Oh, hell, who was she kidding, he’d do more than balk, he’d be livid.

“Uh … why can’t Chase and I take care of this on our own?”

Burnett stared down at her and his brows tightened the way they did right before he started arguing. The fact that she knew his pre-arguing expressions said a lot about their relationship.

“He’s a known criminal with a three-page rap sheet. I wouldn’t send two of my best agents out alone to pick him up. I’ll be there, as well as another agent, as backup.”

His tone told her he wouldn’t compromise on that. “Fine, but I’ll ride with Chase. He’s picking me up around four this afternoon.”

“The plane doesn’t land until nine.”

“I know,” she said, not offering anything else.

“So…?” he asked.

She knew he meant “so” as in “so, what the hell are you planning on doing until then,” but she didn’t plan to play. If he wanted to know, he would have to ask. Not that she would tell him. She couldn’t.

“So I guess we’ll see you at the airport around eight, or earlier. Just tell me where you want to meet.”

He frowned. “I don’t know exactly how to put this, but I don’t approve of Chase.”

Della knew this was where it was going, but she hadn’t planned what to do about it. “I know you don’t approve of him. But … I do.”

Burnett leaned back against Holiday’s desk again. Holiday rose and came around to stand almost between them. No doubt, the fae could feel a pending argument brewing. She probably knew it before Della ever arrived. And that look in her eyes, almost an apology, told Della to get prepared—this conversation wasn’t going to be easy.

“I don’t trust him,” Burnett said. “And if I remember correctly, you weren’t too keen on him in the beginning, either.”

“I know, but I’ve worked with him all this time and I’ve seen another side of him. Plus, I remember when Holiday wasn’t so keen on you.”

Burnett grimaced. “So now are you comparing you and Chase to me and Holiday?” He turned to his wife. “I thought you said there wasn’t anything romantic going on?”

Holiday shook her head. “No, I told you she said they weren’t having sex.”

Della huffed. “I’m glad you two get off on talking about my sex life.”

Burnett glared back at Della. “So, you’re emotionally involved with Chase?”

She almost denied it, but then couldn’t. “Sort of.” And then feeling defensive, she added, “You’re the one who assigned me to work with him.”

“That was before I knew he worked for the council and had info about the FRU leak.”

“In his defense, he told me about it.”

“He should have told us about it a long time ago.”

He grew quiet, and having seen his interrogation techniques, she knew he used it to put a person on edge. And whether he meant it that way or not, it worked. She was all edge. But she wasn’t backing down. She needed to meet the council.

“You assigned me to work this case with him and I plan to finish this case with him.”

“And then?” he asked.

And then? The question bounced around her head and heart. “I don’t know.”

Burnett ran a hand over his face. “Fine. But there are some things you need to know up-front.”

She nodded. And she saw Holiday grimace as if she knew what was coming.

“After this case, if you continue to see Chase, your career with the FRU is over.”

Della felt the blow to her gut. The pain shot up to her throat and it tightened. She had expected to have a fight on her hands with Burnett about Chase, but she never expected this.

All her hopes, her dreams she’d worked so hard for since coming to Shadow Falls, were sitting on the chopping block.

“You would do that?” she asked, and it took everything she had not to cry.

“No.” Complete honesty deepened his voice and he shook his head. “The FRU will do it.”

She titled her head up and didn’t bat an eyelash for fear a tear would fall. “Then I guess, after this case is over, I have a choice to make.”

Making it clear she planned on meeting Chase, she stood to leave. Burnett caught her arm. “It’s not me doing this, Della.”

Hate the message, not the messenger, her heart said. Never mind that the messenger knew how badly she wanted this. That since working her first case with the FRU, she knew it was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

“I believe you,” she said, but couldn’t deny it hurt like hell. She pulled away and tore off to her cabin. She had a lot to think about.

*   *   *

Della’s phone dinged with a text fifteen minutes before three. Chase had arrived early. His message read he’d wait for her in his car. Did he sense he was unwelcome in Shadow Falls? Had Burnett confronted him?

She wouldn’t put it past the camp leader.

She walked out the gate, noting Burnett looking out the window. Her breath caught at the sight of him. Then she saw Holiday appear at his side. Probably to touch him so he’d calm down. Maybe she should have let Holiday touch her, too.

Della tried not to feel guilty about disappointing Burnett, but she pretty much failed. She tried not to be angry, but she flunked out on that as well. How would Burnett feel if someone tried to blackmail him into turning his back on someone?