Seduced by the Badge

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  The Thorne miniature collection consisted of big-girl playthings. Each model was fascinating and painstakingly precise. Danni would have loved to have spent hours there studying each one in detail. Savoring the few minutes she had, she moved slowly through the space to enjoy as many as she could.

  Danni finally broke the quiet reverie they’d fallen into. “So, are you going to tell me why you and your father argued about me?”

  Armstrong shot her a look. “Why don’t we grab something to eat? We can talk about it after I feed you. Then you need to head back uptown if you’re going to do this. You don’t need Pie or Carlo getting any more suspicious than they might already be.”

  She nodded her agreement, and they headed toward the main stairwell up to the third level of the Modern wing to Terzo Piano. The hostess at the signature restaurant greeted him warmly.

  “Armstrong! Welcome!”

  “Hey, Lisa. How are you?”

  The woman named Lisa was all teeth as she grinned brightly. “I’m well. I hope that you are?”

  He nodded. “I am. By chance, do you have a quiet table in the back, near a window?”

  The woman’s bright blue eyes skated from him to Danni and back. “Of course. Give me a quick minute and I’ll be able to seat you,” she said.

  “Thank you.”

  They waited as Lisa disappeared for a brief moment and then returned. She grabbed two menus from a shelf behind her and gestured for them to follow.

  Within seconds of their being seated, a young man greeted them warmly. “Hi. My name’s Todd and I’m going to be your server this afternoon. Can I get you something to drink?”

  “I’ll take water,” Danni answered. “With lemon, please.”

  Todd nodded. “And for you, sir?”

  “I’d like a glass of your chardonnay,” Armstrong answered. “And can I order an appetizer for us to share while we study the menu?”

  “Yes, sir, of course.”

  “We’ll start with an order of your salumi e formaggi,” he said.

  Danni scanned the menu quickly, noting the appetizer plate that included cured meats, the chef’s selection of cheese, mustard, jam, pickled vegetables and crostini. “What else is good?” she asked after Todd had disappeared to the kitchen to put in their appetizer order.

  “It’s all very good. Locally sourced, seasonal, organic. I haven’t eaten anything here that I didn’t like.”

  “What do you like a lot?”

  He smiled. “I usually order the Third Floor Burger. It’s my go-to meal when I’m here.”

  Danni nodded. “I think I’m going to try one of the pasta dishes.”

  Minutes later she had ordered the lemon pappardelle, a mélange of summer corn and Italian cured pork called guanciale, red onion and charred ricotta salata—an Italian cheese made from goat’s milk—tossed with the large, very broad flat pasta noodle similar to fettuccine. Armstrong had ordered his black Angus burger, the sandwich coming with thick-cut bacon, house-made pickles, tomato, lettuce, four-year cheddar cheese and aioli fries. When their meals arrived, Todd asking for the last time if there was anything else he could do for them, she swiped one of his fries, then sat back to enjoy the meal.

  Their conversation was easy and casual, comfort found in not needing to discuss anything heavy. Both knew that would come soon enough. There was a nice dining crowd throughout the space and a delightful view of downtown Chicago from the oversize windows. Danni was staring, her mind a complete blank as she watched the scurry of people below and those in the office buildings across the way. She was startled when she turned, realizing he’d been staring at her.

  “What? I don’t have something on my face, do I?” She swiped at her mouth, tapping her cheek as if she might find something offensive.

  He laughed, his head waving. “No, there’s nothing on your face.”

  She smiled. “Then what is it? Why are you staring at me?”

  “Actually, I was just thinking how beautiful you are.”

  Danni blushed, color heating her cheeks. The compliment was unexpected, and flattering. “Thank you,” she said, her voice a soft whisper.

  Armstrong continued. “My father says I need to send you back to Atlanta when this case is over, and I was trying to figure out how I might convince you to stay.”

  Danni gently rested the fork in her hand onto her plate. She sat back in her chair, folding her hands together in her lap. “You want me to stay? Here in Chicago?”

  He blew a heavy sigh. “I like you, Danni. I really like you a lot. More than I probably should. And I want to get to know you better. That can’t happen if you’re in Atlanta and I’m here. And right now it’s hard to make that happen when we need to be focused on this case.”

  Armstrong was still eyeing her intently as he spoke. She met his gaze and held it. His stare was so intense, Danni felt as if she might combust from the heat.

  “You know this...this...this thing between us probably isn’t good for either one of us, right?” she asked.

  “So you agree that there’s something here?”

  “I know that I’m attracted to you. I also know that professionally, it’s a conflict for both of us.”

  He grinned. “But you still want me, right?”

  Danni chuckled softly. “What either of us might want is irrelevant. That still doesn’t make it okay.”

  “I guess that all depends on who you ask. I think we could be very good together. And I imagine if we had met under different circumstances there wouldn’t be any questions or doubt about that.”

  “But the circumstances we did meet under preclude us from even thinking about where we might be able to take a relationship. We have a job to do, and doing that job is our first responsibility.”

  “I agree, but what about after?”

  Danni took a deep breath. For a split second she dropped her gaze down to the table, her eyes dancing back and forth as she reflected on his question. When she finally lifted her stare back to his, he had shifted forward in his seat, his expression anxious. His brows were lifted questioningly as he waited for her to answer.

  “Once we nail Pius,” Danni finally said, “I guess I’m going to have to think about staying here in Chicago for a while.”

  Armstrong nodded, a wealth of emotion shimmering in his eyes.

  * * *

  Lunch lasted for another good hour and then they walked, the time used to strategize what Danni needed to do and the information she needed to try to uncover once she went back to the coffee shop. He walked her across the street to Millennium Park, showing her the Crown Fountain and Cloud Gate. The stunning architecture, sculpture and landscape design across the twenty-four-acre property were breathtaking, and the late-afternoon stroll was a pleasant way to end their day.

  “Why did you leave your service revolver on my bathroom counter?” Armstrong asked as they stood at the bus stop, waiting for her return ride.

  “I can’t risk keeping it strapped on me, and I was afraid one of the girls might go through my bag and find it. I knew it was safe with you.”

  “I don’t like you not having your gun.”

  “I’ll be fine. I have a black belt in karate and jujitsu. I know how to take care of myself!”

  Armstrong nodded. “So you keep telling me. It doesn’t mean I’m not going to worry about you, though.”

  Danni rocked back and forth on her heels. She didn’t bother to respond. Deep down she was grateful that a man did care. For longer than she cared to admit, there hadn’t been a man who did. She cut an eye in Armstrong’s direction, stealing a look at him. He exuded swagger, and there was no missing the attention he garnered when he walked into a room. It moved her spirit that she had captured his attention without even trying, and she was holding tightly to it.

  Armstrong interrupted her thoughts. “There’s a protective detail
already in front of the coffee shop and another that will follow you and your bus. There will be someone on you at all times. If you get into any trouble, you know what to do.”

  Danni nodded. “I’ll contact you as soon as it’s feasible. And please, if there is any change in Alissa’s condition, find a way to let me know.”

  “I will. I promise.”

  Danni’s attention shifted to the bus that had turned the corner and was making its way toward them. A wave of sadness suddenly rippled through her stomach.

  “You good?” Armstrong asked, sensing the change in her mood.

  She nodded, biting back the rise of emotion. “I’ll be fine,” she answered.

  As the bus pulled up to the stop, he drew her hand into his and pulled it to his mouth, kissing the back of her fingers.

  Danni gave him one last smile as she fell into line with the others boarding the bus. She tossed a look over her shoulder as he stood staring after her. The woman in front of her was pushing an infant in a stroller. A boy about eight years old and a little girl about five clung to each side of the carriage. The little girl looked back at Danni and smiled before hiding her face in her mother’s skirt. The line stopped, an elderly woman closer to the front struggling with a multitude of bags to get inside.

  She suddenly spun around, the man behind her eyeing her warily. “Excuse me,” she said as she pushed past him and stepped aside. She called after Armstrong as she hurried back to where he stood.

  “What’s wrong?” he said as she came to a stop in front of him.

  “Nothing,” Danni said as she pressed both palms against his broad chest. “Nothing at all.” She lifted herself up on her toes as her gaze locked with his. Her hands slid up his chest to the sides of his face. She gently cupped her palms against his cheeks, and then she pressed her lips to his.

  Chapter 15

  When Danni walked through the doors of the coffee shop, there was no missing the ire that painted Carlo’s face. He was angry and it showed, the man clearly not caring about the display of emotion. He stood in the back of the shop, in heated conversation with Pie, the two going toe-to-toe. Ginger stood off to the side, and when she saw Danni come through the door she warned her off with a shake of her head.

  Danni moved to her usual table and sat down, eyeing them all suspiciously.

  “I say!” Pie snapped, spewing venom and spit with his words. “I say and you listen. Don’t you forget that!”

  Carlo snapped back and grabbed his brother by the throat. “Pie, I will snap your...” he started, and then he caught sight of her staring at the lot of them. He bit back the threat he was about to make, practically choking as he swallowed the words back down. He released the hold he had on Pie’s throat and took a step back.

  The look he gave her was unsettling. “Where have you been?” he snapped, rage still tinting his tone.

  Danni widened her eyes, trying to project fear to the trio. Seeing what could prove to be an opportunity, she took it, rising slowly from her seat. She suddenly sprinted for the door and tore down the street, Carlo yelling her name. She rounded the corner and slowed just enough that he caught her, breathing heavily as he chased her down.

  “Danni, stop! Please!” Carlo said as he grabbed her elbow to stall her trek.

  Danni spun around, her stance defensive as she met his gaze. “Don’t touch me!” she shouted. Loudly.

  A tall brutish-looking man in City of Chicago work clothes suddenly rounded the corner behind them. “Everything okay here?”

  Carlo nodded. “Fine. Everything’s fine.”

  The undercover officer met Danni’s eye. “You okay, little lady?”

  Danni’s gaze shifted from him to Carlo.

  Carlo held up his hands as if he were surrendering. “I’m sorry, Danni. I promise, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m so sorry!” He leaned forward, resting his hands atop his thighs as he gasped for air, fighting to calm his nerves. He took two deep breaths and then a third. The entire time Danni watched him, ready to strike if things didn’t go as she’d planned.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you. I was angry at Pie, and I took my frustration out on you. It won’t happen again. I swear.”

  Danni said nothing, counting slowly in her head. When she reached ten, she turned her eyes back to the man pretending to be a Good Samaritan. “I’m okay. Thank you.”

  The man paused for a brief moment, and then as quickly as he’d appeared, he turned and went back in the other direction. Danni stood like stone, still eyeing Carlo cautiously.

  “I promise I will make this up to you, Danni. Please, trust me.”

  She shook her head. “You scared me. I’m not staying with a man who scares me.”

  “Let’s go back to the coffee shop and talk about it,” he said. “Please?”

  She hesitated one last time, and then she gestured for him to lead the way. Carlo nodded and turned, tossing her a quick look over his shoulder.

  As they rounded the corner, he said, “I was worried about you, Danni. It’s the only reason I asked where you had been.”

  Her arms were wrapped tightly around her torso. “That wasn’t asking,” she said, a hint of attitude in her tone.

  “You’re right. It wasn’t. And I apologize again for that.” He held the door open for her and waited for her to walk through it. Danni pushed her way past Carlo and moved back to her table. She dropped back down into the seat she’d vacated earlier.

  Inside the coffee shop, Pie and Ginger were gone. Jack, the guy who was working the evening shift, was standing behind the counter serving up a sandwich and soup to a customer. Everyone still there who’d witnessed her quick departure turned to stare, concern and curiosity blessing their expressions. “Jack, two coffees, please,” Carlo said as he sat down across from her. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  Danni shook her head, her body still tense as she continued to hug herself.

  Carlo took another deep breath. “What can I do to make this up to you, Danni? Because I want you to trust me.”

  She lifted her eyes to stare into his. They sat staring at each other for a lengthy moment. The smoldering look he was giving her suddenly turned her stomach. She tried not to let it show on her face. “Why were you and Pie fighting?” she finally asked, ignoring his question.

  Carlo let his body relax back against the seat. He was still staring at her intently. “Pie came into the coffee shop earlier making demands. He sometimes forgets that he doesn’t run my business. I was just about to remind him when you came in.”

  She took a moment to reflect on his comment before responding. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice dropping softly.

  “What are you sorry for?”

  “That you had to deal with that. I know how Pie can be. I wouldn’t want him messing with my business, either. And I’m sorry I ran from you.” She smiled ever so slightly.

  “So we’re good?” Carlo asked. “You forgive me?”

  Danni’s smile widened. “I guess I can give you a pass,” she said. “This time.”

  “And where did you learn to run so fast?” he asked, his tone teasing. “I still can’t catch my breath.”

  Danni just shrugged her shoulders, not bothering to answer.

  Carlo grinned. “Let’s get those coffees to go and take you home. On the way you can tell me about your day.”

  * * *

  The West Hutchinson Street home was not at all what Danni expected. After visiting his grandfather’s lavish homestead and Pie’s sizable abode in its upscale neighborhood, she’d suspected that Carlo was living as substantially. The classic brick bungalow in the heart of Portage Park was twelve hundred square feet of original hardwoods, beautiful stained glass windows and wood moldings. There was one bedroom on the first floor, two bedrooms on the second and two full baths, both with claw-foot tubs. The original kitchen had classic white subwa
y tile, and the whole house boasted new storm windows, a brand-new boiler and a roof that was barely five years old. There was also a basement with a padlock that immediately caught Danni’s attention.

  Carlo pointed up the flight of stairs to the second level. “You can have your choice of bedrooms. Either one upstairs is yours. I sleep in the master bedroom down here. And I put fresh linens on the beds for you before I left this morning.”

  Danni nodded. “I won’t be in your way long.”

  “You are not in my way. It’s going to be fine. Now, if you’re hungry, I keep the refrigerator and pantry stocked. And if you want something special, just ask. I’ll get it for you.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I want you to feel at home here, Danni. Whatever you need.”

  “You really are too nice. I don’t know how I’m going to repay you.”

  Carlo smiled. “Don’t worry about that. Let’s just focus on getting you on your feet.”

  Danni smiled. Her eyes flicked back and forth around the room, taking it all in. The decor was minimal, just the barest necessities. The colors were warm and neutral, and everything about the space felt comfortable. Under different circumstances, Danni might have actually liked being there. She suddenly felt conflicted, red flags parading in her midsection.

  They were both standing nervously, the moment suddenly feeling awkward. Carlo carried her duffel bag to the bottom of the steps and rested it there. “Why don’t you go on up and make yourself comfortable? I’ll order us a pizza for dinner, and we can find us a movie on Netflix and chill.”

  Danni laughed. “Really, Carlo? Netflix and chill?”

  He laughed with her. “It sounded cool when I was thinking it.”

  She nodded. “I like pepperoni.”

  “With extra cheese?”

  “You and I might get along after all!”

  * * *

  Armstrong sipped his third cup of coffee as he pored through the folders strewn across the conference room table. He hadn’t been able to sleep, tossing and turning for hours. Coming back to the office to work had felt like the surest thing for him to do, a welcome distraction from the thoughts racing through his head.