Mercer’s hard stare cut toward Cale. “And you think you can just walk away with him? That he’ll be able to protect you?”
Cassidy’s brows rose. “Only recently, you thought he could keep me safe. Isn’t that the reason you sent him to Rio?”
Mercer’s lips thinned. “That was before!”
“Before what?” Cassidy demanded. She still weaved, just a bit, but her voice was much stronger.
“Before I knew he was sleeping with you!”
Cale had been quiet up until that point, but Mercer had just crossed the line. He positioned his body right next to Cassidy’s as he faced off against Mercer. “Father or not, you don’t use that tone with her—you don’t ever, understand?”
Mercer stared back at him. Was that shock in his eyes? Get ready for more.
“I’m done,” Cale said bluntly. He hadn’t anticipated saying those words, but he had no choice.
“Done?” Mercer parroted.
“I’m out of the EOD. Consider our test run over.”
Definitely more shock now. “You’re just going to walk out on Cassidy when she needs—”
“I’m taking her with me. Provided that she wants to come.” Cale threaded his fingers through Cassidy’s.
Cassidy’s lips parted in surprise.
“I told you,” he said, focusing just on her. “You have a choice. You can go with Mercer, you can get on his plane, or you can come with me.”
“You don’t have any place to take her,” Mercer snarled. “You don’t—”
“Whiskey Ridge isn’t more than a spot on the map, but you won’t feel hunted there, Cass. My sister and brother-in-law have a ranch. There’s plenty of room for us. We can stay there until it’s safe for you.” Or for as long as you want. If you like Whiskey Ridge, then I’ll buy land for you. For us.
But he didn’t tell her those plans. Not yet. It was too soon. She had enough to deal with at the moment.
“I don’t want to put your family in danger,” she whispered.
“My brother-in-law was EOD, too. Trust me, he’s used to danger.” And his brother-in-law, Jasper, knew how to protect what he valued most.
Hope flickered in Cassidy’s eyes. “I don’t want to be sent away again. I don’t want to become someone new.”
“You stay yourself, and you come with me.”
Now Mercer was the one who wasn’t speaking.
“Trust me, Cassidy.” Wasn’t that what it came down to for them? Her trusting him? Her believing that he was more than just another agent following Mercer’s orders?
“I—I do.”
Those were the sweetest words he’d ever heard.
“I’ll come with you, Cale.” She gave him a small smile, one that made his heart race even faster. He couldn’t wait to get her back home.
“You’re not making the right choice, Cassidy.” Mercer’s angry voice.
Only when Cale looked at the EOD director, Mercer’s eyes didn’t match his voice. No, the expression in his eyes actually looked...pleased.
Like he just played us?
“But if that’s your decision, so be it.” Mercer hesitated. “I just want you safe.”