Dex nodded.
Part of him would love to have Kate come to Club Desire so they could continue what they had begun. The other part of him wanted her to stay away, purely because he had lost objectivity when it came to her.
“Dex, what’s going on?” Tanner rubbed his stubbled chin between his forefinger and thumb, a testament to the long night he had spent working. There had been only a handful of times Dex had seen his boss anything but clean-shaven.
“Dex, you’re the last person I worried about getting emotionally involved with suspects. It’s just so illogical that your brain can’t compute doing it. I knew sending you in as a Dom might be problematic, but from talking with you beforehand, you’ve always seemed to be able to compartmentalize sex and emotions in your normal Dom activities.”
Dex forced himself to meet his boss’s penetrating gaze, not bothering to try to explain the dynamics of the D/s lifestyle. He was emotionally involved with all of his subs, just not the way Jason was talking about. “Kate isn’t like anyone I’ve ever met. If I’d met her outside of a case, I think she would’ve gotten past my shields just as easily. I don’t think she’s knowingly involved in any wrongdoing, but I’m doing my best to find out one way or the other.” He unclenched his jaw. At least he was honestly able to say that was true.
“And if it turns out she is involved, I’ll do everything necessary to make sure she pays to the fullest extent of the law.” His chest squeezed like a ten-ton weight had fallen on him. He knew he would do what had to be done, but it might rip him apart in the process.
Tanner frowned. “I know you, and I want to believe that, but there’s a reason becoming emotionally involved with a suspect is taboo. It makes it very easy to turn a blind eye to things that are glaringly obvious.”
He shifted in his chair. “Dex. I’m putting Merrick on to work with Miss Fretwell. Because of her interaction with you and her involvement in the incident with Mark Stanton before his death, she might be in danger as well.”
He watched Dex carefully as he spoke, and Dex did his best not to move or give off any clues of any type, although he knew it was an impossible task with Jason Tanner.
“If she comes to Phoenix and Club Desire, we’ll deal with that when we need to,” Jason continued. “We don’t want to alienate her, since you’ve already built a rapport, but we need a backup with a clear head, and I think Merrick is it.”
Dex ground his teeth at the thought of anyone else protecting Kate. Or even approaching her as a Dominant. But bone-deep fear washed through him at the thought of her in danger because of her association with him.
It took him several long moments to speak, and Jason let the heavy silence sit between them. “Understood,” Dex said finally, biting back the desire to punch something. Some time in the practice dojo was in order if he was going to be able to function effectively for the rest of this case.
Jason ran a hand through his hair. “I know you’ll do what’s right, either way. But for right now, you look like hell. Why don’t you go get food, a shower, and a nap? I’ll call you when the informant is in Phoenix and ready to talk.”
Dex smiled. “Thanks, Jason. Your faith in me means a lot.”
Chapter 19
Kate saved the project she was working on and her phone pinged, alerting her to a new text message.
Her heartbeat kicked up a notch as she reached for it, hoping the text would be from Dex. As the hours had slipped by, she reasoned that after last night he was taking the day to rest and recover, and could even still be asleep. Something she would most likely be doing if she didn’t have these projects to get done for Merestone.
He said he would contact her later, and there was no reason to think he wouldn’t.
When she saw Dex’s name on the notifications screen, waves of elation filled her chest, and a wide smile stretched her tender lips. She hugged the phone to her chest until impatience to see the message cut through her excitement.
Kate, I’ve been recalled by my boss on urgent business. I’m leaving right away. Not sure when I’ll be back. I’m sorry I can’t say goodbye in person.
Dex
Disappointment followed by hot pain lanced through her chest as the meaning of the words on the screen sank in.
He’d left.
She closed her eyes tight as the tears welled and then rolled down her cheeks.
A rush of anger followed the pain like a burning wave, and she bolted to her feet.
She had allowed herself to care for him.
More than care for him, if she was honest.
She had read more into last night and into his protective treatment of her than was there.
Stupid girl!