by Terri Reed
“Uh, yes. A vacation.” Definitely needed to get away to clear his head. He shouldn’t be so fascinated with Olivia. But there was so much to be fascinated by. Her regal bearing when she was working, her quick thinking, her protective instincts and her feisty spirit. She was wise and yet humble. All traits that he found appealing.
“I would agree,” she said, taking a seat on the porch step. “Being targeted is maxing out my calm reserves.”
Guilt poking at him, he sat down next to her. Cody settled at their feet. “I’m sorry you’re in this mess.”
“Not your fault. I’m doing my job. We all know there are those out there who would like to do any law enforcement officer harm. It’s just a matter of time before someone bent on destruction takes notice of anyone on the job.”
“Maybe, but you wouldn’t be in this position if...”
If what? What could he have done or changed that would have altered their circumstances? He’d had no control over Davey Carrell and his bogus accusations nor the serious health issues of the original IA officer, Lieutenant Jabboski, which had brought Olivia into the picture.
But Henry did have control over how much time outside of the station he’d spent with the lovely IA investigator.
His gut churned with remorse for putting her in harm’s way needlessly. Especially because she was expecting a child.
But he couldn’t find any regret for getting to know the beautiful lady.
“Hey.” Olivia’s soft voice drew him out of his thoughts. “We’ll get through this. All of us.”
But at what cost? His heart? His job? Her life? He couldn’t let anything happen to Olivia.
Behind them, the front door opened and her brothers walked out. The two men stopped and stared.
“What are you two doing?” César Vance leaned against the porch post and grinned. He was the younger of the two with a dark mustache, close-cropped dark hair and a trim build. He wore gym shorts and a T-shirt with the New York Knicks basketball logo. He looked like he was ready to head to the court.
Alexander Vance, on the other hand, looked ready for the golf course with gray shorts and a light-colored polo shirt. His frown made his rugged face rather fierce. He crossed his muscular arms over his broad chest. “Getting cozy with our sister, Roarke?”
“Knock it off, you two.” Olivia rose to her feet and planted her hands on her hips. “We’re just chatting.”
“Chatting can lead to kissing,” César singsonged.
Henry scrambled to his feet, which prompted Cody to follow suit. “Don’t be rude. I respect your sister too much to jeopardize her reputation or her career.”
César lifted his hands. “Whoa. Dude, I was joking.”
Embarrassed by his spontaneous reaction to his friend’s words, Henry scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “Sorry. It’s been a rough day.”
“We heard,” Alexander said. He unfolded his arms and drew his sister in for a brief hug. “We’re glad you’re both okay.”
Olivia grinned at her eldest brother. “That’s good to know.”
“Mom says dinner in ten,” Alexander said.
“We should go in and help.” Olivia tugged on her brother’s arm.
“You go on in,” Alexander said. “We want to talk to Henry.”
Olivia frowned. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Worried about him?” César arched a dark brown eyebrow.
Henry’s heart tumbled. What did she think was going to happen? That her brothers were going to beat him up? Not likely. “It’s okay, Olivia. We’ll be in shortly.”
Olivia raised her index finger and pointed it at her each of her brothers. “Be nice.”
With an apologetic look at Henry, she darted inside through the front door. Cody started after her but stopped at the length of his leash. Henry didn’t blame the dog for wanting to escape with Olivia.
“So what gives?” César asked Henry as soon as the front door closed. “You and Olivia?”
Facing the two men, Henry hedged. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” Though he did, in fact, realize that his growing feelings for Olivia must be obvious to everyone. Except her. Or if she was aware, she was ignoring the attraction and affection filling the spaces between them. He would be wise to do the same.
Alexander stared him down. “We may be friends, but she’s our little sister. Don’t mess with her. She’s had enough upheaval in her life lately and becoming involved with you could end her career.”
Henry raised his hands. “I’m not messing with her. There’s nothing happening between us. It’s a professional relationship. She’s investigating and I’m trying to help her. Trying to keep her safe.”
“You may be telling yourself that,” César said, “but from where we’re standing, things look like they’re going in a direction that she doesn’t need right now.”
“I know she doesn’t,” Henry said. “The last thing I ever want to do is complicate Olivia’s life.”
But that seemed to be all he had done since he’d met her. The only way to remedy the situation was to bring the suspect who was targeting him to justice. Then Olivia would be free of the danger plaguing his every move. And she’d wrap up her investigation and they could part ways.
That last thought didn’t settle well with him.
The front door opened and Captain Alonso Vance stepped out. He no longer wore his uniform. Now he was dressed in slacks and a short-sleeve button-down shirt. “All right, boys, that’s enough. Henry is our guest. And dinner is ready.”
“No worries, Pop,” César said with a grin. “We’re just giving Henry a hard time. All in good fun.”
The glint in César’s brown eyes belied his words. Henry respected that Olivia’s brothers wanted to protect her. He’d react exactly the same if it were Riley.
“That’s right,” Alexander said. “Henry’s our friend and we know we can trust him.”
He clapped Henry on the shoulder as they started to follow Alonso back in the house.
Before they entered, Alexander whispered, “Don’t hurt her. Or you’ll answer to us.”
Henry acknowledged the words with a nod. “I don’t plan to.”
Once inside the house, Olivia tucked her arm through his and made the introductions. Gesturing to two women who couldn’t have been more different, she said, “This is César’s wife, Kerry Jo, and Alexander’s wife, Rosie.”
Kerry Jo was petite with wild, curly red hair and vivid green eyes. “It’s nice to meet you.” A heavy Texas twang clung to her voice. “Your sister is lovely.”
“Thank you,” Henry said. He spied Riley in the dining room helping Ally Vance set the large oval table. Having only ever seen Ally in her paramedic uniform, it was a bit of surprise that dressing in casual clothes made her look nearly as young as Riley.
“Olivia says you two work together,” Rosie said. Tall and athletic, the woman’s dark hair hung below her waist and she held a sleepy toddler on her hip.
“Technically, Olivia is investigating Henry.” The woman who entered the living room held out her hand to Henry. “Maria Vance. Olivia’s other sister.”
Henry grasped her hand and was surprised by the firm grip. “Nice to meet you.”
“Hmm.” Maria withdrew her hand, her golden brown eyes assessing him. She wore a tailored navy dress suit, a bright red collared blouse and red pumps, appearing every inch the assistant district attorney that she was. Henry had never had an occasion to work with her at the courthouse.
“And this is our mother.” Olivia indicated the elder woman wiping her hands on a towel as she entered the room. Tall, striking and lithe, Mrs. Vance moved forward gracefully to shake his hand. The resemblance between Mrs. Vance and her daughters was unmistakable.
“Mrs. Vance, thank you for including Riley and me this evening,” Henry said.
“Please, call me Simone,” she said. “You’re very welcome. I’m glad Alonso invited you. Can I get your dog a bowl of water?”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you, Simone.” Henry led Cody to the water bowl she put down on the floor for him.
Ally waved to him from the dining room. Rosie and Alexander slipped down the hall and returned a few moments later without their child.
“Take your seats, everyone,” Alonso said from the archway between the living room and dining area.
After settling Cody down near the door, Henry took a seat next to Riley. Olivia sat down on Henry’s other side, which caused several speculative glances. Henry wasn’t sure what to make of the Vance clan, but he had to admit it was nice to be included in the gathering.
When everyone was settled in their seats, Alonso said a blessing over the food. “Lord, we thank You for this bounty and for the family and friends gathered close. We ask for Your protection, Your blessing and guidance. May we each be a blessing to You, Lord. Amen.” Alonso smiled. “Dig in.”
“This smells delicious,” Henry said as he took an empanada from the platter Olivia passed to him.
“These are some of our favorite dishes from my home country,” Simone said.
“My mother and her parents moved stateside from Puerto Rico when Mama was a little girl.” Olivia explained.
“Mrs. Vance promised to teach me how to make empanadas,” Riley told him with a wide smile.
Henry’s heart swelled. He was grateful to the Vance family for being so welcoming to his sister.
Over the course of the next hour, he laughed, ate and swapped stories with the Vances. It was fun to see Olivia interacting in such a casual way with her family. The care and respect they showed each other was a testimony to the power of such a close-knit clan.
Sitting here with Olivia’s family created a craving in Henry he’d never experienced. He liked this big, noisy family setting. He glanced at Olivia and met her gaze. The tender affection in her eyes flipped his heart over. It took all he had not to lean over and kiss her right there in front of her whole family. He was in way too deep.
After dinner, Henry offered to do the dishes. “It’s the least I can to do after such a scrumptious meal.”
“What a good idea, Henry,” Alonzo Vance said with approval. “Gentlemen, the ladies cooked so we can clean.”
“Oh man,” César complained, though he gathered plates as he spoke. “Why did you have to go and offer?”
César’s wife wrapped her arms around his waist. “Don’t worry, honey. You won’t lose your man card for doing some dishes.”
Everyone laughed. Henry enjoyed doing the dishes with the Vance men. Despite the earlier tension, they had good conversations about the Mets, the Knicks and the state of the police force.
Once the kitchen was back in order, the family gathered in the living room, where Riley was looking at photo albums.
“Henry, you have to see these,” Riley held up a picture of the Vance siblings as children, all dressed in matching outfits. Over the next hour, Henry was shown a history of the Vance family in photographs. He learned that even as a child, Olivia stood out among her siblings with the regal way she held herself. Finally the evening wore down. The siblings left and the elder Vances retired for the night, leaving Olivia, Riley and Henry in the living room.
A cell phone chimed. Henry’s gut clenched. With dread eating a hole through his nerves, he reached in his pocket for his phone, fully expecting to see another taunting text from their mysterious bomber.
But it wasn’t his phone that had chimed. It had been Riley’s. She dug her phone out and stared at it for a moment with a scowl before sticking the device back in her backpack.
“Who was that?” Henry wanted to know who could make his little sister frown so fiercely.
She sighed. “Nobody.”
“Well, I’m sure nobody has a name.” Henry moved from where he’d been sitting in a straight back chair to plunk himself down next to Riley on the sofa. “What gives?”
“It’s just somebody from school,” Riley said. “It’s no big deal.”
“Is someone bothering you?” he pressed.
“No.” Riley grabbed her backpack and stood. “Isn’t it time for us to go home?”
Henry exchanged a concerned glance with Olivia. There was definitely something upsetting his sister. Was this the same person who had been texting her multiple times throughout the last few days?
But judging from the stubborn expression on his sister’s face, he decided now wasn’t the time to press her further.
Olivia took his hand. “I’ll walk you out.”
His sister’s raised eyebrows brought heat creeping up his neck, but he wasn’t going to let go of Olivia until he had to.
At the front door, Olivia released her hold on him so he could leash Cody. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” he told her.
She gave a sigh that sounded resigned. “Yes. Tomorrow. Back to reality.”
Riley took Cody’s leash and opened the front door. “We’ll step out if you want to kiss.”
Henry’s chest tightened. He wanted nothing more than to do as his sister suggested. But there were risks that needed to be considered. Lines that shouldn’t be crossed. The stakes of giving into emotion were too high.
Olivia tilted her head up, her lips parted. An invitation?
Despite the multitude of reasons why he should step back, his head dipped, bringing his lips close to hers. He inhaled the floral scent clinging to her skin.
A sudden gasp had him jerking back.
“Henry!”
Riley’s panicked voice galvanized him into action. He raced out the door and skidded to a halt. Someone had vandalized the K-9 unit SUV.
ELEVEN
Olivia sucked in a sharp breath as horror flooded her. In the glow of the porch light there was no mistaking the red paint slashed across Henry’s K-9 unit vehicle. The word pig was spelled out in big letters on the side and the tires had been slashed. The SUV listed to the side.
Henry’s gaze roamed the darkened street. “Cody and I will take a walk around the perimeter to make sure no one is lurking about or left any explosives.” He met Olivia’s gaze. “Keep my sister safe.”
“I will.” Her heart bumped against her ribs. “This had to have happened recently or my siblings would have said something as they were leaving.”
“Agreed.”
She tugged Riley back into the house. “Be careful.”
Henry flashed her a brief smile and a nod as he shut the door behind him, sealing them safely within the cocoon of her family home. That someone would deface the K-9 vehicle right outside the front door made Olivia shiver. Was this the bomber’s latest ploy? Or something entirely different?
Riley stood frozen, her dark-eyed gaze unfocused on the closed door.
Compassion urged Olivia to wrap an arm around the younger woman’s waist and draw her into the living room. “Come sit back on the couch.”
A few moments later Henry and Cody returned. “All clear. You better get your dad,” Henry said. The grim set of his jaw spoke of his upset at the malicious vandalism. “I’ll call the local precinct.”
Cody settled at Riley’s feet as if the K-9 sensed she needed comforting. Olivia definitely wanted to get a dog.
Leaving Riley in Cody’s care, Olivia hurried to her parents’ room and lightly knocked on the door. “Dad, we have a problem.”
After Olivia explained what had happened, her father and mother quickly joined her, Henry and Riley in the living room.
“Cody didn’t alert, so there’s that,” Henry said. “At least this isn’t an explosive situation.”
“I’ll check the recordings from the security cameras I have set up,” her dad said and headed to his office down the hall. Henry followed in her dad’s wake.
&nbs
p; “I’ll make some coffee,” her mom said. “Riley, would you help me? I think we have some hot cocoa in the cupboard, as well.”
Grateful to her mother for distracting Riley, Olivia hugged her mom then joined Henry and her dad in his den. Her father sat behind his desk, his fingers flying over the keyboard of his computer. The front porch came into view on the monitor. He rewound the footage to reveal a guy in a black hoodie and a neoprene face mask spray painting Henry’s vehicle. There was no way to identify the culprit. He took off on foot down the street.
“Can you send this to Eden Chang at the Brooklyn K-9 Unit? Hopefully she can compare this guy to our bomber and see if they match in height and weight,” Henry said. “Then we’ll at least know if we’re dealing with the same person.”
“Did the museum ever send over their security camera feed?” Olivia asked. “This guy looks around the same build as the one who grabbed me.”
“I’ll ask Eden.” Henry moved away to call the unit’s technology expert.
Olivia put her hand on her dad’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for bringing this home.”
Her father swung his chair around to face her. “Nonsense. You are not at fault. Neither is Henry.”
Her stomach quaked. “My investigation into Henry’s case has been compromised.”
Giving her an intense stare, he asked, “Can you be objective?”
“I don’t know, Papa,” she admitted. She had grown to care a great deal for Henry and Riley. Could even see herself falling for him if the circumstances were different.
“You must be.” The decisive tone brooked no argument. He took her hands in his. “Let the facts speak. Take your emotions out of it. You have a good head on your shoulders. And you have really good instincts.”
She blinked back sudden tears at his confidence in her abilities. “Thank you.” She squared her shoulders. “I will do my job.”
