He wasn’t ready for full disclosure yet and didn’t think she was either. “I care about you a lot. I told you that. I wasn’t lying when I said it. It’s one of the reasons I actually told you I was a cop. I’m tired of lying to people. I’m ready for this assignment to be over. I never in a million years thought it would take this long to bring one man to justice.”
Her eyes softened. Had he gotten to her? Did she understand? God, he desperately hoped she did. He squeezed her hand again, wanting some reaction from her. She squeezed back. And smiled. The beautiful one she always gave him.
“Kind of a lonely job, huh?”
She had no idea. “You were the one thing that made it tolerable.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Only tolerable? Not pleasant or nice? Just tolerable?”
He chuckled and lifted her hand to his lips. “The parts where I got to see you were very pleasant.”
She rolled her eyes and grinned. “I guess I kind of enjoyed them too.”
“So, you’ll go into protective custody? Tommy is with a cop friend right now. Your brother doesn’t know he’s a cop, but I wanted him safe since I wouldn’t be with him.”
She took in a deep breath then let it out. “What does this entail, this protective custody?”
“We set you and Tommy up in a safe house with someone on duty at all times. It won’t be in Miami. That’s too close to Moreno’s territory. I can try and get someplace nice with a yard and pool.”
“Can I tell anyone?”
He shook his head. “That’s not a good idea. Who do you need to tell? I know you don’t have much in the way of family.”
“I was thinking of Katie at work. If all of a sudden I wasn’t around I know she’d worry. She already mentioned bringing me some casseroles so I wouldn’t have to cook while my arm heals.”
“I don’t think Katie will be a problem. She’s likely to be in the same situation herself soon.”
Tina looked concerned. “What do you mean?”
How much could he divulge? “Katie may be in protective custody herself soon. And away from Moreno and his reach.”
“Did you talk her into testifying? I know she’s as petrified of Moreno as I am though she did tell me I should rat on him.”
“No, I didn’t talk Katie into testifying. She doesn’t even know I’m a cop. The Feds realized she’s privy to a lot of information in the back room and could be helpful.”
“The Feds? How?”
Tina’s eyes lit up and her mouth dropped open. “Mr. Martin? Is he…? That’s why she moved in with him as fast as she did. I knew she wouldn’t shack up with a guy she’d only known a few days. He’s FBI, isn’t he?”
“You figured that out pretty quickly. I hope no one else does. But yeah, he’s an agent who recently started working on the case when Moreno started getting into bigger and badder things.”
“I only figured it out because of what you said. And I know Katie. Her story about Martin didn’t ring true to me, no matter how nice he was to her. But he is going to get her out of this mess, isn’t he?”
“Yup, with Moreno in prison, she doesn’t owe anyone anything anymore.”
“And you’ll go back to your life, right?”
“Sure.” He didn’t know what kind of life that was. He’d been away from it for a long time. If he was lucky maybe he could talk Tina into being part of it.
Her eyes lowered to her lap. “I won’t see you again.”
He started up the car then turned to her. “You’ll still see me plenty. I’ll make sure you get the best care while in protection and we’ll both have to testify. And if you want, we can both restart that life again, in a much better way than before.”
Her head turned slightly and her lips curved up on one side. “Really?”
Dave put the car in gear and patted her arm. “You can count on it.”
* * * *
