Page 34 of Desperate Temptations

“Okay, can you tell me why I’m looking at him?”

Cain twirled a pencil and looked Quinton in the eyes.

“I don’t know him that well. I met him through Drew, that friend of mine who got shot. The three of us had a few beers together when I was home on leave. But that’s about it. Drew didn’t talk a lot about him.”

Cain tapped the pencil against the desk.

“I can tell you something’s off about the man. He was always laid-back and friendly when I saw him. Now he’s nervous, twitchy. His personality has taken a one-eighty since I’ve been back.”

“Why is he important to you? I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you mention him.”

“It’s not him I’m worried about, it’s that he’s messing with my woman, and I won’t have anything happen to her because I didn’t follow my instincts.”

“Can’t you just threaten him?” Quinton asked.

A hard glint came to his eyes.

“Oh, I have. The thing is, I’m concerned Gary’s into some bad shit. Just call it a feeling I have. I don’t want anything bad touching Jessa.”

“Jessa, huh?” Quinton’s face froze. “Drew’s Jessa?”

Cain’s face turned to stone.

“Drew’s dead, Quinton.”

Quinton looked concerned.

“Are you sure about this, Cain?”

Cain put his elbows on the desk and leaned forward.

“Remember the woman I talked about when we were on missions?”

“Yeah. Holy shit. That was Jessa?” When Cain nodded, Quinton’s eyes widened in shock.

“This is the woman you’ve wanted for years?” Quinton’s brows drew together. “Drew just died, what, two years ago?” Once again, Cain nodded. “So, you’re telling me, you’ve craved your best friend’s wife forever? Jesus, nothing like torturing yourself.”

“Drew knew how I felt.” He chuckled at Quinton’s look of shock. Cain leaned back, interlocking his fingers behind his head. “Once, he even made me promise to take care of her if anything happened to him.”

“No shit. Does Jessa know that?”

Cain shook his head.

“We’d been friends since childhood. He knew he could trust me. He also knew I would’ve never betrayed him.”

They sat in silence, each with their own thoughts, until Quinton coughed.

“I don’t envy you, friend,” Quinton said and stood. “Let me do some checking.” He held his hand out. “If I find something, I’ll get in touch with you.”

Cain shook his friend’s hand and watched him move toward the door. Quinton turned back with a smirk on his face.

“Jessa must be pretty special if two incredible men have loved her. Aren’t you afraid I’ll fall in love with her if I meet her?”

Cain smiled smugly.

“No, because she knows she’s mine. Just wait until you meet her. I wouldn’t be surprised if you did fall for her. She’s perfect.”

Quinton laughed.

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