“But that has always been your M.O. hasn’t it, Mia? Act first, think second.”
Alec turned towards the speaker. Kellie Munroe stood in the doorway with one hand on the doorframe and the other on her hip. Surprise momentarily registered on Donovan’s face before she stiffened, her expression darkening. Interesting. He glanced from one woman to the other.
“You two know each other?”
Donovan stared hard at Kellie. The same look, he noted, that often made a hardened criminal squirm in his seat but seemed to have no effect whatsoever on the blonde in the doorway. Again, his interest piqued.
Donovan nodded and spoke through her perfect white teeth. “Yeah, we grew up together. We were friends once.”
“I guess Mia doesn’t share the same fond memories.”
“I have one: your back walking away. What are you doing here?” She watched Kellie with a mixture of wariness and pain. He easily read his detective. She and Munroe were not on friendly terms, or at least Donovan wasn’t. He'd yet to suss out the other woman.
Christ, this was all he needed—more female hormones. The tension inside the room had gone up several notches and he could feel the temperature plummeting. He rubbed a hand over his face.
Kellie’s blue eyes turned frosty and her jaw clenched at Donovan’s words. She stepped inside his office, her hips swaying enticingly, and Alec wasn’t the only one who noticed. Darryl’s body had tensed and his hungry gaze swept over her womanly figure as if she was a banquet he planned to dine on.
Had his desire for Cait been so obvious all those years ago? God only knew, he’d tried to hide it, even ignore it. But some things were meant to be.
“I think you know the answer to that, Mia,” Kellie told her. “Michael Lambert filed a grievance against you for excessive force and bodily harm and from what I hear, he has the bruises to back it up. I’ve been assigned to watch you, every move you make.”
Donovan’s face turned red and her hands clenched into fists. He quickly moved between the two women before blood could be spilled and gave Darryl a steely warning that told the younger man his thoughts had not gone unnoticed. Darryl blushed and looked away.
“Like hell you are,” Donovan spat.
Kellie stepped closer to Donovan, seeming oblivious to the waves of pure fury emanating from her. “You have two options, Mia. Deal with me or you’re suspended without pay until my investigation is complete.”
Donovan stepped threateningly towards Kellie, who stood her ground. Alec’s respect for her went up a notch. Darryl started to move forward to intercede but he placed a quelling hand on the man’s arm. Darryl shot him a questioning look but he ignored it and focused on the women.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Kellie. I don’t take threats lightly.”
Kellie laughed humourlessly. “It’s not a threat, Mia, it’s a promise. One I will make good on if you fail to include me in every facet of this case. That pain in your arse that you’re feeling right now—that’s me, and it isn’t going away until I do.”
Alec’s mouth twitched up at her choice of words. Hadn’t he just been referring to Donovan as his pain in the arse? It was a nice change of pace.
“Now that you ladies are reacquainted,” Alec said in a voice that told them he’d had enough, “let’s work together amicably for a positive resolution.”
He saw his tone register in the bodies of the two women and their backs both straightened at the reprimand and turned to him. Both were composed but the emotion swirling in their eyes told him this was far from over.
Kellie stepped away from Donovan and bumped into Darryl’s chest. She spun around sharply as if burned from the contact. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
Darryl grinned. “No worries.”
Alec let out a resigned sigh. “Darryl Hill, Kellie Munroe. If you haven’t already figured it out, she’s IA.”
Kellie obediently raised her hand for the perfunctory shake. Darryl wrapped his much larger hand around her and gently shook it.
“Detective,” Kellie acknowledged before turning back to Alec.
“Now,” he said, weariness creeping into his bones. “Are you going to be able to play nice together, or do I have to separate you?”
Kellie raised a blonde eyebrow at Donovan as if daring her to admit she had a problem with her. Donovan moved past Kellie, her shoulder grazing the other woman’s before taking a seat in one of the chairs by his desk designated for visitors.
“I don’t have a problem. One IA rat is the same as another in my book,” Donovan replied.
He growled. Alec swore he spent more time acting like a kindergarten teacher than a superintendent. He supposed that was the best response he would get from his insubordinate detective and turned back to Kellie. She reminded him a lot of his wife, but where Cait was soft, Kellie had a hardness about her. He wasn’t used to seeing that look on someone so young.
Kellie kept her gaze on his, not bothering to respond to Donovan’s barb.
“I expect Detective Donovan,” she began formally, “to make an effort to include me so that I may observe her actions in real situations and have the opportunity to interview her colleagues as to her character.”
Alec nodded and turned to Donovan and gave her a hard stare. “You will abide Sergeant Munroe.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“I mean it, Donovan. You close her out and you’re off the case. Am I understood?”
He could see his words hit home. A vein in her temple throbbed. Being kicked off the case would mean she could kiss any further career advancement goodbye. Alec studied Kellie. Was he making the right decision by allowing her to remain on the case? What had Carlisle been thinking when he’d sent her down? Had she not made him aware of her past with Donovan? Whatever had happened, it was as raw and painful as if it had been yesterday, and Kellie had the power to destroy Donovan’s career with a flick of her pen. Would she take advantage of that power to harm the woman who’d once been her friend?
Alec hoped not. From what he’d seen today, Kellie Munroe had a good head on her shoulders, and while she might allow her temper to get the better of her, she had also shown great restraint. Not everyone could remain passive on the receiving end of Amelia Donovan’s harsh tongue.
Either way, he would talk with Carlisle to ensure his detective received a fair assessment. Donovan may be a pain in the arse to one and all, but she was one of the best detectives he’d ever worked with despite her many behavioural and personality issues. She would make a damn good boss one day. If only she grew up before the decision was made and realised that sometimes diplomacy is best no matter how she felt about it.
He’d been in her shoes, full of ideals. He’d been adamant when he’d taken the position as superintendent that he wouldn’t bow down to bureaucratic bullshit. But a good leader knew how to get what they wanted, being devious enough to obtain it without pissing anybody off. He’d become a pro. He didn’t care about bottom lines. He cared about results and the protection of the men and women beneath him.
Donovan took a deep breath and most likely bit off the torrent of words that were on the tip of her tongue. She flicked a glare at Kellie before turning back to him.
“Understood, Boss.”
Chapter 5
Nick watched Amelia storm past on the way to her desk. She would’ve knocked him over, had it not been for his lightning quick reflexes. She was in a mood, darker than usual, and he itched to stir her up. He just loved watching her eyes spit fire at him.
Of course she was an easy target, with a chip on her shoulder and so much to prove. Who she wanted to prove herself to, he didn’t know. She had long ago earned their respect and nothing beyond that mattered. But Amelia Donovan didn’t know when to quit, just like him, which was what made them such good detectives.
Darryl followed at a more leisurely pace and shook his head when their eyes met.
“Don’t do it, Nick. You’ll regret it,” Darryl warned him.
Nick grinned. “Loo
k out, everybody. Hurricane Donovan is in full swing, ready to take out the coast.”
He spoke with his usual jovial manner and just as he expected, he was rewarded with a death glare from Donovan. Nick flashed her a winning grin that caused women of all ages to melt, and waited for her sarcastic comeback. None was forthcoming.
Nick had the feeling it would be a long and painful day, and he’d be lucky to live to see the end of it. He had a natural ability to antagonise people and rub them the wrong way. His team had learned to get used to it and of course return whatever he did tenfold, so it was a win-win for all. Everybody knew he was the class clown.
He turned his attention to Kellie who stood beside Darryl and sent her a wink.
He’d known Kellie for years and remembered the first time she’d been a student in his class. She’d only known the basics of self-defence. Nick had taught her the rest. He’d shown her how to defend herself, and how to inflict the most damage possible. If his students ever needed the skills he taught outside the gym, there was a damn good reason and he wanted them to be safe. He wanted them to be able to put their attacker down.
Kellie had been wary of him at first. He didn’t pull his punches and his students went home with bruises until they learned to block his attacks. Kellie had almost drawn blood the first time he’d pinned her to the mat and it wasn’t a mistake he made twice. He was a patient man and had given her the power over him that she needed to get her out of the darkness she’d been drowning in. She fought her demons and when she understood what he’d done to help get her there, she began to trust him and could now knock him on his arse with little to no effort.
“Nick,” Kellie acknowledged, smiling at him. “Twice in one day. Lucky me.”
Darryl stiffened. Interesting.
Nick sat on the edge of his desk. “How are you?” he asked Kellie. “You were up and out before I had the chance to talk to you.”
Kellie’s eyes widened and he replayed the words and realised how they sounded. He winced. “At the gym today…you were up and out so quickly. I missed our chats,” he rephrased.
“Tomorrow then. Don’t be late or I’ll kick your arse,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
“You already do that. So what are you doing down here? I thought your kind stuck together.”
She accepted his dig at her job with good humour. “I’m on a case.”
Nick frowned. “Really? And you needed Donovan’s help with that?”
Kellie gnawed on her bottom lip and Nick glanced at Darryl before sliding a covert glance at Donovan who was busy ignoring them.
“Kel, no,” he said, his voice full of agony. “I know what I said about your kind, but we’re all cops here and Donovan’s one of the best.”
Her face showed a mixture of anguish and determination. “It’s just a formality, Nick. A complaint was made. It has to be followed up.”
“Shit.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “You know this could be a career ender,” he charged, anger evident in his voice.
He understood the need for Internal Affairs, but he didn’t have to like it. He hated the fact that Kellie was investigating one of their own—one he worked closely with. He hadn’t meant to sound so harsh. She had a job to do just as he did, but it had slipped out before he could censor himself. Her face paled at the harsh recrimination and he wondered if their friendship would survive this.
“Jesus, sorry, Kel. I didn’t mean to sound like such an arsehole.”
He reached over and pulled her gently to him, giving her an apologetic hug. The tension in her body was like a punch to the gut. He would give anything to go back and unspeak those words. Kellie didn’t need that shit from him. Her job was hard enough as it was.
He kissed her forehead, then stepped back. He withered beneath the look Darryl shot him.
“I know the deal, Nick,” Kellie said softly. “I’m not out to ruin careers.”
“I know that, honey. I’m sorry for opening my mouth.”
Amelia snorted. “I swear that’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.”
Nick grinned light-heartedly at her, happy to be made fun of. He was sure that one day he would end up with his mouth duct-taped shut.
“Me too,” Darryl said as he brushed past him. Hill looked about ready to pack it in for the day. His once crisp shirt was now rumpled and had come loose from his pants. His tie had been jerked, causing the tails to be uneven and there were also lines on his face that hadn’t been there earlier.
Darryl rubbed the back of his neck with his hand and small sweat marks showed on the fabric under his armpits. He offered silent sympathy for his colleague. There was nothing worse than getting stuck between two furious females.
He loosened his own tie, the atmosphere in the room getting sucked out as the electricity crackled between Amelia and Kellie. He crossed his arms against his chest.
“Are we good?” he asked Kellie, determined to make it right before she left.
“I’d make him suffer,” Darryl told her.
She smiled and squeezed his arm gently. “Oh, he will, there’s no question about it. But it will be in the boxing ring.”
Her gaze drifted over to Darryl as the man bent to secure his firearm in his desk drawer. He unabashedly cleared his throat and Kellie’s gaze darted to his. She blushed profusely when he grinned at her and waggled his eyebrows. He saw the gleam in her eye that she got whenever she prepared to take him down, and was thankful they weren’t alone. He would pay tomorrow.
Catching sight of his partner, Dean Matthews, he gave out a loud wolf-whistle. Dean growled, or at least what Nick took for a growl since he couldn’t quite hear. It could’ve been a mumble but with the baring of teeth. He felt confident he’d hit the nail on the head. Dean’s chocolate brown eyes were bloodshot and his skin drawn, his honey blond hair roughly brushed but not styled.
“Good afternoon, sunshine,” Nick said, and Dean replied with another low growl.
He was dressed in his usual attire of slacks and a pale sunflower yellow shirt which clashed horribly with his blue tie. Nick couldn’t believe Dean still wore the pansy-arsed shirts he’d started wearing to defend his manhood. It had been years since the LAC had made fun of him, but typical to his style, he’d told them to go to hell and had continued to wear the pastel and feminine coloured shirts, daring anyone to say something. Nick had made the mistake of pointing it out once or twice, and was responsible for the constant ribbing in the first place.
“You look like hell, my friend,” Nick observed.
Dean sent him a glare. “Yeah, well, I was at a robbery until three o’clock this morning. What’s your excuse?” Dean challenged, his hackles up, ready to bite.
Nick held up his hands in surrender, watching his partner remove his weapon holster and place it in his top desk drawer before practically collapsing into his chair. He knew when to back down.
“Forget I said anything, man. Just trying to lighten the mood.”
Dean finally appeared to notice the thick tension in the air. He reclined in his seat, stretching his long body out. His thick golden eyebrow quirked up when his gaze landed on Amelia, head down, fingers practically slamming on the keyboard as she typed. She hadn’t looked up and by the tight thin line of her lips, they knew from experience it wouldn’t be a fun day. Dean sent him an enquiring look. He shrugged in reply before turning his attention towards Kellie.
***
Darryl knew when Dean’s foggy mind cleared. His eyes widened and his mouth parted, his jaw almost resting on his chest as he took in the beautiful woman standing before him. Dean gave her a slow stare that made Darryl clench his hands into fists. What the hell was wrong with him? Would his hackles go up every time a man dared look at Kellie? He’d almost ripped Nick’s arms off when he’d pulled her in for a hug. What the hell was going on between those two?
He knew Nick didn’t get involved with women he worked with, but obvious affection existed between the two of them. An easy friendship and camarad
erie that made him jealous. He rubbed a hand over his face and felt the beginnings of his five o’clock shadow.
He had no reason to be jealous, but apparently he hadn’t got the memo yet. Nick was allowed to date whomever he wished, and so was Kellie. He glanced at the woman who stood in the middle of the Pig Pen—the name for the Detective Unit’s bullpen—oblivious to the male attention she received as she watched Amelia. He shivered at the memory of her soft, satiny female skin against his much rougher male texture when they’d shaken hands. She was beautiful, completely feminine, and that seemed to call to everything male in him.
She may have worn three inch heels that made her legs look like they went on forever, but she still stood several inches shorter than his six-foot frame. His gaze roamed her body in appreciation. Her breasts were small but pert and demurely covered by her blouse. When she moved, he caught the outline of her lacy bra beneath. Was she wearing a matching pair of underwear—maybe even a thong? Her hair had been styled artfully, and he knew if he ran his fingers through what were sure to be soft tresses, every strand would fall back into place. His body warmed, his blood rushing south and his fingers tingled to do just that.
What was happening to him? He’d never had such a visceral response to a woman before. Especially one who worked for the enemy. He couldn’t forget that. What the hell had happened between the two women to bring about the animosity he’d witnessed in Harris’s office? Whatever it was, it had been buried deep. It made for a volatile combination.
He hoped she wasn’t out for blood. She could easily destroy Donovan. He prayed his instincts about her were correct, and that she planned to do just as she said, that she wasn’t out to ruin careers.
“Kellie Munroe, Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Matthews. Sergeant Munroe is IA.” Darryl made the introductions, though he didn’t feel in the mood to share her.
How ridiculous. He had only met the woman roughly thirty minutes ago. He knew absolutely nothing about her, and what he did know, he wasn’t sure he liked. His body desired her, and why not? She was an attractive woman, but he had no designs on her. Certainly no rights.
Open Wounds Page 3
