed everyone here knew, but I was there until I was sixteen.”
“Did your parents leave with you?”
She chuckled. “No. My father was the leader.”
Cat blinked. “Your father was the leader? As in the…”
“The David Koresh of Hawaii? Yeah. My father was in the bonkers category. I always wondered what it would be like with a normal father, but then I think I might have turned out kind of boring.”
“I have so many questions.”
“Emma did as well. That girl’s mind never stops working. But,” she said looking over her shoulder, “I think you have company.”
There, in the window, she could see Drew loitering.
“He really is cute. I hope you know how lucky you are.”
“I’m starting to understand,” she said.
“Hey,” Autumn said as she passed Drew. “She’s all yours.”
“What was that about?”
Cat shrugged and kept looking at him. “What do you want?”
“That is definitely a loaded question.”
She smiled. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I was wondering,” he said, closing the door. “If you wanted to come over tonight. We could grill something, hang out.”
She sighed. It sounded like heaven to her, but she had to keep her head screwed on straight. “I don’t think that’
s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“What if this Lana chick is the woman who is after you? What do you think she would say if she saw me coming out of your building in the morning?”
He sighed. “Still, who cares? That would probably just speed up the process. Maybe she would go crazy then and attack me.”
The idea of him getting hurt again sent a cold chill sliding down her spine. “Don’t joke around about that.”
He picked up on her tone. “I’m sorry. So, tonight?”
“No. I don’t think it is a good idea.”
He cocked his head to the side and studied her. “Is there another reason?”
“No.” Not really.
“Catherine.”
“Don’t use that name. My mother and Father Alan are the only two people who can call me by that name.”
He smiled. “Quit avoiding the subject.”
“I don’t want to go too fast.”
Drew stared at her for a long moment, then he started to laugh.
“What?”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think anyone would think that we moved too fast. I’ve been working on you for about four years.”
It was her turn to stare. “What are you talking about?”
“You have to know I was infatuated with you from the first moment I met you.”
She could play coy, but Cat didn’t play well at that game. “I knew you might be attracted.”
He snorted. “And don’t tell me that you weren’t intrigued.”
The man was getting a little too cocky. “Nah, I barely remembered your name.”
Instead of getting mad, he chuckled.
“So, tell me why you can’t come over?”
She hesitated because she had no real reason. “I need some clothes. It is hard enough to make it in here in the morning on time.”
“Good, then it’s settled.”
“Wait, what?”
“I’ll come over to your place. We’ll stop by my place, pick up some clothes, then grab dinner on the way home.”
He said it like it was completely normal. Home. As if he lived with her. He hadn’t even spent the night there, and he was assuming they would spend the night together. She should object. She had always liked having her own space and being on her own. But, there was this tiny part of her rejoicing at the idea. She rarely felt comfortable with men, but with Drew, she always felt centered. And they would be able to work on the strategy for his next date.
“Did you call Lana?” she asked.
The gleam in his eyes told her he knew she was trying to divert the conversation, but apparently, he was going to let her off the hook for now.
“Yes. Tomorrow night.”
“Good.”
A few beats of silence went by before he said, “So, your place or mine?”
She knew she should say no. Rushing things could end up badly for them both, but he was smiling at her, and being with him made Cat feel good. It was insane that a man who was so different than she was seemed to know exactly what she needed.
“Fine. We’ll stay at your place, but I need to get a few things.”
“I don’t mind staying at your place.”
“I know that, but do you want to deal with Auntie Koko again?”
“Good point.”
He closed the blinds, then walked over to her. “What are you doing?”
He said nothing as he pulled her up out of her chair and into his arms. “How about I pick something up while you head back to your place and get your stuff?”
“Are you trying to manage me, Franklin?”
He kissed her nose. “Just a little.”
“I’m not sure I like that.”
“You do. You just have to get used to it.”
She opened her mouth to argue with him, but he kissed her. Quick, hard, and mind meltingly good. When he pulled back, he was smiling.
“My place then? And how about some grilled shrimp?”
Dammit, he was just too cute to say no to.
“Shrimp sounds good.”
“Great. I’ll head out now and get the stuff I need.” He gave her another kiss, this one more leisurely, but just as powerful. “I better go now before we get found out.”
He stepped back and opened the office door. When he stepped out, he laughed. She followed him out. There, in the conference room, was most of the team.
“Is there a meeting I didn’t know about?” she asked.
“Nope,” Charity said with a smile.
She looked at Drew. “Del said to delegate, so this is your mess.”
“Coward,” he muttered.
“You bet,” she said as she walked back to her office and shut the door.
Drew stood there, abandoned by Cat, and knew he was going to have to answer questions. Closing her blinds probably wasn’t the smartest thing to have done. All the agents had their own offices, which had a massive window out into the conference area. There were only a few times any of them closed their blinds, and one of them would be for privacy.
“So,” Emma said. “You got anything to say?”
“Nope. Other than I have a date tomorrow night.”
Emma shared a look with Charity. “Where are you taking her?”
“I thought maybe a movie. We’re meeting over at the Ward Cinema.”
“I have a feeling he’s talking about the suspect,” Marcus said.
“You thought I was talking about someone else?” Drew asked, trying to sound innocently confused on the subject.
Elle frowned. “Drew Franklin, don’t tell me I dragged my very swollen feet up here only to find out you were talking about work?”
“Hey, I didn’t say that you should come up here. I was just meeting with Cat about the date tomorrow night.”
They all stared at him and he almost broke. It was hard not to want to shout it out loud, because he wanted everyone to know. He had serious doubts from looking at all of their coworkers, that they would be able to keep it a secret for long.
“Fine,” Emma said. “You heard him. We have to wait for confirmation for the bet.”
“What bet?” Del said from his office doorway.
“Uh,” Emma said, then she directed a thousand-watt smile in her husband’s direction. “Nothing.”
With the boss giving everyone the death glare, the crowd dispersed. Everyone left except for Charity.
“Hey, are you sure you’re okay?” she asked.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“I do though. I worry about you both. I won’t allow you to be hurt again. Either one of you.”
He took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Sometimes, risking hurt is more important than keeping your heart safe.”
She rolled her eyes. “Good lord, you sound like a Hallmark Channel movie.”
“You like those, so you can’t complain. You made me watch all those damned Christmas movies last year. I still have nightmares.”
She smiled, but didn’t laugh like he hoped she would.
“I just want you to be okay.”
“I’m okay. Don’t worry, mama.”
“But I will. Please don’t go to the dark place.”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“After the shooting, you were kind of an asshole.”
“I was not. And besides, even if I was, I had been shot. I think that warrants being an asshole.”
She shook her head. “Make sure to remember, you always have friends.”
“Thanks, Charity. As a reminder, if something goes wrong, maybe we’re both at fault.”
She nodded, then kissed his cheek and walked toward the elevators. He watched her until she disappeared around the corner, all the while thinking about what she had said. Then, as if unable to resist, he glanced toward Cat’s window. The blinds were still shut. They had things to work out, but right now, there was no rush.
Instead of worrying about that, he headed out the door.
He had some food to pick up and a dinner to plan.
17
Drew pulled the shrimp and asparagus off the grilling pan, and smiled over at Cat. When she had shown up thirty minutes earlier, he had been delighted by the way she had dressed. Cat wasn’t a woman who went for glamour all the time, but she’d worn a bright red sundress with thin straps. It was one of the few times she had pulled her hair up into a messy bun on top of her head. It wasn’t that he needed these little gestures, because he found her equally stunning when she strapped on her gear to go out to work, but it was a nice change of pace.
She stood close to the open window, drinking a glass of wine, and looking out over the water. A light wind played with the few stands of hair that had escaped her bun.
“Hey, dinner’s ready.”
She turned and smiled at him. Just that small gesture left him speechless. All this time, and nothing had changed. He’d been mad at her for the last few months, but deep down, he had also been mad at himself. No matter how irritated he’d been with her, he still wanted her. She would piss him off, and they wouldn’t be speaking, but she would smile and he would forget all about it.
“It smells amazing.”
He couldn’t think of what he should say next. He stood there staring at her. The picture she presented was amazing. The sun was beginning to set behind her, the last red orange rays sparked over the sky and glittered off the glass in the room.
“Are you all right?”
Shaking his head, he said, “Not really, but it isn’t a big thing.”
Except that it was. He was fucking in love with her. Sure, he had that fuzzy idea of really being infatuated with her, but never in his mind had he thought about those feelings past that initial phase. He had used that word love in his own head this morning. It was just now that he realized she was the most important person in his life. How the hell had that happened? How did he deal with the fact that she worked a dangerous job, and he could lose her on one bad day? When the hell had this happened to him, and how did he not think of the consequences?
“Really, Drew, you’re starting to scare me.”
He blinked and brought himself back from the edge of fear. “Sorry. Come on, let’s eat.”
He set the plate of food on the little table that he’d brought to the small area in front of the windows.
Tangled Passions (Task Force Hawaii Book 4) Page 15