Constant Craving (Task Force Hawaii #3) Read online

“Ready?”

  More than she would ever know. He wanted this damned investigation over with because he really wanted to see where they were headed. He pushed those thoughts aside and nodded.

  “It’s a gorgeous night.”

  She laughed and pulled out a scarf from her purse.

  “There is one thing you can be certain of. Unless we have a tropical storm or hurricane hitting, most nights are beautiful in Hawaii.”

  Drew looked down the table and smiled. Charity had been correct. Getting out with the guys was just the right thing. They’d picked a bar and grill in Waikiki known for their fish tacos.

  “So, what is your take on the FBI dude?” Marcus asked.

  “Not sure. I thought he really had a thing for her.”

  “He could. Doesn’t mean he isn’t investigating her,” Marcus said.

  “You know him?”

  Marcus nodded. “Yeah. Not well, that’s for sure. Not sure anyone really knew him well. I didn’t know his family had a rep in the Texas Rangers.”

  “What do you mean?” Del asked.

  “He’s had a family member in the Texas Rangers since it’s inception.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah. Generations there. But he never said a word about it. Most guys I know would have been telling anyone who would listen. Not a peep. I only know because Tamilya knew about it.”

  “Charity said they went to Quantico together,” Del remarked.

  “Yeah. And he was the top of the class, but he kept to himself. Very quiet. No one was surprised when he was tapped to work with cyber.”

  “That is definitely curious,” Drew said.

  Del narrowed his eyes. “How much have you had to drink?”

  “Just two beers. This is my third.”

  “You might want to be careful. Have you had a drink since you’ve been out of the hospital?”

  He shook his head and the scenery revolved around him. “Yeah, I better lay off it.”

  “Anyway, I think Emma has all the info we need, but her brother said he had something for her. I think we might be ready to pin him to the wall.”

  “You’re pretty mad about this,” Marcus commented.

  “You’re damned right I am. Bastard came into our house. Our house.” He slammed his hand down on the table causing some of the glasses to jump. It wasn’t that often Del lost his temper like that. “And, going after one of our Ohana? That is unforgivable.”

  As if on cue, Del’s phone went off. “Emma.”

  He was quiet as he listened to his wife. His frown deepened, and his expression grew more stark.

  “Are you sure?”

  More silence. When Emma was excited, she often spoke so fast it was hard to understand her, but somehow, the boss always seemed to comprehend.

  “Okay, I’ll talk it over with the team. Get some rest.”

  “And what did she say?” Adam asked after Del hung up.

  “You mean other than telling me to get bent when I told her to rest?”

  Marcus chuckled. “That woman has not changed one bit since getting pregnant.”

  “And she has the information we need. We’ll play it close to our chest, but we will make sure to let him hoist himself on his own petard.”

  They had taken a drive to the other side of the island and watched the sun sink below the horizon as they did. She had tried the entire time to pretend it was for real. It would have been a perfect date in her mind. Laidback was her style. Oh, she liked a little romance, and sometimes big gestures, but she had been raised in the South. She appreciated the quiet times with people she enjoyed.

  “You’ve been awfully quiet,” TJ remarked as they started eating their meals. He’d taken her to a small fish taco place—another local favorite. If he wasn’t a deceptive butthead, she would be totally into him. Okay, she was into him, but she did have standards. Standards that at the moment seemed to be wavering. She knew he was on the job, but he was so damned sweet.

  “I just had a rough week. I get preoccupied when I have a court case coming up.”

  “I hate court too.”

  “Yeah?”

  He nodded as he chewed and swallowed a bite of his taco. “I don’t like being put on display. I know a few guys who have gotten out of the FBI and been hired on as expert witnesses. They always loved sitting up there testifying. Not my thing.”

  “Mine either. Some of the technical and scientific stuff is just above everyone’s head. The blank stares from the jury always make me freak out. The first case I testified in, I had a panic attack. It was a disaster.”

  He smiled. Just a simple curving of the lips. Even knowing what she did, understanding that he couldn’t be trusted, it got to her. He got to her. He was practically made for her. Looks and personality perfect for her. That is until she thought about how he was investigating her.

  “So, Drew is out with the men of TFH tonight?”

  She nodded. “I was worried he would avoid it, but he seemed gung ho tonight.”

  “That’s good.”

  They ate in silence for a minute to two. Usually, she would freak out. Charity always liked noise, chatter. Mostly, she loved to talk, but she didn’t like long silences. With TJ, it was different. And that worried her. The fact that she was so damned comfortable with him should make her happy, but of course, with their situation, it did not.

  “I thought we could head back down Pali. I always liked that road at night.”

  She smiled. “Sounds like a great plan.”

  This was going to kill her. She couldn’t be herself, but she couldn’t really be comfortable around him. She had been a deb, so she knew exactly how to be in fact. Smiles, kisses on the cheek—she had learned to master the art of socializing at the elite Southern gatherings. And, if she didn’t have feelings for him, she would be so pissed that she would be able to pull it off.

  “Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”

  She looked up at him. God. Concern darkened those gorgeous gray eyes.

  She shook her head. “Like I said, it was a long week, and I am not looking forward to next week.”

  “Well, then,” he leaned over and brushed his mouth against hers.

  It wasn’t a full kiss. In most cases, she wouldn’t even call it a kiss. With TJ, she felt it all the way to her soul. It rocked her foundation. When he pulled back, a strange mixture of arousal and shame washed over her. He was lying to her, using her, and she was attracted to him.

  “I hoped that would make you feel better.”

  She opened her eyes and looked at him. He definitely looked upset, and a small part of her, the stupid part of her who was still attracted to the geek with the hot body, took over.

  “No. I’m just trying to figure out how I’m attracted to a man who would pick Captain America over Iron Man.”

  His expression lightened and he shook his head. “Iron Man. Really?”

  She chuckled. “Captain America is such a goody two shoes.”

  “Tony Stark is an asshole.”

  “A very attractive asshole,” she said.

  With a sigh, he grabbed his drink. “At least we agree that Matt Smith has been the best Doctor.”

  She stared at him without saying a word.

  “Don’t tell me you’re a Tennant fan.”

  “Okay, I won’t.”

  “What could you possibly see in him?”

  Pushing aside the real reason she was there, she started to debate TJ about the finer qualities of the tenth Doctor. Reality would arrive soon enough.

  They stepped off the elevator and walked down the hall to her door again. It had been a pleasant night, but TJ knew something was wrong. Really wrong. She had engaged with him, but he felt as if she were holding back. In fact, until they started arguing about superheroes and Doctor Who, she had seemed almost detached.

  “I had a great time again,” Charity said, giving him a smile. It didn’t reach her eyes. Alarm bells were going off in his head. There was something definitely wrong.

&nb
sp; “Is there something wrong?”

  Her eyes widened. “No. Sorry. I’m really worried about that case on Monday. The lawyer for the defendant and I have a history.”

  “Oh.”

  “But I had a really great time tonight. Truly.”

  Something loosened in his chest, and he found himself able to take another deep breath.

  He stepped closer, bent his head close just as her door flung open. He glanced over before a fist shot out and hit him square in the jaw. He hadn’t been ready for it so he stumbled back.

  “Drew,” Charity yelled.

  “Fuck,” was all he could say when he fell back against the wall. His head slammed into the light fixture and bright flashes of stars appeared before his eyes. Pain radiated from his jaw.

  “What are you doing?” Charity yelled.

  “Defending your honor,” Drew said stepping closer. She positioned herself between the two of them, as if he needed someone to defend him.

  “First of all, I don’t need any defending. I can take care of my own honor.”

  A door down the hallway opened, and Charity muttered something under her breath.

  “Both of you inside now.”

  He opened his mouth to refute her, but she pushed Drew as she grabbed TJ by the shoulder. She dragged him into her apartment and kicked the door shut.

  “Do you want to explain to me what that was about, Drew?” she demanded.

  “Not really,” Drew said.

  “Well, I’m going to have to insist on it,” TJ said, and instantly regretted it. His fucking jaw hurt.

  “I don’t think you have a leg to stand on as they say, Callahan. Fucking with Charity? You think you won’t end up paying for that?”

  His words were slightly slurred. TJ got a whiff of beer and realized Drew had probably had a bit too much to drink. Then, what Drew said hit TJ.

  Everything in him stilled. He glanced at Charity, who wasn’t looking at him. The sound of rushing water seemed to fill his ears, as he looked from Charity to Drew—who still stood with his hands fisted ready to strike again—then back to Charity.

  “Charity?”

  She sighed and looked at him. The moment stretched out, and he knew the expression in her eyes. It was pity and resignation. The bottom of his stomach seemed to dissolve in that one instant.

  “We know you’re investigating me.”

  “Well, shit.”

  Chapter Eight

  After a call to the boss that had not gone well, Charity returned to the living room. She looked at both men. TJ was holding his jaw and ignoring Drew. Jess comforted him while Drew sat on the couch with Luke by his side. The cats in her life were evenly split.

  How had her life turned crazy in less than two weeks? She had been happy working in her little lab, playing with evidence. Now, she had two angry men in her apartment, an FBI investigation focusing on her, and her boss was coming over to tear someone a new asshole. There was only one thing she knew at the moment. It was not going to be her butt on the line.

  TJ moved his jaw from side to side. She sighed. She might be pissed at both of them but her mother had raised her right. After getting herself a drink of water, Charity grabbed a frozen bag of peas and handed them to TJ.

  “Del is on his way over.” She glanced at Drew. “He’s not happy with you.”

  “Yeah, well...” he sighed.

  The attack was so out of character for Drew, so she knew something else was going on. He wasn’t a man prone to violence. As the geek, she was sure he talked his way out of things rather than fought, and he definitely didn’t start fights.

  “Did you drink tonight?” He nodded. “How much?”

  “Four beers.”

  She threw up her hands in disgust. “Drew, that’s way too many. You haven’t drunk since you got out of the hospital, and you were never a heavyweight.”

  “Still doesn’t change the fact that the bastard was investigating you.”

  She glanced at TJ, who had said almost nothing since she’d told him they knew about the investigation. Then she looked at Drew. “He could have you arrested for assaulting him. He’s a federal agent.”

  Drew’s expression turned mulish. He glanced around her. “But he won’t, will you, Callahan? Because our agent friend knows that he would have to explain the situation, or I would. And it would look bad for the FBI.”

  She stepped into his line of vision. She waited until Drew’s attention was on her again. “Either way. Del said that we were going to deal with this Monday.”

  “How long have you known?” TJ asked.

  The anger vibrating in his voice fed her own. The man had a lot of nerve to be pissed at her. She turned to face him.

  “Since Tuesday.”

  “But you still went out with me.” Disgust dripped from every word.

  “Oh, don’t judge me if you aren’t ready to cast a shadow on yourself, Agent Callahan. I didn’t know the first time we went out. You asked me out and played me from the beginning.”

  “I did not ask you first. You asked me.”

  She opened her mouth to refute the comment, but the truth was there. Sure, he had asked her for coffee, but she was the one who suggested dinner.

  “Still.”

  He snorted, then winced.

  “Serves you right,” she said as her doorbell rang. She stalked over to the door. Del stood there alone.

  “Oh good. I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to get away without Emma.”

  “Her brother is with her, and he convinced her to stay home. It wasn’t that easy, and she wants to kick some FBI ass, as she put it.” She stepped back to let him in. He walked in, looked at TJ, then Drew. “Tell me what happened.”

  Drew opened his mouth, but she shook her head. “I went out with Callahan, but you knew that was happening tonight. I was thanking him for the nice evening.”

  Drew snorted this time.

  “And this buffoon opened the door and sucker-punched Callahan.”

  Del shook his head. “Couldn’t wait until Monday?”

  Drew shrugged. “I was pissed.”

  “You had too much to drink tonight. I told you to stop on that third beer.” He looked at TJ. “Of course, now you know. Is there anything we need to act on tonight? Can this wait until Monday?”

  He nodded.

  “Do you need a ride home?”

  The look TJ gave him would have withered a lesser man, but Del was made of tough stock.

  “I got it.”

  “Monday morning, my office, eight a.m.”

  TJ nodded. He handed her the peas.

  “Thanks.”

  She nodded. He said nothing else as he walked out the door. Once they were alone, the silence almost deafened her.

  She cleared her throat. “What did Emma find out tonight?”

  “They went full throttle on you. Expenses, they even made inquiries into how you paid for this apartment. They looked into everything, including every man you’ve seen in the last few months.”

  She swallowed. “Damn.”

  “Don’t worry. They couldn’t find anything. All they had from the beginning was that someone accessed FBI secure files from your computer at work.”

  She frowned. “That’s what they had?”

  “Charity would never be stupid enough to do that,” Drew said.

  Del nodded. “Agreed. Emma pointed it out more than once and I know she will repeat it Monday. They are in some deep shit too. The bastards should have let us know that there was a chance that our computers had been compromised. By leaving us open like that, who knows who has been screwing around in our system.”

  That was not good. “Damn.”

  “Exactly. Tomorrow, if you don’t mind, I want you in at work.”

  “No problem.”

  “I can come in to help you,” Drew said.

  “Are you sure?”

  He nodded. “You need help to make sure the computers are safe. We might also be able to track back.”

 
Del nodded. “Emma is coming in too.”

  “Oh, she doesn’t have to do that”

  Charity knew Emma wasn’t delicate, but she hated to drag her into work on the weekend.

  “It’s an all hands on deck kind of moment, Charity. If I wanted to keep her at home, it wouldn’t work. You know how that goes.”

  “Okay. Tell her I’ll text her when we leave so she can meet us there.”

  Her turned to leave. “Remember, be careful. I doubt Callahan is going to tell anyone what happened tonight before we talk on Monday. Still, we already have them looking at us sideways.”

  For the first time since they had found out about the investigation, she felt herself crack a little bit. Tears burned the backs of her eyes. She blinked.

  “I’m real sorry about this, Del.”

  He shook his head. “Not your fault. We’ll get it all sorted out, Charity.”

  She nodded.

  “Take it easy, Tyson,” Del said to Drew before he stepped out of the room and shut the door.

  She turned to face Drew. It was the first time she noticed his bruised knuckles.

  She grabbed the peas and gave them to him. “Here.”

  He pressed them to his hand.

  “You really didn’t need to hit him.”

  He looked up at her. “I’m sorry. I fucked up.”

  She sighed and picked up Luke, setting him on the floor before sitting beside Drew on the couch. She slipped her arm over his shoulders.

  “Thanks for defending me.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  They sat that way for a few moments.

  “I guess we should go to bed since we have to work tomorrow.”

  She nodded. “First, I want some chocolate and a hot bath.”

  “Don’t worry, Charity. We’ll figure it all out, and things will go back to normal.”

  She nodded, but she wasn’t sure just what normal was for her.

  By noon on Saturday, Charity was convinced that they were never going to find out who had hacked their computers.

  “Even at the CIA, I’ve never seen such intricate hacking. This is definitely Foley using me as a set up, but why? How did I come up on his radar?”

  Emma shook her head. “I really don’t have any idea, Charity. It might be that he wanted something here on the island for some reason, and we were an easy target.”