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“Did you hear me, Dobbs?” Avery asked, pulling Caden out of his thoughts.
“Yes, Sir. And no, I can’t explain that. I’m seeing her again tomorrow. I’ll be sure to move things along. Get her to trust me. Women usually open up when they know they can trust a guy.”
Avery smiled. “And you’ve always been the most trust-worthy of my agents.” He turned to leave Caden’s office, but then stopped in the doorway. “You’re a good man, Dobbs. I haven’t missed the fact that you like this woman, but I also commend you on not letting that get in the way of your work. I have to warn you though, she is a job. If I even suspect that you’re getting too attached, I’ll pull you from the case faster than you can say peanut butter. Got it?”
Caden nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
Avery was already out the door, but how could Caden have missed this? He collapsed into his chair and placed his water bottle next to the mousepad, staring at it as condensation formed and trickled down, creating a small puddle on his desk.
Had Hallie really deceived him so well that he needed Avery to drop a bomb on him like that to get his head back on straight? He’d believed in her. In her innocence. But this? Even after thinking over all the possibilities, Caden couldn’t come up with one good reason why Hallie would’ve been researching Blake in the days before his shooting if she wasn’t somehow involved.
He had no idea how he would make this up to Blake and his friends, but for now, Caden would operate with a one-track mind. Hallie Owens was guilty, and he would proceed with caution, while making sure she never got the chance to hurt any of his friends again. He reached for his phone and saw that she’d replied to his previous text message.
Hallie: Great! I’ve met so many amazing authors, and I found the perfect gift for your friends.
Caden sighed. He had no doubt she would. If only the woman didn’t tug at his heart strings, he might have a chance of coming out of this case intact.
Caden: Great. I’m stuck at the office today. Should be leaving soon though. Plans for tonight?
Hallie: Just collapsing into bed.
Caden: Sounds good. See you tomorrow.
Caden shoved the phone aside and turned back to the small mountain left of his paperwork, determined to get through it. It would keep his mind off Hallie… for now. His phone buzzed again. He snatched it up and saw a message from Luke.
Luke: Blake says the woman you’re bringing tomorrow is dangerous.
Caden wanted to scream. Even after what Avery had told him, his first instinct was to defend Hallie.
Caden: She’s not.
Luke: Should we be on guard with her? What’s her deal?
Caden: What did Blake tell you?
Luke: Jack shit, but I won’t let her near Orly if she’s dangerous.
Caden: YOU THINK I WOULD?
When Luke didn’t immediately answer, Caden went back to work, not checking his phone again for several hours. He knew how protective Luke was of Orly, and it was like a kick in the gut that his best friend would ever think he’d allow anyone dangerous to go near his wife. Orly wasn’t just Luke’s wife. She was like a little sister to the guys. Caden loved her like family. He’d never let anything happen to her if he could help it.
A few hours later, when he was about ready to head out for the day and not see this place or Avery until Monday, his phone buzzed.
Luke: Sorry. I saw red. I trust you.
Caden almost replied, don’t. Instead, he pocketed the phone and walked out of his office feeling like the weight of a ton of bricks had just fallen on his shoulders.
Chapter 10
“You’re late,” Caden said in greeting as Hallie stepped out of her car after pulling into Garrett’s gravel driveway. She clutched the wrapped gift to her chest with her small handbag resting on top of it. “Sorry, I wasn’t expecting to hit so much traffic on a Sunday, and Katelyn called with a question about the register being off, and -”
“We should get inside,” Caden interrupted. Hallie pushed her car door shut and looked up at him, but he had already put a hand at the small of her back and was guiding her toward a large metal gate on the side of the property. Something was different about him, but Hallie couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She was only about fifteen minutes late, so he couldn’t be too angry about that. He’d also been a little standoffish last night when he called her, but she hadn’t thought much of it since she was tired after her long day, and figured he probably was too, after spending his day off at the office.
“Are you nervous?” She asked just as they approached the gate.
“About what?” Caden asked, his tone slightly gentling. “Luke and Orly are already married. This is just a party.”
She stopped, her feet awkwardly placed on the small gravel path. “About me. I understand if you’re worried about introducing me to your friends.”
