Free Deep Into The Night (Hartz Island Series) by Tracie Ingersoll Loy Page B

shadows.
    Only one person had ever called her that, and he was now standing buck naked in front of her.
    “Wyatt Earp.”

Chapter Ten
    "D on’t move an inch.” He reached down and grabbed the towel off the floor. “I’m placing you under house arrest.” Jack Wyatt wrapped the towel around his hips.
    “What the hell! You can’t do that.” She sat up and glared at him.
    “Oh, yes I can. I can do anything I want. I’m a sworn officer of the federal government, and I’m putting you into protective custody.”
    “What? Whose?”
    “Mine. There’s a lot of nasty people looking for you.” He could tell she didn’t take him seriously by the sneer on her face. “After they get through with you, no plastic surgeon would be able to repair your face.” He waited a few seconds to let his message sink in. He held out his hand and pulled her off the bed. “Get some clothes on.” He followed her down the hall to the front room and eyeballed her. He didn’t remember her being so skinny, but she always had a nice butt and still did.
    He flipped on the light. Only a duffel bag and a purse lay next to the old sofa, but then his eye caught something else. Jack picked up the bottle, and examined the label and contents. He cringed.
    “Was this full?”
    “Hardly.” Cassie held up a T-shirt and shorts. “Do you mind?”
    He did mind. He didn’t trust her. “It’s not the first time I’ve seen you,” Jack said, turning his head slightly so she wouldn’t see him grinning, “half-naked.”
    “Well guess what, buddy, I’ve now seen you buck naked.” She slipped on her clothes. “Besides, I was fourteen, not forty-two like you, so get over it.”
    He laughed, grabbed her sleeping bag and her hand, and pulled her along. “Touché.”
    “Where are we going?”
    “To the bedroom.” She gasped, and he smirked. “Don’t worry I’m not going to jump your bones. I need to keep an eye on you and if it means sleeping together…”
    “Right, Wyatt Earp. In your dreams.” Cassie yanked the sleeping bag out of his hand and stomped off.
    He laughed. Not much had changed from her teenage years. He followed her into the bedroom and quickly pulled on his jeans and a rugby shirt.
    Cassie looked at the bed. “So, what side of the bed do you want?”
    “I take closest to the door, you are by the window.”
    He waited until she’d crawled into the bag before checking the front room. Everything seemed in order, so he picked up her duffel, turned off the light, but then stopped and listened.

    Jack was the I.C.E. guy in L.A., she was sure of it now. Had he not had his sunglasses on, she would have seen his signature steel blue eyes. Jack Wyatt, her brother’s college roommate but worse—her first and only teenage crush that lasted forever. She cringed, thinking of the antics she’d pulled trying to get his attention. Had he recognized her in Maria’s uniform?
    “Wyatt?” She listened for his answer but only heard silence. Pissed, Cassie flung off the bag and stormed down the dark hall. “Jesus H. Christ, Jack, if you’re coming to bed, then come to bed, damn it.” Cassie stood in the kitchen and stared at the open door leading out onto the deck. “Jack?” A shiver of panic raced through her. That door didn’t open on its own. Okay, stay calm Cass . “Jack, where are you?” She listened but only heard the echo of waves hitting the shore.
    A breeze came through the door, chilling her even more. She quickly closed it and peered outside. The dark night revealed nothing. Cassie rifled through her duffel for clothes to wear, pulled on her hoodie, and then peered through the glass door one more time. What caused him to go outside? On the deck, Cassie crouched down and peeked over the rail. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and she saw nothing amiss, but still her heart raced. Staying low to the ground, she sprinted across the lawn to a large tree on the edge of the property and hugged it. Something said to stay