I Broke Into His Office (Love at First Crime Book 4)

by Jessica Frances

  “I don’t know. I like you, Harvey. For the longest time, I didn’t think anyone could fit into my life. But I think maybe you can.”

  I hold my breath, hoping this isn’t taking it too far, or labelling things as he likes to call it.

  “Of course I fit. I think I fit rather nicely not half an hour ago.” He reaches over to squeeze my leg.

  I roll my eyes at him. “Fine, too serious for you. Let’s go before you turn this into—”

  “I’m nervous,” he suddenly says, his body tense and eyes focused out the front of the car.

  “Nervous? About us?”

  “No, not us. I’m …” He turns his head to look at me. “Surprisingly, I’m not nervous about us at all.”

  “What are you nervous about, then?”

  “About going in there.” He nods toward Teagan and Joey’s house.

  “Why?”

  “They got a new pup a couple weeks ago.”

  “I remember you saying.”

  “I got close with Karma, and losing her …” He trails off, no longer looking my way. “When I was in the military, I had a MWD—military working dog. I only had him about ten months when we were ambushed. We weren’t supposed to be near any front lines. A bomb had gone off a few days earlier, and we were searching the debris for anything useful. It was all routine … until it wasn’t. Long story short, we got out of there with only a couple casualties. One of those was my dog. He was shot and died instantly.”

  “Fuck,” I gasp, my head spinning.

  “I carried him back to our transport and got him back to base. After that, I couldn’t go on. Once my contract ended, I left. I know he was just a dog, but …” He shakes his head, his voice cracking under the emotions he keeps bottled up. “He was my best friend. I spent every day with him. The guys I was stationed with, the ones who I thought were my friends, found the idea of me mourning a dog’s death funny. They thought I should suck it up and just get over it.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” I snap, not that he’s listening. He seems to be in a trance.

  “As one of the few out men at base, I was already considered an outsider. Me losing my shit over a dog just meant I was more of an outcast.”

  “I’m sorry you had to go through that. Losing an animal is not lesser than losing a person. Not in my eyes,” I tell him, placing my hand over his thigh and squeezing, hoping he gains some strength from my touch like I do from him so often.

  “I know. I’m not insecure in who I am. I have never found it easy to bond with other people, and after my family disowned me, well, that became even harder. But for some reason, dogs just get right under my skin. I guess because they love unconditionally. They don’t disappoint me. I can always trust them.”

  I nod, understanding this. “Why are you nervous about meeting Joey and Teagan’s new dog?”

  “Because I don’t have the best luck when it comes to dogs.”

  “None of what you told me is your fault, and to be honest, that all seems rather extreme. I’m certain ninety-nine percent of pets die of old age.”

  He sighs heavily, his shoulders drooping as he finally turns to look at me. “I’ve never told anyone that story. Not even Teagan.”

  “Then thank you for trusting me enough to share it.” I give him a small smile. Inside, I’m jumping up and down.

  Harvey doesn’t like labels or stating how he feels or what he sees in the future when it comes to us, but his actions speak much louder.

  “Come on; let’s get this over and done with. And if you like their dog so much, let’s just kidnap him and keep him in your apartment. I could use the company when you’re out.”

  “He’s a she, and I don’t think Joey or Teagan will like that idea too much.”

  “Whatever.” I grin, one that grows bigger when he pulls me in for a kiss.

  “Thank you for listening.”

  “Anytime,” I promise.

  “Come on; I bet we’re being watched right now out their front window.”

  I glance up to see the curtains fluttering. He may be right.

  Harvey helps me carry in the three large platters I put together, full of dips, crackers, cheeses, and meats. Harvey’s idea of bringing something to a party is a few bottles of his ale. Since none of the guys ordered ale at the restaurant, I’m certain this is extra rude since he will be the only one drinking them.

  “Shit, are there more people coming than I realized?” Teagan asks, watching us set the platters down on the dining room table. “Or did you ask Sasha what to bring?”

  “No, I didn’t want to seem ungrateful,” I explain, smiling when Ava comes up to me with a beer.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m never having sweet wine again,” she says, taking a small sip of her beer. “Which means I’m now ruined for vodka from my bachelorette party, champagne from Teagan’s birthday earlier this year, and now sweet wine. I am only ever drinking the stuff I like alone from now on. So, if beer is ruined for me tonight, I won’t cry,” she explains, taking another sip before her eyes fall on the food. “Shit, how big is this party going to be?”

  “It’s not that much food,” I say as I glance around for Harvey, seeing him through the glass by a portable gas heater in the backyard. The guys are out there drinking, and all look to be in deep conversation.

  “They’ve been out there since they got here. They’re talking shop,” Sasha informs me.

  “Talking shop?”

  “About your case. They’re worried something might happen tonight. You know, busy night and all. Everyone is already stretched thin.”

  “Sash,” Ava snaps. “Don’t stress him out. Nix deserves to enjoy his night.”

  “It’s okay. I was already wondering the same thing. Just wish I knew what was being planned. I mean, maybe something will happen tonight and we just won’t know.”

  “Then there is no point worrying about it,” Ava informs me, her stern gaze on Sasha.

  “Nix has always been a worrier,” Scarlett speaks up from the couch where she has her arm around Cynthia who has Ava’s baby sitting in her lap.

  “You can’t exactly say this isn’t something worth worrying about,” I tell her.

  “True, but you are a worrier.”

  I turn away from her, already getting annoyed. I take a large gulp of beer.

  “Didn’t you say your brother and Mom were coming up for New Year’s?” Sasha asks Teagan.

  “They were going to, but it turns out Grayson may have caused some drama in Arizona.”

  “Really? What kind of drama?”

  “The kind that probably started about nine months ago and has suddenly and unexpectedly popped up now.”

  Ava and Sasha gasp, while I try to look interested.

  This is Harvey’s best friend. I should probably want to get to know her better, but are we seriously about to start talking babies again? I mean, I have barely been here five minutes.

  “No shit? What’s he going to do?” Sasha asks.

  “I don’t know. He has to get his shit together. Learn to stay in one place.”

  “Sorry they couldn’t be here for you,” Ava murmurs, touching her arm gently.

  “They will be when it’s important.” She runs her hand over her belly, and all the women smile. “In fact, all my brothers will be coming down with their families, so if you know any hotels that can house them all …” she jokes.

  Just how many brothers does she have?

  “I can’t wait to not be the only one with a kid around here!” Ava says, giving Sasha the stink eye, which seems to make her shrink. I didn’t even know Sasha knew how to back down from a fight.

  Before I can ponder that, a puppy comes out of nowhere, a chewed-up sneaker in her mouth, which she drops at my feet.

  “Madden, no!” Teagan admonishes. “You know Daddy hates when you eat his shoes.”

  “Oh, she is so sweet!” Sasha gushes, leaning over to pet her, only to have her dodge Sasha’s hand. “Why the hell doesn’t
she like me?”

  “You’re too brash. She is afraid of you,” Teagan tells her.

  “Okay, then what about Ava? Or Cynthia? That dog only likes you and Joey,” she continues to complain.

  “I don’t know. I guess she’s spent the most time around us.” She gives Sasha a shrug, while I crouch down to pick up the half-eaten shoe.

  “You’ve had her, like, two weeks!” Ava points out.

  The shoe is slobbery and gross, but Madden has her tongue out and looks quite proud of herself.

  “For me?” I ask, holding the shoe back out to her. It’s not like it can be salvaged, anyway.

  She shakes her head, as if she understands me and is genuinely saying no, before she leaps at me.

  I drop the shoe so I can catch her one-handed, luckily saving my beer.

  “No fucking way! She likes Nix? She’s only just seen him for the first time!” Sasha whines. “What the hell have you been telling this dog about us?”

  Teagan’s eyes soften as she looks at us, but I barely get to enjoy the kind gaze since I’m attempting to not get slobber all over my lips. Apparently, Madden wants to make out with me desperately.

  “How about you take her out to the guys? It’s about time she met her uncle Harvey,” Teagan offers.

  I gladly take the out in case they begin to talk about babies again, carrying Madden and my beer outside, only to be stopped short by Joey.

  “Are you fucking with me? First Harvey steals my woman, and now you’re trying to steal my girl?” he demands, petting Madden’s small head before he shakes his head at me, continuing over to the cooler to grab a fresh beer.

  “Ignore him. He’s just jealous,” Harvey assures me, having no choice but to catch Madden when she practically leaps into his arms.

  I watch his body shift from tense and uncertain to relaxed in a second. He grins hugely at Madden, who is making out with his chin, and hugs her to his chest.

  “You gonna come for walks with me and your momma?” he asks the small animal, melting my heart and turning me on all at once. Harvey has never looked hotter than he does now with a cute, furry puppy cuddled in his oversized arms.

  Okay, maybe naked Harvey has this beat.

  Or Harvey in his underwear.

  Or Harvey on his knees.

  Fine, this is definitely a top-five Harvey look.

  Some people have a thing for men in uniform, or men with babies. For me, it has always been men with adorable animals. Not that I would ever turn down Harvey in a uniform.

  “So, you guys have any luck clearing out your office?” I ask everyone, hoping this won’t be a dead-end talk since things quieted down when I made my way over. I guess they don’t like to talk shop when outsiders are around, even if it is my case they are discussing.

  “Nah, it’s a mess and the investigation is taking longer than usual because of the huge backlog. Christmas is not the time you want something to go wrong. Crime is up and everyone is on vacation,” Joey says.

  “Makes you wonder why you’d agree to let Gemma have time off work this time of year,” Declan grumbles.

  All eyes turn to Zander.

  “She had a good reason,” he says, not explaining, yet no one presses him.

  This must be another P.I. who works with them I have yet to meet.

  “How about the restaurant?” Joey asks.

  “About the same. They know it was started in the bar. They know it was deliberately lit, and the fact that alcohol was right there meant there was basically zero chance that fire was going to be anything except ferocious.”

  “That sucks, man,” Declan commiserates.

  “Yep.” I sound indifferent, but if I give this too much thought, then I get angry. Tonight doesn’t seem like a good time to give in to that.

  “You are gonna rebuild, though, right?” Zander asks.

  “Yeah, definitely. I know it’s not the end of the world. I’m just angry at this whole situation.”

  All the guys nod in agreement, understanding.

  “You haven’t heard from any of your dad’s guys?” Joey presses.

  “Not a peep.” Which is probably not a good sign, but whatever.

  I have enjoyed my week with Harvey, even though he has had to leave me several times for work. I haven’t had this type of time off in years, and while I’m constantly struck with guilt or anger, there are more moments of peace and relaxation. Plus, the companionship with Harvey has gone a long way to making this transition easier.

  And it isn’t just about the sex. Yes, I’m getting regular orgasms right now, but I also love being around him, making him laugh or smile, and sharing a meal with the man. I have never had this type of intimacy with another person, and I’m scared because I like it more than I ever thought I would.

  “Don’t worry; we’ll put a stop to this,” Zander assures me, clapping his hand down on my shoulder before he takes another sip of his beer.

  “Dad!” a young voice screams out.

  I turn just in time to see Zander shove his beer at Declan, who almost drops it. Then Zander crouches down and catches his son who leaps into the air at him without a single fear that his dad won’t catch him.

  “Hey, buddy. Should you be out here?” he asks, hugging his son to him as he stands.

  I can’t recall how old the kid is, but his curly locks and deep blue eyes are perhaps the cutest thing ever.

  Maybe I am a sap, or belong with the women since I immediately want to aw at the sweet sight. Then again, amongst the men here, the best I see is the softening of the guys’ eyes.

  “So, you guys talked about having kids yet?” Joey asks me when I notice I have his attention.

  I inhale the beer at my lips rather than properly drink it, so my splutter and coughing fit afterward causes all the guys to laugh, except for Harvey, who punches Joey in the arm

  “Fuck off. Pretty sure Teagan mentioned wanting at least eight kids, so you need to be careful,” Harvey grunts.

  “Liar. I already know she only wants four,” he argues back. I can tell he sounds a little unsure.

  “If that’s what she told you, then believe what you want to believe. Don’t triplets run in her family?” Harvey continues, causing Joey to sweat.

  “Leave him alone, man. He’s still gotta get through his first kid,” Zander cuts in before Joey can start hyperventilating.

  I feel a little bad for him, until I recall him messing with me just a minute ago.

  “How about you all just fuck off and get on Declan’s case,” Joey grumbles, taking a long swig of his beer.

  Declan looks awkward, shifting his feet while he looks around the backyard.

  I have no idea what that’s about, but he seems to be hiding something.

  “How many kids does Ava want, then?” Harvey speaks up, breaking the weird silence and surprising all the guys.

  “You are actually asking a personal question?” Joey questions, while the others have mouths agape.

  “Fuck off.”

  “No, I’m being serious right now. Are you okay?” Joey continues.

  “Maybe I should tell Teagan that nine is a much better number than eight.”

  “How about you fuck off?” Joey growls back.

  “How about you fuckers stop swearing in front of my boy?” Zander snaps, covering Jensen’s ears, which he immediately thinks is a game.

  “I’m not fucking swearing. He is!” Joey snaps. “Teagan may like you, but don’t forget she loves me.”

  Harvey smirks. “Actually, I think it’s the other way around.”

  “Teags!” Joey bellows, earning him a glare from Zander.

  “Did you just bellow for me?” Teagan demands, moving out of the house and stomping her way over to Joey.

  “Tell Harvey you love me more than him,” he says, his confidence taking a hit when Teagan looks pissed.

  “You yelled at your pregnant girlfriend to get over here so you can settle some stupid debate?” she hisses.

  “Well … no, of co
urse not,” he begins to backtrack.

  “Actually, he did. And he claims you only like me,” Harvey throws Joey under the bus.

  “Right this second, I don’t like either of you!” she snaps, resting her hands on her hips.

  “No fighting in front of Jensen,” Ava calls out as she places one of the platters I made on the outside table before walking over to her son to place her hand over his cheek. She then places a beanie over his wild curls, which causes him to duck his head into Zander’s shoulder and rides the material up farther.

  She rolls her eyes, leans in to give Zander a kiss, and then walks back inside. Teagan follows Ava, giving Harvey and Joey a dirty look before Joey and Declan turn to chat to each other.

  Jensen lifts his head once his mom is out of sight and throws the beanie off his head. This starts a discussion between father and son about keeping the beanie on.

  My eyes follow Harvey as he moves over to the platter, sitting his ass down in one of the seats so he can start eating, as well as feeding Madden, which gets him yelled at through the back door by Teagan.

  I join him, grabbing a couple cherry tomatoes out of a salad bowl. Soon the others migrate over to the table, which becomes full of food.

  When I realize my platters take up most of the space, I concede that maybe I did bring too much. However, as the beer pours freely, the conversations get louder, and the kids are long ago put to bed, the food ends up getting demolished.

  There is plenty of laughter and easy banter between the group of friends, and I find myself fitting in easily.

  Sasha constantly cries out babies all night, and I reply in kind by shouting penis. No one even gives us strange looks after the first few times.

  Harvey keeps me tucked into his side for most of the night, and when the clock strikes midnight, I get my first midnight kiss in years. Then we watch as the fireworks explode in the sky off in the distance.

  ***

  Leaving the house in the early hours of the morning seems pointless, especially when Teagan and Joey try to get us to stay. Ava and Zander are already taking up the spare room, sharing a bed with Jensen, while Kiera sleeps in the portable crib they set up. But Harvey stopped drinking hours ago, and considering all the food he consumed, he is sober enough to drive.