If she wasn’t still struggling with nearly losing her life hours before, the insanity of the situation would be laughable. But as the man still wearing his black leather jacket and that blood-stained shirt took two long strides toward her, Cassie wanted nothing more than to throw herself at him and beg him to take her home.
To make her forget the rest of the world around them, just like he had the night before.
But rather than go to him, she raised her palm to stop him from coming any closer. She couldn’t let him touch her. Not right now. Not until she’d said this next part.
Archer stopped, the question in his eyes as clear as if he’d said the words aloud.
“You have to promise me something.”
“Name it.”
“I’m serious, Archer.”
“So am I.”
Oh. Okay, then. Here it goes…
“If something happens, and I’m convicted, you have to promise you’ll forget about me and move on.”
“Impossible.”
“I’m serious.”
He ignored her motion to stop and continued forward. When he reached her outstretched hand, Archer took it in his and moved in so close, the tips of their shoes nearly touched. “Told you before I’ve never felt this way about another woman, and I meant it. So if you think I could ever forget about you…” Another slow shake of his head. “You’re not going to prison, Cass. But if you did, I’d spend the rest of my life fighting to set you free. Because I love you, too.”
“Archer…”
He leaned in close, his hot breath hitting her chin as he brought his lips to hers. She didn’t want him going anywhere. Was a breath away from telling him that very thing, but the forceful clearing of a man’s deep voice cut her short.
“Don’t worry, Nash.” Detective Knox let the door swing shut behind him as he entered the room. “Looks like the only one going to prison is our boy in there.” He motioned toward the glass.
Not wanting to put Archer in a position that could cause him professional harm, Cassie took a step to the side with the intent of separating herself. But much to her surprise, Archer reached down and linked his fingers with hers, keeping her right by his side.
Right where I belong.
Putting that part of her life on hold for now, she looked across the room at the handsome detective with an inquisitive frown. “What do you mean ‘the only one’?”
“Just what I said.” He dropped a small evidence bag on the table to her left.
“What’s that?” Archer asked before she could.
“Thatis a sandwich bag full of dried Morello cherry pits,” Knox announced. “Upon his arrest, we were granted a search warrant for Yates’ home, office, and vehicle.” He pointed at the bag.
Cassie’s stomach dropped as the other man confirmed her fears.
“Eddie put the crushed-up pits in my wine, didn’t he?” It shouldn’t have surprised her after his earlier attack. But it did. “I…I don’t understand.” Tears filled her eyes, but she brushed them angrily away. “Why?” Her gaze lifted to Archer’s as if he had all the answers. “Why would he want me dead?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart.” He released her hand but only so he could wrap the same arm around her shoulders and pull her close. Apparently he didn’t care that they had an audience of one.
Guess if he doesn’t care, I shouldn’t either.
Cassie let herself lean into the comfort of his embrace as Knox turned back to the glass and crossed his arms.
“Hopefully we’re about to find out the answer to that very question.”
Both she and Archer followed the other man’s gaze, their focus landing on the person who’d just walked into the other room. Tall. Brunette. Pretty.
The woman looked to be about Cassie’s age, and as she walked further into the room, her movements and stance exuded a confident intelligence. Setting the manilla folder and legal sized notepad she’d been carrying onto the table’s shiny surface, the other woman pulled out the chair across from Eddie and sat down.