“I know, but I’ve worked with him all this time and I’ve seen another side of him. Plus, I remember when Holiday wasn’t so keen on you.”
Burnett grimaced. “So now are you comparing you and Chase to me and Holiday?” He turned to his wife. “I thought you said there wasn’t anything romantic going on?”
Holiday shook her head. “No, I told you she said they weren’t having sex.”
Della huffed. “I’m glad you two get off on talking about my sex life.”
Burnett glared back at Della. “So, you’re emotionally involved with Chase?”
She almost denied it, but then couldn’t. “Sort of.” And then feeling defensive, she added, “You’re the one who assigned me to work with him.”
“That was before I knew he worked for the council and had info about the FRU leak.”
“In his defense, he told me about it.”
“He should have told us about it a long time ago.”
He grew quiet, and having seen his interrogation techniques, she knew he used it to put a person on edge. And whether he meant it that way or not, it worked. She was all edge. But she wasn’t backing down. She needed to meet the council.
“You assigned me to work this case with him and I plan to finish this case with him.”
“And then?” he asked.
And then? The question bounced around her head and heart. “I don’t know.”
Burnett ran a hand over his face. “Fine. But there are some things you need to know up-front.”
She nodded. And she saw Holiday grimace as if she knew what was coming.
“After this case, if you continue to see Chase, your career with the FRU is over.”
Della felt the blow to her gut. The pain shot up to her throat and it tightened. She had expected to have a fight on her hands with Burnett about Chase, but she never expected this.
All her hopes, her dreams she’d worked so hard for since coming to Shadow Falls, were sitting on the chopping block.
“You would do that?” she asked, and it took everything she had not to cry.
“No.” Complete honesty deepened his voice and he shook his head. “The FRU will do it.”
She titled her head up and didn’t bat an eyelash for fear a tear would fall. “Then I guess, after this case is over, I have a choice to make.”
Making it clear she planned on meeting Chase, she stood to leave. Burnett caught her arm. “It’s not me doing this, Della.”
Hate the message, not the messenger, her heart said. Never mind that the messenger knew how badly she wanted this. That since working her first case with the FRU, she knew it was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.
“I believe you,” she said, but couldn’t deny it hurt like hell. She pulled away and tore off to her cabin. She had a lot to think about.
* * *
Della’s phone dinged with a text fifteen minutes before three. Chase had arrived early. His message read he’d wait for her in his car. Did he sense he was unwelcome in Shadow Falls? Had Burnett confronted him?
She wouldn’t put it past the camp leader.
She walked out the gate, noting Burnett looking out the window. Her breath caught at the sight of him. Then she saw Holiday appear at his side. Probably to touch him so he’d calm down. Maybe she should have let Holiday touch her, too.
Della tried not to feel guilty about disappointing Burnett, but she pretty much failed. She tried not to be angry, but she flunked out on that as well. How would Burnett feel if someone tried to blackmail him into turning his back on someone?
Someone he cared about.
Someone who very well could turn out to be a part of his life forever.
And yes, that’s how she felt about Chase. Part of her believed the ties between them couldn’t be cut. Another wanted to bring out a pair of scissors.
The sight of Chase standing beside his car, watching for her, melted her regret about disappointing Burnett, but not much of her anger.
Chase wore his sunglasses, looking cool and collected in jeans and a long-sleeved, light green shirt. Even with his glasses on, she felt his gaze touch hers. Felt it pulling her to him, reading her, needing her.
He needed her.
She hadn’t really sensed that before, but she did now. He needed her. The feeling made the ache in the center of her chest spread.
“What’s wrong?” He walked toward her.
So Burnett hadn’t given him the lowdown.
She stepped away when he reached out for her and headed for the car.
“Della?” he asked.
She looked at him. “What isn’t wrong?” she asked, prolonging having to tell him. Or trying to decide if she needed to tell him.
“I could name a few things,” he said and moved closer. “The sky’s blue. It’s not raining. We’re going to ride with the top down, and I got you some more hair-band things. Later, we’re going to pick up one bad-ass were who I’m thinking is going to lead us to Liam and Natasha. Top off that with … you, other than appearing upset, look sexy as hell.”
His gaze lowered. “I love those jeans on you, by the way. You were wearing those the first time I saw you at Shadow Falls.” He paused a second and raised his eyes. “And I get to spend the whole afternoon with you.”
He moved a little closer and ran a finger down her cheek. “And that, Miss Tsang, is what isn’t wrong.”
She caught his finger. “Why are you always touching my face?”
He grinned. “Because other parts are still off-limits to me.”
Chapter Thirty-seven
Della growled and hopped in the car. But her face tingled where he’d touch it.
Chase moved around the car, opened the door, and with ease and style, lowered himself into the driver’s seat. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you drive?”
“No,” she said.
“Scared?”
“Scared I can’t do it? No. Scared I’ll get another ticket? Yes.”
He studied her then leaned back in his seat, lowering his glasses to look right at her. “What’s wrong?”
“You already asked that once.”
“Yeah, I did, didn’t I?” he said sarcastically, pushing his glasses back up and folding his arms. “But I don’t seem to recall you answering.”
Della looked back at the gate and envisioned Burnett stepping out. “Let’s go,” she said.
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”
“Let’s go and I’ll tell you.” Or maybe she would.