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  Cassidy did one last check of the house, made sure everything was in place, and then listened as footsteps ascended the weathered, wooden stairs outside her beach cottage.

  She started toward the door when she smelled something faint but unpleasant.

  Smoke.

  The quiche!

  How could she have forgotten it was in the oven?

  She hurried toward the kitchen and grabbed an oven mitt. As soon as Cassidy pulled the pan out, she scrunched her nose at the blackened mess in the pie dish. The recipe was ruined.

  So much for the romantic breakfast she’d planned as a welcome home.

  Cassidy frowned and tried to think of a quick solution.

  Before she could, a knock sounded at the door. Hopefully the open windows would air the smoke from the place quickly. Otherwise, her surprise meal would be a surprise trip to the clinic for a breathing treatment.

  Thankfully, Ty was the forgiving type.

  Cassidy set the charred quiche in the sink and tossed a towel over it. Then she hurried across the room and threw the front door open, figuring she’d make the best of things.

  But it wasn’t Ty standing on the other side.

  Her stomach dropped more quickly than an anchor during a squall.

  It was . . . “Ryan?”

  A grin lit Ryan Samson’s perfectly chiseled face—a face she hadn’t seen in months. Without invitation, he stepped inside with outstretched arms.

  “Cad—Cassidy!” His voice rolled over her, as smooth and polished as he was. “I’ve missed you. And you look great. Beach life really agrees with you.”

  Before she realized what was happening, Ryan embraced her. His familiar scent—a spicy blend that always reminded her of the smell of money—filled her senses and took her back in time. Back to her old life. Back to the person she used to be before DH-7 had turned her life upside down.

  Cassidy stiffened, her thoughts clashing inside her. She couldn’t make sense of them right now, so instead she stepped back and looked at Ryan.

  Ryan . . .

  He was here. In Lantern Beach. After not speaking to Cassidy for nearly four months.

  He hadn’t changed much in the time since Cassidy had seen him last. Even though he was in a beach town, he wore a designer gray pullover and dress slacks that probably cost as much as one week’s rent at some of the smaller beach cottages in the area.

  He still had dark brown hair that was styled with perfection—despite the area’s wind and humidity. He was clean-shaven, picture perfect, and screamed of someone with a future in politics. The camera loved him. People loved him. And he had a great record for putting away the bad guys.

  Kujo sat beside Cassidy, a low growl rumbling in his chest. She patted the canine’s head, trying to quietly assure him that everything was okay—okay being a relative term right now.

  Cassidy stepped away from Ryan’s embrace and shook her head in disbelief. “What are you doing here? I’m . . . shocked to say the least.”

  “What? I thought you’d be happy to see me.” He shrugged, looking equal parts arrogantly offended and coolly unaffected. He’d always been the aloof type, the king of logic and level-headedness.

  So much so that he’d persuaded Cassidy to keep their relationship a secret back when they’d been together in Seattle. At the time, Cassidy had convinced herself it made sense. Now . . . it just felt slimy and wrong.

  “Kujo, it’s okay,” she murmured, trying to get the dog to stop growling before someone got hurt—that someone being Ryan.

  The canine gave one last grumble before stopping to give Ryan a death stare instead.

  Where did Cassidy even start this conversation? She closed the door and turned toward her ex, a sense of dread seizing her. What would have led him to find her? Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.

  “How’d you find me?” She looked out the window for any signs of trouble. “Did anyone follow you here?”

  Ryan let out a puff of air, combined with a deprecating chuckle. “I’ll explain everything. Give me time. And of course no one followed me. I’m not stupid.”

  Cassidy crossed her arms, still on edge. Ryan showing up here was not normal. Or expected. Or okay.

  Nor was his superior attitude.

  “Why are you here? Did something happen? Didn’t you get my messages?” The questions rushed out, all equally important and pressing and impossible to prioritize.

  “We have a lot to talk about. I thought it was best if I came here so we could figure this out face-to-face.” In one motion, he pulled Cassidy into his arms again. He stroked her back and murmured into her hair, “It’s so good to see you, to hold you. I’ve missed you so much.”

  As Cassidy stiffened and tried to push away, she heard a footstep. She craned her neck to see beyond Ryan, and her fears were realized.

  Ty stood at the open door—a total contrast to Ryan in his faded jeans and flannel shirt. Ty’s hair was messy, his jaw unshaven, and his eyes warm.

  Picture perfect? Maybe not if you were a politician. But Ty embodied everything that Cassidy found appealing—he exuded a manliness that polished Ryan would never reach.

  Kujo ran to greet him, the dog’s welcome much warmer now.

  The shocked and then hardened expression on Ty’s face said it all. This was not the welcome he’d envisioned.

  Cassidy stepped back, a rush of nerves rising in her. She liked to keep a cool head, but this was just uncomfortable . . . and unfortunate. And horrible, horrible timing all around.

  She turned toward Ty, and Ryan followed her gaze. Ty’s hands were on his hips, and the air crackled with awkwardness all around them.

  “Ty!” She wanted to rush into his arms, but until she and Ryan talked more, that also felt awkward. Instead, Cassidy stepped forward and grabbed his arm, pulling him closer before whispering, “I’ll explain all of this.”

  Ty’s gaze went from Cassidy to Ryan and then back to Cassidy. Her words apparently didn’t reassure him, and he put on what Cassidy called his “SEAL about to jump into action” face.

  “What’s going on?” Ty’s words sounded a lot like Kujo’s rumbling growl.

  Ryan stepped forward, his hand outstretched like any good elected official determined to win over the favor of the masses. “I’m Ryan Samson. Pleasure to meet you.”

  Ty stared at his hand but didn’t return the gesture. His perceptive eyes continued to study the situation. “Ty Chambers.”

  Ryan coolly assessed Ty.

  Two alphas in one room? There was no way this would turn out well.

  “Ty, I’m going to need some time alone with Cad—Cassidy.” Ryan said the words like he expected everyone to listen—which was what generally happened in his life.

  But not here on Lantern Beach.

  Ryan was not going to step back into Cassidy’s life and begin to dictate what she did and didn’t do—or who came and went, for that matter.

  “That’s not necessary.” Cassidy still held to Ty’s arm. “I’d prefer that Ty be here.”

  Ryan narrowed his eyes as if the idea was preposterous. “Unless he’s got clearance, you know the details we need to discuss are confidential.”

  She wanted to argue with Ryan, but she knew his words were true. What the two of them needed to talk about wasn’t light or casual conversation. The details were all classified, and Cassidy had even signed a form to ensure it. In this case, she’d have to put her own desires and wishes on the back burner, like it or not.

  Or not being her choice.

  “Okay,” Cassidy said. “I get it. But first I need to talk to Ty. Alone. Outside.”

  Tension built in Cassidy’s chest with every second the three of them were in the same room.

  Ty drew his gaze away from Ryan, his features as stony and hard as a soldier on the battlefield making the call to fight or retreat. “Of course.”

  Cassidy led him to the deck, away from the window, so Ryan couldn’t overhear anything. As soon as she stepped outside, the sound
of waves rolling in the Atlantic Ocean filled her senses. The sun hit her face. A family played Frisbee on the beach nearby.

  This was her happy place.

  Normally.

  Right now, tension gripped her in a chokehold that made it hard to breathe.

  As soon as they were far enough away, she grabbed Ty’s arms, knowing she didn’t have much time to get through to him, to say what she needed to say.

  “Is that your ex-fiancé?” Ty started.

  “Yes. I had no idea Ryan was going to come here. He literally showed up on my doorstep two minutes before you arrived.”

  Ty studied her gaze, his perceptive eyes absorbing everything. “Does he know you’re not engaged anymore?”

  “I don’t know. I’d . . . planned a breakfast for you. That’s what the smoke was from . . . but that’s a different story. I wanted to hear about your mom. And . . . I’ve missed you terribly.”

  Cassidy wanted to embrace him. Kiss him. Enjoy their time together.

  Ty dipped his head, his eyes softening. “I’ve missed you too. I want to be there to hear whatever he has to say. I already know what’s going on.”

  Her gut twisted. “But you’re not supposed to know. And Ryan can’t speak about the details in front of people who aren’t approved. He’s a by-the-rules kind of guy. You know what that’s like from your days as a SEAL. It’s out of my control.”

  She silently begged him to understand.

  Ty pressed his lips together, his gaze simmering, and tension causing his jaw muscles to jump. “So I’m just supposed to go home?”

  “Just for a few minutes. I’m sure Ryan won’t be here long. I . . . I just don’t know what’s going on. He wouldn’t have come unless it was important. I do know that.”

  Ty let out a long puff of air. He considered himself her protector—and he wouldn’t let the law stand in the way of that. Yet he also respected her.

  “Cassidy . . .”

  She squeezed his arms again. “I know. I do. Believe me. Just let me talk to Ryan, okay? And I’m sorry. I didn’t want it to be like this.”

  Ty glanced back at the door one last time. “You’re a smart woman. I’ll trust your judgment and respect your choice.”

  Cassidy kissed his cheek, relieved that he understood. “Thank you. I’ll be over as soon as I can.”

  Ty nodded, but his neck looked stiff and his eyes hard. “Kujo can stay with you to make sure your ‘friend’ doesn’t misbehave.”

  Cassidy turned back to the house, unsure if she was excited to hear an update from Ryan or if she should dread it. Maybe for now she would just settle on getting this over with.

  Chapter Two

  Cassidy closed the door behind her and soaked in Ryan once more. He hadn’t changed much since she’d last seen him. He was still professional and confident—some might say arrogant. Still handsome and well put together—maybe even stuck-up. Still driven in a way that had impressed her family—and that should have been her first warning sign to run.

  At one time, he’d seemed to be the perfect fit for her life.

  Until Cassidy had realized he wasn’t. Not even close.

  He stood by her couch, absently flipping through a Day-at-a-Glance calendar on her end table. He set it down when Cassidy and Kujo came back inside. A smile brushed his lips but quickly disappeared. Perhaps he’d finally realized how awkward his sudden appearance had made her life.

  But Cassidy also knew if Ryan was here, there was a reason. An update. A motive.

  He wasn’t the type to break protocol at a whim.

  “I know you wonder what I’m doing here.” He shoved his hands into his pockets.

  She licked her lips, all the moisture gone from her mouth. “I texted. Did you not get my messages? I haven’t heard from you in months. And now you’re here. And . . .” Where did Cassidy even start?

  “I lost that phone.” A knot formed between his eyebrows. “Didn’t Samuel give you the message?”

  “Samuel knew?” Samuel Stephens was the task force leader, an FBI agent, and Cassidy’s contact from her detective job in Seattle.

  And Ryan had lost his phone? Did that mean he’d never gotten that text where she broke up with him? Cassidy had tried to call multiple times, but Ryan hadn’t answered. She’d figured it was because he was too busy flirting with his new assistant. Cassidy had seen enough of their pictures together online to know the truth.

  “Of course Samuel knew. But that’s the other thing I need to tell you.” Ryan squinted, and his jaw flexed, just like it always did when he tried to find the right words. “Maybe we should sit down.”

  “Maybe we should.” Cassidy’s head swirled with so many thoughts and questions. It would take a while to sort all of this out. There was just so much to talk about, so much information to cover.

  Cassidy sat on one end of the couch, and Ryan sat near her—too near. He reached for her hand and squeezed it.

  She pulled away, knowing without a doubt she needed to set some boundaries and fast.

  Cassidy had too much to lose here—namely, Ty. Instead, she set her hand in her lap, a new swell of emotion battering her when she saw the hurt and confusion in Ryan’s gaze.

  “Ryan . . . I tried to call. I sent messages. I . . . I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to put it out there. I broke things off between us.”

  “You what?” His eyes widened, and his voice stretched thin with shock.

  “I did. I’m . . . I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”

  “I didn’t.”

  She remembered those pictures of him and his new assistant, and her compassion waned.

  “My love life isn’t really what I want to talk about right now.” Although, Cassidy did want answers. Love—or lack thereof—wasn’t what had brought him here. “I need to know what’s going on with the case. Why you would risk coming here. What’s going on with Samuel.”

  Ryan’s expression didn’t look nearly as warm as he straightened, carefully tugging at his sleeves and morphing back into his aloof, professional demeanor. “Of course. I should start from the beginning.”

  Kujo sat on the floor between Ryan and Cassidy, on guard. Cassidy stroked the dog’s head, grateful for the distraction. Her insides felt like they were being ripped in two with the tension, and she dreaded wherever this conversation might go. She instinctively knew her life was hanging in the balance here.

  Ryan locked gazes with her, his stormy expression dead serious. “Now it’s my turn to give you uncomfortable news. I don’t know how to tell you this, but we believe Samuel was working for DH-7.”

  “What?” Cassidy blinked, unable to believe her ears. “No . . .”

  Samuel was her friend. Her confidante. He would never betray her. Would never work for the very people they were fighting against.

  “I’m sorry,” Ryan said. “I know you trusted him. But that’s what all the evidence points to.”

  “He wouldn’t do that.” Cassidy swung her head back and forth with enough force that the room started to rock. She wouldn’t believe it. Couldn’t. Refused.

  “None of us want to think it’s true,” Ryan said. “But he came into the office, stole all the evidence against DH-7, and took off. No one has heard from him since. We’ve suspected from the start that there was someone on the inside working with the gang. Now we know.”

  Cassidy recalled some of her last conversations with Samuel. “Samuel said you had another inside man wrapped up in DH-7. He made it sound like someone you’d hired.”

  Ryan’s headshake was so subtle she thought she’d imagined it. But she could also see anger simmer beneath the coiled action.

  “Samuel lied,” Ryan said. “He was the one on the inside, and it wasn’t because we asked him to be there. He double-crossed us. All of us. Me. You. The system.”

  Cassidy squeezed the skin between her eyes, trying to comprehend everything Ryan was telling her. “If that’s true, why didn’t Samuel come here to kill me? He would want me dead. I’m
the biggest threat to the whole gang. I’m the one who’s going to bring them down.”

  Ryan shifted, pressed his lips together, and sighed. “That’s the other thing, Cad—Cassidy. I’ll get your new name right one day. We’re afraid that just might be the case. It’s one of the reasons I came here to find you. We fear Samuel does want you dead.”

  It felt like a sweeping frost spread over her body. Her heart.

  Betrayal by the bad guys? That was expected. Betrayal by someone you considered a friend? It was gut-wrenching.

  “But . . . you didn’t even know where I was, Ryan. Only Samuel did.” It just didn’t add up. None of this did.

  “Your parents hired a private investigator.” Ryan slowed the cadence of his words like Cassidy might need time to comprehend them.

  “I heard. But they called him off.”

  Ryan remained silent a minute, studying Cassidy with his gaze. “Why did you think that?”

  “Because Samuel told me—” Cassidy stopped herself. If Samuel was in on this, then she couldn’t trust anything the man had told her—and that fact would change everything.

  “No, your parents didn’t call him off,” he said. “The PI—Ricky Ernest—actually came to me last week. He found a video online that some tourists here in Lantern Beach captured on their cell phone camera. Three men had apparently taken flakka and were on a rampage on the boardwalk. As expected, they looked and acted like zombies. I believe you stepped in to help.”

  Cassidy closed her eyes. Yes, she had done that. And, yes, people had filmed it. She’d hoped it wouldn’t go viral and wouldn’t lead to her discovery. But the footage had, and there was nothing she could do about it now.

  “So that brought you to Lantern Beach?” She was still trying to let all of this sink in. It would take a while. The problem was, Cassidy didn’t have a while. “Even if all that is true, that doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

  Ryan coming here could blow Cassidy’s cover, thrust her in danger, and put her testimony at risk. It wasn’t a smart move, despite everything that had happened. But Ryan was never impulsive. She needed to hear him out.