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AS SOON AS THE CAR cleared the sea of reporters, Steve glanced at his passenger. She was a pretty girl, fiery and proud and quite the opposite of everything Tanya had been.
“So what can you do?” Raven asked with more than a hint of sarcasm.
“A little of this and a little of that,” Steve said, being evasive.
She sent a glance in his direction. “Both you and CJ have very complex auras. Auras that are almost identical, except yours is woven with the same light the angel broadcasted.” She paused. “I would expect the same signatures from a biological father and son, but you two aren’t even related by blood.”
Steve sighed, listening to the whirlwind in her mind and as far as he could tell, she only had honorable intentions. However, he had to protect Tom, so he asked, “What exactly do you hope to gain from us?”
Her jaw tightened, and she stiffened in the seat, offended by the question. She turned her gaze out the window, so she wouldn’t send a wicked glare in his direction.
“Look, I can sense you don’t have an agenda, but I need to be very clear. Tom is in an especially precarious place right now. I’m not just talking about seeing Tanya’s ghost, I’m talking about his entire mental state,” he said and pulled over in one of the parking spots lining the beach. “He’s lost a great deal already and I’m amazed he chooses to still see the good in the world after everything he’s been through, but I’m not sure how much longer he’ll be able to if you decide to play games with him.”
“I never planned on playing games. I just felt sorry for him,” she said.
“All I’m saying is, don’t play games with him. For reasons I can’t fathom, he seems to trust you. He hasn’t spoken about Georgia to anyone, so his telling you what happened was a big deal,” Steve said, wanting to impress the magnitude of Tom’s confessions. “Tom doesn’t have an agenda,” he said, and she scoffed, rolling her eyes.
Steve grinned. “Okay, maybe he does, but it’s different with you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You don’t think he wants to get me into bed?”
Steve laughed. “I’m not sure it’s my place to answer that, besides, if you give him a chance, you’ll find he is a very loyal soul.”
“I don’t want to be a rebound or just another notch on his headboard,” she said. “I just thought he could use a friend.”
“He can. All I’m saying is if you want to be his friend, then be his friend.”
She nodded, and he pulled out onto the road.
“You need to take the next left.”
Steve smiled. “I know where you live,” he said. “I don’t need directions.”
“So that’s your talent?”
He grinned and winked at her. “I’m an FBI agent. I know where everyone lives.”
Her chuckle was musical, and he understood what drew Tom to her. After several turns, he pulled into her driveway and extended his hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Raven. I hope you decide to visit more often.”
She clasped his hand and shook with a firm grip. Before she got out of the car, she scribbled numbers on a piece of paper and handed it to Steve.
“That’s my phone number,” she pointed when he raised his eyebrows.
“I know what it is, but I’m not sure you’re thinking clearly.”
She glanced at the paper and then his face, the confusion clear.
“You wouldn’t happen to have Skype, would you?” he asked, trying to be diplomatic.
It clicked in her mind and her face turned red. “Oh, my god, I’m such an idiot. I’m so sorry, but no, I don’t own a computer.”
Steve pocketed the paper. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate the gesture.”
“I didn’t mean...” she started.
“I know,” Steve interrupted.
“I just forget sometimes,” she said and opened the car door. “You know, I learned sign language our freshman year just so I’d understand what he was saying.” She stepped out of the car and leaned over so she could see him. “I figured he was being just as snarky as the rest of them. But I was wrong. Not once in the last three years of high school did he make fun of me. Not once, even when those around him were.” She kept Steve’s gaze. “He actually tried to get them to back off, but they ignored him, telling him to stop being such a boy scout.”
Steve smiled. “He’s a good kid, and I’m glad someone besides us can see that.”