Beau and Linc each grabbed a coffee and made their way over to a table.
“Looks like you’ve got a problem,” Linc said, taking a seat across from him.
“Yeah.” His friend was no dummy. Two accidents, bothnearly fatal, weren’t accidents at all. Beau took a sip of his coffee, set the paper cup down on the table. “If this wasn’t an accident, the hit-and-run wasn’t either.”
“Someone tried to kill her. You got any idea who it is?”
“We’ve been digging around, turning up a lot of dirt on a lot of people. One of them’s a guy named Malcolm Vaughn. Ever heard of him?”
“I’ve met him. Owns a company called Equity Advance. Makes high-risk, big-money loans.”
“That’s him,” Beau said.
“I don’t know much about him, other than he donates heavily to charity. Gives him a chance to rub elbows with the Dallas elite, drum up business. He was at the Dallas Art Gala last year.”
“You and I were both there, but I didn’t know who he was back then.”
Linc took a sip of his coffee. “So what’s your plan?”
Beau leaned back in his chair, blew out a tired breath. “Take Cassidy off the case. Get her out of town, somewhere she’ll be safe.”
“You could take her out to the ranch. Carly and I are picking out stuff for the new house, so we’re staying in the apartment. We’ll be in the city for the next two weeks, which leaves the ranch house empty. And Josh is close by if you need him.”
Beau remembered the way he’d felt when he’d found out Cassidy had been in a car accident. Terrified she might die. Sick with dread, his stomach knotted, his emotions in turmoil. He was in too deep. The last thing he needed was to spend more time with Cassidy. He needed to distance himself. Protect himself.
But he couldn’t let Cassidy down. If she was killed because of him . . .
He closed his eyes for a moment to clear the unwanted thoughts. “Whoever went after her tried to make it look likean accident. I don’t think they’ll come straight at her. Maybe I could talk to Vaughn, see if I can convince him to back off, leave Cassidy alone.”
His phone rang just then. He dug it out, saw the blocked caller ID, pressed the phone against his ear. “Reese.”
“What the hell’s going on? I just got a call from the office. Chase said he heard about the wreck on the news. Tell me Cassidy’s okay.”
“Maddox. Good of you to call.” There was a faint edge in his voice. He wondered how Maddox had gotten this number, but it didn’t seem to be much of a secret anymore. “Cassidy’s banged up, got a concussion, but she’s going to be all right.”
“She was with me at the office just a few hours earlier, met me there looking for intel on Malcolm Vaughn.”
“Did she find any?”
“Vaughn’s smooth. He’s a businessman on the surface, but ruthless underneath. He’s a bad dude to have for an enemy. That’s what I told her. What happened wasn’t an accident—you get that, right?”
“I get it. Trying to figure out what to do about it.”
“Get her out of town, take her somewhere safe—or I will.”
Beau straightened. “I’ll take care of Cassidy.”
“You better. I just got into Phoenix, but I’ll come back if you need my help.”
“Good to know,” Beau said darkly, not happy to find out Cassidy had gone to see Maddox without telling him about it. He tamped down a fresh surge of jealousy that was completely unlike him. “You find out anything that could help us?”
“I told her about Vaughn’s man, Clifford Jennings. He takes care of things for Vaughn. If Vaughn wanted Cassidydead, Jennings is the guy who’d make the arrangements. That’s all I know. If I hear anything more I’ll call you.”
“Appreciate it.”
“She’s a good lady, Beau. Keep her safe.”
The words hit him hard. “I will,” he said gruffly, and no matter the emotional toll he’d have to pay, he meant it. He wasn’t letting anyone hurt Cassidy again.
