Etched in Glass

by Nyxie Marrs

  The energy between us kicks in high gear and I really don’t want him to pull away now. I clutch onto the sides of his open jacket to make sure his warm body isn’t going anywhere. What is wrong with me? There’s a few more seconds of his warm lips locked onto mine, until I hear footsteps hurrying towards us. I push Miles away as I slide his concealed weapon out from his holster and point it in the direction of the rushed steps.

  “Fuck.” Redmond says as he instantly stops, and places his hands up.

  Miles chuckles taking his gun back from me. “You got it? That was fast.” He asks amusingly, or is that frustration?

  Redmond takes a few cautious steps towards us and hands Miles the disc. “Yeah. Just, don’t shoot the messenger, Vega.”

  I smile and he looks between us. There’s, no keeping that obvious act locked away, is there? Let alone the confused feelings I’ve been having about Miles. Hell, it isn’t confusion anymore. All I needed was one swift kiss to take the breath out of me, but panic starts to set in. I need to backtrack. I can’t do this, not right now. Not with Elara in the grasp of a killer. What the hell did I just do?

  “Look, it’s late. We can probably take a look at this tomorrow?” Miles asks as he watches my expression then turns to Redmond.

  “I’m good with that. Vega, I’m sure you’ve had enough excitement for tonight? We should all get some rest, yeah?” Redmond replies. I think he really just wants to give Miles and I time alone after what he just interrupted. I’m glad he did. I might not have been able to stop myself.

  Chapter 27

  Miles

  “What if I fucked it all up?” She asks me as we walk inside the house.

  She places her purse on the counter and watches me. I have no idea if she was okay with that kiss, but she didn’t stop me. Hasn’t brought it up either though.

  “What do you mean?” I sit next to her.

  “What if that was him? I screwed up his plan and we didn’t catch him.” Now she’s worried he got away? She can’t blame herself for that.

  “You stopped a potential abduction and you’re okay. You didn’t mess anything up, you saved a life.” I hope she can hear how proud I am of that.

  Stopping that woman from being dragged out of there was damn ballsy. Knowing who she was about to confront just showed me how tough and determined she is. Which is alarming. Straight out confronting that man, knowing who she might be coming face to face with, and she still went in confidently. Hell, even determined to chase him down after making sure that woman was okay. Vega's unpredictable.

  “Miles.” That same soft tone as earlier stops my internal thoughts. Except, I can see that distress. I’m just glad she didn’t get into more trouble than she already did. “I’m going to go wash off that bar fight. Maybe have a small snack after. Any pizza left?”

  “Sorry, Vega. You let Red in on your stash, he finished it off for you. I can make something if you’d like.”

  “Only if you want to. Otherwise, I’m sure I can scrounge up something on my own.” She disappears down the hall and I get started on a small snack.

  Ten minutes later we’re sitting in the kitchen. I’m feeling a bit awkward, it’s like she just brushed off what happened between us and moved on. I know that kiss was beyond wonderful and full of desire, and not just for me. She pulled me in and didn’t let go. Had Red not been so quick to grab that surveillance-. Well, that doesn’t matter now. We’re home, she’s dressed very comfortably and warm, and obviously not interested in discussing anything.

  Vega traces her fingers over the case the disc is in. I know what she’s thinking instead of what happened between us.

  “Red never did say if he got information from following that man, did he?” She takes a short look at me and I can see what she wants to do.

  “Vega. Could we pick that up tomorrow? No more work right now.”

  “I, um. Don’t really want to get into that other stuff right now either. I figured this could help me.” She scoots the disc closer to me. “Come on, you know you want to see Brad and Dante slam onto the floor.” She teases. She knows I would want to see that.

  “Damnit, Vega.” I need to see it. That smile of hers is starting to come around more often, and I can’t help but be drawn in every time. When I met her, she was headed down a dangerous path. I’m relieved she’s here and letting me help.

  She brought in my computer and hands it to me. Pulling her chair closer so she’s basically leaning against my shoulder as she nudges her way to look at the screen. The video pops up and that excited smile widens.

  We watch the three men enter the bar. Keeping an eye on their actions as they drink. It really is more helpful knowing exactly what went on because we were there. The woman Vega followed definitely fit the description of his victims. In a group, seemed upset, ordered a few famous old fashioned drinks.

  “Wait. Wait. Wait. Miles.” She takes over the control and turns the video back, pausing it just as that man started walking towards the hall.

  “What is it?”

  “Well. I seriously need to figure out who this guy is. I saw his face, Miles, he’s familiar. And look.” She points to the guy as he passes the woman’s table, setting a glass down without her group noticing.

  “Did he?” I didn’t even have to finish that sentence for her to forward it to him bolting out of the place.

  “Looks like he tried. But no. He left it.” She quietly says. We didn’t pick it up either.

  “You sure you know him?” That worries me.

  She nods. “Yeah. Definitely have seen him before. Wait. Who were the two guys that came in after him?”

  Of course she replays it and follows the other two. “No.” I blurt out. Dante and Brad. I’m actually not surprised, well, maybe a little stunned.

  After they walk in, they sit at the bar. A while after that they remove their hats and jackets. Maybe they aren’t with him and them being there is a huge coincidence? Then there’s the part where she flattens Brad to the floor with one punch.

  “To be honest, I didn’t know that was him with the first hit.” I definitely want to hear that light laugh again.

  “Yeah. Happy you got two of them at least?” I put my arm around her and pull her into me. Her damp hair grazes my arm, sending a few chills through my body.

  “Oh, of course. The hard part is going to work tomorrow.” That afflicted look on her face every time she mentions them just tears me. The whole precinct got on her side once they saw how they handled this case. Dave and a few others were more determined to help.

  “Maybe we won’t see them? They’ll stay home, lick their wounds?” I wish I could assure her they’d never be a problem again, but I can’t.

  “Maybe it’ll all be better once this case is solved? I’m not going to let them close this without more fight. We need to save those women.” She ejects the disc and shuts down my computer.

  The fact she thinks she knows this guy has me worried. Possibly more now because she botched his hunt.

  “You know, it’s getting late.” I’m trying to find a distraction. Hell, I can’t think of that right now, I just need to distract my thoughts from the worst case scenario. Her in their hands.

  “I know. How about we talk in the morning?” She’s really trying to avoid further discussion on that other subject.

  “Sure, anything you want, Vega.” I am not going to make her uncomfortable or force the subject. She’s has a lot going on.

  *​​*​​*

  I wake up to Red's message around five.

  Hey. Everything go okay last night?

  “What?” I quietly said to myself.

  What do you mean?

  I have no idea what he’s trying to get at. He knows what he interrupted last night.

  With Vega. She okay?

  Well, at least he’s not going to jump into that subject either.

  As far as I know, she’s fine. Just upset the guy got away. We might want to be worried.

  Well, I should tell him
we watched the video, and my thoughts about her being in trouble now.

  Why’s that?

  I wonder what he did get when he followed the guy.

  Because she botched his grab. He placed the cup on the table. She saw his face and thinks she’s seen him before.

  Well, that’s a short and direct answer.

  Fuck.

  Yup, sums up my reaction too.

  I'll be over soon? He asks.

  Sure.

  Never knowing what Red's ‘soon’ is, I decide to get up. After I shower, I walk out towards the kitchen where Vega has already put on coffee, and made something to eat. Well, I didn’t know she could cook, when I went to her place there wasn’t any food in sight.

  “Morning.” Her quiet voice moves into the kitchen and she sips her coffee avoiding eye contact. So this is how it’s going to be?

  “Morning. Thanks for the coffee and food. Red said he’ll be over soon. Never know how long his soon means. It’s different every time.” She’s bundled in the blanket on the couch cupping her hands around her coffee with a few files around her. I wonder how long she’s been awake. Or hell, did she even sleep?

  “Hm. So there’s no avoiding it. And may I just say, what the hell were you thinking?” Shit. Now there’s eye contact, that devilish look makes me wish she kept avoiding it. I choke on my coffee. It’s nice she’s straight forward, but a warning would have been nice.

  “No, no avoidance. And maybe I wasn’t thinking.” A small smile pulls at the corner of her mouth, but she brushes it away quick.

  “I see. So when you don’t think, you decide to kiss someone?” There’s that smile again.

  “Come on, Vega. Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it.”

  “Never said I didn’t. But that’s not the point, and it wasn’t appropriate for the situation.” Oh, wasn’t it though?

  “Maybe saving you from dire situations got to me?” I have a feeling she likes the confident smile on my face right now. She has a huge smile as she takes another sip of coffee. Interesting.

  “I see. Well then-.” The doorbell interrupts her. I really want to know what she’s going to say. Red has some impeccable timing. She giggles and walks down the hall.

  I open the door and Red’s smile fades when he looks at me.

  “I did it again?” At least he knows what just happened.

  “Sort of. Just discussions.” I say as he walked in. “Watched that video last night. Vega kicked some serious ass. Those men are a hell of a lot bigger than she is and she won. Brad and Dante.” I laugh. Red looks pleased at that information. Don’t blame him, Brad was after Anya.

  “Good timing, Redmond.” She winks and sits on the couch.

  “You’re nearly glowing with happiness there, Vega. Pride in finally knocking a few of them down?” He’s not wrong. She’s pretty content.

  Chapter 28

  Red

  “Okay then. Since you guys took a sneak peek, let me see that video.” I say as I pick up a few things made for breakfast. “Oh, Vega. Thanks for this.” I hold up a piece of bacon.

  “How’d you know Miles didn’t make it?” She gathers the blanket around her a little bit, making herself comfortable.

  “Because this man can cook, but not this good. Plus, the coffee is great.” Miles gives me a hard look as I laugh. He pulls up the video and slides the computer in front of me. After seeing what Vega found last time, I’m going to concentrate on this footage.

  While I attempt to watch this, Miles walks over and sits next to Vega. An arm goes around her and she leans in. So they did clear things up and figured out a relationship between them. Wonder if I can get Anya to double. Vega might be able to convince her. They seem similar in avoiding social situations anyways. If Vega can break out of that, she can probably help Anya do it. Damnit, focus.

  I have to rewind this thing. I’m thinking too much about other things not relevant to this.

  In this grainy video, Vega watches the woman get up from her group. If she thought the woman was worth watching, she probably was. I see her head switch to the man who got up shortly after this woman. Vega gets up. The man cuts in front of Vega. I can’t see much down that hallway, it’s pretty dark.

  The man pulls down on his hat as he walks out of the hallway and rushes by that woman’s table. That’s when I took off after him. Now Vega rush out of that hallway, watching the front door like she’s going to bust it down. As she passes by a table, a man grabs her arm. And this woman. Come on. The men she works with aren’t weaklings and she drops those two like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

  I look over the top of the computer at her leaning against Miles and she looks pretty comfortable. I never thought she could knock down those two men. Sure she’s aggressive, but I thought it was just a defense. I underestimated that fight she has.

  “Damn, Vega.”

  “You got to that part?” That smile shows his amusement and pride. Vega just grunts an agreeing tone.

  “You just did what everyone at the precinct wants to do, that’s all. I’d love to frame this image. That’d be great.” They both laugh.

  “So. I think I messed up. Ruined his plan.”

  “Vega. You didn’t mess up a damn thing.” Miles looks at me like he’s fed up with her comment too.

  “Funny. Miles said the same thing.” She mumbles under her breath, but still loud enough for me to hear.

  “Because it’s true. And I’m sure you are going to be glued to Miles if he ever decides to let you go back out there. That was too close, Vega. And even if you hadn’t seen him before, you have now. I don’t need to tell you how risky that is.” My reply is a little aggressive, but I can’t help but worry because she’s seen the man’s face. Obviously the man doing this knows she’s seen him. The question is; what will he do about it?

  “First, hell no.” She pushes away from him. “Second, I’ll do what I want.” She stands up and takes a step towards me. “Third, I don’t care if I’ve seen him. That’s bad for him, isn’t it?” Miles wraps an arm around her and pulls her onto him after she took a few more steps.

  “You know, Vega. You don’t need to be in the line of fire all the time. It’s perfectly fine to just watch it all and still go through the evidence.” I say as she struggles against him. I’m sure she isn’t using as much strength as she could. No. After see her level those two men to the ground, she’s going light against Miles.

  “If I didn’t, that woman would have been abducted. I’m sure I scared the shit out of her after I told her she could end up dead if she’s not careful out by herself.” That aggression is building up her fight. I think I’m glad Miles is holding onto her with that feisty attitude.

  Chapter 29

  Vega

  One step into the precinct this late in the afternoon and all eyes are on me. This is from that display of aggression yesterday, isn’t it? Or could it be from the two men I knocked down last night?

  Miles and Redmond aren’t too far behind me, but definitely keeping a distance. Off to my right, my four ex-coworkers are standing in the corner office set up for them. With the two holding their faces as I walk by. The other two look pretty pissed. Leaving a smirk on my face as.

  I’ve given up on getting through to them. I’ve separated and am working solely with Miles and Redmond. That email I sent off, got a nice friend in HR, Holly, who is a complete feminist and someone who owes me favors, to change our positions. Explained the case and their actions to her. Putting me in lead, well of my own involvement in this. I haven’t told Miles that.

  “Nothing?” Miles says as we walk to my new office.

  Redmond laughs. “Did you see their face? Good hit Vega.” He says quietly as he closes the door behind me.

  “They’ve got nothing to say because I made a huge shift in our working positions.” I steal Redmond’s chair and lean back. Smiling while he looks to Miles.

  “What’s that mean?” Miles asks. Redmond cautiously sits on the corner of the desk, looking
to Miles. Like Miles needs to approve everything he does around me. What the hell happened for Redmond to be so nervous around me?

  “It means, I’m on my own case in this. They’re probably pissed. Hence the drinking. Got a lovely woman in a high position to put them on a warning and a separate investigation than my own. I may have helped her out once or twice.” Once or twice is an understatement. Helping her out of an abusive relationship and making sure the man could never go near her again is what gave me her help.

  “So, why do we even come in here? We’ve got all we need back at Miles’ place thanks to Vega.” Redmond says as he looks through the few pieces of paper on the desk.

  “To see the damage Vega did.” Miles replies as he leans back in his chair smugly.

  “Oh, hey. Vega. While you’re here I have to ask you for a favor.” Redmond grins. There’s definitely something up by that smile he’s giving me.

  “Why do I not like the sound of that?” I sit up straight, now worried what the hell it is he wants me to do.

  “It’s nothing, really. I would love it if you could talk to Anya for me. Maybe convince her to go on a double date? I have a feeling you two would get along.” He looks very hopeful right now with his wide smile trying to be persuasive.

  “Oh, you want me to take her out and you go with Miles? Not a bad proposition. I’ve seen her around, she’s cute.” I wink at Redmond and glance to Miles who’s having a hard time speaking. Then a small laugh came from them.

  “Whatever it takes to get her out of that office of hers and out with me, sure.”