to be soon enough. She had dinner plans that she couldn’t change.”
“I’m not too late, am I?”
“Like I said earlier, Emma, four years is a long time. But if it makes you feel better, Cain hasn’t had any encounters I’ve been able to confirm. With her reputation that’s hard to imagine, but I don’t think anyone’s standing in your way. No one, that is, but yourself.”
The thought of someone else pressing her naked skin to Cain’s sent a swift pain through Emma’s heart that just as quickly turned to anger. It was irrational to expect Cain to abstain until she came to her senses, but that was what she had done. As for Emma, no one else had remotely come close to engaging her in a long conversation, much less making her share herself in such an intimate way.
*
The object of Emma’s jealousy walked into an office supply store, sure that no one had followed her. What luck for the award-winning Emeril’s Restaurant to share a wall with such a mundane business. The aisle with the pens and office paper was just where Cain said it would be, and at the end was a door. Shelby knocked and stepped back a little when Merrick opened it outward.
“Welcome, Agent Daniels.”
She frowned when the woman called her by name. Cain had promised not to share it with anyone.
“I’m the only one here, and I’m the only one aside from Vincent’s men who knows your name, ma’am, so don’t look so worried. If you’re ready, Cain’s waiting.”
Cain was seated in a beautiful private room waiting for her. As always she looked incredible in the custom suit she was wearing, and Shelby was glad she had put a lot of thought into choosing her own outfit.
Cain stood up and nodded to Merrick, who went to wait in the office of the business next door.
“Welcome, Shelby. I hope you’re hungry and curious.”
“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you? If you ever decide to leave your life of crime, you can write a book on interesting tidbits in New Orleans.”
“I would, but I hear a life on the straight and narrow path really doesn’t pay,” Cain joked back as she moved forward to kiss the agent hello.
“Isn’t it a life of crime doesn’t pay?”
“Bite your tongue, Agent Daniels.”
“I’d rather you do that.” She blushed. “I can’t believe I said that. I really do need to stay away from you before you convince me bank robbery might be a good hobby.”
Cain laughed and lowered her head. Since Shelby hadn’t hesitated about her method of greeting, Cain lingered a moment longer and enjoyed it. “Why don’t you try a curried shrimp, and I’ll pour you a glass of wine?” Cain pulled Shelby’s chair out for her and tried to squelch her libido.
“This is very nice. Thanks for asking me.”
“My pleasure. Maybe after your big promotion you’ll be the one to treat me to dinner.”
“And why am I going to be getting a big promotion?” Shelby tapped her glass against the one Cain held over the center of the table and smiled at her before taking a sip.
In lieu of an answer Cain passed her a large file and sat back to enjoy her appetizer.
Twenty minutes later a waiter appeared with the next course, noticeably upset when he found Shelby’s plate untouched and papers spread out around her chair.
“Leave it, Julian. I’ll cut it up and feed it to her in small pieces so she won’t choke while she’s reading.”
“Another twenty minutes or so before the soup, Ms. Casey?”
“That sounds about right. Why don’t you bring that with a straw?” Cain teased.
Shelby finally looked up, an expression of total shock marring her features. “I’m sorry for zoning out like that, but there’s no way this is true.”
“Why wouldn’t it be? Just because I gathered the information, it’s bogus because it suits my interests?”
“No, Cain, because of what it implies. This is a serious allegation against someone who up to now has been beyond reproach.”
Cain lifted a shrimp off Shelby’s plate and held it up for her to take a bite. “I’m a Casey, Shelby, which makes me a bad guy in the eyes of the law. What you just finished reading doesn’t make him any different from me because of who he works for. I asked you for a favor—for you to do your job. You have the rest of tonight and most of tomorrow to do it. Verify the information and then make your decision. That’s all I ask. Forget now that you owe me your life. Your being here tonight has paid your debt. As your friend I’m asking you to do this. If you refuse, I still have options, but I wanted to give you first shot.”
“Can I get some help from some of the other agents?”
“If you trust someone else, then knock yourself out.”
“Cain, would you be terribly offended if I skipped the rest of dinner?”
“Eat one more shrimp to make Julian happy. Then get out of here.”
Shelby ate the shrimp, gathered all the paperwork, and jumped up. She kissed Cain good-bye and was almost to the door before her benefactor stopped her.
“Is there room in your sensibilities for me to ask one more favor?”
“I’ll owe you more than one favor if this checks out. What else do you want?”
“Tomorrow night is the one night your boss has been waiting for.”
“Cain, it’s not too late to call off whatever you’ve got planned.”
