Would he resent her?Think she hadn’t wanted him?If he knew that he was adopted, would it matter to him that she hadn’t had a choice?That she very much had wanted to keep him?
“Okay, Hudson.I accept your offer of help.On one condition.”
“Name it.”
“That you let me figure out a way to repay you, if not with money then in some other way.”
“Deal.”This time, when he smirked, a dozen butterflies released in her chest, and heat pooled between her inner thighs.“I have a condition of my own.”
“Okay-y-y-y.”
“I get to decide how you repay me.”
Cassie wasn’t so sure that was a good idea based on the smirk.“As long as it’s legal.”
“Oh, it’ll be legal.”His face broke into a wide smile as more of those butterflies were released.“And enjoyable for both parties.”
Cassie’s cheeks flamed.The things she could do with this man…
Not the time nor the place.
However, the distraction was welcomed, if brief.
Hudson tuckedhis cell into his pocket and stood.The sounds of Travis pulling up out front broke into the lightness of the moment—a moment they’d both needed.It was dark outside.Nikki was still in the hands of a stranger, being used as bait to draw Cassie out.At least his family had been home to surround her, and the abductor hadn’t gotten the person they’d wanted.If not, he didn’t want to think about where she would be right now.For now, Nikki will be safe.
He feathered a kiss on Cassie’s lips and placed his forehead against hers, needing one more minute of peace before Travis came through the door and they started coming up with a real plan to get Nikki back and figure out a way to bust Jarek.
The front door opened, breaking into the moment of peace.
Travis started toward the kitchen, saw them in the office, and changed course.
“The feds are watching Jarek.They told me to take a step back and let them do their thing,” he said as he took a step inside the office.
“That must be the reason for moving the money out of the house,” Cassie said.“Jarek knows or at the very least suspects he’s being watched or about to be raided.”
Which meant the man had nothing to lose in coming after Cassie.
“Since we’re speculating here, containing you could be a priority since he might assume you could end up testifying against him,” Travis said.
“Someone shot at my truck,” Hudson interjected.“They were shooting at the tire.”
Travis took notes, no doubt for his report.“That’s a good sign.The shooter was likely instructed to bring her in alive.”
“Which doesn’t necessarily mean Jarek wants to keep me that way.”Cassie paced.
“This is all a guess at this point,” Travis said, “but he might not want you dead in case you have evidence against him.”
“I don’t.”
“He doesn’t know that and it appears that he might want to make certain of the fact before he pulls the trigger.”He flashed apologetic eyes at her.
Travis made a good point.“What do you suggest we do while the Feds do their job?”Cassie asked.
“Nothing,” came the quick response.“As much as we all want to feel like we’re doing something to contribute, the best course of action is to do nothing.We stay alive and out of the way, and so does Nikki.”
Conrad joined them.“Doing nothing doesn’t work for me.We need to come up with another idea.”
Travis put a hand up.“I can only imagine what you must be feeling right now, Conrad.”