by J. H. Croix
Okay, but please keep me updated. I can be there in ten minutes.
Will check in with you again later. Have a safe patrol.
Always. xxx
Smiling to myself about the kisses I got from him, I stashed my phone in my drawer and got to work. As I’d expected, it was a busy day. Between helping the teachers with the elementary school kids and showing them how to go about finding something in a library, helping with the book club meetings and my regular work, the day flew by.
Before I knew it, warm afternoon light was streaming in through the windows, the kids and both book clubs were done, and I’d researched the new publications I had to order. We also received another large donation and picked through the boxes, thrilled to find them full of brand new children’s books.
I got to work inventorying them immediately. Dusk was falling before I realized how much time had passed. After making sure I saved the document I was working on, I carefully packed the new books away and gathered my things.
On my way out, I typed a message to Sonny to let him know I would be home soon. I locked up and was digging through my purse for my car keys when I heard someone clear their throat behind me.
“Ms. Holmes?” I spun around, my breath catching in my lungs.
That raspy voice, I knew who it belonged to. My fears were confirmed when I found myself face to face with one of the trolls.
The afternoon light reflected from his bald patch and cast shadows over his lined face. My eyes darted from side to side, trying to see if someone else was in the parking lot witnessing the exchange.
There was no one there. I was on my own. Fear flared up in me, creeping like ice from my stomach to my extremities. I wouldn’t let this man see it though, I couldn’t. I was stronger than that, and I was damn well going to act like it.
Pulling my shoulders back, I met his menacing gaze. His eyes were so dark they were nearly black, narrowed as he tilted his head and waited for my answer. “Yes? Can I help you?”
“No, but I can help you.” He stood still as a statue, unwavering as he looked at me. He was a big man, dressed in all black with the sun behind him.
But I wouldn’t show any fear. “I have all the help I need, thank you.”
I pushed a button on my key fob and heard my doors opening. Turning away from the man with a tight smile and a swift nod, I pulled on my door handle and was about to get into my car when he spoke again.
“You should stay out of things that don’t concern you, Ms. Holmes. Stay away from Sonny Lovett, and you’ll be safe.”
Gritting my teeth, I turned my head to the man and met his eyes head on. “And if I don’t?”
He smirked, but it was more of an ugly twist of his lips. “Well, then you won’t be safe.”
My heart started pounding, throwing itself against my ribs, but I refused to flinch. The man gave me a final nod and walked away, quickly blending in with a group of people walking by on the sidewalk and then disappearing around the corner.
Gulping air into my lungs, I blinked away the blackness that was edging in on my vision. When the fear subsided, and I slipped into my car, the ice in my veins was replaced by burning rage.
I’d always been introverted and quiet. I was friendly to my customers and loyal to my friends. I didn’t like confrontation, but I wouldn’t shy away from it either. The bottom line was that I wasn’t a timid little duck, and I wasn’t a pushover. Clearly, these men thought I was, and it made me angry. I was sick of this bullshit.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sonny
Being on weekend rotation sucked, but someone had to do it, and it was my turn to be that someone. The upside was that it was shaping up to be a very quiet weekend work-wise, giving me more than enough time to follow up on some leads Darren gave me.
The only other officer on duty was out on patrol, though I was pretty sure he’d taken off to go see his girlfriend with the lack of action at the station. I couldn’t blame the guy. If I weren’t knee-deep into digging through the information from Darren, I would’ve been mighty tempted to go to Niki.
As it was, I was struggling to get the image of her in my bed when I left this morning out of my head. Or I had been until I came across Darren’s proof of Chief Harris being caught up in the fraudulent bank transfers. Clicking through the tabs on my computer, I was so absorbed in reading what was on the screen that I absently reached for my coffee, only remembering when cold porcelain met my lips that I’d run out.
Page after page of spreadsheets, company registration documents and financials led to me rubbing my tired eyes and blinking as I checked and double-checked the facts staring me right in the face. Unbelievable.
The further I dug, the more convinced I was that Harris and potentially others in the station were somehow profiting from the same mess my father got caught up in. The only difference was that my father seemed to be the only one rotting in a prison cell, while the others were running around threatening Niki and me and trying to cover up their involvement.
It was almost impossible to believe that they might’ve gotten away with something as huge as this if not for Maclin and my witnessing his murder. Without that and Tyson’s help, the GBI wouldn’t be involved. I simply didn’t have the resources to conduct an investigation of this size, especially not right under the noses of my boss and so many others around me on a daily basis.
The radio on my desk cracked with static, followed by the dispatcher’s voice. “Officer Lovett, we’ve got a call for a domestic disturbance. I’ve called Officer Jameson, but he’s at least twenty minutes away.”
I sighed heavily, running my hand through my hair. I knew Jameson wasn’t driving our regular patrol. Pressing down on the button to reply, I answered with a curt. “I’ll be right there.”
Reluctant to leave my desk when I was in the middle of unraveling information I’d been after for months, I closed what I was working on, logged out of my computer and pocketed the thumb drive with the documents on it for good measure. I couldn’t be too careful with it.
I went out on the call, finding a young couple arguing on the lawn in front of a small house. Several neighbors were gathered outside their own front doors, curious about what was happening. The couple ignored the attention, continuing to yell at each other.
I held out my arms, flashing what I hoped was a reassuring smile at the neighbors. “Nothing to see here folks. Please go back inside your homes. We’ll get this cleared up in no time.”
Of course, no one listened. They retreated but remained either outside or peering through their front windows. The couple seemed to become aware of their audience and my approach after I called out, and both turned to start yelling at me.
I couldn’t make out what they were saying, so I put my hands up with my palms out. “Whoa there, how about we do this one at a time? What seems to be the problem here?”
The young woman glared at who I assumed was her boyfriend and crossed her arms before cutting her furious gaze to mine. “Adam here promised we could get a puppy this weekend. Do you see a puppy around here? No, because he’s a liar. A big, fat liar.”
A puppy? It took everything I had not to roll my eyes. I cut my investigation short over a puppy?
The guy, Adam apparently, glared back at his girlfriend with the same fire in his eyes as in hers. “I said this weekend. It’s only Saturday morning. Plus, how can I go get a puppy if you didn’t get it any bowls or food?”
For crying in a goddamn bucket. “Okay, I think I see what’s going on here, but I’m going to have to ask you to take it inside.”
“There’s no puppy inside,” the girl replied, rolling her eyes like I was the one being unreasonable. “I told Adam already, I’m not going back in the house until it’s with a puppy in my arms.”
“Even so, ma’am.” Jesus, I didn’t have time for this. “Your neighbors lodged a complaint about a domestic disturbance, so—”
“Which neighbor? It was Sandy, wasn’t it?” Adam spat, narrowing his eyes a
t a house somewhere down the street.
I shook my head. “I’m not at liberty to give you that information. Look, I get that getting an animal is a big step in any relationship, but you’re going to have to figure this out inside. Quietly.”
“But—”
“No buts, ma’am. If I might make a suggestion, why don’t you let Adam go get the puppy as promised and while he’s out, go get the supplies you were supposed to get? Meet back here, everyone’s happy.”
They both stared at me like I was nuts, then the girl started smiling and walked up to Adam. “That’s a good idea. Can we do that, baby?”
He slung an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “We can do that.”
After making sure they weren’t going to resume their screaming match, I said my goodbyes and shook my head as I walked back to the squad car. That was ridiculous.
Glad to be on my way back to the station and a productive use of my time, I tightened my fist around the steering wheel when another call came through. Jameson was, somehow, still twenty minutes out.
Fuck. “I’ll be right there.”
Unfortunately, that wasn’t my last call before I finally got back to the station. The paperwork I had to file for each call took almost as long as each petty call had, but it had to get done before I could leave for the day.
By the time it was done, it was later than I’d anticipated working. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I realized I’d set it silent earlier and that I missed a text from Niki sent over an hour ago.
Everything okay?
Shit. I was supposed to be home two hours ago. Without a word from me, I had no doubt she was worried and wasn’t going to be impressed when I waltzed in there.
Everything’s fine. Got a couple of calls I had to deal with. Nothing serious, puppies causing fights and whatnot. Will tell you all about it. Home soon.
She didn’t respond, which wasn’t a good sign. But I wasn’t going to read too much into it until I could see her and judge for myself how pissed off she was. She asked one thing of me, and that was to check in with her from time to time during the day when I was working because she was worried.
I’d broken that promise. I knew I would’ve been beyond worried if I thought she was potentially in danger and I hadn’t heard from her two hours after she was supposed to have gotten home. Fuck.
Niki was waiting for me when I opened the door to my house, pacing the entrance hall. When I opened the door, the panicked expression on her face floored me.
I walked up to hug her, but she put her hands against my chest to stop me. “No, Sonny. Don’t.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I got caught up with paperwork.”
She took a step away from me, eyes blazing as they bore into mine. “This time, you got caught doing paperwork. What happens if next time it’s not that? How will I ever know if you’re safe?”
I reached for her hand, but she pulled away so fast I’d have sworn something bit her. She walked to the living room, and I followed, trying to make sense of how angry she was. “Did something happen? We talked about this. It’s my job. I stay in contact with you as often as I can, but sometimes I get caught up with work.”
“So do I.” She turned to me, placing her hands on her narrow hips. Misty eyes looked back at me. I didn’t know if the unshed tears were from anger or worry, but seeing them and knowing they were my fault either way twisted like a knife in my heart. “But I always let you know I’m safe. You don’t do the same for me.”
“You don’t text me hourly updates on your safety or anything,” I pointed out. “I was fine. I was at the station finishing up my paperwork for the calls I went on today. Nothing sinister.”
“I wouldn’t know though, would I?” she shot back at me without breaking eye contact. “I keep getting threatened, and I don’t even know why anymore. I don’t know anything that’s going on. I’m completely out of the loop, but I’m the one being followed.”
My chest caved as I exhaled a deep breath. “I know, and I’m sorry about that. I’m trying to protect you from it, Niki. The less you know, the better.”
She cut her eyes to the ceiling as if silently asking for patience. “The bad guys don’t know you’re not telling me anything. Obviously. So what difference does it make at this stage whether you tell me or not?”
The way she laid out her argument, I knew these concerns had been building for her. This wasn’t about my being late today, that was simply the catalyst. “We talked about this before. You said you understood. How about we get a drink, sit down and talk about this?”
“We are talking about it,” she snapped. “For once, we’re actually really talking about it. This is me talking about it instead of just listening to you telling me you’re keeping things from me for my protection. That doesn’t cut it anymore. There are people following me, threatening me. I can’t just sit back anymore.”
“We’re not sitting back.”
“No, you’re not sitting back. I am. Between the pressure of the constant threats, not knowing what’s going on, everything being so new between us and asking me to put blind faith in you, I’ve reached my breaking point.”
What the hell did that mean? I started toward her again, convinced that if I could hold her in my arms, we would both be able to breathe properly again. She took a step back and held her hand up.
“Please don’t. Just don’t touch me. Okay? I think we both need to take a step back here.”
I froze, dread churning inside. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m leaving.” Her shoulders slumped as if revealing that piece of information sucked too much energy out of her.
My heart started thudding against my ribs. “Please don’t leave, baby. We can figure this out. I promise you we can. You’re safer here with me. Please let me keep you safe.”
Shoulders rising on a deep breath, Niki lifted her chin and locked her sky blue gaze with mine. “Can we figure this out? Because the way I see it, I don’t know if we can because I don’t know what it is we’re figuring out. We’ve never even talked about what we are to each other, if not simply me being your ward so you can take care of me and keep me safe.”
I cringed. How could she think that’s all she was to me? I knew she felt it too, this irresistible draw between us. “Niki, I—”
She shook her head. “If you’re not about to tell me straight out what I mean to you, I don’t want to hear it.”
Blood roared in my ears. I wasn’t ready for this. I cared about her, and I thought she knew that, but how could I tell her what she meant to me if I was still struggling to wrap my brain around it? I didn’t mean to hesitate, but my thoughts were ricocheting through my mind. I couldn’t think of a single word to say.
She smiled sadly and brushed past me, stopping next to two packed bags against the wall. I hadn’t even noticed them because they were behind me. “I’m leaving, Sonny. I’m sorry it has to be this way, but it does. Talking about things doesn’t usually entail one party clamming up on the other, so clearly you’re not ready to talk about it.”
Faltering for what to say to keep her from walking away from me, I grabbed onto the only thought that had been first and foremost in my mind since the day I met her. “I need to keep you safe, Niki. Please. I need to protect you.”
“That’s not enough anymore,” she said quietly, blinking fast before tearing her eyes from mine and picking up her bags. “I’ll stay with a friend. I won’t be alone.”
“Niki, please. I—don’t leave.”
Without turning to look at me, she dug her keys out of the pocket of her jeans, fidgeted with them for a second, and pulled my key free from her chain. With a soft clunk, she set it down and walked out of my front door.
I was stunned. Before I could do so much as move a muscle, I heard her car start and drive away. I felt nauseous. Surprised didn’t begin to cover it. What the fuck did I do?
My phone was in my hand the next second, ringing after I b
lindly stabbed at Jeremy’s number on my speed dial. Beside myself, I didn’t give him time to say anything when he answered. “Niki’s gone. She just left. She left. I don’t know where.”
Lungs constricting as I said the words, I heard panting before I realized it was coming from me. I couldn’t breathe. Jeremy’s voice came through the line faintly, as if he was talking from underwater.
“Calm down, Sonny. Just breathe, okay. Sit down, put your head between your legs and breathe. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“But Niki,” I choked out, my throat knotted with emotion. “She’s gone.”
“I’ll ask Marie to give her a call,” he said calmly. I followed his instructions and sat down on the couch, hanging my head low until I felt oxygen expanding my lungs. “I’ll be right there. Just stay as you are. Keep breathing. Marie’s calling her now.”
Sending up a silent prayer that my future sister-in-law could get through to Niki, I waited for Jeremy to get to my house. What-ifs rattled around in my brain. What if I told her what I’d been working on? What if I told her how I felt about her earlier?
And the most disturbing one of all, what if Marie couldn’t get through to her?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Niki
Karen’s apartment, as homey as it used to feel to me, felt cold and unfamiliar now. I blew into my hands, trying to warm them up. Despite the balmy weather outside and the blanket I had draped over me on Karen’s red couch, I couldn’t quite get warm.
I’d been cold ever since I left Sonny’s house. Two days later and I was still freezing, inside and out. My mind was foggy, and my limbs felt numb.
The searing pain that shot through my heart when Sonny couldn’t tell me if I even meant something to him was long gone. In its place was a smoking hole in my heart where Sonny used to be. But even that felt slightly numb.
I looked up into Karen’s worried eyes as she handed me what must’ve been my hundredth cup of tea since I arrived two days ago. I wondered if this was going to be the one that finally warmed me up and with any luck, woke me up from this messed up reality I was stuck in.
