Page 45 of Desperate Justice

“You’re so arrogant.”

“And you’re acting foolish, Allison, and you’re no fool.”

Sam looked back and forth at them. He slid out from the picnic table. “This is where I’ll say good-night and goodbye. I don’t get involved in lovers’ squabbles.”

“We’re not lovers,” she protested.

“Could’ve fooled me.” Sam winked and walked off.

She rubbed her temples, the headache growing worse. “Did you have to tear into me in front of him? I have enough on my hands.”

His expression grew sympathetic. “Migraine?”

“No, just a tension headache. It’s the riding.”

To her shock, he left the table and came in back of her. Rafe lifted her braid and began massaging her neck. Strong fingers kneaded the tired muscles. She wanted to tell him to stop, she was fine, always she was fine, but damn it felt so good.

Felt good having someone else care for her needs for a change instead of her always seeing to everyone else’s welfare.

“You’re tense. Relax,” he murmured. “It’s not the riding. You’re an experienced biker. It’s all this worrying about your sister.”

Moaning, she hung her head forward as he kept working her muscles. The man was a pain, but he knew how to massage away stress.

Bet he knows how to do something in bed equally as well.

Allison lifted her head and murmured thanks as he returned to his seat. She ate her dinner as he finished his drink.

“Ally, you can’t deny Diana is in the middle of a dangerous situation.”

“She’s in love and I can’t convince her otherwise. She’s determined to marry Paul. It’s a tough situation.”

He leaned forward. “Then put the tough situation to good use. If she’s truly innocent, convince her to get evidence on Hernandez to put him away for good.”

Nearly choking on a sip of her lemonade, Allison sputtered. “Are you for real? You want my sister to rat out Paul’s uncle? Not exactly a great way for her to start out her married life.”

“She’s our best shot at taking him down. No one can get close to him. You saw for yourself. All we need is evidence he’s smuggling fentanyl and I can obtain a search warrant...”

She saw where this was headed and her temper rose. “You want to use my sister to get the glory of the arrest, the headlines. FBI man nabs known drug dealer. You’ll do anything for your career.”

His dark eyes flashed a rising fury as well. “I’ll do anything to bring down that murdering asshole and make Miami safer for innocents. It’s what I do, Ally.”

Allison saluted him. “Yes, sir, Captain America.”

“Call me whatever you want, but you know you’d do the same if you were in my shoes.”

Wadding up her trash, she headed for the garbage can. “Not a chance. I don’t use people to get what I want. Leave my sister alone.”

She felt the weight of his gaze burn into her back as she headed back to the motel.

* * *

For all her agitation about the conversation with Rafe, Allison still managed to sleep. When she awoke, her headache had vanished. But Diana still slumbered. Allison almost regretted sharing a room with her sister.

Despite the animosity between them, she couldn’t help her fascination and interest in Rafe. She daydreamed about inviting him to her room for more than a pajama party. Maybe a glass of wine or something more.

Much more. But not convos about her sister.

She showered, shivering in the cold water that awakened her faster than the hot coffee waiting in the lobby. In minutes she braided her hair, dressed and went to the buffet breakfast in the motel lobby.