by Tatum Throne
As the head of the risk assessment team, Seth had made a lot of enemies within the department. No one wanted their actions in the field analyzed and picked apart for improvement by RAT. TJ and Seth butted heads when it came to the actions of SWAT. There were a lot of wild ones on the team who acted on instinct instead of procedure. At the end of the day, that was a problem for everyone.
“Get back to work!”
TJ’s voice echoed again through the training center. Seth glanced through the windows. Their gazes locked. TJ nodded his head, causing his dark hair to fall over his forehead. They were finally at a tentative truce. Although both knew that things could change, the moment when the next assessment came stomping down the pike. TJ headed toward the open doors, but it wasn’t TJ Seth was focused on. It was the guy in the far corner of the room. He was one hundred percent bad ass with dark hair and a five o’clock shadow. There was a deadly calm about him lurking just beneath the surface. TJ crossed the room and met him in the doorway.
“Who the fuck is that?” Seth asked.
“Brayden Temple. He’s Chief Anderson’s new pet project. He’s in charge of the Retraining Program.”
“You got to be kidding me.”
TJ shook his head no. “The guys are calling it RIP.”
“Holy fuck. What’s he doing in here with you?”
“Seeing how we do things around here.”
“Good luck with that,” Seth said.
“I’m going to need it.”
Training was something Seth loved to do. He loved the discipline of it. Nowadays there wasn’t a whole lot of opportunity to train someone. He was putting out wildfires left and right due to SWAT. That meant he needed to hire on from the outside to help him get the job done. Part of the problem was that RAT had a bad reputation for getting in the way of an officer’s duties. That reputation tended to bleed far and wide outside of district headquarters. There was a lot of chatter out there that was all wrong. That translated into only one person applying for the open position after a two-month posting. The chief interviewed the new hire. Seth was meeting him today for the first time.
The atmosphere was less chilly upstairs. Seth headed for the conference room for the meet and great. Work should’ve been the only thing on his mind at the moment, but it wasn’t.
Seth couldn’t get the vision of Adam washing in his shower out of his head, or that heated kiss he purposely stole. Fate had thrown Adam back across Seth’s lap for a reason. Seth couldn’t figure out why Adam was back in his life. He needed to forget all about Adam. They wouldn’t be seeing each other for a very long time.
His office assistant, Elle, was just walking through the door with a coffee and her laptop. Her dark up-do hair and her black geeky glasses reminded Seth of Lois Lane. Some days he thought she could’ve been her twin sister. Chief Anderson was just heading toward the conference room. Their new hire should be walking through the door now, too.
Seth checked his watch just as his Adam rounded the corner. Seth’s heart skipped a vital beat as his eyes locked with Adam’s. Through the long mile of glass, Seth could see Adam’s surprise. He came into the conference room with his confident attitude and easy smile that always made dimples appear in his cheeks. A dark bruise shadowed his jaw, and another one arched over his temple. Guilt spiraled through Seth’s mind. He was the one who put those bruises there.
Chief Anderson made introductions. “Lt. West, this is Risk Assessment Team leader, Seth London. You’ll be reporting directly to London.”
Seth offered his hand to Adam’s. There was no reason why they couldn’t get through this interview without a lot of fuss. A zap of heat tingled through Seth’s palm as he released Adam’s hand. What the fuck was that?
“You’ll be my second team leader for RAT,” Seth said.
“Chief Anderson filled me in on most of the details,” Adam said.
Seth sat down, trying to ignore the awkward vibe threatening to take over the interview. Lucky for Seth, the bridge dive was off the table as far as conversation went, but what happened after wasn’t. Seth dialed back the panic he felt and tuned into what the chief was talking about. He opened up Adam’s file on the table, glancing through it.
“We can answer all the questions you may have,” Seth said.
“Adam worked across the river with the Covington P.D.,” Anderson said. “Before that he was a Marine.”
Based on his timeline, Seth knew that before the stint in the military they worked in the bar together. “How many tours did you do?” Seth asked.
“Two in Afghanistan. So, tell me more about what you guys do with risk assessment.”
“It’s London’s job to assess all critical interactions involving SWAT,” Anderson said.
“Why RAT and not internal affairs?” Adam asked.
“Internal affairs is more criminal investigative. RAT is more assessment and quality assurance. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve policy and procedure,” Anderson said.
It was. Seth gave Adam a hard look. “You’ll be training under me.”
The unasked question sat between them. Seth wanted to know if that was going to be a problem for Adam.
“That sounds good. I can’t wait to get started.”
Seth handed Adam his training folder. “You’re getting through your H.R. paperwork today. Elle will get you started. We start your training tomorrow.”
“We’ll go to my office for that,” Elle said.
* * * *
The conference room cleared out, leaving Adam alone with Seth. Elle was out in the hallway, heading toward her office. Adam couldn’t believe Seth was going to be his boss and trainer for the RAT program. He’d worked for years trying to get an interview within the Cincinnati department, but nothing was ever available. It was by chance that he heard about this position from a friend within the department. Adam hung back. He wasn’t ready to leave. Adam caught Seth’s eye.
Sunlight cut between the buildings and filtered through the conference room windows, setting fire to Seth’s auburn hair. There were blonde tints in his hair now that weren’t there so long ago. Seth was Adam’s complete physical opposite and not the type of guy Adam normally went for nowadays. Over the years, Adam stayed away from redheads. They made him think of Seth and what they could’ve once had. Those physical differences that once attracted him when they first met at the bar still fucking turned him on today.
“About last night,” Adam began.
“We’re not going to talk about it. It never happened.”
Adam opened his mouth, but snapped it shut. “This is really how you want things to be?”
“Yes. If you want to work here, then we need to pretend that you never fished me out of the water or about what happened at my place after.”
“Um.”
“What?” Seth asked.
“I don’t lie.”
“I’m not asking you to. I’m asking you to keep our personal lives out of work. My job is to train you. Not...”
“Not what?”
“You know what.”
“Don’t push me away.”
The corner of Seth’s mouth ticked up. Adam stood next to the table as Seth came in close. “I was having a rough night. You were in the right place at the wrong time.”
“That kiss felt right.”
“That kiss was a mistake and won’t be happening again.” Seth’s words were heated and punched low.
“You can’t deny that there’s still something between us.”
“I almost died, Adam. I’m sure it was a physiological reaction to the situation.”
“It was more than that.”
“I need your head in the game and not on me, Adam. I need you to forget about what happened last night.”
“What if I can’t?”
“Then this thing isn’t going to work.”
“Seth, it doesn’t have to be this way.”
“It’s the only way for both of us. Trust me on this.”
Adam we
nt to grab Seth’s arm, but he changed his mind as Seth walked out. He was not about to beg Seth for another chance.
Down the hallway, Elle waited for him. Adam glanced at his training packet. He was on Seth’s schedule for the next two weeks. How was he going to forget about what happened when it was the only thing Adam could think about? It was then that Adam realized he wanted Seth, but couldn’t have him.
He was so screwed.
Chapter Four
“Stop fucking with me,” Seth said.
Adam heard Seth’s voice punch low as he stepped into the coffee shop. It didn’t take him long to find Seth sitting close to the front door and behind a display of mugs. Seth was on his cell phone. He had two cups of coffee in front of him on the table. He handed one to Adam as he sat down. Adam took a drink. It was good coffee.
When Adam got home from the station yesterday, there was a message on his answering machine from Seth. He wanted Adam to meet him at the coffee shop before work. Adam couldn’t ignore the way Seth’s deep voice made his heart beat a whole lot faster when he listened to his machine. He saved the message.
There were forms in front of Seth, a pen in hand, and a notebook as he frantically scribbled notes. “I understand. Listen, TJ, I don’t like this either, but it’s part of my job.”
Listening, Seth’s gaze moved over Adam, appearing to take note of everything and missing nothing. Adam was glad he shaved that morning. “I get it. Look, you’re the best SWAT has. Let me work the details, and I’ll see you in ten minutes.”
Adam tried not to eavesdrop, but it was his job to learn everything he could. Seth hung up his cell phone.
“Rule one, always know what side you stand on,” Seth said.
“What side are we on?”
“Our officer’s. Risk assessment gets a bad rap because we’re playing Monday morning quarterback. It’s our job to look at everything that happens, review policy to see if it was followed, and improve where we can.”
Adam felt Seth’s leg brush his under the table. A jolt of awareness sizzled over Adam’s skin as Seth slid his leg away. “What cases do we normally get?”
“The one’s where our officers could be injured. Lately, that’s all of them.”
The table felt suddenly too cramped and the lighting too intimate. Adam couldn’t concentrate. He saw Seth’s lips moving, but his brain was fizzling out. He couldn’t stop thinking about saving him from the Ohio. A chill raced over Adam’s spine. He didn’t want to think about what could’ve happened. It hurt too much.
“Your life.” A cell phone was placed in front of Adam. “Walk with me. We’re heading out to your first case.”
They headed out of the coffee shop and over to Seth’s car. Seth drove in his police-issued car. Adam scrolled through the contacts on the phone. Seth was number one. His home, cell, work, and email were all right there.
“We’re going to the scene of one of Detective Raines’s arrests. TJ is one of our most decorated detectives. He works closely with SWAT as a negotiator. He’s the one that we chat with the most.”
“We’re going to determine if TJ followed police protocol?” Adam asked.
“Yep. Nine times out of ten, TJ doesn’t follow any written protocol. He improvises.”
Seth looked at him hard, but said nothing. Adam felt as though his soul was exposed when Seth looked at him that way. Downtown Cincinnati faded away as they drove to the west side of town. Adam couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to this entire dynamic.
“Why do you need me?” Adam asked.
“The guys don’t trust me. I thought bringing someone new on might help RAT’s reputation. They’d talk to internal affairs before they’d ever talk willingly to us.”
“Why is that?”
A hint of a smile played at Seth’s lips. “They haven’t liked my recommendations.”
Adam let his gaze move over Seth. His auburn hair was shorter, as though he’d gotten it cut after work last night. His face was clean-shaven except for a tuft of hair beneath his full lower lip. Adam let his gaze drop to Seth’s body as he drove. He wondered if Seth had a lover. Adam tightened his hand into a fist on his leg. He did not want to be responsible for breaking up another one of Seth’s relationships.
They pulled up behind police vehicles.
Crime scene tape blocked off the scene. “Watch and learn.”
It became very clear that Seth wasn’t welcome at the scene. The police officers visibly stiffened when they saw Seth. A cold wind blew between the apartment buildings. Seth went up to a SWAT officer. “Detective Raines, this is Detective West. He’s our new RAT investigator. We’re going to take a look around.”
TJ shook hands with Adam. Resentment echoed off of TJ. These men were not friends. Adam knew he should’ve followed Seth’s lead, but he didn’t. Seth walked part of the crime scene.
“What happened?” Adam asked.
“We were serving a warrant. We were met at the door with a shotgun.”
“What happened next?”
TJ indicated another officer with a tilt of his head. “We responded by asking them politely to lower their weapon. They refused. Jones took him down with his Taser. Our suspect knocked his head on the door frame on his way down. He was just taken to the hospital to be checked out.”
“Any other injuries to officers?”
“No, none.”
“Okay. I’ll be in touch if I have any other questions.”
TJ seemed surprised. “Okay, then.”
“What, Detective?”
“Usually we get more of an interrogation.”
Seth was heading back their way. “I think we’re doing things differently from now on.”
“Call me then if you need anything else,” TJ said.
Adam could feel Seth’s glare. He finally turned to take the blow of those heated blue eyes. “I have the information we need.”
“You don’t want to take a look around?”
“Nope.”
“Let’s talk about this on our way back to the department.”
It was easy to see that Seth wasn’t happy about how Adam handled TJ’s interview. His silent brooding was tantamount to a bull stomping around in a china shop.
“What did you ask TJ?”
Adam felt like he was in trouble. “I asked him what happened.” Adam went on to explain SWAT’s actions. “It was pretty straightforward. Their suspect met them at the door with a shotgun. I think the takedown was justified and showed professional restraint.”
The corner of Seth’s mouth ticked in annoyance. “I’ll show you how to write up the report.”
Seth headed back to the coffee shop and dropped Adam off to pick up his car. Adam followed Seth back to district headquarters where they parked and went inside together. They went upstairs to their office where Adam discovered that they were sharing office space.
“It’s just until the renovation is complete on the second floor. You’ll have your own place to work then,” Seth said.
Adam sat down at his desk crammed in the corner, starting up his police-issued laptop. The truth was, Adam felt uncomfortable about what happened at Seth’s place. It was more than the physical and sexual attraction. It was the fact that Seth didn’t trust him with the truth of what was bothering him. The holidays were around the corner, granted they were weeks away, but maybe Adam could use that as a way to get to know Seth better.
“Are you out of town for the holiday coming up?” Adam asked.
“No. You?”
“Maybe. I haven’t decided.” Adam’s family was big. His parents wanted him to settle down and be happy. That wasn’t in the cards for him.
Seth’s blue eyes gave him the once-over as though he knew that there was a lot more to the story, and yeah, there was. The cleft in Seth’s chin gave his jaw a tough, hard fuck-off look that probably set most of the department off. It was probably that look that was getting Seth into trouble with SWAT.
The rest of the day was spent pus
hing paper and reviewing the latest SWAT incident and policy. Seth had lost his suit coat and rolled up the sleeves on his dress shirt. The red hair on his arms brushed the back of Adam’s hand when Adam handed over a file. A zing of need flashed so hard through Adam’s body that he jerked away.
“What?” Seth asked.
“It’s nothing.”
The nothing was clearly something in Seth’s eyes. Their office door was shut. Adam felt like he was trapped with his emotions suddenly exposed. He stood, stretching out his legs.
“We need to make this work or it won’t,” Seth said.
“I get that.”
“We have to ignore it.”
Adam’s heart pounded, and his mouth felt suddenly dry. “I don’t know if I can.”
“What should we do about it then?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you really want me to order you to drop your pants while I fuck you across my desk?” Seth asked.
Adam’s mouth dropped open as he saw Seth fucking him from behind. The answer to that question was too complicated to even consider. “Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing we both can’t handle. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Could Adam ignore the feelings he had for Seth? He wasn’t sure he could. He always wanted Seth. Innocence had kept Adam from ever letting Seth know how he felt. That one time when they worked together was nothing more than an accident that left both of their lives in chaos. They were both suddenly stuck in the past when they shared that one forbidden kiss.
Seth paced the few feet he had available away from his desk to look out the window. “I don’t advertise that I’m gay. They already have enough reasons to hate me. I can’t let an office affair jeopardize my career.”
Adam backed away, giving him room to think. “It won’t.”
Seth cursed as he came in close, shoving Adam against the wall and trapping him in with his palms planted by his shoulders. “Stop looking at me that way.”
