She took his other hand. “They would be signing her death warrant if they do.”

Zane watched Cass as she poured them each a cup of coffee. He hated that there was still an uncomfortable tension between them, but he didn’t know what to do other than try to act normal even if she was skittish.

What bothered him the most was losing their easy and open relationship. They had formed a strong bond over the past few years. He considered her one of his closest friends. And now he was going back over everything to try to determine when she had started having feelings for him, because he’d been oblivious to it.

He’d be lying to himself if he didn’t admit he’d initially thought she was attractive, but once they were assigned as partners, he’d put up a mental wall that had been like a fortress, and it had worked. Until now.

“Why are you scowling?” Cass asked him.

He smiled. “I didn’t realize I was.”

“Good, because a scowl doesn’t look good on you.” She sat beside him at the kitchen table.

He couldn’t help but say something. “Cass, can we talk?”

She sighed. “Yeah. I realize I was a bit of a jerk to you the other day. I won’t lie, you hurt my ego.”

“How?”

She laughed. “Isn’t that obvious? You rejected me.”

“It’s so much more complicated than that, and you know it.” Against his better judgment, he placed his hand on top of hers.

Her brown eyes locked onto his. “You can’t have it both ways, Zane.” She pulled away from him. “We’re either setting some hard and fast boundaries, or we’re going to explore if there’s something more between us.”

“You think I’m sending mixed signals?” he asked.

“Yes, and I’ve felt that way for a while.”

He leaned back in his chair, trying to figure out how this had gone wrong. “Things have been crazy, and after you were attacked, I wanted nothing more than to protect you. If I made you think I was trying to make a move in the process, then I’m the one who needs to apologize.”

“Oh, Zane. You’re one of the good guys.”

“Didn’t you say just the opposite the other day?”

“I was mad and hurt. I said a lot of things I didn’t mean.”

He took her hand again. “Cass, I do care about you. More than is probably smart, but I also think we have a partnership that can’t be easily replaced. And a friendship I value beyond anything in my life.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I hear all of that, Zane. I really do. But . . .”

“But what?”

She took a deep breath. “I’ve fallen in love with you.”