Part 21 (1/2)
”You can never imagine just how deep you've cut me, Emma. I took Hayden out to dinner tonight so I could tell him how you were my safe haven, and I believed that at one time. What you've done, though, makes it impossible to go back and salvage any type of relations.h.i.+p. So if that's why you're here, then get out. I can handle Kyle, and I'll be fine without your last-minute confessions.”
”There's one more thing, and you promised you'd let me finish.”
”What? Let me guess. You're wired for sound too?”
”Don't you think I know what kind of chance I'm taking coming here tonight and telling you all of this? I have to live with what I did, and I have to live with the shame of what happened to Marie. I'm trying now to stop anything else from happening to my family. Kyle listened to everything you said while you were up visiting us, so whatever you planned, Cain, I'm begging you to think about backing away. I know you won't believe me, and you're nothing if not a fighter, but think of Hayden.”
”I am thinking of Hayden. Everything I do is because I'm thinking of Hayden.”
Emma moved closer and put a hand on the cold leather of the seat cus.h.i.+on between them. ”There's one more person to consider here as well.”
”Who would that be?” Cain wanted Emma to admit to the baby. She just wanted to hear it from the woman who should have shared it with her four years before that.
”Your daughter.” Emma's voice was so soft she barely heard it. She had dropped her head and didn't look her in the eye.
”Hannah.”
”How?” When she whipped her head up, a few of the blond locks fell from the knot Emma had pulled them into.
”Haywood, Wisconsin has a lot of cows and expanses of empty, beautiful land. But do you know what there isn't a whole lot of?”
Emma looked at her and shook her head.
”Houses with dark-headed, blue-eyed children who live with two people so blond they'd sunburn in moonlight.”
”I was going to tell you.”
”Emma, don't insult both of us by saying something so colossally stupid.”
”I just didn't know how to tell you. Once I left, and went through all that alone, I didn't know how. Every night, though, I tell her about you and Hayden and how we'll be together one day. She knows you, Cain. Your little girl knows you even if you haven't met. When you do, her mom is someone she won't shy away from, because she belongs to you just like Hayden. Just like I do, but it isn't for just a little while. I belong to you forever, even if you don't want me.”
”Promise me something. You owe me that much, at least.”
”Anything.” Emma gathered what courage she had and put her hand over Cain's. She would have traded her soul for Cain to take her in her arms.
”If something happens to me, you will keep my children safe, and you will stay away from me.”
Cain got up and walked out of the office. This was not the time to become an emotional wreck, but she was close to losing her grip. To have Emma betray her trust and believe Kyle without even asking her was one thing, but to rob her of knowing her daughter was a bigger crime than she could even fathom.
Three feet from the office door was as far as she got before Shelby stopped her in the secluded entryway leading to the private s.p.a.ce.
When Emma opened the door to go after Cain, she found them in each other's arms. Whoever the woman was, she was able to give her ex-lover something she no longer wanted from Emma. Shelby whispered things into Cain's ear and finally pulled the dark head down and kissed her. The two agents at the bar and Emma all looked away, not wanting to witness something that seemed almost special.
The urge to run again was getting stronger, and she wanted nothing more than to bolt and go home to her daughter. She could call it a washshe would get Hannah, and Cain would get their son. Not the best solution and fair to no one, but she didn't want to end up alone, no matter how selfish that sounded. However, her father's words of not giving up bolstered her courage and made her look at the woman Cain was now holding and talking to.
”I won't go so easily, Cain, and I know you still care for me. If it takes a lifetime to knock down those walls you've built around your heart, then I'm willing to take the time.”
All of the players in the upcoming game eyed their opponents and readied themselves for the final showdown. Time was growing short, and all of them were resolved to win.
Chapter Twenty-Seven.
Vinny Carlotti had arrived and made himself comfortable at Cain's private table.
His entry had prompted Kyle to send Lionel in to join the party and tell the other three to keep their eyes open, since the people they had taped all day had mentioned nothing but the weather.
”Boss, Merrick called a few minutes ago and said everything's ready.” Lou stepped up and waited to see what Cain would decide. Interrupting her meeting with the pretty woman was the last thing he wanted to do, but he had no choice.
”I'm about ready to roll, Lou. Just give me a minute.”
”It's not too late to pull out.” Shelby locked her arms around Cain's neck and held her in place. The knowledge that Emma was looking on was, in a way, urging on her behavior, but the hurt look in the blue eyes she had come to dream about was hard to ignore.
”And do what instead, take you home so we can play cops and robbers?”
”Don't trivialize what I'm trying to do here, Cain. I care about you, and I don't want to come visit you where I'm forced to look at you through thick gla.s.s.”
Cain rubbed her back and kissed her nose. ”I'm planning on that dinner you guys are going to owe me when this is all over. Don't worry about a thing. You just keep your eyes peeled, and I promise I'll be fine.”
”You'd better be.”
”Honey, trust me. I've got some people to see, once this is all over.”
Two semis were already parked on the dock when Cain's car pulled up. Ten more were just getting off the interstate exit ramp, and Kyle held his team back until they arrived. He was feeling almost giddy. His day had finally come, and he would live to see Cain Casey brought down.
Cain opened the back door of the car herself and stepped out to talk to one of the drivers. The warehouse workers had been dismissed, and she motioned for Lou to go open the cargo doors so the guy could pull in to start unloading. The drivers had followed her orders to the letter, and the first truck that pulled into her place was full of cases of Jameson Irish Whiskey. It had been her father's favorite, and hers as well, and she thought unloading it first would bring her luck.
Kyle spoke into the mike just in front of his mouth. ”Sardines. Did she really think we would fall for that?” The headset kept him in contact with all his team as he looked through the night gla.s.ses. ”If that's little fish, she must have cornered the market.”
In a momentary lull between trucks pulling in, everyone heard the slamming of a car door, and all the federal agents stared as Emma walked directly over to Cain, who was standing alone, and grabbed her arm. None of them felt as stricken or as mortified as Kyle. He was so close to the biggest bust of his life, and some little blond b.i.t.c.h was about to mess it up.
”Kill the lights and move in,” Kyle ordered, as the floodlights illuminating the docks suddenly went dark for almost a mile stretch. The cloud cover Cain had worried about was now a huge factor in who would hold the advantage.
”What are you doing here?” demanded Cain, as she pulled Emma inside.
”I couldn't let you do this alone. It's my fault they're out there now, and I'm not about to abandon you.”
”Jesus, Emma, did you think for one minute I didn't plan for every factor, including Kyle? Just get out of here and wait for me to call you.” They had made it through the large cargo doors and were just inside, next to the first semi that had been parked for downloading.
”FBI! Drop your weapons and come out with your hands on your head.” The order came through a bullhorn, and for once Cain didn't recognize the voice.
”Lou, drop your gun now and step outside where they can see you.”
Shelby heard Cain's order as she moved to the warehouse entrance. The dress had hindered her speed, but she had her weapon drawn and was ready for anything. As much as she wanted to believe Cain wouldn't hurt her, she couldn't predict how a cornered Cain would lash out. Anthony and Joe were right behind her, and Kyle was already at the entrance.
It was hard to pinpoint everything going on around them in the almost-dark, noisy warehouse. Cain forgot her hate for her ex and pulled Emma close. Whoever had ordered them to drop their weapons was nearby when she heard the order again, only this time without the bullhorn. Suddenly she recognized the voice and the danger they were in.
”I said drop your weapon, sc.u.mbag,” Kyle ordered, as he looked at Cain and Emma standing together. His gun came up, and almost instantly the bullet left the chamber.