“Yeah.”A goddamned ambush.
The cop frowned, looked down at Penny.“Who is she?”
“Penny Janec.She’s Becca Sandoza’s personal assistant.”
His head snapped up, his stare locking with Tristan’s.“The actress?”
“Yeah.Excuse me.”He left the cop to call it in and walked over to Cassie and Ryder, unable to stay away from her a moment longer.
“I’m sorry,” she was saying.“I’m sorry, I don’t know what—” She stopped, sucked in a shaky breath before gathering herself.“I didn’t see it until it was too late.”
“No, Cass, don’t blame yourself,” Ryder said firmly.“There’s no way you could have expected something like this.”
She nodded, shut her eyes.“I just...shit.”
The cop was talking on his tac radio to someone as he approached them, then spoke to Cassie.“I need to ask you some questions.Do you need another few minutes before we get started?”
“No.I’m good.Rather do this now and get it over with.”She removed her holster and surrendered her weapon for forensic investigation.
Tristan and Ryder both stayed beside her while she answered the questions.He tried to piece everything together in his own mind as she spoke, but this whole situation wasn’t adding up.The shooters had purposely targeted her vehicle.It had to be because of Becca.That was the only thing that even remotely made any sense at all.
The cop wrote down all Cassie’s answers.“You’ll need to stay until forensics comes and documents everything.After that, you’ll need to go into the station to give an official statement.If this goes to trial, we need to make sure all procedures and protocols were followed.”
She nodded, looking exhausted.“I know.”
Tristan had to force himself not to reach for her.She would absolutely hate how protective he was feeling of her right now.How badly he wanted to pick her up, carry her back to the vehicle, and drive her away from here so he could take care of her.
So he did none of those things.Because she would expect him to treat her as he would any of their male colleagues in this situation.He couldn’t help how he felt, though.And he hated everything about this.
More cruisers arrived on scene, followed by the ambulance.Finally, the forensics team arrived and put on their white coveralls.Cassie and the deputy explained everything again.The team began documenting all the evidence, taking pictures of Cassie along with swabs of Penny’s blood from her hands and clothing.
Throughout it all, Tristan watched her closely, monitoring her for any other signs of distress.She kept her arms wrapped around her body but stood tall as she answered more questions, her voice quiet but steady.
Forensics took pictures of the scene, the shot-up vehicle and tire marks on the asphalt.The spent casings on the road.And Penny.
They finally zipped her into a body bag and loaded her into the back of the ambulance to be taken to the hospital morgue.Tristan folded his arms in irritation, his patience stretched thin.Cassie had barely survived a firefight and watched someone she’d been tasked with protecting die in front of her.She had cooperated fully and stayed here long enough.They needed to let her go.
“Can Cassie leave now?”Ryder asked the first cop, obviously thinking the same thing.
“Yeah.But they’re waiting for you at the station.Both of you,” he added to Tristan.
He stepped forward and set a hand on Cassie’s waist.Didn’t care if it looked proprietary to the others.“I’ll drive you.”
She stiffened and looked up at him a moment, then glanced at Ryder.
“Go,” he said to her, his tone gentle.“I’ll handle this from here.”
“But how will you—”
“Callum’s on the way.He’ll take me back to Crimson Point when we’re done here.”He set a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.“Go on.Go home and take care of yourself tonight.I’ll meet you at the office in the morning.”
Cassie relented with a nod.
Tristan tugged her waist gently and led her away to the company vehicle he’d brought.She didn’t protest or pull out of reach as he walked her to it.That alone told him how deep her level of shock was.
Once she was inside, he grabbed a container of wipes and a small trash bag from the back, then got in the driver’s side.Shutting them inside the SUV together brought a measure of relief.
But now that they were alone, his muscles bunched with the impulse to wrap his arms around her and crush her to him.She would hate that though, especially in plain view of Ryder.He wanted to protect and comfort her, not embarrass her.So he didn’t try to touch her.
