Deadly Undertow

by Christy Barritt

  Or if it ever would.

  Ty slipped the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly, almost as if it was made for her.

  Cassidy stared at the jewelry for a moment. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.

  She leaned forward and kissed Ty. Really kissed him. Kissed him in a way that made her forget about all of her problems—for a few minutes, at least. She’d take whatever she could get—whatever sliver of happiness was offered.

  When they pulled apart, Cassidy rested her head on Ty’s shoulder, realizing more than ever just how much was at stake here.

  “Maybe we should run,” Ty said softly.

  Running was so tempting.

  But it was never quite that easy, was it? Because your past always caught up. Her life right now was a case in point.

  “I don’t want to run forever,” she said.

  “So what do you want to do?”

  That was a good question. When Cassidy pushed everything else aside, what was that answer? What would her life look like? She stared out the window a moment, stared at the white-capped waves in the distance as she contemplated her answer.

  “I want to stand my ground,” she muttered. “Am I crazy?”

  “Never.”

  “I don’t want to get anyone else hurt.” So many people Cassidy cared about had their lives turned upside down for her. No more. Enough was enough.

  “I’m a big boy. Don’t worry about me.”

  “You’ve already put so much into Hope House.” Ty was converting his cottage into a veteran’s retreat center. However, someone had set the place on fire a week ago and stalled progress. Now that Ty was back, he would no doubt begin working on it again . . . except Cassidy was curtailing his plans . . . again. “You’ve worked so hard to get this far on it.”

  “Hope House is in God’s hands,” Ty said. “When it’s supposed to happen—where it’s supposed to happen—it will. He opens and shuts the doors as He needs to.”

  Before they could talk anymore, Cassidy’s phone rang. It was Ryan.

  “I took a power nap, and I’m feeling more rested,” he started.

  “Good to know.”

  “Listen, I know I said I would give you time, but could we eat an early dinner together? I feel like we still have a lot to talk about.”

  Cassidy glanced at Ty, hoping he would understand. “We can have dinner, but only if Ty is there.”

  “I expected as much.” The dull tone of Ryan’s voice indicated he wasn’t entirely happy with the clause.

  “How about if you come to my house? I can pick up some food.” Cassidy glanced at her watch and saw it was already two o’clock. The past few hours had passed quickly—too quickly.

  “Okay, I’ll be there.” Ryan paused. “And I really need you to think about what I said earlier. Leaving this place is your best choice, whether you want to admit it or not.”

  Chapter Four

  Ty and Cassidy stopped at the Crazy Chefette, a restaurant owned by their friend Lisa Garth. She was known for her weird food combinations, and the scent of Old Bay and cinnamon mingling in the air only reminded Ty of all the crazy recipes Lisa developed.

  He paused at the door, and his heart twisted with grief for a moment.

  This place seemed like such a part of his life here with Cassidy.

  Could that all really be on the line?

  This place—Lantern Beach—just wouldn’t be the same without Cassidy. If she left . . . everywhere he went would be a reminder of what they’d had together. What they should have together. Here on this island they both loved.

  The thought of her leaving left him with the intense reminder that life wasn’t fair.

  His thoughts clashed together inside him until a dull headache developed.

  Ty nodded across the room at his friend Jimmy James, who was eating a Heart Attack Burger—one with three hamburger patties, bacon, cheese, a fried egg, and a split hotdog. The man wiped a glob of mayonnaise from his chin and waved back.

  Ty and Cassidy met Lisa at the counter. Lisa finished instructing the cashier on something before turning to them with a bright smile. “Hey, you two! What brings you by?”

  “We need to pick up some food to go.” Cassidy’s voice cracked, belying the tension she was desperately trying to hide.

  “You’re not going to stay and eat with us?” Lisa absently straightened some menus as they talked.

  “I wish we could,” Cassidy said. “But we need to take it back to my place. I have . . . company.”

  Lisa’s eyebrows shot up before wiggling with curiosity. “Company? Sounds intriguing.”

  “It’s not,” Cassidy said, her lips pulling down at the corners. “Not really.”

  A surge of irritation rushed through Ty’s blood, and he fisted his hands. Every time he pictured Ryan’s smug little face, he wanted to punch someone. Punching someone wasn’t a reaction he wanted. No, self-control was important to him.

  But the man was a living, breathing jerk. Maybe he’d come here with good intentions—intentions of helping Cassidy. That still didn’t mean Ty liked him, though.

  “Hey, you guys!” Skye joined them at the counter, her bangle bracelets clanging together like windchimes on her wrists. “What’s going on? You selling ice cream down at the fishing tournament today, Cassidy?”

  “Not today,” Cassidy said. “I thought about it, but something popped up.”

  This conversation seemed so normal in comparison to everything that was happening. Ty’s heart thudded at the thought. It sounded like nothing had changed, when in reality everything could change.

  He could hardly stomach the thought.

  “Well, both of you look like you’ve just seen a ghost,” Skye said. The woman was a little too insightful for her own good sometimes.

  “Just having one of those days,” Cassidy said.

  Lisa’s gaze focused on Cassidy’s hand, and she let out a squeal. “Oh my goodness! Is that what I think it is?”

  Cassidy glanced down and smiled. “It is. Ty and I are . . .”

  “Getting married,” Ty finished.

  Lisa and Skye both squealed this time, and a round of hugs went around.

  “I’m so happy for you two.” Skye smiled, but there was a certain sadness in her gaze—a sadness she never wanted to talk about.

  “I can’t wait to plan the menu!” Lisa said before her smile slipped. “Provided you want me to, of course.”

  “We’d love for you to help,” Cassidy said.

  “And we should have a little party to celebrate,” Lisa continued. “How about tonight?”

  Cassidy and Ty exchanged a glance.

  “Not tonight,” Ty said. “But sometime soon.”

  “It’s a deal,” Lisa said. She leaned with her elbows against the counter, almost like she had all the time in the world. “Did I mention how excited I am?”

  Ty smiled. This was what he loved about being part of a strong community—sharing your successes and joys with other people.

  “Guess what?” Lisa continued. “Not to change the subject, but . . . Ernestine came in here yesterday. Can you believe it?”

  Ernestine was the local newspaper editor, and she was also agoraphobic. Seeing her overcome her fears was pretty amazing. She’d made some impressive strides lately.

  “That’s great,” Ty said.

  He glanced at Cassidy and noted how pale she looked. He squeezed her hand, and she sent him a small, almost apologetic smile.

  Ty knew Cassidy wanted to be open with her friends about this hidden part of her life. But it wouldn’t be wise. Only he and Mac knew her secret, and it needed to stay that way.

  “So, what do you have for us?” Ty asked. “Anything family style?”

  “I just made some Kool-Aid pickles.” Lisa reached below the counter and held up a jar of red pickle spears. “They’re really tasty.”

  Cassidy’s nose scrunched. “Maybe something a little more substantial?”

  “A bologna cake?”
<
br />   Ty’s stomach churned at the sound of it. “What is that?”

  “It’s delicious. You can cut slices—just like cake—and dip crackers into it as a spread. I pipe cheese all over it, which makes it look like a cake. Isn’t that cool?”

  Cassidy didn’t say anything for a moment until, “Anything else?”

  “Seafood lasagna soup and Old Bay bread?”

  “We’ll take that,” Cassidy said.

  “And I made some fried milk for dessert. Have you ever tried it? It’s delicious.” Lisa ran her tongue along her lips, like a kid getting ice cream.

  “I’ve never had it, but I’ll take your word for it,” Cassidy said. “Add some of that too.”

  “Perfect!” Lisa smiled enthusiastically. “I’ll go pack it up for you. It’s going to be a winner. I promise.”

  Ty ran his hand along Cassidy’s back before pulling her closer.

  He didn’t like where this situation was going.

  And he felt powerless to do anything about it.

  At her house, Cassidy wasted no time getting things cleaned up—and it felt good to stay busy. She opened the windows to continue airing the place out since the faint smell of smoke still lingered in the air. She also pulled out another place setting for Ryan.

  While she did that, Ty called Mac and asked him to check the security footage from the station. Cassidy wanted a visual on who had come in. With every second that ticked by, the situation felt more and more burdensome.

  “You look nervous.” Ty hung up and began scraping the burnt quiche into the trashcan while Cassidy pulled out the fruit salad and muffins from breakfast.

  “I am. I’m sorry. It’s just that—”

  “You were engaged to Ryan.”

  She paused and nodded. “But you’re the one I’m in love with. Always. I just dread the awkwardness.”

  Ty turned toward the sink and began washing the quiche plate for her. “You never really talked about what happened between the two of you. Is there anything I should know?”

  How much should she say? Cassidy didn’t make it a habit of talking about her past relationships with her current relationship. But her life felt exceedingly complicated right now with so many threads going in so many different directions, almost like being emotionally drawn and quartered.

  “We met when he worked for the prosecuting attorney, and I was a detective.” Cassidy pulled some ice trays from the freezer, needing to do something with her hands as she talked. “We started dating only a couple of months prior to me going undercover. Before I took the assignment with DH-7, he proposed.”

  Should she mention that their relationship had been kept a secret? No, she decided. She didn’t bring up that detail.

  In retrospect, it should have been the writing on the wall. But sometimes love—or what a person thought was love—made them blind to the truth.

  “He proposed, and you said yes.” Ty didn’t glance at her; he just continued doing the dishes.

  It didn’t surprise her. Did any guy really want to know the details of their fiancée’s past love life? Yet parts of it were important to share simply for perspective.

  Cassidy drew in a heavy breath. “I did say yes. Looking back, it was mostly because we made sense. Ryan was so much like my father—someone who was driven completely by his job. I was so goal-oriented that I thought the match would be perfect.”

  Sometimes people gravitated toward what they knew—even if what they knew wasn’t desirable. Cassidy wasn’t an expert, but she’d observed that in her own life and in the lives of others.

  “So what happened?”

  She finished filling the glasses with ice, crossed her arms, and leaned against the kitchen counter. “A couple things. First, I realized that he didn’t miss me. I realized while I was undercover how many changes I needed to make in my life. I didn’t want to end up like my dad. I want my life to revolve around the people I love, not money and career.”

  “I see.” Ty finished washing the pie plate and moved on to a mixing bowl.

  “We made sense on paper. But I just wanted more in my life. I want someone I can’t live without, not someone I think I can make it work with.”

  “Sounds wise.” He put the bowl into the rack by the sink and dried his hands with a dish towel.

  Cassidy’s heart filled with love when she looked at him. He was strong but humble. Protective but respectful. Confident but kind.

  And he did dishes.

  What more could she want?

  “And I met you, and I realized what I’d been missing,” she said quietly.

  “I definitely like the sound of that.” A smile played across Ty’s lips as he stepped closer. His hands slipped around her waist, and he tugged her closer. “Let’s get married sooner rather than later.”

  His words washed over her. Had she heard correctly? “How soon are you thinking?”

  “As soon as this situation is resolved. When Ryan’s gone. When you’re safe. Why waste any time? I’m not going to change my mind.”

  She loved the sound of that. If only these things were that simple. “We’ve talked about the legalities and challenges of getting married right now—especially since I’m using an alias.”

  “We can figure out something.”

  Cassidy smiled, warmth spreading through her when she heard the sincerity and dedication in Ty’s voice. “I do love that confidence.”

  Ty’s lips quickly brushed hers, but when he pulled back, the inquiry was still in his gaze. “So?”

  She let out a laugh, the ring on her finger bringing a dash of delight to this otherwise trying situation. “So, as soon as this mess is over, let’s do it. Let’s find a way to make it happen. Because I’m not changing my mind either.”

  A grin spread across his face. “It’s a deal.”

  Before they could talk anymore, someone knocked at the door.

  Ryan had arrived.

  “You look refreshed,” Cassidy told Ryan as he stepped inside. He’d changed into a clean outfit, one nearly identical to his earlier one. His thick hair was still in place. And based on his scent, he’d shaved.

  Cassidy could smell his aftershave as soon as he walked into a room.

  “I do feel better.” Ryan’s gaze went across the room, and he nodded curtly at Ty, who mirrored the action.

  Meanwhile, Kujo sat beside Cassidy, just daring Ryan to make a wrong move.

  This was going to be fun. But having Ty with her was the only solution Cassidy felt comfortable with—and comfort was really a relative term at this point.

  “Why don’t we all sit down? The food is nothing fancy, but it’s ready,” Cassidy said, instantly slipping back into her role as a hostess. All of her etiquette training seemed to be coming back, and the laid-back beach girl seemed to slip further away.

  She didn’t want to waste time with formalities. There was too much at stake. Too much to talk about.

  How much about her theories could she tell Ryan? Could she trust him with everything she’d learned?

  Probably. Apparently, Samuel was the one Cassidy shouldn’t have been trusting this whole time. The realization still caused her heart to lurch.

  They sat at the table—awkwardly, of course—and passed the food around. Ryan made small talk, chatting about the inn where he was staying and mentioning how beautiful the island was. The scent of the seafood lasagna soup drifted up around them, as did the coffee that Cassidy had started earlier. She’d even dug into the secret stash she’d ordered from Seattle.

  Ryan’s eyes latched onto her hand. “You’re . . . engaged.”

  Cassidy glanced at the ring on her finger. “I am.”

  “I guess I should say congratulations.” His voice sounded anything but congratulatory, though.

  Her throat was tight as she muttered, “Thank you.”

  Ryan hadn’t given her a ring when they were engaged. No, he’d said he would do that later, once they were free to speak about their relationship. In other words, after he was el
ected.

  She took a sip of her soup, unusually nervous about this conversation but ready to change the subject from her engagement. “So, everything is lined up for the trial?”

  “We just need you there.” Ryan took a drink of his water. “Did you hear we were able to move up the date?”

  “Samuel mentioned that last time we talked.”

  “We’ve done great work, Cad—” He paused and shook his head, letting out a chuckle that seemed too uptight to be sincere. “Cassidy. I don’t know how I’ll get used to saying that. You’ll always be Cady to me.”

  At the intimate tone of his voice, Cassidy knew she had to change the subject. She squared her shoulders and lowered her spoon. “You said all of Samuel’s evidence disappeared with him?”

  Ryan nodded. “That’s right. It appears he’s been planning this for a long time.”

  “But why? Why would he do this? Was he the puppet master the whole time?” That was what Cassidy didn’t understand. What could Samuel’s motive possibly be?

  “The puppet master?”

  She cleared her throat, realizing she needed to clarify her statement. “That’s what I call the man in charge. I realized a few weeks ago that there had to be someone above Raul. Someone who put this bounty on my head.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Orion was obviously answering to a higher authority. I just didn’t realize it was Samuel.”

  Ryan nodded slowly and wiped his mouth. “You’re right. We have suspected that, and we were trying to nail down who this person was. After your first safe house was attacked, we knew there had to be a leak. We’ve been investigating since then.”

  “But you never suspected it was Samuel?”

  “Not until he came into the office last week acting strangely. I think he was getting spooked, that he was afraid you were getting too close to the truth.”

  “But if he wasn’t discovered, why blow his cover?” Cassidy asked. “You said he disappeared, right?”

  “That’s correct.”

  “And you assumed it was because he was involved with DH-7.”

  “I began digging, and, yes, that’s how it appears.”