Dangerous Waters (Lantern Beach Book 4) Read online

  He’d posted videos of himself making veiled threats and recorded gang initiations. He’d offered just enough incriminating evidence against himself that the police could arrest him—if they could find him. His ability to elude authorities and cover his tracks was his greatest strength.

  She showed Ty Orion’s image.

  He blanched when he saw it. “Looks like a guy you don’t want to cross.”

  “Coming from someone who fought terrorists in the Middle East, that about sums it up.”

  Cassidy knew, from their conversations, about the work he’d done as a SEAL. He’d faced down some of the world’s most notorious, twisted criminals—mass murderers behind airplane bombings, chemical attacks, and public beheadings. He knew a thing or two about evil. He’d looked it in the eye.

  “You can say that again.” Ty ran a hand over his face.

  Cassidy’s insides went cold when she glanced at Orion’s picture again. “He didn’t flinch when it came to taking someone’s life, Ty. I’ve never seen anything like it. The total absence of conscience.”

  “It’s chilling, isn’t it?”

  She nodded, finding a strange comfort in the fact that Ty understood. She wished no one did and that evil didn’t exist in the world. But it did. Her calling was to fight it.

  She shifted before launching into her next piece of information. “The other thing is this. Two other women have died.”

  Ty squinted and studied her face. “What do you mean?”

  Cassidy swallowed hard, hating the fact that the words she was about to say were true. Hating that she couldn’t make things right or trade her own life for any of the innocent lives that had been lost. If only life worked that way.

  “They were women who looked like me.” Her throat felt like sand had been poured down it. “That bounty that DH-7 put out is a strong incentive for gang members across the country. For people who don’t flinch when it comes to taking someone’s life. Two people have already died because of me.”

  “It wasn’t your fault.” His voice pulled her from the brutal thoughts that tried to punch and bruise her.

  “It feels like my fault. All of this does. I never meant to kill Raul. It was dumb luck, I suppose.”

  “You were trying to stay alive. You were fighting for your own life. Raul Sanders . . . I hate to say it, but the world is a better place without him.”

  She closed her eyes, fighting the memories and the guilt. “Maybe we should both leave.” She glanced at Kujo. “All three of us, I mean.”

  “And what happens when Orion or another gang member finds you again?”

  His words caused a shock of ice to fill Cassidy’s heart. “Maybe he won’t.”

  “If there is someone on the inside, then he will. Are you going to keep running for the next however many months? Years?”

  “Movement is life. That’s what my training officer always told me. You’re more likely to stay alive if you keep moving.”

  “What happens after the trial, Cassidy?” Ty asked. “You think everyone in DH-7 is going to jail?”

  “Of course not.” That would be a Pollyanna way of thinking—and that was one thing Cassidy wasn’t.

  “They’re not going to be happy that you put their leaders away—even killed one of them.”

  “No, they aren’t.” Her throat tightened. It wasn’t pleasant to hear the truth, but it was necessary.

  She hadn’t had anyone to talk things through with for so long—anyone but Samuel. She only contacted him when absolutely necessary. He wasn’t the type to act as a counselor and task force leader. It felt incredibly freeing to get everything off her chest, to not have to carry this alone.

  But she hated that Ty was involved. Hated it.

  “You aren’t going to be able to resume your old life and assume these guys will never track you down,” Ty said. “Believe me. I’ve been on some hit lists in the past. I know how they work.”

  Cassidy had thought it all through. She’d tried to, at least. But maybe, even though the analytical detective side of her cried out for truth and reasoning, the human side of her had dreamed of a better future for herself. A future where things were easier, happier.

  “This guy probably wants the money for himself,” Ty continued, glancing out the window again.

  “That’s a good guess.”

  “So maybe he came alone. Maybe no one else knows he’s here.”

  “What are you suggesting, Ty?” Part of Cassidy didn’t want to hear it. She wanted to stick with her original plan and leave. It was simple and easy.

  Except that she’d abandon everything she’d grown to love.

  “I’m suggesting you stand your ground, and you let us help.”

  “Us? Ty, no one else can know about this.” A surge of panic rushed through her.

  “It’s going to take more than the two of us to finish this, Cass.”

  She swung her head back and forth. “That’s a bad idea.”

  He raised a hand and palmed the air, motioning for her to calm down. “What if we include Mac?”

  Mac, the former police chief in town, had become a good friend since Cassidy arrived. He was in his sixties, but he was spry, smart, and loyal. And he made Cassidy laugh—laughter was truly a gift.

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” A weight formed in her heart at the thought of pulling Mac into this. No one was supposed to know who she really was—not even Ty. Breaking protocol once? Maybe it was forgivable. Twice? She was asking for trouble.

  Ty’s gaze caught hers. “One thing I learned as a SEAL is the importance of a team that has your back.”

  “But . . .” It was so much more complicated than that.

  “I know you don’t want anyone to get hurt because of you. Mac knows what he’s doing. He lives for stuff like this.”

  Cassidy couldn’t argue with that. Yet she couldn’t agree either.

  She scanned the woods again, looking for any sign of Orion. Kujo resumed barking, causing her anxiety to creep higher.

  Ty took her hand. “We’re going to figure this out. But, for now, let’s get away from the window.”

  He’d said we.

  He was in this with her, whether she wanted him to be or not.

  But the truth was, it felt so good to know she wasn’t alone.

  She squeezed his hand. As long as she was with him, that was all that mattered.

  Ty pulled Cassidy through the living area, down the hallway, and past two bedrooms toward the back of the lightkeeper’s residence.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “You trust me, right?”

  She didn’t hesitate before saying, “I do.”

  “Just a little farther then.” At the back of the building, he stopped at a thick door. As Ty opened it, more humidity crept out and darkness greeted them. To Ty, that was the smell of adventure.

  “Is this . . . ?”

  Ty turned back toward Cassidy and smiled. “It’s the lighthouse tower.”

  “I’ve never climbed one before.”

  “Come on.” He tugged her toward the iron staircase, anxious to see her face when they reached the top. “It’s only eleven stories high.”

  “Only eleven stories, huh? Sounds like a walk in the park.”

  “It’s better than a gym membership.”

  “If you say so.”

  They skirted past the door. He called Kujo in behind them but commanded him to stay at the base of the structure. Then Ty pulled down a latch, barricading them in—for now. No one would get through this door.

  “Is this safe?” Cassidy didn’t sound fearful, only curious as she stared at the spiraling staircase.

  “I wouldn’t ask you to do this if it wasn’t.” He’d never purposefully put her in danger. “There are a few spots we’ll have to watch out for. Believe me, I’ll point them out well before we reach them.”

  There was a reason this place had closed to the public and sold to a private owner. Too much liability. Too much money to
keep up the building. But to let something like this go to waste would be a shame.

  “Let’s go then,” Cassidy said.

  Ty began leading her up the narrow passage toward the top, sunlight streaming from the glass overhead illuminating their way. “Can you imagine doing this a century ago? The lightkeeper would have to carry a lantern—there was no electricity. Storms would be raging outside. I bet the ocean surrounded this place when conditions were right.”

  “It would take some bravery, that’s for sure. That’s not to mention the fact that there probably weren’t many people even living here on the island. It would be isolated.” Something about her words conveyed a deeper understanding.

  She’d felt isolated since she arrived here, hadn’t she? She’d had no one to open up to. No one she could share her troubles with.

  Ty paced himself as they continued to climb. The ascent could be grueling to those not used to it, and there was no need to hurry.

  “So I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you’re Cady Matthews.” He purposefully turned the subject from Orion, sensing that Cassidy needed a reprieve from her thoughts.

  “You really can—and should—call me Cassidy.”

  “I think I can handle that. But I’m trying to put together your background—your real one. Seattle detective. Crazy brave woman who went undercover with one of the world’s most dangerous gangs. Tell me more.”

  “My dad is Max Matthews,” she said.

  Ty paused for a step. “The tech genius, financial guru, and Alpha Tech founder and CEO?”

  She nodded almost robotically. “He’s the one.”

  “So . . . your father owns the company I just got the grant from?”

  “That’s right. But he has no idea you’re associated with me. You got that grant on your own merit. In fact, my parents don’t know where I am. I told them I was taking an extended vacation. It only took them six weeks to realize something was wrong.”

  Her statement said it all. Her parents were rich and powerful and . . . absent.

  A pang of compassion shot through him. “I’m sorry, Cass.”

  “It’s okay. I think that’s why your family amazes me so much. They’re everything I always wanted when growing up.”

  “My parents adore you.” He meant the words. His mom constantly asked about Cassidy and mentioned how she couldn’t wait to see her again.

  They took a few more steps, halfway up now.

  “That means a lot.” Cassidy paused for a breath before continuing. “My dad always pushed me to go further, do better. My best was never enough. I still carry a lot of that twisted thinking with me. That unreasonable push to go beyond myself in order to become a success.”

  Pieces—images—of her past played in Ty’s mind. “I can only imagine. Were you raised by nannies?”

  “You know it.” Cassidy was silent a moment. “When you and I first met, Ty, I know I was hard on you. But the truth is that I’ve been around a lot of men who’ve acted like pigs. I . . . I think I mentioned before that I discovered my father was having an affair when I was only thirteen.”

  “I can’t even imagine.”

  “Dad told me not to tell Mom, that the news would destroy her, and it would be my fault. I believed him.” She rubbed her throat, as if it were sore. “Later I found out it wasn’t the first . . . or the last. I guess that should explain why I had a bit of distrust in you. Or men in general. The one man I looked up to . . .”

  She didn’t finish. She didn’t need to.

  Ty paused right there on the stairway and pulled her close. “I’m not that guy, Cassidy.”

  She nodded, but the motion looked strained—no doubt, but still with emotional baggage. “I know.”

  The huskiness in her voice made it clear she believed him—a fact that thrilled him.

  “I feel like we have a lot of catching up to do.” Almost like he had to get to know her all over again.

  “We do.” A touch of uncertainty wavered in her voice. “And I hope we’ll have plenty of time for that later.”

  They reached the top and stepped out, the breeze nearly knocking them over. “Just watch that railing right there.” Ty pointed to a suspect area. “We’re securing it, but it’s a little more complicated than simply nailing it back in place.”

  “I think I’ll stay far away.” Cassidy’s gaze spanned the ocean that stretched infinitely before them. “It’s really magnificent up here, Ty.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and stared out with her. “It is, isn’t it? I’ve been wanting to show you this for a while. I never imagined today’s events would lead to it.”

  Silence stretched, and Ty gave Cassidy the space she needed.

  Maybe he needed some as well.

  Because he’d fallen in love with the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the country. With a detective who’d angered one of the most dangerous gangs around. That was a lot to process.

  In truth—in his experience, at least—people seemed to naturally want to return to their roots.

  Cassidy had a life back in Seattle. An established one. An established career. She didn’t want or need for anything.

  Ty would be foolish to think she’d be happy staying here at Lantern Beach, maybe settling down one day in a little cottage. Her mom probably had closets bigger than his place.

  That didn’t mean that Cassidy wasn’t different. But the chances of her truly being content immersed in island life seemed to be slipping away faster than sand through his hands. He’d be a fool if he didn’t acknowledge that reality, acknowledge the truth that things would change between them.

  He stared out over the horizon—a large expanse that could make the most important person realize his or her place. Right now, he saw a trawler in the distance with seagulls flocking around it trying to steal today’s catch. The ferry that shuttled people back and forth between islands also moved across the water. Everything looked so normal—yet nothing was the same.

  Suddenly, Cassidy tensed in his arms.

  “Ty, did you see that?” she asked.

  He followed her gaze. As clear as day, a man emerged from the maritime forest surrounding the north side of the lighthouse. Kujo had been barking at something.

  Ty had to get Cassidy out of sight. Now.

  Chapter Five

  Cassidy flew down the staircase. She wasn’t sure who was pulling whom. She and Ty were both anxious to get out of sight and to figure out who’d been in those woods.

  Someone lurking in the woods usually equaled one thing: trouble.

  “You should stay here,” Ty said when they reached the base of the stairs.

  “I’m not sending you out there alone.”

  Ty hesitated, his breathing heavy. He wanted to argue. She could see it in his eyes. But instead he nodded. “Fine.”

  In record time, they made it through the quarters and to the door. They darted outside, Kujo on their heels. In the distance, Cassidy saw a man dressed in black moving along the edge of the tree line.

  Ty pulled the gun from his waistband and paused. “Cassidy?”

  “Yes?” The sun beat down on her, causing sweat to appear, only to be swept away seconds later by the breeze.

  “I know you’re a detective and you’re used to being in charge,” he said. “But wait here behind my truck for a moment. Please.”

  “But—”

  “Please, Cassidy.”

  She bit back her arguments and conceded. “Okay. But don’t get yourself killed.”

  She watched from behind his truck, waiting anxiously to see what would happen.

  Her heart pounded in her ears with anticipation. Fear.

  “Step out.” Ty moved closer to the woods, ducking behind an old brick entryway to the lighthouse. “With your hands up.”

  Cassidy stayed behind the truck but moved closer, anxious to see what would happen. Praying that Ty wouldn’t be harmed.

  Her breath caught when someone emerged from the foliage.


  “It’s me.” The man lifted his hands. “Don’t shoot.”

  The air left Cassidy’s lungs in a whoosh. Jimmy James? What in the world was going on?

  Ty lowered his gun but remained on edge as he moved closer to his friend. Cassidy followed behind, anxious to hear the man’s excuse.

  Jimmy James was a large man—big and burly, like Popeye on steroids. He looked tough, not only because of his large muscles but because of his rough demeanor—a missing tooth, tattoos, the general grimace he sported.

  Upon closer inspection, Cassidy noted he wasn’t actually wearing black. Instead, it was navy-blue jean shorts and a dark T-shirt.

  “I’m sorry, man,” Jimmy James said, his hands still in the air.

  “What are you doing here, Jimmy James?” The irritation in Ty’s voice was unmistakable.

  The man raised his chin in defiance. “I was supposed to meet someone out here.”

  “In the woods? What’s so secretive?” Ty asked.

  Jimmy James shrugged. “Nothing. Just some business I have going on the side.”

  Ty shifted, his eyes narrowed with frustration. “You know I consider you a friend. But you’re going to have to explain more than that.”

  The dockworker remained frozen a moment, as if considering his options. Finally, he let out a sigh. “I don’t know. I don’t want any trouble.”

  “Then explain before I call the police.”

  “This isn’t your property either, you know.” He raised his chin again.

  “But I am here with permission,” Ty said. “Are you?”

  “Lots of people come out here to gawk.” Some of his stubbornness began to shrink ever-so-slightly, but his argument sounded weak, at best. Certainly he was realizing that.

  “Jimmy James . . .” Warning strained Ty’s voice.

  “Okay, okay.” He fidgeted again before letting out a defeated sigh. “I was going to meet someone out here. They were buying some . . . some . . .”

  Cassidy waited, holding her breath as she prepared herself for what he had to say.