Page 25 of Desperate Temptations

Chapter Twenty-Three

Cain walked into his office, his attention on the paper he was reading. He turned abruptly when he sensed movement to his right, his body tensed, ready for any threat. He frowned and took a steady breath when he saw it was Gary, Drew’s friend. Cain stayed on guard because he didn’t entirely trust the man.

“What do you need, Gary?” his voice heavy with authority.

Hostility ran off Gary in waves, as he stood with his fists clenched by his sides.

“What the fuck are you doing with Jessa?”

Cain’s face went cold and blank.

“You asked me to keep her away from Martinez, remember?”

Gary’s body tightened more.

“You bastard, I asked you to scare her away from the warehouse, not turn her into your fucking whore.”

Cain moved around his desk to sit in his chair and leaned back in a relaxed pose, because he knew he’d knock Gary out if he were close to him.

Cain looked calm, but anyone who was familiar with him knew he didn’t do casual and was always alert. He leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped behind his head.

“Get to the point, Gary, and I’d be cautious what you say about Jessa. The next time I won’t be as forgiving.”

Gary looked startled, then became angry again, but Cain could see the apprehension in his expression rise.

“I want you to stay the hell away from her. I asked you to scare her because she was going to get herself killed, and I wasn’t getting through to her. But I in no way thought you’d stay in her life. You have no business being around someone as sweet as Jessa. She won’t want someone like you, you’re too ... hard. For fuck’s sake, you’ve killed people and that would terrify her if she found out. She’s used to nice men, men who know how to treat a lady.”

Cain’s voice was smooth with underlying steel that was hard to miss. “I would tell you to fuck off, or it’s none of your business, but why don’t we let Jessa decide if she wants me? Now tell me why you’re so concerned for her. That’s what’s really going on here, the fact that you want Jessa for yourself? Isn’t it?”

Gary looked uncomfortable and tried hard to hide it.

“I am her and Drew’s friend. I feel it’s my job to look out for her since Drew can’t.”

“What else?” Cain asked softly, but let the rigid tone of his voice lash out at Gary.

Visible nerves overtook Gary, which made Cain even more suspicious of the guy. Something else was going on here, Cain could feel it.

Cain continued to study Gary’s features, his eyes narrow and intent.

“I’m just concerned for Jessa,” Gary stuttered, and his jaw tightened. “Just stay the fuck away from her. She needs a man with sophistication, not one from the gutter.” He turned, walking briskly toward the door.

He stopped abruptly, and the color leached from his face when Cain blocked his exit.

“Now I want to know how you knew I was at Jessa’s last night?” Cain’s voice was utterly emotionless.

“I happened to drive by last night and saw your truck there.”

Cain raised his eyebrows in disbelief, not believing a word Gary was saying. Cain mentally ran through everything he knew about Gary. Something was off, and it was making the little hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and those hairs had saved his life more than once. Cain took a threatening step toward him.

“Now you’re going to listen to me, Gary, and hear me well, because I’m only going to tell you once. Jessa’s mine, and if I ever find out you put your hands on her or upset her in any way, you’ll regret it. I don’t give a shit what you think about me, but if Jessa wants to be friends with you, I’ll allow it if it makes her happy. If you make her sad, all bets are off, and you’ll be out of her life forever.”

Gary’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Who the fuck do you think you are? You can’t force her to do anything. I’ve known her longer than you, I was friends with both her and Drew,” Gary yelled, his face red, with veins standing out on the sides of his forehead.

Cain barely kept himself from reaching for him. He managed to keep his voice even, but his eyes were cold enough that he knew it would shake up Gary.

“I’m not going to play your game, Gary. The facts are that Jessa is mine, and I will do anything, anything, to make her happy and keep her safe.” Cain watched as Gary took another step toward the door. “And I’ll figure out what else is going on here. I know you won’t tell me, but I can smell the fear rolling off you, and I don’t think I’m the cause of all of it.”

Gary’s body visibly jerked, he tore his eyes from Cain’s and walked quickly out the door, mumbling obscenities under his breath.

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