“She’s got a point.” Trevor glanced back at him.
Derek scowled back at his teammate. The last thing he wanted was for Charlie to revert back to being scared of her own fucking shadow.
Sensing his agitation, Trevor told him, “I’m just saying. Damage like that takes a lot of energy and a lot of rage. Whoever did that to your car was definitely pissed off at you for something.”
“Doesn’t mean it was Porter,” Derek shot back. “It could be someone with a beef against R.I.S.C.” Trevor knew as well as he did that they pissed people off all the damn time. “Hell, it could’ve been some snot-nosed kid who got bored on a Monday night.”
“I don’t think this was a kid, Derek,” Charlie said, her voice laced with disbelief. “You have to at least consider the possibility that this was Caleb’s doing.”
Derek reached over the back of the seat and squeezed her shoulder. “You’re right, Charlie. It is possible. Which is why I’m gonna dig even deeper into the guy’s finances. Check for any payoffs or suspicious transfers. If there are any red flags there, I’ll find them. In the meantime, I need you to promise not to worry.”
Sounding too fucking cute for her own good, Charlie snorted out a sarcastic, “Okay.”
“I’m serious. There’s been no communication from him to either of us since he sent those papers. The odds that he’d risk everything he’s worked for to do something as juvenile as vandalizing my car are slim to none.” He nudged her playfully. “Trust me on this. Odds are kinda my thing.” He gave her one of his goofy grins, making her smile.
That a girl.
“Am I taking you to your place or hers?” Trevor broke in.
“Hers. She can drop me off at the rental place tomorrow mornin’ so I can get something to drive until my insurance pays up, and I can buy a new car.” He looked over at her. “Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
He gave her a wink then sat back. For the remainder of the ride, Derek wracked his brain to think of anyone else with a vendetta against him.
Recent ops. Old enemies. The list was seemingly endless, but only one name kept coming to the forefront of his thoughts.
Back at her place, Derek followed Charlie as she walked straight into her bedroom and over to her closet. Opening the doors, she quickly undid the straps on her heels and kicked them off. She was about to unzip her dress when he stepped up behind her and ran a finger along her spine.
“I’m sorry about tonight.” Derek’s voice rumbled as he brushed all of her hair over her right shoulder. Pressing his lips to her exposed back, he spoke between the trail of kisses he left there.
“It was our first date.”Kiss. “It should have been special.”Kiss. “I wanted to celebrate us in a way you’d never forget.”
“It was special,” Charlie spoke softly. “You make everything special.”
Derek sent up a prayer of thanks when she tilted her head to the side to help him out.
Maybe the night isn’t a total bust.
“I’d planned to take you dancing.” He moved his hands down to her hips and began to sway back and forth. “I wanted to show you all my moves.”
Charlie’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. “Oh, you have moves, do you?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled against her skin. “I was going to get you all hot and bothered on the dance floor and then take you back to my place.”
“Then what?” She asked breathlessly.
Derek’s lips curved. “Then, I was going to strip you out of this sexy-as-fuck dress.”
She inhaled deeply, her lower body instinctively pressing back against his.
“After I made you come again and again, I was going to give you this.” He put one of his hands in his pocket and held the small, red box in front of her.
She inhaled sharply. “Derek.” She turned in his arms, her cheeks flushed with arousal. “You don’t have to keep buying me things.”
“I know I don’t have to. I wanted to.” Between them, he opened the box to reveal what was inside. “I thought you could keep this on. That way, no matter what, I’ll always be with you.”
Surprised filled her face. “Oh, it’s beautiful.”
