by Terri Reed
She blinked back sudden tears at his confidence in her abilities. “Thank you.” She squared her shoulders. “I will do my job.”
“That’s all that is required of you.”
Concern for the Roarke siblings’ safety stuttered through her. “However, I do think Henry and Riley shouldn’t go home tonight. There’s plenty of room here.”
Her father narrowed his gaze and seemed to toss the idea around in his head before saying, “Agreed. I’ll leave it up to you to convince him.”
Twisting her lips, she contemplated what she could say to persuade Henry that he and his sister would be safer here.
She cast a prayer heavenward that God would lend her a hand.
A commotion in the living room drew their attention.
“Sounds like the cavalry has arrived.” Her father stood and tucked her arm through his and escorted her to greet the local law enforcement officers filling the entryway.
After giving their statements, Olivia joined her mother and Riley in the kitchen.
“Riley was telling me about the upcoming concert she’s going to,” her mom said. “I remember when you went to your first concert. Let’s see, the band was...”
Olivia laughed. “Maroon 5. I had a crush on Adam Levine.”
“Your sisters were so jealous that you got to go without them.” Her mom’s eyes twinkled.
“I remember. Maria and Ally wanted every detail about the concert. And wouldn’t let me get any sleep that night.”
“You were allowed to go alone?” Riley asked, her eyes hopeful.
“No,” Olivia said. “My two brothers and their friends took me and a few of my friends.”
“Oh.” Riley’s mouth turned into a pout.
Henry walked into the room just as Riley’s phone chimed again. She dug it out of her backpack and glanced at the screen. Her lip curled and she deleted the message.
“Everything okay?” Henry asked her.
“Yes.” She tucked the phone in her backpack.
Olivia shared a concerned look with Henry. That was the second text tonight to seemingly upset the young woman.
“Is someone bothering you?” Olivia asked.
A fleeting glimpse of panic crossed Riley’s face before she pressed her lips together. “Seriously, it’s no big deal. I can handle it.”
Henry tugged his sister back on to the couch. “Riley, what’s going on?”
“I’m allowed to have a life that doesn’t involve you, Henry.” Her tone had taken on a sullen note.
“Yes, you are,” he said. “But whatever this text was, it upset you.”
In fact, she looked a little scared. Acid churned in Olivia’s midsection. “Riley, have any of your friends been acting strange lately? Have any of them been threatening you?”
Riley’s gaze jumped to her. “No, it’s nothing like that. This has nothing to do what’s going on with Henry.”
Olivia covered Riley’s hand with her own. “You may not think it’s connected, Riley, but it could be. The bomber followed you on the boardwalk.”
“What? Why?” Fear clouded her eyes. “How does the bomber know who I am?”
“That’s what we’re trying to find out,” said Henry. “I really need you to be straight with me and tell me if you can think of anyone who’d want to hurt you.”
She jumped up and pushed past Henry, hurried to the bathroom and shut the door.
Henry moved to follow her, but Olivia held him back. “Let her have a moment.”
“I worry about her,” he said.
“Of course you do.” One of the many reasons she was falling for him. His big heart. His generosity. His kindness. Stop it! She had to tame her emotions. “Why don’t you let her stay the night here tonight? In fact, you both can stay. There’s plenty of room. And I’d feel so much better having you and Cody here.”
He hesitated a moment, surprise lighting the dark depths of his eyes. “You know, that would be helpful. I think she’d feel safer here with more people around than she would at home.”
Grateful that God had granted her prayer, Olivia said, “Great. I’ll talk to Riley when she’s calmer. I’ve been meaning to, but with everything that’s been going on...”
“Understandable. Don’t feel bad. It’s been a stressful few days.”
Olivia gave him a quick nod, appreciating his thoughtfulness in letting her off the hook for not following through on her word. “I’ve also been meaning to address that old case with you. The domestic call six years ago.”
“Right. What do you want to know?”
“I read the report and noted the date was close to the time you lost your father.” She wanted to be sensitive to his loss, but she needed to understand.
Henry sat back down. “It was a week or so after.”
“I would imagine you and Riley were struggling to adjust to your new normal.”
“Yes. Our new normal.” He seemed to ponder her words. “That first year was difficult.”
“Why were you back in the field so soon?”
He frowned. “The department psychologist cleared me for duty.”
“I saw that, but I wouldn’t have thought you’d be ready.”
He shrugged. “Not working wasn’t going to help anyone. Riley and I had to keep functioning.”
Her heart ached at the grief lacing his words. She understood the need to move on. Resuming her duties had kept her sane after Roger’s death. “Can you tell me about that night? What happened?”
He ran a hand over his jaw. “A domestic call came in. I was on patrol with my partner at the time, Officer Maury Standeven. Maury had been on the job for twenty years, he taught me a great deal about being an officer.”
He paused as if remembering. “We were the first responders. The wife had been badly beaten. I was surprised she survived. The suspect, her husband, was enraged. We managed to pull him off his wife when a young kid stepped out of a closet. The husband went berserk. Knocked Maury over in his effort to get free. I got between him and the child. The suspect took a swing at me. Missed. My only option was to subdue him, which I did.”
“And he claimed you used excessive force,” she said. The story sounded too familiar. Could a six-year-old domestic case and the current one she was investigating be connected?
The bathroom door opened suddenly and Riley stepped out.
Henry stood. “You okay?”
“I’m fine,” the young woman said.
Riley’s chin jutted out in a stubborn way that Olivia was beginning to recognize. Henry certainly had his hands full with his little sister, even if she was a grown woman now. Olivia could imagine the handful Riley had been as a young teen.
“We know you are,” Olivia said. “You and Henry are going to stay the night.”
“We are?” Riley appeared excited and relieved by the prospect.
“Come on, you two. I’ll get you set up in the guest rooms.” Olivia led the way to the two back bedrooms that had once been her brothers’. When they both married, Olivia’s mom had converted their rooms into guest quarters. Alexander’s old room had a crib in it for his son, Tyler. Cody sniffed every corner, then sat wagging, as if giving his approval.
“Henry, I’m sure dad has some clothes you can borrow for the night,” she said. “I’ll go ask him.”
She returned a few minutes later with sweatpants and a T-shirt. “And the bathroom across the hall has extra toothbrushes in the cabinet below the sink. As well as fresh towels if you want to shower.”
“We appreciate your hospitality,” he said. He hugged Riley. “Try to rest. Take Cody with you. For extra security.”
She hugged him back. “You rest, too.”
Over her head, Henry smiled at Olivia. “Thank you.”
She nodded as tenderness flooded her veins. She wanted a hug, too, but that w
ould be too much to ask for and very inappropriate. Instead, she stepped out of the room and waited for Riley. Olivia showed her to the room next door. Cody did his sniffing routine then settled down at the foot of the bed.
Pulling a large T-shirt from the dresser, Olivia handed it to Riley. “You can sleep in this.”
Taking the shirt, Riley sat on the bed. “This really stinks.”
“The T-shirt?”
Riley laughed. “No.” She lifted it to her nose. “Maybe a little.”
“I’ll get you one of mine.” Horrified, Olivia held out her hand for the shirt.
“I can deal with it,” Riley said and hugged the shirt to her chest. “I mean what’s happening. Why would someone do that to the SUV?”
“We won’t know what’s motivating this person until we catch him.”
“I worry about Henry,” Riley said, her eyes big with anxiety. “What if someone hurts him? I can’t lose him, too.”
Olivia sat next to Riley and put an arm around her, wanting to assure the young woman that nothing would happen to her brother, but knowing she couldn’t make such a promise. “Keep him in your prayers. Put your faith in God to protect him.” She gave her a squeeze. “Henry’s concerned about you, too.”
“I know.” Riley leaned into Olivia. “He’s been really good to me. It’s just he can be so controlling. And annoying.”
“That’s the thing about siblings,” Olivia told her.
Riley pulled back to meet her gaze. “You and your brothers and sisters all seem to get along well.”
Olivia made a face. “We haven’t always. My brothers were protective and overbearing at times. While my sisters were wild and annoying. I love them all, though, and would do anything for all of them.”
“But you went to concerts when you were eighteen. I’m an adult now. I shouldn’t need Henry’s permission.”
Ah. The crux of the matter. “I did go and my brothers went with me. But I also lived here, in my parents’ home. Even though I could legally vote and was expected to be responsible for my actions, I had to follow my parents’ rules until I moved out.”
Riley groaned.
“Your brother isn’t trying to keep you from doing what you want to do, he only wants to make sure you’re safe. With everything that’s been going on, can you blame him?”
Riley made a face. “No. I get it. It’s just frustrating.”
Olivia understood the sentiment. “I don’t like being coddled either. But sometimes we have to let those who love us protect us.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
Taking the concession as a win, Olivia asked, “Is that what the text was about? The concert?”
“Kind of,” Riley said. “It was Parker Wilton. The guy you met at the museum. He wanted to know if I was going to the concert. He keeps asking me out and I keep telling him no.”
Olivia’s senses went on alert. “Has Parker been bothering you?”
Riley shrugged. “I don’t want to date him. He is not my type.”
Okay. Olivia wasn’t going to touch the “type” comment. At the moment that was irrelevant. “So he’s not taking no for an answer.” She didn’t like the sound of that.
“No, he’s not. I finally told him that I wasn’t going to date until I moved out because my brother’s a cop and gives my dates too hard a time.”
Olivia chuckled. She was sure Henry would approve. “And what was Parker’s response?”
She wrinkled her nose. “He begged me to give him a chance. Am I being childish by not at least going to lunch with him?”
“What kind of guy is he?”
“He’s nice enough. At least he was in the beginning. But after I turned him down a couple of times, he kind of became pushier. He rarely ever smiles now.”
Concern arced through Olivia. “Have you told your brother?”
“Are you kidding me?” Riley shuddered. “Henry’s in enough trouble. He doesn’t need to deal with my stuff, too.” Her expression was earnest as she said, “I’m not kidding when I say Henry would give my dates a hard time. When I was in high school, I went to the prom with Gerald Hamilton. When Gerald came to pick me up, Henry was cleaning his service weapon on the coffee table. Kind of freaked Gerald out.”
Olivia pressed her lips together to suppress a smile as she pictured the scenario. That sounded like something her dad or brothers would have done. “I would imagine that was very intimidating for a high schooler.”
“Yeah, you could say that. Gerald wouldn’t talk to me the rest of the school year.”
“That was Gerald’s loss.” Olivia tucked one of Riley’s curls behind her ear. “You know, your brother is doing the best he can.”
“Yes. I just wish he’d lighten up a little. He’s always had to be totally in charge and on top of things. I’m afraid to make any mistakes because he expects perfection.”
Olivia’s heart squeezed tight. She could relate to the sentiment. Her parents had always expected great things, if not perfection, from their children. Especially her, as the oldest daughter. “I’m sure your brother knows you are less than perfect. We all are. But Henry once told me that love wasn’t about measuring up to somebody else’s expectations. I think he is a rare man who loves unconditionally.”
Riley tilted her head and stared at Olivia. “You’re right. He would be a great catch.”
The comment elicited a startled laugh from Olivia. She needed to nip any ideas of matchmaking in the bud right now. “Yes, well. I’m sure one day he will find the right person. Now, I’m going to let you go to sleep. If you need anything, your brother is right next door. And I’m on the second floor right above you.”
“Thank you. Hey, I just had an idea,” Riley said. “What if you come with Henry when he escorts me and my friends to the concert? Then you two could go on a date.”
Oh, dear. Riley wasn’t going to give up easily. “I can’t date your brother. It’s against the rules. But maybe I could go with you.”
“I’d like that.”
Olivia wasn’t so sure Henry would. “Good night.” She shut the door quietly.
“Is everything okay?”
Startled, Olivia put her hand over her heart. There was just enough ambient light for her to see Henry leaning against the wall. He was wearing a pair of Alex’s lounge pants and a T-shirt. His feet were bare. The scent of mint and soap wound around her. Attraction pulled at her like a riptide in the ocean.
To prevent herself from stepping into his arms, she leaned back against the wall opposite him. “Yes, everything will be fine. The person texting your sister is Parker Wilton. The guy we saw talking to her at the museum.”
Henry pushed away from the wall. “He’s harassing her?”
“More like trying to convince her to go out on a date with him.”
Henry harrumphed. “We’ll see about that.”
His protectiveness was endearing. “Tomorrow I would suggest doing a background check on him, just to be safe. And maybe you should sit down and talk to Riley. She seems to be under the impression she has to be perfect for you.”
He exhaled as if her words were a punch to the gut and straightened away from the wall. “Maybe I should talk to her right now.”
Olivia stepped into his path. She placed her hand over his heart. She could feel the heat from his skin coming through the T-shirt. The thump of his heart beat against her palm. Her mouth dried. She licked her lips, then said, “It’s late. We all need our rest.”
He placed his hand over hers, curling his fingers around it to hold it in place. “You’re right. Again. You have an amazing way of grounding me.”
“Is that a good thing?” Why did her voice sound so breathless?
Her pulse beat at a staccato tempo. Standing here with him, shrouded in the hallway shadows, she could almost pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist
. She couldn’t remember ever being so drawn to a man before in such an elemental way.
She’d found her late husband attractive and had loved him, once. But he’d never made her heart pound with such giddy anticipation. She pushed the thoughts of her past away. They had no place in the here and now.
“It’s a very good thing,” Henry murmured. “And a dangerous one.”
She understood exactly what he meant. But the thread of attraction knitting them together was stronger than her will. In this moment, she was helpless to resist the yearning deep in her soul.
Going on tiptoe, she pressed her lips to his. The kiss was sweet and gentle but electrifying in a way that brought tears to her eyes.
Then his free hand tangled in her hair, cradling the back of her head as he deepened the kiss. Some part of her realized her world was on the verge of change even as internal alarms bells clanged a loud warning.
Slowly, he eased back until their lips separated. He dropped his forehead to hers. “I better say good-night now.”
She wanted to protest. She wanted nothing more than to just stay here in this space, this moment, for as long as possible.
Something nudged her ankle and a soft meow shattered the intimate circle surrounding her and Henry.
Stepping back, she picked up Kitty and cradled the feline in her arms. The cat was a poor substitute for the attractive man standing before her.
“Good night, Henry.” Olivia hurried to the safety of her room upstairs.
Her cat may be a poor substitute, but at least Kitty wouldn’t cost Olivia her career.
TWELVE
The next morning, Henry was awake long before the sunrise. He’d had a fitful night thinking about a certain IA lieutenant.
Because his SUV had been towed to the crime scene lab, Olivia and her father drove him and Riley to their condo. Henry changed into his uniform while Cody ate his kibble and Riley got ready for her summer class. Henry was grateful that Riley didn’t protest when a plainclothes officer arrived to escort her to school.
Captain Vance then dropped Olivia, Henry and Cody off at the K-9 unit headquarters with a warning to be careful.
