Parking the cruiser, I radio dispatch as Taggart is already making her way to the entrance, eager to shoot the shit with Doris, no doubt. Right as I get a dispatcher, I notice at the side of the building in front of me, Natalia is wrestling with a large cardboard box. Signing off with dispatch, I get out and walk over to her. Hearing footsteps, she looks up and is immediately on guard, almost using the cardboard as a shield.
“Whoa. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Ouch!” she yelps, and when I step toward her, she steps back, waving her hand and checking it out. I see blood on her finger, and she winces. “You didn’t. I was…I…” She shakes her head, but today her hair is in a bun, so no watching her hair dance along her shoulders when she moves.
“Did you cut yourself?”
“Just a papercut—or a cardboard cut.” She sighs, looking at it. Natalia then looks at me, asking, “What can I do for you, officer?” She’s cautious, but her eyes are fucking all over my body. She’s not touching me, but God, does it feel good. She asks, and I’ll show her any fucking thing she wants.
“I thought maybe you needed help. You know, protect and to serve?” I smirk, but her expression doesn’t change.
“No. I’m doing my job.” Her eyes roam over me again, lighting me with a fire I thought had died. Want me to strip right here?
Clearing my throat, I laugh. “I’m not your supervisor, so relax.”
“No, you’re definitely not.” Her eyes fall to my tactical belt, and I don’t need to look to know what captivates her.
Technically, I’m in a vulnerable position—my back faces to an open area, and my firearm is accessible—so I shift, checking over my shoulder, and then look back at her. There are so many things I must do differently than when I was a civilian. I now carry a gun when I’m off duty, though I’ve never drawn it outside of a shooting range. Shit. Don’t ask Officer Tucker about that.
“Maybe you should get your finger looked at.”
“I’m fine.”
“At least some alcohol.”
She frowns. “I don’t drink.”
I again laugh. “Rubbing alcohol.”
Natalia softly smiles but then ditches it and props the cardboard against the wall like I ordered her to lower her weapon. She carefully sidesteps it, watching every move I make, which isn’t any. She looks up at me, but then her eyes drop back to my belt.
Before she leaves, I ask, “Really. Are you from California? I am. Not Joy Springs or Sunnyville. Fairfield.”
She bites her lip, and I notice her finger isn’t bleeding much. “I was born in Sacramento and grew up in Joy Springs, but I’ve been to Fairfield.”
I grin. “Small world, right? I left California when I was fourteen. Family moved to Richmond, Virginia.”
A smile emerges, but she shakes her head, erasing the smile. “Oh. So, you’re a Rebel.”
“A what?”
“You know. Virginia. The Confederacy. The Old South. Slavery.”
I gasp and probably stutter. “Whoa. Yeah. That escalated. No. I don’t endorse any of that. Theoretically, I’m closer to being a surfer dude than anything remotely—”
Her smile returns, and it stuns me. “Maybe you should relax.”
I nod, watching her smile fade. “Oh. Right. Well…”
She goes to the side entrance, still watching my duty firearm like I’ll pull it on her when she’s not looking. “Sergeant Taggart probably is wondering what happened to you.”
“Maybe she thinks I quit.”
“I doubt that.”
“Why?”
Natalia again looks toward my gun. “You don’t seem like the type to quit.”
“Not when I have a lot to prove to people who don’t give a damn about me.”
Crossing her arms, she looks toward the ground. “Um, yeah.”
“Yeah,” I repeat, just because I don’t know what else to say. “If you need anything, just let me know. I’m always around.”
When I think she’ll ignore that, Natalia slowly nods. “Okay. I appreciate that. And if you need ketchup, just let me know.” She rolls her eyes with a small laugh.
I smile. “Deal.” Natalia’s smile enthralls me, and I stare at her face until she goes inside.
“Shit,” I mumble out loud. Something about her knocks me for a loop. Whatever it is, I want her to keep knocking.
Going through the main door, I see Taggart rising from her seat at our table. When she sees me, she shoots me her customary frown. “Where have you been? Did a Brownie troop accost you?”
I frown back at her. “No. I helped a woman.”
“Sure, you did.” She shakes her head. “If you got her number, don’t be calling her on the job. Keep it zipped until you’re off duty.”
My frown nearly turns into a middle finger. “It wasn’t like that.” I’m going to choke her.
“I ordered for you. I’ll be back.”
Still scowling, I pause and cordially smile at people in nearby booths. Got to keep the peace and serenity and all that sunny bullshit.
Sitting, I adjust my radio volume, thinking of Talia’s effect on me. About two minutes later, I hear Marilou raising her voice. Swinging my head toward the counter, I see her pointing to the door and telling a possible linebacker to leave. “Shit,” I mutter as I get up, shining my badge as accused, and I walk to the raised voices. When I reach the counter, I ask, “Is there a problem here?”
Marilou’s eyes light up when she sees me. “Yes, officer. We banned this man from here, but he won’t leave.”
The ogre with a shitty buzz cut argues, “I didn’t say I wouldn’t leave. I said I want to see Nat.”
“She doesn’t want to see you. Now go.”
He slams a beefy fist onto the counter. “Come on! I’m not here to fight with her.”
“Like you used to?”
“I don’t know what she’s told you, but—”
“Okay.” Visually scanning his pants pockets, waistband, and ankles and not seeing any signs of a weapon, I ask, “Who are you, and why are you here?”
The mountain of a dude glares at me like I’m a mosquito buzzing around him. “I don’t have to tell you shit.”
I inwardly sigh. “You’ll answer my questions if you don’t want me to arrest you for trespassing and disorderly conduct.”
He smirks, looking me up and down, underestimating my ability to take him to the ground. I paid attention at the academy and was the fastest at takedowns in my class. Height or weight didn’t matter. “Right, peewee.”
I shrug. “Okay, then.”
The kitchen door swings open, and Natalia stops cold. “Omar?”
He puts his hands on the counter. “Nat. I came all this way. I need to talk to you.”
Tears spring to her eyes. “No!”
“I’ve left you alone long enough.”
“No, it’s not. Just…no. Leave me alone!”
I look at Marilou, and she mouths, “The ex,” and then widens her eyes and shakes her head, mouthing something else I can’t make out.
Turning to him, I order, “I need to see your identification.”
He doesn’t bother to look at me. “You don’t. This doesn’t concern you, officer.”
“Again. If you don’t cooperate, you can ride in a patrol car and do this down at the station.” Glaring at me, he goes for his pocket. “Slow.”
He murders me with his glare. “I know the drill. Get it yourself then.” Don’t roll my eyes. Don’t knee him in the groin. Don’t flip him to the floor.
“So, you’re giving me permission to search you?”
“Whatever.”
Going over, I pat-down his jeans from his waist to his foot and do the same for his left side in reverse as I assess with my eyes and hands. Finding a rectangular lump in his side pocket, I remove his wallet as I watch his movements.
“He’s Omar Ruiz,” Natalia says as I fling open the wallet with one hand.
“Why is this a New York driver’s license? Yo
u just move here?”
“No. I live in New York with my girlfriend,” he turns toward Natalia, growling that statement.
I memorize his address and ask, “What are you doing in California, Mr. Ruiz?”
“None of your business!”
Natalia crosses her arms. “We’re not together. Just go!”
Glancing at Natalia, I ask, “Do you have a restraining order?”
Ruiz barks, “She doesn’t need one!”
“I asked her, not you.”
He ignores me and demands, “I need to talk to you, Nat!”
“You don’t have a phone?” I ask as Taggart barrels toward us. Goddamn it.
“Butt out,” Ruiz growls.
“If you think I’m leaving you here alone with her, forget it. I won’t. She obviously doesn’t want you near her, so do as she asked and go.”
Ruiz laughs, sizing me up. He then turns to Natalia, “Is this who you’re fucking now? Massive downgrade, don’t you think?”
Before I lose my temper and throw him to the floor, Taggart barges through. “What’s going on here?”
“I have it under control, sergeant.” I may commit murder, though. No big deal.
“I don’t think so.” She turns to the ex, and he balks. Fucking typical. “Ruiz, I warned you last summer to stay away from her.”
“I did! This is the first time I’ve been back here! Why in the hell can’t I just talk to her?”
With a withering look, Taggart warns, “Management trespassed you from this establishment. They can press charges, as you know.”
Ruiz pivots. “Then come outside so we can talk, Nat.”
She swiftly shakes her head. “I have nothing to say to you.”
He again steps closer to the counter, but I move in front of him. “You heard the woman, Mr. Ruiz. It’s time to go.”
He sneers, “Back off, kid.” Do not knock out his teeth. Do not break his arm. More lessons I excelled in at the academy, but those were extra credit. I can also dislocate a jaw and shoot an officer in the foot without looking.
Taggart asks, “Do you want to press charges?”
Natalia crosses her arms and pleads, “I just want him to leave.”
Marilou puts her arm around Natalia and nods. “I agree. Go, and we won’t press charges.”
He irritably says, “Fine.” I hand him back his identification, and he snaps it out of my hand.
Taggart follows him outside, and as soon as the door closes, Natalia races around the counter like she’s following them. When she’s near, I catch her arm, swinging her back to me. She jerks her arm from my grasp, with wide brown eyes to my blue. I check the door and then look back at her. “Where are you going?”
“To make sure he’s gone.”
“He will be.” She trembles hard and then stumbles a bit, so I catch her as her knees give out. “Whoa. Let’s get her to a chair,” I tell Marilou and another employee I don’t know.
Natalia’s hands go to my chest, and she pushes away from me. “I don’t need one.” She again looks at the door and then up at me. “He can’t be here.”
I nod. “I get that. You should think about an EPO.”
“A what?”
“An emergency protective order.”
“Oh.” She nods. “Yes, I remember now. Is that like a restraining order?”
“Yes, but temporary. You’ll have to file for a restraining order soon after.”
“I didn’t last time he was here. I didn’t think he’d come back.”
“We can help you with it.”
She lifts her chin. “I’m not some wounded kitten stuck up a tree.”
“I know you’re not.”
Taggart returns, guns blazing. First, she asks, “You okay, Natalia, honey? Did he touch you?”
“No, he didn’t.” But Natalia cries as customers watch her. I want to protect her from all their judgmental bullshit, but I’m relegated to a mere referee. Taggart hugs her, and I’m jealous.
Marilou then takes Natalia as Taggart’s glare turns to me. “McGrath. Words. Now.”
I follow her outside, glancing back at Marilou hugging Natalia, who watches me until we’re staring at each other. Reluctantly turning away so I don’t walk into a wall, I follow Taggart outside. She goes to the side of the building and stops, spinning around, pointing at me. “Why didn’t you call for back-up? I was right outside!”
“I didn’t need it.”
“You always call for back-up. I don’t care if you’re helping Mr. Magoo cross the street. You call for back-up!”
“I had it under control.”
“He could have had a weapon!”
“And I checked! Police Officer 101!”
“Watch your tone!” Her anger would be comical if she didn’t have the power to end my career.
“I’m only saying I wouldn’t put anyone in danger by not checking. I watched him the entire time. I did a visual and then a physical pat-down. I could have taken him to the ground if he gave me problems.”
“And you could have used help if you had to do that! I told you to follow the rules, or you’re gone!”
“I’m sorry. Maybe I made a mistake, and I am still in training, but I could handle the situation. I wasn’t in over my head.”
She laughs. “You don’t get it. He’s an ex-cop. He would’ve chewed you up and spit you out.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh. You’re lucky he didn’t take you to the ground, officer.” I still doubt that. “He’s an ex everything for good reason.”
“I wanted to help her. That’s my job, right?”
“Natalia isn’t another plaything for you.”
“I never thought that.”
“Like I said, you’re cocky. She doesn’t need another man with a badge to destroy her again for a roll in the hay. I won’t have it!” Her blue eyes burn into mine like lasers as her face reddens from yelling at me.
“I’m not cocky! Why do I need to keep defending my moral character to you?”
“Watch yourself, Officer McGrath! I say you’re cocky because you refuse to follow directions, claim you can handle any situation by yourself, and you think you’re God’s gift to women!”
I bust out laughing. “Seriously? All women? Yeah, sure. I’m such a gift. They can’t resist me, beating down my door every night.” Meanwhile, I fall asleep at nine o’clock sharp every night like an old man.
“And you’re smart-alecky.” She points at my chest and then at the building. “If you don’t call for back-up again, I will have your gun and your badge. Understood?”
“But I—”
“Is. That. Understood?”
I sigh, and her glare digs deeper. “Yes, sergeant.”
“Good. Don’t forget we’re working an afternoon shift in two days. Got it?” I nod, looking at the wall again, and she demands, “Answer me, officer!”
I nearly glare at her. “Yes, sergeant. I remember.”
She looks behind me, toward the entrance. “Are you okay, Natalia? What is it?” Great. She heard me get the fucking riot act and subsequent beatdown.
I hear footsteps as I avoid looking her way. “I just wanted to say thank you.”
As I glare at a cinderblock wall next door, Taggart says, “Of course. I’ll contact the on-call judge to see if they’ll issue an EPO.” Taggart kills me with a look before pulling out her phone and walking to the building.
Inhaling, I tip back my head, looking up at the sky. “Jesus Christ,” I mutter. Maybe a meteor will take me out.
“Nope. Just me.”
I straighten to see Natalia still standing there. “Uh, you doing okay?” I ask, checking my immediate area since I just openly left myself vulnerable and made a huge ass out of myself.
“Yes. Your lunch is ready.”
I rub an eyebrow. “Oh. Sure. Thanks.”
Natalia doesn’t move, and we stare at each other again. Her build is dainty but firm, with curves in all the right places.
“I also w
ant to thank you.”
I shrug. “No worries. Just doing my job.”
She shakes her head. “You defended me more than your job requires.”
“Yeah. It’s called not being an asshole.” I roll my eyes at myself for saying that while in uniform.
Natalia bites her lip and smiles. “You did a good job of not being an asshole.”
I laugh. “Tell that to Taggart.”
“She likes you.”
I nearly fall over, laughing more. “That’s hilarious. She wants to roast me on a spit and feed me to ravenous dogs.”
Natalia rolls her eyes. “She’s just loud. I didn’t know my personal problems would rear their ugly head for everyone to see.” She bows her head, ashamed, which she shouldn’t be.
“It’s only a small diner in a small city. You’ll be okay.”
She laughs, and I want to hear it on repeat. “Not exactly helpful.”
“Oh. Most people have something they’re ashamed of themselves, and if not, they should be.”
Her smile brightens, and it burns into my mind. “I said you’re a rebel. It fits.” Her eyes water, and she uses the back of her fingers to wipe away the tears.
“I’d like to think of myself as selectively compliant.”
She smiles through her tears and crosses her arms like she’s still keeping me away. “Welch.”
“I’m sorry?”
“My last name. Welch.” She sniffs, smiling. “Got a middle name?”
I immediately blurt, “Stuart.” Her smile turns into a little laugh, and I ask, “What?”
Natalia shrugs. “It fits.”
When we stare at each other again, I blink and say, “It’s my maternal grandmother’s last name. And yours?”
She steps back from me. “I’ll keep it to myself for now since you have your resources.”
“Okay. Then tell me how you know Taggart, besides being from the same city.”
“My mom died in a car accident when I was sixteen. Lynn trained my dad when he was a…cop.”
“Really?”
She nods while watching the car wash next door. “When my mother died, I had nowhere to go since my dad isn’t around. Lynn looked after me and became my legal guardian. She often stayed with me during the week since my mother owned our house, and I didn’t want to move or lose my last tangible connection to her. My mother was so proud of that house. Lynn made sure I went to school and graduated, even helping me pay for college in New York and watching my house.”
Rebel Rook: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World) Page 7
