Page 12 of Dark ’N’ Deadly

“Dayne?” Eric turned to his friend, who tugged a plastic evidence bag from the thigh pocket of his cargo pants and handed it to him. Eric took the cell phone from the bag, pressed the home button, then held the phone out to Jesse. “Do you recognize these numbers?”

As Jesse peered at the phone, so did Tess. Please, don’t be his number. Their stepfather rarely made phone calls, but the prospect of seeing his number again—even on someone else’s phone—had her gut rolling with nausea.

Without looking at her, Jesse shook his head. “No.”

Those waves of nausea in her belly dissipated, but she worried the immense relief washing over her was written plainly on her face.

“Do you?” He extended the phone to her.

She looked at the screen. There were two missed calls, the first from a New Jersey area code, and the second an Alabama number, neither of which she recognized. “No.”

“We ran both numbers but can’t ID who they belong to. They could be burner phones.” Eric set the phone on the table. “Here’s the story, kid. You’re in deep trouble, but you may be able to work some or all of it off. We’ve already spoken to the federal prosecutor, who agreed to defer your initial appearance for a short period of time. In exchange, we want you to do a controlled delivery for us.”

“I’ll do it,” Jesse said then frowned. “What’s a controlled delivery?”

“Wait.” Tess grabbed Eric’s forearm. Thick muscles flexed beneath her fingers, and heat shot to her hand. His gaze lowered briefly to where she clutched his arm, then he stared at her with an intensity that gave her chills. Delicious chills she should absolutely not be having. She released his arm, yanking hers back as if she’d been burned. “Is it dangerous?”

For another long moment, he continued watching her, and with each second the chills she’d been experiencing intensified, spreading up her neck, down her back, and damn… Her freaking nipples were tingling.

Eric cleared his throat. “Not really.”

“What do you mean, not really?” She glared at him. “What exactly is a controlled delivery?”

“It’s just that. A delivery controlled by us. We’ll surveil the meet location before, during, and after your brother delivers the drums to whoever’s waiting for them. We’ll wire up the truck and record everything. For added safety, we’ll also monitor the delivery in real time, and we’ll stage nearby.”

“You make it sound so simple.” It couldn’t be, not if her stepfather was involved.

“It is.” Eric rested his hand on top of hers, squeezing it lightly. “He’ll be safe. I promise.”

Piercing blue eyes softened, and she believed him. Or, at least, wanted to believe him.

Back in Springfield, they’d worked together one day, helping Nick and Andi figure out which of the Dog Park Café’s customers was a ruthless gun dealer. Aside from that, all she really knew about him was that he stirred the pot of emotions in her like no one else ever had.

If this was what was necessary to get her brother off the hook, then they should consider themselves lucky to have Eric on their side.

“Okay?” He released her hand then looked from her to Jesse, then back again.

“Tessie.” Jesse lowered his voice. “I’m eighteen. I don’t need your permission, but I’d like you to be with me on this.”

She stared at her brother, and her heart gave a little lurch that was both painful and wonderful. The little boy she’d left behind really was gone. In her absence, he’d matured into a courageous young man. “Okay,” she whispered, swallowing the tiny sob threatening to escape.

“We want you to call back that Jersey number,” Eric continued, “and arrange for the delivery of those drums. But you need to put it off until Monday. We should have the lab results by then.”

Jesse brows knitted. “How do I explain that I can’t make the delivery for another two days?”

“Tell him the truck broke down somewhere in Delaware, and the shop’s waiting on parts that won’t be in until Monday morning.” Eric pulled a digital recorder from his pants pocket.

More foreboding slithered up her spine, and she clasped the rose quartz crystal hanging around her neck, willing its positive energy to flow through her. It didn’t, and her apprehension grew. “Please, Eric. Isn’t there any other way?”

“I’m sorry, no. This is his only shot at making any of this go away, and there’s no room for negotiation. Not with a potential bomb in the mix.”

This can’t be happening. Nausea returned, along with a hefty dose of fear knotting her belly. “Can’t you send an undercover agent instead?”

“No, they can’t,” Jesse said. “When I picked up the truck in Alabama, the owner took a picture of me and texted it to someone. He told me to expect questions to prove who I am and where I’m from, so if anyone else besides me shows up, I don’t know if they’ll take the drums. If that happens, I won’t be able to work this off. Tessie, I have to do this. No one else can take my place.” Her brother’s eyes were more determined than she’d ever seen before. “I know you’re my big sis and you want to protect me, but I’m not a little boy anymore. I have to take responsibility for my actions.”

That bastard. She and Jesse both knew their stepfather had been lying through his teeth when he’d said this trip to New Jersey would teach her brother responsibility. Ironically, it really had. Jesse was taking on his mistakes and trying to make them right.

Eric handed Jesse back his phone. “With the exception of having engine trouble, stick to your original plan. The fewer lies you have to tell, the more believable you’ll be and the less likely you’ll get tripped up.”