Alessia (Casella Cousins #4) - Kathryn Shay Page 0,2
entrenched. Grant, who would eventually become his handler, had warned him and a female operative when they were about to go undercover…
You have to lie to nice people, maybe even hurt them in order to find answers.
You can’t have a social life because you could slip up during sex.
You might even have to sleep with someone to get information.
The female agent didn’t flinch.
Derek cringed inside. But he’d pursued this life despite the drawbacks. It wasn’t too bad until this assignment. The case was slimy.
Or maybe he’d burned out. Grant warned about that, too.
For God’s sake, he told himself. Forget about Alessia Benatti and her family. Forget about that luscious black hair and eyes as dark as midnight. Just do the job. Catch the criminals involved, then when it’s over, decide whether or not to stay undercover.
He wouldn’t leave the organization, though. Derek Drake, aka Derek Davidson, was an FBI agent through and through.
* * *
“They glow with joy, don’t they?” Kate Cassidy, her brother’s wife, grinned. She and Alessia sat in the furniture grouping by the window of the lake house and observed the group.
“Just like you do, honey.”
Kate patted her stomach which stuck out adorably in a knit maroon dress. “Me? I’m a beached whale already.” She angled her chin toward the women. “Even wearing that little veil with lace, Hayley’s stunning.” Her cousin had chosen a green one-piece suit that accented her eyes.
“She’s only two months into her pregnancy. You’re in your seventh.”
“I know, and love the evidence of Rafe’s and my commitment. I shouldn’t joke about myself.”
Alessia watched Julianne, bride number two, as she crossed to the other guests. Jules wore a slinky gold top with white dressy pants. “Who is Julianne talking to?”
“Anabelle Sanders. The cop. Remember, during the stalking, they got pretty tight.”
“Man, I didn’t even recognize her. She’s the one Gideon always complains about?”
“They’re both up for the same job. It should be decided soon. I hope he gets it.”
Kate focused on her. “Tell me what’s going on with you. Our family’s been in such a whirlwind over two weddings, that we haven’t had a lot of time to talk.”
“My life is pretty boring.” She couldn’t help but smile. “But I did have a gorgeous guy sweep me off my feet and into his car to drive me up here.”
“Seriously?”
“It’s true. Men like him rarely even talk to me.”
“Because you send out a Stay Away signal.”
“Do I?”
“Really, Ali, you’ve been doing it since I’ve known you. Guys sniffed around you all the time, and you made it clear Billy was the one for you.”
Alessia had never noticed other boys taking an interest in her.
“Since I got back,” Kate continued, “I saw men approach you at Finn’s birthday party, at dinner parties. Even when we’ve had lunch together, the waiters are so happy to see you and devastated when you shut them down.”
“All of that must have gone right over my head.”
“Who was the guy that got under your shell?”
“I never said he did. He only offered me a ride.”
“I want the whole story.”
Alessia told her what happened.
“Hmm, sounds promising. He was looking out for you.”
“He left the building when I did, so he saw I was in a hopeless position.”
“Yeah, could be. But he didn’t have to drive you an hour up here.”
“I understand that he wanted to. But he’s a player.”
“Is he?”
“Yeah.” Why did the thought make her sad tonight? “He dates women at the college for a bit then drops them.”
“Maybe he hasn’t found the right one.”
“Maybe. But I’m not nearly as pretty or as young as his former dates. I wouldn’t stand a chance.”
“Chicken.”
“What?”
“You’re a chicken if you don’t.”
“We’re not fifteen, Kate.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “I stand by my assessment.”
“Well, I did say I’d make him cookies.”
“Please. At least invite him for dinner as a thank you.”
“Maybe coffee.”
“And wear a dress. You have the best legs of all of us.”
“I think I have the best legs.” Hayley had come up to them and fell into a chair.
Julianne was with her and sat in the other. “I take offense. I do.”
Alessia shook her head. “You know who has the best legs here?”
Together, they all said, “Anabelle.”
* * *
When Derek took the steps up to his fifth-floor apartment and opened the door, he knew someone was inside. Reaching for his gun in the drawer in the entry, he crept into the living room and caught sight of a man seated near the window.
Shit!
“Put it away, Drake. It’s just me.”
He switched