He bristled. “You can’t possibly be insinuating that I’m somehow involved in this.”
She laughed. “I know better than that.”
“All right.” He didn’t really think it was a laughing matter, but she didn’t appear to be accusing him of anything.
Cass shifted on the couch to face him. “Think this through. Why focus on Diaz and Layla? Maybe if we figure that out, we’re closer to breaking this thing open.”
He could only hope. “Could the cartel believe that the two of them are responsible for Roberto’s death? Maybe holding them specifically accountable. It could be that they don’t know I was there but determined that you three were. And maybe they had some reason to believe you or Diaz had some of the cash or drugs at your place. That’s my best working theory.”
“But why me?” Cass asked.
“Not that much of a stretch to think one of us could be dirty.”
She sighed. “Yeah. I guess there’s no reason to feign surprise at that. But why target me?”
He couldn’t hold back his smile. “Maybe they think you’re the most likely candidate of the group.”
She punched his arm. “It would definitely be you before me.”
He’d worked with Cass for years and trusted her completely. “But it’s a good question. Why did they think it was you? Rack your brain. Is there anything that could give the cartel even the smallest indication that you might be a dirty agent?”
Cass sat quietly for a minute. “No secrets, right?”
“I sure hope not.” He wondered what bomb she was about to drop.
“I haven’t been intentionally hiding this from you. There just hasn’t been a reason to bring it up.”
“Go on.”
“My little brother has a gambling problem. So much so that he got on the wrong side of some really bad guys.”
“Uh-oh.” He hated to think about the implications.
Her dark eyes softened. “I had to protect him.”
His gut clenched. “What did you do?”
“I emptied my savings and took out some loans to pay off his debts. If someone were to do a profile on my financials, they’d see all of that, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume I could be vulnerable.”
“Cass, your brother is lucky to have you.” Zane paused, considering his words carefully. “I’m guessing Mason doesn’t know about this.”
She shook her head. “And you can understand why.”
DEA agents were supposed to immediately report to their boss anything that could be used as leverage against them. “I do. But now, what are we going to do about it?”
She rubbed her temples. “You want to go to Mason.”
“Not necessarily,” he shot back. “We should think this through. We don’t want to have you sidelined.”
She put her hand on his arm. “Thank you for having my back, Zane.”
He placed his hand on top of hers. “We’re a team, Cass. Partners don’t cut and run, and neither do Marines.”
She smiled. “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
“Oorah!”
“All right. So we keep this information to ourselves for now.” Her phone started beeping, and she picked it up. “Looks like we’re being summoned to a meeting with Mason.”
Zane stood. “Maybe he’s finally got some intel to help us.”
“I hope so, but I’m not holding my breath.”
He started walking to the door, but she caught his arm. “We’re good, right?”
“Yes. Don’t worry about it. We need to focus on the immediate threat.” He just hoped there weren’t more surprises yet to come.
Izzy knew Aiden was slowing his jogging pace so she could keep up on their evening run, but he wouldn’t admit it. That was just the type of guy he was. She shouldn’t put him on a pedestal, but he hadn’t given her any reason to do otherwise.
When her phone started vibrating in her shorts pocket, she pulled it out and stopped. “Your dad’s calling.”
Aiden frowned. “That’s strange.”
She placed the call on speaker. “Hi, Jay, I’m out jogging with Aiden.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s something you need to know right away.”
Fear struck her as she started to imagine worst-case scenarios. Had something happened to one of her friends? “What?”
“He’s been murdered,” Jay said flatly.
“Who?” She had no idea what he was talking about.
Jay sighed loudly. “Him.”
Izzy dropped the phone, and it bounced into the grass.
Aiden picked it up. “Dad, we’re still here. I’m lost. Is this a case you’re working?”
Izzy felt flushed as a swirl of emotions bubbled up inside her. She was certain Jay was talking about the man they’d agreed never to name again, but she had to be one-hundred-percent sure. “The sergeant?” she whispered.
“Yes,” Jay responded.
“But how? When?” Her mind raced.
“Two days ago. And, Izzy, I’m not going to tell you any more than that.”
“Why?” A moment ticked by. A moment too long. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“The less you think about him, the better. I just wanted you to know that he can never hurt you again.”
Deep inside her, she felt a mix of relief and fear, because there was more to the story. As her feelings swirled, she wasn’t sure whether she wanted to cry or celebrate. But that was something she would keep to herself for now.
“Dad, we’ll talk to you later. I’m going to get Izzy home.”
“Thanks, son.”
The call ended, and Izzy stood as still as a statue.
Aiden pulled her into a tight hug. She took a minute just to try to steady her breathing.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered into her ear.
Those words were all it took to break her. The tears started flowing down her face, and her whole body shook as sobs threatened to overtake her. The man who had done so much to damage to her—both physically and emotionally—could never hurt her or anyone else again.
After what seemed like an eternity, she willed herself to let go of Aiden.
“Do you want me to go back and get the car to pick you up?” he asked.
“No. I’d rather run. I just need a second.” She needed a lot more than that, but for now that was all she’d take.
She’d thought about putting a bullet
