Beau scowled. “Okay, I get it. We need to be careful. You still in?”
“Of course. I do this for a living, Beau.”
“All right, then we’re going to need to step up our game.”
A faint shiver ran through her as she thought of the man she had met at Equity Advance. There was something disturbing about Malcolm Vaughn, something in his eyes. It was the look of a predator, one who relentlessly pursued its prey.
She glanced over at Beau. “I keep thinking about what Dooley Tate said.”
One of his black eyebrows went up. “Tate said favors are as valuable as money. It’s crossed my mind, too.”
“Your father was a senator. He traded in favors. That’s how political deals are made. Surely he could have come up with something Vaughn wanted in exchange for the rest of the money he owed. If he did, Vaughn would have had no reason to kill him.”
Beau took a swallow of his Coke. “So how do we find out?”
Cassidy tapped her pen on the yellow pad. “I need to call Jase. He always has an ear to the ground. Maybe he’s heard a rumor, something Vaughn might be involved in that will help us figure things out.”
The thin scar along Beau’s jaw tightened. “I don’t like it. I don’t want you in debt to Maddox.”
“You don’t have to worry. It’s quid pro quo. Sometimes I help him. Sometimes he helps me. Sometimes we work together.”
“I still don’t like it.”
Cassidy eyed him with speculation. Was that jealousy she heard in his voice? Surely not. “You just don’t like Jase. You’re afraid he’ll poach on your territory.”
Beau’s gaze ran over her, as blue as the tip of a flame and just as hot. Desire clenched the muscles across her belly.
“Do I need to worry?” he asked.
“About Jase? No.”
He frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”
Cassidy just smiled. “It means you still owe me that dinner and tonight would be a good time.”
Beau relaxed. “Dinner it is. It’s getting late. We’ll put this aside for now and go get something to eat.”
“First I want to shower and change.” And Cassidy knew exactly what to wear.
Chapter Twenty-One
Beau changed into a pair of tan slacks, a light blue button-down shirt, and a navy-blue sport coat. While Cassidy was getting dressed, he called the restaurant he had in mind and made a reservation.
Half an hour later, he was beginning to get antsy, pacing in front of the living room windows, tempted to pour himself a drink. On the other side of the glass, underwater lights illuminated the clear blue water of the swimming pool, which he usually found soothing.
Tonight he had too much on his mind.
He turned at the click of high heels on the hardwood floor, spotted Cassidy walking down the hall in the short black cocktail dress with the floaty little skirt he had seen hanging in the guest-house closet. Thick dark curls bobbed against her shoulders, making him want to grab a fistful and drag her mouth to his for a deep, burning kiss.
The bandage on her skinned knee had him frowning, but the cleavage displayed by the neckline and those fuck-me heels had his blood running hot. Grateful he was wearing a jacket that helped hide the bulge beneath his zipper, he smiled and started toward her.
“You look gorgeous.” He bent and pressed a soft kiss on her lips and they parted in invitation. Beau deepened the kiss, taking his time, enjoying the rush of heat. Just as he was settling in, Cassidy pulled away.
“I’m starving,” she said. “Looks like you’re ready to go.”
He was ready, all right. But not for supper. He sighed as she took his arm and they started for the car parked in the garage. Her soft breasts brushed his chest and he realized she wasn’t wearing a bra.
Beau slammed to a halt. “You’re wearing your little black dress. What are you wearing underneath?”
