Page 83 of Claimed By the Deputies

“Stopping in for some cannoli. Terrazzo does carry out too, and we get the law enforcement discount,” I reply.

He chuckles. “Might as well go on the offensive. You’re right. They’ve been too careful. We need to help them slip up.”

“Plus, Tassia did say she’d kill for a pistachio cannoli.”

“Gotta get our girl some pistachio cannoli, then,” he says. “Anything for her.”

As soon as Jerry sees us coming, he jumps out of his seat, his face white with horror. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m sorry, was this supposed to be a secret meeting?” I casually retort. “At one of the busiest restaurants in the district?”

“No.” He clears his throat while I give Trevor a long, hard look. “It’s just… I didn’t expect to see you here, that’s all.”

“Obviously,” Mitch says, standing next to me. “But now that our paths have crossed, what’s got you out of the mayor’s office, Mr. Spring? And who is this gentleman?”

Trevor shoots us a cool smile. “Officers.”

“Sheriff Riggs. This is Deputy O’Malley,” I say coolly.

“Trevor Callaghan, but I’m sure you already know who I am.”

“A lot of people are itching to see you back behind bars,” I reply.

“I’m a straight arrow now, Sheriff. Just trying to have lunch with a friend of mine.”

Mitch gives Jerry a wry smirk. “You’re friends with a convicted felon, Mr. Spring. Aren’t you just full of surprises. Does the mayor know about your affiliations?”

Of course he does. Hamilton most likely sent Jerry out to speak on his behalf.

Trevor laughs, though there’s no humor in it. “Deputy, I can’t help but feel offended. We’ve done nothing wrong.”

“I should get back to the office.” Jerry tries to weasel his way out of the awkward situation, but I raise a hand to keep him from bolting like the scared little jackrabbit he is.

“A man is dead,” I tell Trevor. “A man you knew. A good man. Timothy Jackson.”

He doesn’t blink. And in that moment, I know deep in my heart that he did it.

“I heard. Such a tragedy. I hope Tassia is doing okay. How is she?” he asks, looking directly at me.

“She’s coping,” I reply tightly.

“I’ll bet. With a strapping man such as yourself to keep her safe and… sated,” he says, attempting to hold back an arrogant smirk but failing miserably. I would like nothing more than to smash his face in, but I’m sworn to uphold the law. I just pray he does something stupid enough to justify self-defense or at least a reasonable arrest. “I’ve seen her around, by the way. She looks good.”

I glare at him with a hell-burning fury. “I suggest you keep your distance from her. In fact, you need to leave town altogether. You’re in violation of your parole.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Sheriff. I still have some unfinished business I need to take care of. But once that’s done, rest assured, I’ll be on my way. That being said, take advantage of the time you’ve got left with Tassia because I plan on taking my wife back to New York with me.”

I close the space between us, my hand resting on my holstered gun. “Ex-wife,” I growl.

“Mr. Callaghan, you strike me as a smart man,” Mitch politely intervenes. “It’s not in your best interest to make an enemy out of us.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s a suggestion,” Mitch replies. “We’re going to rid this town of every criminal element, including you, if you get in our way.Making veiled threats about Tassia isn’t a wise move. It just gives us more reason to keep a closer eye on you.”

“It’ll make concluding your business here more difficult,” I add.

Trevor thinks about it for a moment, then laughs. “You are absolutely right, Sheriff. I let my ego get the better of me and I apologize. Now, if you don’t mind, Mr. Spring and I have a lunch to get on with.”

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