Soul Mate (The Mating Series) (39 page)

“Why are you here?” Cho asked
, rubbing the back of his neck. He yawned. Something bothered him too. He kept unusually quiet since we came home the night before. “If your investigation isn’t complete, why are you talking to us?”

“It was your tip that led us to the
church,” Ben said. “I have to get a statement from Cassie.”

“Now?” I asked. “here?”

“I thought you would be more comfortable here.”

“Cassie isn’t talking
,” Cho said. “I know why they sent you here. You’re here to see if we’re planning a civil case against the police department and the City of Indianapolis. You came to let us know that at this point the prosecutor could still pursue Jimmy if we proceed with legal action.”

“A
re you?” Ben asked.

“I would have to discuss it with my brother, but if it
was solely up to me, yes.” Cho switched to attorney mode. “You might recommend to your superiors that we’re compensated for the bond, and reimbursed for the daily cost of the home detention unit.”

“
I’m sure that’s already being arranged,” Ben said.

“If we’
re compensated for the monetary loss, I could persuade my bother not to follow up with any legal action.”

“
I’ll let the chief know,” Ben said. “I do need a statement from Cassie, and also you.”

“What do you want to know?” Cho asked.
I remained silent. I knew better than to speak while Cho acted as my attorney.

“I’
d like to have the events leading up to getting the file and being tracked by the black SUV on record,” Ben said. “Any details, no matter how small, could expedite our investigation.”

Cho gave me permission to speak with his eyes
.
Ugh those eyes!
“I don’t remember anything more than what I told you,” I said.

“When did you first notice the SUV?” Ben asked.

“At the coffee shop while you were in line,” I said.

Ben continued
going over each and every detail ad nauseam. I understood why, but I grew irritated. Either Jimmy slept deep, or ignored us because of Ben’s presence.

“Those are
all of my questions,” Ben said. “Do you have any other questions?”

“When will Jimmy have the ankle monitor removed?” I asked.

“The security company has disabled the monitor, but it may take a few days for them to come out and remove the system,” Ben said. “I know it’s inconvenient for Jimmy, but if he can bear with it for a few more days.”

“When will Jimmy be officially exonerated in writing?” Cho asked. “I don’t want him to think this is resolved and then you come back with more charges.”

“I promise that will not happen, but I don’t think Jimmy will be officially exonerated until the prosecutor has indicted Skinner,” Ben said.

“What about the other members of the Holy Covenant?” Cho asked. “How safe are Jimmy and Cassie?”

“Not all members were arrested,” Ben said. “We arrested only the extreme members who were involved in the vigilante activities. I don’t think Cassie and Jimmy are in any danger, but at this point we don’t know.”

Cho glanced at me with a conflicted expression.
“When will Jimmy be allowed to leave the state?” he asked.

“That is a question for his detention officer
,” Ben said. “I would assume Jimmy could travel as soon as the monitoring device is removed, but I’d make sure someone knew how to contact him if needed.”

“Here’s my card.” Cho handed a red and white card to Ben. “You can contact me if you need to get a hold of either Cassie or Jimmy from now on.” I glared at Cho
. He planned to send Jimmy away. Finally free to explore our relationship and Cho wanted to separate us. My face grew hot. I wouldn’t allow it. I would follow Cho’s advice and fight for Jimmy.

I pounced on Cho the minute Ben left. “
You’re taking Jimmy back to Chicago!” I bellowed. “I can’t believe you.” I stormed out of the room.

Cho called
after me. “Cassie, wait a minute.” He followed me.

I fumed.
“Does Jimmy know?”

“Yes, but…”

“So the both of you made plans without even consulting me.” I threw up my hands, about to cry. I fought the tears. I thought things would go back to normal.

“I tried to tell you last night, but you didn’t want to listen. Jimmy
wanted to talk to you about this.” He reached for me. “Now listen…”

I jerked away.
“When?” I asked.

“Listen to me…”

“No, listen to me!” I shouted. “If you think for one second I’m going to allow…”

Cho grabbed my shoulde
rs. “Now wait a God damn minute Cassie!” He roared. “Before you go telling me what you will and will not allow, you need to hear me out.”  I twisted, but couldn’t break free. Cho backed me against the wall and held me with his strong arms. He had me cornered.

Once I considered what it’
d be like to provoke Cho. It wasn’t wise. He was a fraction away from actually bending me over and spanking me like a child. I studied his big bear paw hand. A spanking from Cho would be painful. The brat in me wouldn’t back down. I jerked my chin in defiance. “Cassie, don’t cop an attitude with me. I’m in no mood.”  He grabbed my face and growled. He was like a grizzly bear…a really pissed off grizzly.

I glared at him. “
I’m listening.”

“I never said that I was taking Jimmy to
Chicago.”  Cho breathed. He tried to calm himself. He spoke slowly. “Jimmy and I discussed going to Chicago the other night. It was just a discussion nothing more.”  I rolled my eyes. After all that we’d been through, and our talk last night, Cho wanted to take Jimmy away from me. “Don’t be so childish Cassandra,” Cho said. “Do you think Jimmy would actually leave you? Or that I could convince him to go to Chicago without you?”

“
I’m not running away,” I said. “Nor should Jimmy. They’ve cleared his name. He’s innocent and now everyone knows it.”

Those dark eyes burned into me for a long time. Angry Cho frightened me. “Do you realize the media frenzy that will ensue? No matter
how innocent Jimmy is, there’ll always be those who think differently. His client list is shot. His abilities will be put on display…”  Cho tapped my temple hard with his finger. It hurt.
Ouch!
“Think Cassie. Jimmy will be hounded if he stays here. His client list wasn’t exclusive for the client’s sake, but for his sake. He’ll have every crack pot in town trying to see him.” Cho was right, but I didn’t want to listen. “Hell, I’m not sure Chicago is far enough away. I suggested San Francisco.” Cho leaned in close to me. I pressed myself flat against the wall. His said in a low tone, “The sad thing is that he’ll stay in this fucked up mess for you. Are you going to do that to him?”

“I can’t run Cho and you know that
,” I said. I hated that Cho was right. I didn’t want Jimmy to stay and be miserable, but I couldn’t leave. “I have my job and my mom to think about.”

“I know that too.” Cho said
, softly. “Jimmy is stuck between a rock and a hard place, isn’t he?” Something about Cho’s dark eyes and his piercing gaze unnerved me. Cho fed off my fear. I remembered what Jimmy said about Cho’s dark side. There was something animalistic about him. I met his gaze with what I hoped was an equally menacing look. We stood in our staring contest for a long time. His body held mine against the wall.

“That’s enough
,” Jimmy said, clasping Cho’s shoulder. Cho snapped back from me. “Go cool off.” 

“I…” Cho began.

“Go cool off.” Jimmy repeated. Cho snatched the pack of Marlboros from the table and disappeared. “What did you do to release the tiger?” Jimmy asked.

“Why didn’t you tell me about
Chicago?” I asked.

Jimmy looked angrily over his shoulder.
“Did
he
tell you?”

“No, he asked if you could leave the state.” I shrugged. “I assumed Cho
wanted to take you away from me.”

“You know I wouldn’t leave you.” Jimmy said
, softly stroking my hair.

“No, Jimmy I don’t know that.” I plopped in the kitchen chair. “I don’t know anything about you.”

“Cassie, you know more about me than anyone.”

“I don’t know everything
, do I?”

“I
planned on discussing this with you,” Jimmy said. “Damn Cho!” He paced. He still looked exhausted.

“I can’t leave Indy
. You know that,” I said.

“We c
an go anywhere, not just Chicago,” Jimmy said. “We could go to Cali. You’d love it there.”

“I can’t leave my mom.”

“Think about it Cassie, a fresh start for both of us. We could get a nice little place together…just the two of us.” Jimmy grasped my hands.

“I can’t leave
,” I said. “I wish I could run off with you, it sounds wonderful.”

“
Someday your mom’s going to leave.”

“When she does, I will deal with
it, but Jimmy, I can’t leave.”

Jimmy pulled me into his arms and held me. “I won’t leave you.”

“I know how messed up your life is right now, but I can’t walk away from mine,” I said. “Maybe you could go to Chicago for a couple of weeks.”

“It’s a consideration
,” Jimmy said. “But only if you come with me.”

“I hope
to go back to work soon,” I said. “You’re more than welcome to stay with me if you don’t think you can afford the condo.”

“I don’t know yet
,” Jimmy said. “I have a lot to think about.”

“I know
,” I said. “First you need to get the ankle monitor off.”

Cho
stomped through the kitchen. I glared at him. “He has mommy issues.” I murmured.

“We both do.” Jimmy laughed. Park Min
dominated her kids. Cho couldn’t control his mother so he took pleasure in controlling other women. Jimmy, on the other hand, seemed to avoid being close to women, even me.

I found Cho’s dominance fascinating
. It felt almost sensual when he had me pinned against the wall. I could feel the heat of his anger, but it excited me. I understood why women allowed Cho to dominate them. Provoking him gave me an adrenaline rush.

I sensed
Cho’s dark eyes gauging me. His eyes challenged me. “I’ve booked a flight to Chicago for Wednesday. What are your plans Jimmy?” Cho forced himself to ignore me.

“That’s two days away and I
can’t make travel plans until I have this off.” Jimmy raised his pant leg.

“Trisha Pennington will contact us tomorrow to set up a time to remove everything
,” Cho said.

“I can’t make a decision until I talk to Trisha.” Jimmy watched Cho. “What is your problem Bro?”

“Hell, I don’t know.” Cho’s face softened. “I just…It’s nothing.”

“I think you should apologize to Cassie
,” Jimmy said.

“Sorry.” Cho said
, half-hearted. I stiffened at his crappy apology.
     “Take it. That’s the best you’ll get.” Jimmy whispered.

“Not accepted
,” I said, curtly. Yes, I taunted the beast. I wouldn’t be taken lightly by Jimmy’s brother. Cho messed with the wrong girl. I tightened my lips and glared.

“Forget it
,” Cho said and stormed out.

“You’
ve really pissed him off,” Jimmy said. “That’s not good.”

“I don’t care
,” I said. “Cho tip toes around you, but then jumps my ass whenever he feels.”

“I’
ll talk to him,” Jimmy said.

“Don’t.  He’
ll come around,” I said. “I won’t tolerate being bullied by him or anyone.”

“I don’t think he got the message.” Jimmy laughed. “He’s pissed.”

“He’ll get over it,” I said.

CHAPTER 19

Cho and I
avoided each other the rest of the day. Occasionally, I felt those dark eyes on me. It was like having lasers go through me. Jimmy noticed too and attempted to clear the air between us. “I’m starving. I want to go out,” Jimmy said. “What sounds good?”

“Your choice
,” I said.