I ignored my phone, knowing it was Dane since I’d been forced to blow him off. I’d have some explaining to do, but there’d been no way I could avoid meeting with Turner.
“You never got Blackthorn’s help on finding the evidence we need to take down the mole at GTC.” Turner shook his head and tossed the file on his desk. “Blackthorn’s been a distraction you can’t afford.”
“Dragging him into this was only going to raise suspicions at GTC. I’ll find the evidence. And don’t you forget that you’re the one who wanted to cultivate my relationship with him.” Even if I’d been more than willing to run back to his arms—eventually.
“I meant use him to our advantage, Avery—not for you to fall for him and forget why you were working with him in the first place.”
Turner could complain all he wanted. As long as the job got done, and we found what we were looking for, my relationship with Dane was none of his business.
“He’ll still help me find the info I’m looking for—and if not, I’ll manage it on my own.” I was more than capable—I just needed more time. “Just make sure you deal with Stubbs, and anyone else who might retaliate once we take them down. Because I refuse to have the Blackthorns put in danger, when keeping them safe was the only reason I agreed to the tracker.”
“The deal with the buyer has already been set up. The moment they make the exchange, we’ll take them all down.” Turner didn’t look at all concerned, and though he was being a pain in the ass at the moment, I knew he was a good guy and would do what he could to make sure Dane stayed safe. “I know you’re worried, but we won’t let anything happen to him. And skills like his...do you think he’d consider coming on as a consultant? I figure you’d probably be happy to work with him.”
“If he finds that tracker, I’ll be lucky if he even talks to me after this.” It was nothing but the truth. I got to my feet, needing to call Dane back. “I’ve got to go. Let me know how it goes with Stubbs.”
“Will do.”
I got to my car and checked my messages, and sure enough Dane had called—and he wasn’t sounding too happy.
Fuck.
I called him, and it didn’t take him long to answer. “Sorry I missed you. Something came up, but I’m done for the night. Where are you?”
“At my place.” His tone held no joy or love, leaving me to worry that it had all gone to hell with Stubbs.
“Did something happen with Stubbs? Please tell me you’re okay.” I was hit with such a wave of emotions, I found myself blinking back tears at the thought of something happening to him.
“It went all right. Just glad it’s over with.” He sounded tired and weary, though I was relieved everything went well with Stubbs, especially when it could all have gone so horribly wrong. “I swung by your place afterwards, but you weren’t there, and Huck wasn’t exactly willing to let me stay there and wait for you.”
Maybe that was it. Maybe he was in a mood, not because he’d had to deal with Stubbs or because he’d found out I’d betrayed him, but rather because he’d had to deal with Huck, who I was sure had been an asshole.
“Sorry about that. I really hadn’t expected to get called in. But one of the systems went down at GTC, and I needed to go in and deal with it. I can come over, though—unless you’d rather I didn’t.” It felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff and the ground below my feet was crumbling away.
“Come on over, love. I’d love to see you.” The tone in his voice softened—and yet I wasn’t sure I was buying it.
“I’m on my way.” I hung up and headed to Dane’s place, speeding down the road as my thoughts raced through myriad possibilities, and my heart hammered inside my chest, unsure of what to think. Maybe I was still in the clear—though my time was ticking down. I’d have to tell him before long, because if he found out before I had the chance to come clean, this would not end well.
A part of me—the part that clearly wasn’t in touch with reality—wanted to say “So what? Serves him right after he cheated, and I’d get along just fine without him.” Yet I knew that was nothing more than my stubbornness and pride talking. Because the truth was I wasn’t sure I’d survive losing him again—even if it would end up being my fault this time around.
I nearly got lost on my way to his house, given that he’d been doing almost all of the driving since he showed back up in my life. By the time I finally pulled into his driveway, I was a bundle of nerves. I told myself I needed to shake it off so that Dane wouldn’t start asking a bunch of questions. But at the same time, I knew I had to come clean.
Climbing up the steps, I took several controlled breaths to try to calm myself, and knocked on Dane’s front door, which sent his dogs barking up a storm. A moment later, he pulled open his door, and I found myself stepping into his arms, desperate for him to hold me.
Holding onto me, he pulled away just enough to look at me. “Hey...what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“No. Nothing. I just missed you.” I pressed my lips to his, wanting things to be all right between us, and yet unable to shake off the sense of dread. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t home earlier. Was Huck awful to you?”
“He was a bit of a jerk, but nothing I wouldn’t expect from a guy who’s in love with you.” His hazel eyes held mine, as if searching for some sort of answer.
“He knows I don’t share his feelings in that way.” I’d always love him as a friend, but my heart had always been Dane’s, for good or bad.
“I’m glad to hear it.” He tilted my chin up and kissed me, his lips lingering for just a moment, before he pulled away. “Anything else going on? You seem...shaken up.”
“No. Nothing else. Not really, anyway. Just...having a bit of a rough night.” This was the opening I’d been waiting for. I could come clean and tell him about the tracker...tell him that I was working for the Feds. But no...I was too chicken-shit to get the words out. “How did it go with Stubbs? I was so worried about you.”
“You don’t need to worry about me, Rae. I can take care of myself.”