by Lily Harlem
“And you need to keep your mouth shut.”
“I’m not an idiot.”
“You haven’t proven that to me yet.”
“Ricardo, it’s fine,” I said.
“You’re always careful, Freya. You have to be, we all do. This…relationship would go down like a ton of bricks with the chief.”
“You hardly need to tell me that.” I glanced around to make sure we weren’t being overheard. “But risk is something we all thrive on.”
“And this is a calculated risk, and worth it,” Sean added.
“Huh, have you fallen in love already?” Ricardo huffed.
“No.” Sean grinned. “But I might if she keeps fucking me when we—”
“I don’t need to know,” Ricardo shot back. “At least not until I’ve got used to the idea of sharing my woman with two guys instead of one.”
I brushed my arm with his, our skin connecting. “Hey.”
He sighed. “It’s okay. I’m cool.”
“We’ll talk more about this. Later.”
“Yeah, sure.” He sped up.
I’d need to give him attention. Make him see I still loved him even with Sean on board.
“I thought you said he wouldn’t be a problem.”
“He isn’t, Sean. A problem would have meant you were flat on your ass with a blackened eye.”
“He could try, but—”
“You’ve spent the night with his girlfriend. Give him a break.”
“Yeah. I guess.”
“Now come on, let’s see what our detail is.”
Another SWAT team greeted us in the briefing room along with the chief. It was Hal and his guys.
I nodded. “Hey.”
He rarely smiled and tipped his head at me as he gave a gruff, “Morning.”
I liked him. He was great at his job, kept his team tight and had a knack for thinking out of the box when it came to using tactics in unusual situations.
“It’s the big day.” The chief pointed a remote at the TV screen and silenced it. “The verdict.”
I folded my arms. “Okay.”
“And I want you all down there. There’s been a bomb threat.”
“Really? From who?”
“If we knew that, Freya, we’d go pick up their sorry asses.”
Oh, he was in a bad mood. Bomb threats always did that to him. “What I meant is did they claim any allegiance? I mean, it’s not the usual scenario we’re dealing with.”
“You seem to be in bed with these women protestors,” one of Hal’s team said. “Saw you on the news with your little speech.”
“I diffused a situation.” I frowned. “How did the threat come in?”
“Old fashioned letter.”
“Forensics?” Ricardo asked.
“Of course.” The chief nodded. “Nothing yet.”
He stepped up to his projector and turned it on. An aerial view of the courthouse filled the screen. “There’ll be guys on the ground but I want SWAT up here, on the roof.” He tapped it with the control he was still holding. “One on the east wing, one on the west. That will give you good views of the entrance and what’s going on in the lot. But it’s going to be hot up there. I don’t want you dropping like flies. Take breaks, cool down.”
“Yes, chief,” Hal said.
“And spread out. That’s a lot of ground for your sights to cover.”
The thought of lying in the baking sun in all my gear staring down the barrel of my gun didn’t particularly appeal. I much preferred to be ducking in and out of aircon on a day like this. But it was my job and I’d get on with it. If I complained, how could I expect my team to perform?
The chief looked at his watch. “Get yourselves down there soon as. Proceedings kick off in two hours. Protestors are gathering. Anything suspicious, report it in to the officers on the ground. Anyone draws a gun, you know what to do.” He turned away. “Damn this ass-wipe politician, I hope he rots in hell.”
“We got time for a coffee?” Balko asked me quietly.
“Sure, go grab one. I’ll meet you by the van.”
“I’ll join you,” Sean said.
They wandered out. Jonathan followed.
“You want a coffee?” I asked Ricardo.
He shook his head. “No, I’m going for a piss.”
He turned and strode from the room.
Hal was giving his guys a pep talk. Mine had scattered. Again I scowled.
It was Ricardo who was playing on my mind the most. I needed to connect with him before the day kicked off.
I spent a couple of minutes talking to the chief about Sean, reassuring him that I had him under control—though I didn’t give details of exactly how we’d worked it out—then headed in the direction of the corridor.
When I reached the male restroom I glanced left and right. There was no one around.
I pushed in.
Ricardo was washing his hands. He looked up. “What you doing in here?”
“We need to talk.” I ducked and checked in the two cubicles. They were empty.
“In here?”
“Yes.”
I walked up to him, grabbed his vest and pulled him close. I set my mouth over his and kissed him hard. As I did that I pushed him up against the tiled wall, our vests clashing.
“Freya,” he gasped against my lips.
“Never doubt that I want you,” I said, staring into his dark eyes. “I’ve loved you for a long time. Nothing is going to change that.”
“I know.” He glanced at the door.
“There’s no one around, at least for another few seconds.” I kissed him again, a little gentler this time, hoping he understood the depth of my feelings for him.
I broke the kiss. We didn’t have long.
“You really like Sean?” he asked.
“Yeah, and he’s opened up to me.”
“His stunt yesterday was—”
“We’ve discussed that. It won’t happen again.”
“But you’ll fuck him again?”
I hesitated. “Will it upset you if I do?”
He nipped my chin and frowned. “I don’t mind you being with Jonathan. In fact, I think you’re great for each other. But I need to know you’re getting something out of Sean and it’s not one sided. He can’t be the only one who gains from it.”
“He’s got a big dick.” I grinned.
He frowned. “Freya. I’m being serious.”
I let my smile drop. “Of course I’m getting something…I will. And I want to get to know him, find out how he ticks. It’ll be good for everyone and with a few orgasms thrown in.”
He was quiet for a moment, as if mulling over my words, then, “I want to fuck you again soon.”
“Just tell me when, Ricardo, and I’m yours.”
Suddenly I was aware of footsteps outside, in the corridor.
I snapped back and pointed at Ricardo’s chest. “Try not to be late again for—”
The door opened. Hal stood there. He stared at me with wide eyes.
“Sorry,” I said. “I needed a quick word with Ricardo.”
Ricardo scowled and set to work pulling on his gloves.
“Are you done, Officer Sweeny?” Hal asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Yes, we’re done.” I nodded at Ricardo. “See you in the van in five, not a minute later.”
“Yes, boss.”
I swiped my tongue over my bottom lip, gathering his lingering flavour. Whenever I was near him, I wanted him. It was probably just as well Hal had come into the restroom. I’d taken too many risks with public sex recently, letting my libido rule my actions. My luck would run out sooner or later.
I walked past Hal, making a promise to myself to have my next fuck in private.
But as I walked out of the precinct, down the steps to our vehicle, I pushed thoughts of sex from my mind. It was time to get into the zone. I had a job to do; a crowd to keep safe while justice was delivered in the courthouse.
Soon we were piling
out through the van’s sliding door. Hal’s team had parked in front of us, and were making their way through a throng of women—all carrying placards and chanting much the same as they had been earlier in the week.
“All set?” I asked, checking over my guys. Each wore dark shades, were dressed in black, and had SWAT written on their chest in white block letters. They were also laden with gear—weapons including long rifles, pistols, cuffs, medical kit, and coms equipment.
Jonathan looked up. “We’ll have a good view from the roof.”
“So let’s do it.” I turned and led the way past the coms trailer, walking quickly because I had no intention of getting drawn into a debate with these women again. I’d promised justice would be done, and now I was here to keep the peace while that happened.
An echoing stairwell led us to the top level and I used a drop key to open the door onto the roof.
The air was furnace-like, humid, and the sun blazed down.
On the opposite roof, Hal’s men were taking up position—one guy alone in the middle, two together at each end.
We’ll do the same.
“Copy their formation,” I said pointing opposite. “Ricardo, Sean, you’re up that end, watch the approach.”
It will be good to put them together…hopefully.
“Yes, boss.” Sean nodded then strode away, Ricardo close behind him.
“Jonathan, you’re in the middle, eyes on the entrance.”
He nodded and stepped to the left, getting his weapon ready.
“And you’re with me, Balko. This way.”
He walked next to me, his strides long. “Je dosť horko na to, aby pražilo.”
“What?” I asked, taking a swig of water.
“I said it’s hot enough to roast a pig.”
“It is.” I huffed. “But don’t start talking foreign to me.”
He chuckled. “Surely you want to learn a few Slovak curse words?”
“Ah, well, that might come in useful if you piss me off, Balko.”
“I’m gonna try not to do that, just for the record.”
“You’re doing well so far.” I spotted our vantage point, next to an air vent that provided a rectangle of shade we could fit in side by side.
“And Sean? How’s he doing so far?” Balko asked.
“Sean and I are working it out.” I flicked my earpiece to one way, so I could talk without being listened to.
“He’s a great guy. Yesterday was…maybe he was trying to prove himself.”
I rested my weapon on the gritty rooftop then followed it down, glad that I’d bothered to put knee protectors on. I flicked down my stand then lined up my sights. “He doesn’t need to prove himself. If he’s on my SWAT team it means he can do the job.”
“Yes, but he’s not going to think that, not with a move south like this and after…”
I studied Balko for a moment. He had chiselled features, his nose had a slight bump in the centre and his mouth was either a flat, serious line or tipped into a smile. “I know what happened, with his mother.”
“You read his file?”
“No, he told me.”
“Oh.” He seemed a little surprised. “Well that’s good.”
“Sounds like one heck of a mess.” I used my sights to sweep the area, looking out for anything or anyone suspicious. It was busy and noisy, but so far peaceful and just the usual banner waving and huddles of women talking.
“Yeah, it was.” Balko was performing the same ritual as me. Scoping out the crowd. “I know everyone loves their mom, but Sean, she really was all he had. His only family.”
“No father?”
“Nope, nothing, not even a distant cousin.”
“That’s rough.”
“It explains a lot.”
“He’s got us now,” I said quickly, my emotions coming with the words.
“I’m glad you feel that way.” He lifted his head and studied me. “It’s why SWAT is the best. It’s more than teamwork, more than just having each other’s backs, it’s one hundred percent trust, honesty, respect and even…”
“What?”
He shrugged and turned back to his sights. “Love.”
“I’d agree with that.” I glanced over at my men. They were each flat on the roof, weapons aimed. “I’ve worked with Jonathan and Ricardo for a while now. I love them.”
“Like brothers?”
I didn’t respond.
“Ah…” He glanced at me and raised his eyebrows a fraction. “I see.”
“What does that mean? Ah, I see.”
“Nothing.”
I frowned and looked down the sights again, swung to the right. “It must have meant something, Balko.”
“I guess I can sense chemistry in the way you three are together.”
“You’re reading too much into teamwork.”
“You’re a fine-looking woman,” he said. “In Slovak we would describe you as silná žena s vášňou vo svojich hĺbkach.”
“And what the heck does that mean?” And why was his native tongue so damn sexy? Like it was laced with mystery and danger and the unknown.
“A fine woman with passion in her depths.”
“You do remember who you’re speaking to, right?” I could take a compliment, but Balko was my new team member.
You angry fucked the other one.
“Forgive me,” he said. “It is the way of my people, to speak from the heart and always seek the truth.”
“And they’re great qualities in a cop, but don’t get carried away with your detective work on me.”
“So there is something to detect?”
“Oh, shut the hell up.” I shoved his shoulder.
He raised his head and chuckled. “I like you.”
“And at the moment I don’t like you. I should have partnered with one of the other guys.”
“So go join one of them.”
“No. This is our detail. This is our spot.”
“And it’s getting real hot.”
“Yep, get used to it.”
He went quiet and I felt bad for being snippy with him, because the truth was he’d hit the nail on the head. It just scared me that both he and Sean had picked up on my relationships so quickly.
Does the chief know too?
I had to push that worry aside. Having it spinning web-like around my head would distract me from crowd watching.
After a few minutes our silence became deafening. “So tell me about your home. How old were you when you came to the USA?”
He adjusted his weapon stand a fraction of a centimetre. “Ten, with my parents. My father had an opportunity that meant it was worth moving the whole family here.”
“Sounds interesting. Tell me more.”
I settled in for the duration, happy to listen to Balko’s voice as the sun beat down and I kept an eye on the female protestors.
Chapter Twelve
“Hey, boss, we’re back.”
“Thank the Lord,” I muttered as Ricardo tapped my leg.
“I need to pee,” Balko said, lifting his face from his weapon.
“You go. I’ll take over here.” Ricardo squatted down next to us.
I glanced at Sean who was settling back into position, and at Jonathan who’d moved a few yards to the left but was lying still and quiet. I knew he’d be in the zone now he had a full stomach like Ricardo and Sean.
I moved, cursing my stiff limbs and the way my clothing stuck to my skin. I’d drunk two bottles of water but didn’t need to pee; it was all coming out of my pores.
“Be back in thirty minutes,” I said, thinking longingly of taking off my vest and downing an ice-cold glass of cola.
“Yeah, no rush. This lot are as loud as geese, but harmless.”
“Don’t get complacent,” I said, unfolding and grimacing as my knees and spine complained. “We got a bomb threat, remember.”
“Yeah, I remember.” Ricardo sank to his knees, weapon at the ready.
I took my gun and
held the business end facing the floor. Damn thing felt heavy to my fatigued, hot muscles. “Watch that white Honda beside the Fox News van, it’s parked out of the zone.”
“Copy that.”
Balko stood beside me and arched his back with a groan.
“We need some cool air,” I said, looking at his profile again. Now he’d told me more about his time working in Boston I felt I’d gotten to know him better. And there was no doubt about it, the guy was tough, and his skills were honed. But he had that internal substance, like a steel rod, that made him strong and resolute. I liked that, a lot. It reminded me of what Jonathan and Ricardo had inside. For me strength, morality and the ability to overcome physical and emotional hardship were incredibly alluring.
We headed back down the stairway, the chants from the crowd getting louder.
Once outside, I took the lead, Balko a pace behind me. Wary looks from the protestors were directed my way.
Please don’t recognise me.
I flipped my visor down and marched ahead, using my peripheral vision to scan the area. I hoped it was my gun they were staring at, and the huge guy behind me.
It was then I saw her.
Late twenties, pink floral dress, sensible flat shoes and a denim jacket that was way too bulky for her slim frame.
“Shit,” I muttered, coming to a halt.
“What?” Balko said, his shoulder nudging mine as he turned to where I was facing.
“Her.” I flicked my earpiece back on and raised my weapon. “She’s wearing.”
“Súložiť,” he muttered.
I guessed that was one of the curse words I needed to learn. “Ten, thirty-three,” I said into my radio. “White female, to the right of the main walkway, pink dress, blue jacket.”
“Ten-four,” came the reply.
“We need to clear the area,” Balko said, his gun barrel parallel with mine. “Fast.”
“Yeah, we do.” I glanced around. There was no way to get two hundred women away without making some noise.
But that could mean we all paid a heavy price.
“We can’t let her get into the courthouse,” Balko said, taking a step forward the way a stalking lion might.
“I agree.” I glanced at the control van. There was nothing else for it. Panic was the best form of defence. “You! Stop right there,” I shouted. I was beside Balko, my sight aimed at her forehead.
