The Corner Booth (16 page)

CHAPTER 28

The sun was just peeking up over the horizon when Cassie entered Starbucks. This was always her favorite time of the day, even on the farm. She loved the way the world seemed to wake up slowly. She had so many late nights, she hadn’t had the opportunity to experience it recently. But this morning was different. Once again, she was ready for the change to happen and had set her alarm clock so she could start the day on a positive note with a walk through Chestnut Hill. It was her way of saying goodbye. Tonight she would be moving out, after what she anticipated would be her last trying day with Jennifer.

As she grabbed her drink, her eyes scanned the almost empty café. She had plenty of time to enjoy the moment. She sat at the tiny table near the giant windows, just as another patron walked through the door. Her eyes widened in surprise when she immediately recognized the ATF officer. Her first instinct was to leave, but he barely gave her a cursory look before he headed to the counter. With a sigh of relief, Cassie figured he didn’t recognize her. She had definitely looked completely different with her ponytail and sweatpants from the night they were at the Pavilion.

“Cassandra?”

She jumped in surprise.

“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just wasn’t sure if it was you. You are Sakis’s friend from the other night, correct?”

She nodded her head; she took a sip to compose her thoughts. “I am. Wow, you have a great memory.”

“Yeah, I have been told that.” His name was called out to let him know his drink was ready; he seemed conflicted, not wanting to stop their conversation. “Be right back.”

Cassie watched as Derek practically ran to the counter, before he returned to her table. “Would you mind if I sat for a moment?”

He took her hesitation as an opening and slid the chair out.

“Did you enjoy your evening at the Pavilion? The food is excellent there.”

“I did, very much. Thank you for asking,” Cassie responded stiffly. She was so out of her element and wished Stephan was next to her. “And you?” she asked politely.

Derek smiled across the table at her. Cassie stared in wonder as two small dimples appeared out of nowhere on his face. He was extremely attractive: His jeans and polo shirt clung to his physique. His blonde hair was messed, as if he just jumped out of bed. His dimples and dark blue eyes gave him a youthful appearance. He could be any random person who stopped to have a brief chat with her, but she knew better from her research who he was. She doubted he would have stopped if it wasn’t for Sakis.

“Have you known Sakis long?”

“Wow! You are direct! Have you known your date long?” Cassie asked.
Maria must have felt this way when she grilled her on Sakis.
She would have to apologize again.

Derek’s smile deepened.
God, she was quick.
“Touché! Actually, I don’t mind you asking. It wasn’t my date—that was my sister. She is going through a rough divorce, and I took her out to cheer her up.” Derek couldn’t stop staring at Cassie’s eyes. He had never seen a color like that before and he wondered whether they were real or whether she wore colored contacts.

“Your eyes are amazing!”

Cassie’s face grew pink and she looked confused.

“Thank you. I get told that a lot.”

“So the color is real?” Derek asked, astounded.

Throwing her head back, Cassie laughed. “Ah, yes, they are real. Are you being serious right now?”

It was Derek’s turn to look uncomfortable and slightly embarrassed. “I have met tons of people in my line of work. I have never seen that color, wasn’t sure if you were wearing contacts.”

Nodding in understanding, Cassie was happy for the opening. Now it was her turn to question him. “I get it. No, these are not contacts, but my real color. What line of work are you in that you meet tons of people, Derek?”

“I am an ATF officer,” Derek answered without hesitation.

“Interesting. How in the world would an Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms officer meet someone like Sakis?”

Derek sat back in his seat. He underestimated little Miss Cassandra. She certainly was no wallflower.
Good for her, for turning the tables around on him.
“Oh, I meet different people from different walks of life every day. He just happened to be one of them. What about you? How did you two meet?”

Cassie glanced at her watch; she would have to get going or she was going to be late for work. There was no longer time to play the word game with him. Turning her now cold stare on him, she rose and leaned in. Her voice clipped out her parting words.

“Sakis and I are friends. I am getting to know him a little bit at a time, just as I am getting to know you a little bit at a time. Most of the info comes from the Internet because I can’t seem to get a straight answer from the man. It has been difficult putting all of the pieces together, for sure. What I am tired of are the games. You have a question, ask it, but before you do, tell me why you are asking so I know what the hell is going on. From there, I will either answer you honestly or plead the Fifth. Got it, Derek Chandler?” She left him in stunned silence.

_______

Stephan watched Cassie leave the coffee shop. She seemed agitated and glanced up and down the sidewalk before she headed back in the direction of the Hunters’ home. He had been trailing her for a couple of days and he hated the deception—she would be livid if she found out—but this was her final test, before he could be one hundred percent sure of her loyalty. No one was more shocked than him when the ATF officer walked in shortly after her. If this was a planned meeting, he would kill her personally with his bare hands, no regrets. He’d been in this line of work his whole adult life; he knew about coincidences. He had to be sure.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. When he pulled it out, he glanced at the caller ID in relief. Dropping his head back on the headrest, Stephan allowed the call to go to voicemail. She wouldn’t expect him to pick it up this time in the morning. She knew that he always had mornings off. Moments later, he dialed into voicemail. Her sweet voice filled the car.

“Hey Stephan, it’s Cassie. When you wake up, can you give me a call? Nothing super urgent. Well, at least I don’t think it is, but that is why I am calling you, I guess, right? Anyways, I went for coffee this morning and ran in that guy Derek from dinner the other night and he was asking some questions. I just got a little nervous, and I know I am rambling so I am going to hang up now. Just call me when you get this, okay?”

He started the engine and headed home for some much-needed sleep. He was proud of her. She passed the test.

CHAPTER 29

Kneeling on the soft carpet, Cassie looked around at the room she had lived in for four months. She had not accumulated that much. Several boxes were neatly stacked near the door, along with her suitcases. Sheets were removed from the double bed and washed, and the blankets were neatly folded on top of the mattress. Everything was literally in the same spot that she had found them when she arrived back in June. She didn’t want Jennifer saying that she had left everything a wreck. Cassie went so far as to have a carpet cleaner come and wash the carpet—an expense she really couldn’t afford, but it left her knowing she did everything she could.

She flicked her hair over her shoulder absently, allowing herself to remember the excitement of coming to this new world and marveled at how quickly that excitement faded. Now a new excitement filled her as she thought of the tiny studio apartment that waited for her in Brookline. Finally, she was going to be free. Free to come and go. Free to just lock herself in her apartment if that is what she wanted to do. Free to answer or not answer the phone. She couldn’t even begin to imagine the feeling.

The last few weeks were absolute hell on her nerves. Jennifer kept the lists long and never ending, and most nights all she could do was to collapse on her bed, only to be wakened early by the insistent ring of her alarm. Cassie’s only saving grace was the weekends that she spent at Sakis’s, but even there she felt tense. She knew nothing had changed for Sakis after their non-conversation, but a lot had changed for her. She had more major decisions to make. She would not be controlled by him, but be a partner in every way: an equal. In fairness, she knew he understood what she was saying; he just didn’t know how to translate that into adjusting his actions with her.

Cassie rose to her feet. Actually, she figured he did understand but coming from the culture that he did, she had her place. But she wasn’t Greek and there was still so much she didn’t understand or know about the business end of Sakis’s world—another reason having her own place would benefit her. She could spend as many hours after work as she wanted to researching who he was. Thinking of her new job, she smiled. New adventure at a real company. Mason had offered to get her an entry-level position within his firm, but as much as she appreciated the offer, Cassie politely declined. She wanted as far away from this family as she could get. Shockingly, it had not taken her long to find a receptionist job. The pay was not too bad for a beginner and even better, it had full benefits, and weekends and evenings were all hers.

Cassandra smiled and hugged herself. She actually felt giddy with the whole process. At the sound of footsteps on the stairs, she prayed it wasn’t Jennifer asking her to do one more thing before she left. A head popped through the doorway, and Cassie squealed. “Sean! What the heck are you doing here?”

Sean grinned. “Couldn’t let you go to your new place all by yourself, could I? Moving can be rough, especially on a Friday night.” Glancing at the suitcases and boxes, he grimaced. “Unless it is my best friend who is dating a bazillionaire, but still has nothing!” he exclaimed with disgust.

“I am not dating him for his money, and you know that. You have to give him credit, offering to help me move. I just don’t have that much. Now, grab a box and let’s go before she finds something else for me to do.” Tears misted her eyes as she hugged Sean tightly. “Thanks for coming, Sean. I could have done it by myself, but I am glad you are here.”

Hugging her back tightly, Sean laughed. “You got it, girl, but I am expecting a drink at the end of this. I gave up Ryan for you tonight and he is not happy.”

Cassie thought of the tall, thin man that they had met the first time they danced at Sakis’s nightclub. The night everything changed. Ryan and Sean were still hot and heavy, and even Sean was perplexed by the relationship. Cassie, on the other hand, loved seeing her friend happy and falling in love. Ryan was good for him. She even told Sean that she really thought Ryan was “the one.” Even though Sean had shaken his head in denial, he couldn’t hide the grin on his face.

“Anything you want!”

After he easily carried the items downstairs, Sean sat in the car as Cassie said her goodbyes. His eyes narrowed as Jennifer kept her arms crossed when Cassie tried to hug her. With a bright smile, Cassie pretended not to notice the slight, but he saw it register on her face.
God, he couldn’t stand the bitch.
Mason seemed a good enough guy and he hugged her very willingly.
But honestly, good riddance to them all.

Smiling and waving like a prom queen on her final walk, Cassie strode quickly to Sean’s car. Sliding in, she kept the smile plastered to her face, but spoke through gritted teeth. “Get me the hell away from here!”

“Your wish is my command, diva,” Sean exclaimed happily.

A short time later, they both stood outside the apartment. “Well, this is it!” Sean whispered.

Cassie giggled. “Why are you whispering?”

“I don’t know. It seems all dramatic, somehow. First apartment by yourself is a big deal, honey. Hell, I still live with my parents.”

“Yeah, for how long? I am thinking there will be a ring on that finger soon.” Cassie slipped her key nonchalantly in the door as if she did it every day. Her heart beat fast in her chest. Sean was right; this was a big deal.

As she stepped into the dark room, Cassie reached for the light switch and found it easily. Sean whistled through his teeth. “Wow, this is much better than I thought it was going to be.” The room was extremely large, with high ceilings. The hardwood floors, gleaming from a new coat of polish, were warm and inviting. The windows were covered in floor-to-ceiling curtains to give privacy, the first real splurge she made. The rest would have to wait a couple of more days.

“This is my living room and bedroom. I have a bed coming that folds into a cabinet that looks like an armoire…it is pretty awesome.” Walking across the large expanse, she pointed to a door. “In there is a kitchenette and over there, is the bathroom.”

Sean disappeared into the kitchen. “Oh my God! Cassandra Jane, get your lily-white ass in here, now.”

Rushing over, Cassie stepped into the kitchen. “Oh my!” she exclaimed.

“Honey, close your mouth—it is not attractive—and find me a glass.”

The largest basket she had ever seen in her life was set in the middle of the kitchen floor. She could easily make out several bottles of cognac and other liqueurs. Reaching for the card lying on the counter, she opened it, already knowing who the gift was from.

“Welcome to your new home. You will find a bottle of champagne chilling in the freezer. Love, Sakis.”

A hand snaked out and snatched the card away from Cassie. “‘Love, Sakis’?’ Someone has been holding out on me—are we in love now?” Sean quickly searched the freezer for the champagne.

“I don’t know what we are,” Cassie responded carefully. She pulled items out of the basket, praying Sakis had the forethought to have glasses packed, and exhaled in relief when she found some tucked in the back of the packaging. “And I don’t want to talk about it tonight. Tonight is just about me and my new place.”

“Happy to oblige.” Sean took the bottle of champagne into the living room as Cassie washed the glasses and then joined him. He had already laid out her sleeping bag onto the floor and used her suitcase as a backrest so he could lounge. His long legs stretched out, he patted the bag and invited her to sit next to him. “Come on, baby, let us pop this bubbly.”

His glass high in the air, he smiled at his friend. “To new beginnings and your new home. May this place bring to life all of your dreams and wishes, because you so deserve it, Cass.” Glancing around the empty room, he smirked. “And may it bring you furniture really quickly also.”

Cassie laughed and took a long drink, almost emptying the glass, which Sean was more than happy to refill. “God, I so drink to that.”

Raising her glass again, she winked at Sean. “To my best friend, for allowing me to be who I am. For being the kind of guy who can drink a bottle of champagne that costs more than we make in a year while we sit on the floor on a sleeping bag. There is no one I would rather be with right now experiencing this than you. Love you, Sean.”

Sean kissed her on her forehead. “Love you, too, Cassie girl.”

Several hours later, Sean rolled over and groaned. “I think I am a bit drunk.”

Cassie giggled and nodded her head. “Yeah, me too. At least I don’t have to go anywhere.”

Frowning, Sean sat up. “Didn’t you tell tall, dark, and handsome that you would meet up at the club? I don’t want them to think I am the one holding you back.”

With a laugh, Cassie took another drink from her glass, knowing she was going to regret it later. “Please don’t tell me you are afraid of them?” Watching the mixed emotions on Sean’s face, she scowled. “Are you?”

“Come on, Cass. There is something about them that is a little scary, right?”

Picking at the sleeping bag, she nodded. “I have to tell you something, Sean, and please don’t get all judgy on me because you are the one who left me that first night with them. I think—no, I
know—
they are part of the Greek Mafia.” Gooseflesh rose over her skin. This was really the first time that Cassie had said the words out loud, with conviction. She would be an idiot to not believe otherwise.

She leaned over and pushed at his chin. “Close your mouth—you’re going to catch flies.”

“Are you being serious, Cass?” Sean gasped.

“As a heart attack.”

Silence hung heavy in the small apartment. “I knew something was off. When are you going to ditch him?”

“I am not,” Cassie responded emphatically. “At least I don’t think I am…it’s complicated.”

Kneeling in front of his friend, Sean grabbed her shoulders. “Cassie, you can’t be serious. You can’t stay with him.”

She shrugged his hands off her shoulders and looked him directly in the eyes, chewing on her bottom lip.

“Oh God. You love him. You fell in love with a gangsta. What am I going to do with you?” he wailed.

Unable to control herself, Cassie giggled again. “Gangsta? Sean, where did you pick up your lingo…first swoon, and now gangsta.” Falling backwards, she laughed hysterically.

Grinning down at his friend, Sean slapped her leg.

“Look who is judging now.” Sean knew it would do no good talking to her into breaking up, but he was terrified for her. “I hope you know what you are doing, kiddo, because this is no joke.”

“I know,” Cassie whispered.

“I am heading out to the Midwest in a couple of days. I could cancel my trip.”

As she poured more champagne in both of their glasses, she shook her head. “Absolutely not! What is the worst that could happen?”

“Please don’t say that. Anything but that, Cass.” Sean took a large gulp of the champagne, no longer tasting it. He couldn’t bear to say out loud what he was thinking.