“You knew me when you first saw me,” Shanna said, cutting him off. “I was four when it happened.”
Finally, she asked a question he was willing to answer. “You were a teenager when the first conviction came up for parole. I was in Maine at the time, and we live-streamed the proceedings. Dev wasn’t there, but you were with your mom. It’s how I recognized you so fast.”
“Your attack stayed with me for a long time. When I took this position, I looked for you, but they sealed your information,” Shanna explained, she looked pained as she spoke. “Now I understand better why.”
“It took me quite a while to get back on my feet again. I was homeschooled after that.” Cash let go of an unsteady breath and partially shared what he remembered. Something he hadn’t done with anyone since the attack. “It turned out to be a targeted gang initiation. They tagged me as a goodie-goodie Christian and gay. An easy target in a rough neighborhood. They planned to end my life that day.”
She let go of her own breath and pierced him with her stare. “Then I’ll tell you a truth. That day in court, when I was thirteen years old, I decided to go into law enforcement. Where Dev always uses his fists to stand up for the underdog, I wanted more power at my back. It was because of you and him that I’m standing here today.”
“How did you get on this case?” he asked. He aimed for a tone somewhere between questioning and encouraging.
Her gaze narrowed on him. She struggled to answer, and he wasn’t certain why. She also gave nothing away in her stare. So damned tough.
“You’re not the only one holding personal secrets close. All I’m willing to say is that I refuse to become one ofthem.” She went for the door, placing her hand on the doorknob. “You’re moving into my brother’s new rental property tomorrow. Over the last few years, he appears to be putting distance between himself and the club. Keyes seems to be doing the same thing. I’m not sure it’s gonna be enough to keep either of them out of the crossfire. But my father and the others? They’re in over their heads and deserve what’s coming to them.”
She had no doubt in her mind what she said was true.
“I won’t hesitate to arrest your brother if that’s any concern to you, but there is a small part of me that hopes he’s an innocent.” Cash revealed his one truth, and the world didn’t swallow him whole. “If he’s disconnected from the club, my hope might be more credible.”
She grinned broadly and laughed an almost silent laugh. “My brother’s not innocent by any stretch of the imagination, but I’d rather he turn state witness than spend the rest of his life in prison.” After a minute of silence, she shook her head, and added, “And I don’t see it happening. He’s an anarchist to his core…but he does love those little girls, so maybe.”
Cash nodded. Very much the impression he got of Dev’s file.
“I haven’t eaten, and there’s a lot to this case. Why don’t I order in, and you fill me in?” Cash suggested. Shanna had helped pull his thoughts back to center. For that, he appreciated her. And having one Fox at his back helped ease the burden of being completely alone on this assignment.
Shanna froze in her spot as if assessing him again, but this time it was different. She surprised him by pointing to herself. “Gay. I’m with Emma right now. If that’s what’s on your mind.”
“Gay too,” he said, pointing to himself, resisting a laugh. Apparently, she thought he might be looking for a hookup. Definitely the wrong Fox for that one-night stand.
With those cards on the table, her pretty face morphed into something extraordinarily attractive. “Well then. I have connections for dinner. I know the chef at Beto & Son in Trinity Grove. If I can get us some food delivered, you want some?”
“Absolutely,” he agreed, having no idea what food category might be covered by a Beto & Son but willing to give it a try.
She visibly relaxed as she reached for her cell phone in her back pocket. “I’ll order if that’s all right with you. Emma’s downstairs. She can grab my laptop from the car and come up. Sound good?”
He nodded, feeling like the facts in the case had shifted again. They’d established a tentative truce and were building a solid rapport. Everything in his gut said Shanna had spoken the truth. If nothing else, he wouldn’t have to be alone tonight which was good. He didn’t think he could lift another weight to work off any more tension.
Chapter 6
“You’re late,” Tena said, flicking her cigarette on the front porch ledge, smashing the butt out as she took the steps down.
“I’m ten minutes early,” Dev argued, walking through the freshly cut lawn toward the front door of his Sunnyvale home.
While darkness had fallen, every light on the property was on, lighting his way. That explained their through-the-roof electric bill.
“Who’s that?” he asked with a chin-tilt in the direction of the car idling at the curb. The one that had blocked Dev from parking in his usual spot.
“My ride,” she said as if that should be obvious and rolled her eyes in such a way to make sure he knew the stupidity of his question.
Her high heels ate up the front walkway in her hurry to get inside the waiting car. Her strut was catwalk worthy, a master in a pair of shoes that lifted her height by at least five inches. She was still short though.
When she turned on her heel, she gave all the attitude in the world while sticking out a hand and clicking her long coffin-shaped nails. “I know you got money tonight. I want my share.”
Dev didn’t stop walking toward the house. He cast a critical gaze up and down her body, shaking his head in judgment. Her dress was clingy, sparkly, and draped across her in such a way to accent his significant artwork. Her shoes were dainty and strappy, and matched the color of the dress perfectly.
She wore a sleeveless, plush faux fur coat that hit her thighs, maybe two inches longer than the dress, and left her arms completely bare. It had to be new, looked expensive, and too big for her. The revealing cut of both articles of clothing allowed for glimpses of her unencumbered breasts. Had he known that would be a side-effect of the tit job he’d paid for, he wouldn’t have done it.
Her hair, makeup, and tan all helped pull the expensive but trashy look off to perfection. She still looked like a hooker, but a million-dollar one. He pitied the man who fell between the trap of her thighs that night. He’d pay dearly for the privilege.
