Chapter Fifteen

Good things definitely came in odd packages. If someone had told Cassie a year ago that she’d not only find an attractive, successful and attentive boyfriend, but a supportive and happy family to boot by means of a murder, she’d have outright laughed in their face.

But that was exactly what life had handed her. Granted, her attentive boyfriend often strayed into possessive territory, but after having been mostly ignored her whole life, sometimes his overbearing side was an exquisite comfort. And when she felt the need to push back and gain some room, he usually acquiesced.

Usually.

Except when it came to her safety.

She stared out the back window of the Mercedes, her stupid grin in the reflection blending with the Sunday midmorning sun as it glinted off the buildings lining I-10. The last few days had been perfect. The festival outing on Friday full of laughter, noise, junk food and a little silliness. The Saturday night dinner with his family relaxed, and the surprise trip to the opera Kir took her on afterward an utter delight. Who knew a badass mobster would have a thing for opera? Or that she’d actually enjoy it?

Sam exited the highway and navigated the near-empty streets.

That was another funny thing. Usually, she’d catch herself holding her breath and clenching her hands around the steering wheel on the drive in to work. A focus and a tension that made her think of nothing else but gaining ground in her career. Not what the weather was like. Not what was going on around her—unless, of course, it was newsworthy. Definitely not what she’d be doing when she got home.

But the last three days? Zero tension. Nada. Sure, in the back of her mind she was thinking of new angles or stories she might pursue, but mostly she’d just handled whatever assignments were given to her and taken things moment to moment. And through it all, she’d texted with Kir and Evette and looked forward to what was lined up after she clocked off for the night. Talk about your novel developments.

The Mercedes glided to a stop in front of the station, pulling her from her happy thoughts.

“Same time tonight, Miss McClintock?” Sam said as Patrick alighted from the front passenger seat and opened her door.

“You’re really not gonna drop the Miss McClintock thing are you?” she said.

Sam chuckled. “If Mr. Vasilek was your boss, would you?”

“Good point.” She took the hand Patrick offered, slid out of the back seat and ducked down for eye contact with Sam. “And yes, I should be out around 10:45 tonight. If I need to leave the building, I’ll let you know.”

“Hey, girl,” Bonnie said the second Cassie hit the lobby, but her googly eyes were all for watching Patrick still waiting by the car to ensure Cassie made it in safely. “You ever going to tell me who those two lookers are?”

“Just some guys my new boyfriend hired to pick me up and drop me off at work. He’s got a protective streak and thinks me being a television reporter makes me a target for crazy people.”