Against All Odds

by Stacy Claflin

  As much as she struggled, the chair didn’t budge. The ropes didn’t feel any looser, either. Not yet. Zoey didn’t even care how much she hurt herself fighting against the ties, not as long as it would lead to her getting free.

  She would fight until she could get out of the gross little house with Ava.

  Step, step, step.

  Zoey froze.

  The gunman was coming back.

  Her heart raced. Was he coming to finish his job? He hadn’t been able to shoot her at the school.

  Step, step.

  Zoey’s mouth dried. She tried to swallow. Her hair stuck to her face, and a drop of sweat dripped from her forehead, barely missing her eye. She struggled to breathe normally.

  He rounded the corner and stopped. “Having fun? Looks like you’ve been busy.”

  She glared at him, unable to respond due to the duct tape and gag.

  He laughed. “Oh, that’s right. You can’t answer me.”

  Zoey struggled more, trying to yell at him even though it came out as nothing more than muffled noises.

  “Gotta give you points for trying.”

  She knitted her brows together.

  He walked near her, kicking up dust, but instead of coming over, he went to a counter that connected to a kitchen. From Zoey’s angle, it looked just as disgusting as the room she was in. He moved things around, throwing more dust into the air, and then turned around with a sub sandwich and bit into it.

  Her stomach rumbled. It had been so long since she’d last eaten. Maybe more than a day at this point. There wasn’t any natural light coming into the room, so it was hard to tell.

  “Hungry?” He laughed, then took a more dramatic bite.

  She struggled all the more against the ties.

  “Having fun?”

  Zoey wanted to ask if that was his favorite saying. Or maybe he was too stupid to think of something more original. That could be why he needed to carry guns—to make himself feel important.

  He took his sweet time eating the sandwich as dramatically as possible, even going so far as to lick his lips and waggle his brows at her.

  She couldn’t take her attention off the food. Her mouth watered and her stomach continued to growl. Zoey hated how weak the hunger made her—she would do just about anything for even one bite.

  Finally, the pig finished it and wiped his hands on his pants. His mouth formed a slow smile, and he looked her over slowly.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  Zoey narrowed her eyes. What a stupid question. Even if she had eaten before stopping off at the school, she’d be famished by now. He was just taunting her.

  “Not going to answer me?” He laughed again.

  The sound grated on her last remaining nerve.

  “Well, go ahead and keep struggling. It’s not going to do you any good. I know how to tie knots you couldn’t get through even if you had two free hands.”

  She continued glaring at him. It was all she had.

  “I’ll just wait until your attitude improves. Then we can talk about removing the tape and giving you something to eat or drink.”

  Zoey froze. He was actually going to feed her? Or was he lying to get her to be more cooperative?

  “Got your attention, did I? Well, I’m going to leave you to fix your attitude. You’ll be a lot better off doing that than trying to break out of the ropes.” He sneered at her before storming away.

  She waited to see if he would come back. When she heard a door slam, she went back to struggling against the ropes.

  Sweet

  Genevieve woke, the sound of a snore so close startling her. Then she remembered Nick had stayed over, and she opened her eyes. He lay, sprawled across the bed, the blankets barely covering his bare stomach.

  She drew in a deep breath and studied him, wanting to hold onto the image. The night before had been incredible. More than that. It had beat all her daydreams by leaps and bounds. She closed her eyes and relived every moment.

  When Genevieve opened her eyes, Nick rolled over toward her. Her breath caught, eager to tell him good morning, and maybe even pick up where they’d left off the night before.

  But his eyes remained closed and he let out another little snore. She studied his muscular arms and frame, wanting to run her arms over every inch again. To kiss him all over.

  She sighed, hardly able to believe he was actually there. That the night before had happened. But it had.

  And the reality was that after he woke, he’d want to get back to the station because his daughter was missing. That had been the reason he’d come over in the first place.

  This wasn’t a vacation. It was his nightmare, and she’d just given him a distraction. Though hopefully it was much more than that. There was no denying the tension between them that neither had acted on for so long. That was part of what had made last night so magical.

  Genevieve rolled to her other side and snuggled next to him, taking in the feel of him being so close. To her surprise, he wrapped an arm around and mumbled something incoherent.

  Had he woken? Nick didn’t say anything else. He must have mumbled something in his sleep.

  She threaded her fingers through his and took a deep breath, enjoying the moment.

  Once he woke, they’d both have to make their way to the station. It was her day off, but with the shootout and the bomb, it was all hands on deck. Day off or not, she had to be there.

  Though it was possible the feds might come in and offer their support, she would insist on helping. She’d meant it when she told Nick she’d do anything to help find Ava.

  Genevieve closed her eyes and let her mind wander… mostly to the night before.

  Then her eyes flew open. What would this mean for their jobs? Everything had happened so fast, they hadn’t had time to discuss this. Relationships between members of the force were strictly forbidden. Not that it didn’t happen from time to time. She heard rumors and also caught the way some people looked at each other, letting their gazes linger. Touches that were slightly more than just friendly.

  Did people see that between her and Nick? Nobody had ever said anything, but then again, they may have and Nick set them straight.

  But now what? He couldn’t honestly deny anything was between them. That was why she had wanted to change departments before allowing anything to happen.

  Too late for that now.

  Maybe they could just act like everything was normal. And perhaps nobody would question Nick. He was the captain. Everyone’s boss.

  Or that might put him under more scrutiny. There were others who wanted his rank.

  Genevieve’s stomach tightened. The last thing she ever wanted to do was put his job in jeopardy.

  It had been hard to think straight last night. He’d been in so much pain, she could feel it. The look in his eyes had cut her to the core. He had even said he’d needed her.

  Maybe she should’ve offered to let him talk. Console him.

  What if she’d taken advantage of him? He’d clearly been at a low point. She’d worn her clingiest dress and gone to the extra effort of styling her hair and fixing her makeup before he came over.

  Had she ruined everything? What if he woke and realized his job was now on the line?

  Her pulse pounded through her body. What had seemed like the right thing the night before now felt like such a mistake in the morning’s light.

  Nick’s hand twitched in hers. “Genevieve?”

  Her heart leaped into her throat. It was the moment of truth. Had she ruined the good thing they’d been keeping under control for so long? Working painfully slowly at building?

  She swallowed. “Nick.”

  He squeezed her hand, then let go and traced her arm.

  Heart thundering so loud he had to have been able to hear it, she slowly rolled over.

  Nick held her gaze, then smiled.

  He smiled?

  Relief flooded through her.

  He ran the back of his fingers along her che
ek. “Last night was…” His voice drifted off.

  Her voice caught. Last night was wonderful? A mistake?

  Nick pressed his lips on hers.

  It sent a thrill through her. He didn’t think it was a mistake.

  “You’re so beautiful, you know that?”

  Before she could answer, he kissed her again and drew closer.

  Click.

  The door.

  Tinsley would be up by now.

  Dread ran through Genevieve. She sat up and turned toward the door.

  Sure enough, the girl stood in the doorway.

  “Tinsley.” Genevieve’s mind raced. “I’ll get you some breakfast in a minute, okay?”

  She just stared at the two of them, wide-eyed.

  Nick swore.

  Genevieve’s heart dropped and shattered. “Go get dressed, okay, honey?”

  Tinsley stepped into the hall and disappeared from sight.

  Nick swore again, but this time, jumped from the bed and pulled on his clothes.

  “Nick—”

  “I’ve got to go.”

  “She’s not going to say anything.”

  He just stared at her as he pulled on his socks.

  “Neither will I. Nothing has to change.” Her pulse raced through her body.

  Nick didn’t respond.

  “Tinsley doesn’t talk to anyone but me. Well, and her therapist, who can’t break client privilege.”

  “That can’t last forever. I have to go. I need to get to the station.”

  “Can I get you something? Breakfast?”

  He shook his head. “I have to get out of here before she comes out of her room.”

  “I’ll explain—”

  Without a word, he fled.

  Mistake

  Bile rose in Nick’s mouth as he pulled into his parking spot at home.

  What had he done?

  In a moment of weakness he’d thrown caution to the wind and put his career on the line. He’d pulled Genevieve—Foster—under his wing because he’d seen her potential. It wasn’t because she was gorgeous, but who would believe him? The young officer was hot. They’d see Nick as a dirty old man compared to her.

  A predator. Someone not fit for being the police captain.

  He raced into his apartment to wash off the smell of her perfume. The aroma brought back a wave of memories.

  Memories that could kill his career.

  What had he been thinking? Not only had he put his job at risk, but he’d gone and given way to passion while his daughter was missing? What kind of sick piece of crap was he?

  Ava was probably out there somewhere, cold and scared, and he’d been in the throes of passion.

  He was lower than low. Pond scum ranked higher than him.

  Not only that, but he’d also put Genevieve’s—Foster’s—job at risk, too. And given her false hope at a relationship that they couldn’t have. Not now. Not until they worked at different precincts and Ava was home, safe and sound.

  Nick hurried to get ready, making extra sure he’d gotten rid of any traces of the perfume.

  His head also pounded. He poured himself some cereal, then downed it as fast as he could before making coffee. It wasn’t enough to get rid of the effects of too many beers last night. He poured an energy drink into the coffee. That would have to do.

  He popped a few ibuprofen into his mouth, then headed out the door.

  The headache dulled but didn’t go away completely as he drove to the station.

  As soon as he opened the door, the buzz in the air reminded him of the massive case. One he couldn’t be on because he was too close.

  Maybe what he needed was to find a new precinct to work at. One in a town where he knew nobody. Then he could work every case that came his way. Plus, then he and Foster could give a relationship an actual try. Now things were just going to be weird between them.

  He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. If he just quit partnering with her, people would take notice. But if he continued partnering with her, they would notice something between them. It didn’t matter if neither of them—or Tinsley—never said a word, others would pick up on the nonverbal cues. Those would scream louder than any words. But with his luck, the girl would choose talking about what she saw as her first words to the therapist. The police-sanctioned therapist.

  “You okay, Captain?”

  Nick turned to Garcia. “My daughter’s missing. How do you think I’m doing?”

  “Right. If you need to take a leave of absence, nobody would blame you.”

  Nick clenched his fists. “I can handle my job!”

  Garcia nodded. “Okay. Well, there was a bank holdup earlier. Paperwork’s on your desk.”

  He gritted his teeth. “I’m on it.”

  Everything seemed to spin around Nick as he stumbled toward his office. He picked up his feet and walked slower, taking care to look as in control of himself as possible.

  Before he reached the office, he noticed some officers flipping through the sketches of the gunman.

  “Can I see those?”

  “Sure.” Grant handed him the stack.

  The first drawing hit him like a punch in the gut.

  “Are you okay, Captain?”

  Nick’s hands shook as he flipped through the pages. With the exception of one drawing, the suspect looked like the same man.

  Someone Nick could never forget.

  He’d met Dave when he’d flown across the country to see his kids. Corrine had been sure the two men met during Nick’s quick visit.

  “Sir?” Grant asked.

  Without a word, Nick snapped a picture of the drawing on top. Then he handed it back to Grant and took a picture of the next one and the next, only leaving out the one that wasn’t Dave.

  “What’s going on?” Grant’s eyes were wide with both confusion and hope. “Do you recognize him?”

  “I know exactly who he is, though he should be across the country.”

  “Who is it?”

  “Dave Cooper. I’m going to drag his ex-girlfriend over here myself for questioning.”

  The three officers exchanged glances. Grant cleared his throat. “You’re not supposed to be involved, Captain. We should—”

  Nick glared at him. “Not involved? Not involved? I couldn't be more involved! My daughter is missing and my ex-wife’s boyfriend is the gunman!”

  Everything took on a red hue.

  “Corrine’s his girlfriend?” Grant exclaimed.

  Nick clenched his fists and breathed heavily. “That’s right.”

  Grant called over Garcia and explained the situation.

  Nick stormed to his office and slammed the door, his mind racing. Dave was behind all this?

  He had Ava. Nick was as certain of that as he was of his own name. That was why she was missing. He’d taken her.

  But why? What was he going to do to her? Did he have his sick son there to finish what he’d started on Halloween?

  He picked up a stack of papers from his desk and chucked them across the office. They flew out in all directions, covering the floor.

  The door creaked as it opened behind him.

  Nick spun around to see Garcia glancing around. “Hey, Nick.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Maybe you should take the day off. What do you think?”

  “Do you think I’m too unstable to handle my job?”

  Garcia glanced around at the mess. “I think emotions are running high. A break would probably be a good thing. Maybe even a temporary leave of absence. Everyone would understand.”

  “Would they?”

  He nodded slowly. “Definitely. Your daughter is missing. Now isn’t the time to be in here.”

  Nick glared at him. “You don’t think I’m capable.”

  “I think you need to focus on your personal life. Take care of your family. Your other two kids need you now more than ever.”

  “Fine. I’ll go.” He pushed past Garcia and stormed out of th
e station. If he was going to be off-duty, then he would deal with Corrine his own way.

  Emergency

  Alex rolled over and pulled the pillow over his head. It took him a minute to realize his phone was ringing.

  Maybe someone had found Zoey. Or at least had heard something helpful.

  He bolted upright and answered the phone without looking at the screen.

  “Alex!” It was his dad. “We—”

  “Dad! Did they find Zoey?”

  “No, but Macy’s in labor.”

  “Already? Isn’t she early?”

  “Not by much. Can you take her to the hospital?”

  “Take her?” Alex exclaimed.

  “Mom and I have been exposed to the flu, so we don’t want to be around her or the baby until we have a medical mask we can wear. We’ll have to meet you guys there. Can you take her? I know you’re busy trying to help with Zoey, but this is an emergency, too.”

  “What about Luke?”

  “He’s at work, and that’s in the opposite direction.”

  “What about an ambulance? They’d be more helpful than me.”

  Dad sighed. “Macy really wants to try a home birth.”

  “Then why was she going to the hospital?”

  “Because she and Luke couldn’t agree. Looks like she’s getting her way.”

  “Seriously?” Alex groaned.

  “Yeah. She said she was planning on going natural at the hospital, anyway. You can call them if you need to once you’re there. She’ll be mad, but she’ll get over it. You’ll go, right?”

  “Of course. I’ll be right over.”

  “Thanks, Alex.”

  “Sure. Tell her I’ll be there.” He ended the call and scrambled out of bed, his mind racing. It sucked that Zoey wasn’t here for this. She and Macy had all kinds of plans for Zoey being there as the birthing partner or coach or something—now he wished he’d paid more attention. That was probably his job with Zoey gone.

  Alex pulled on some clothes and ran a comb through his hair. That would have to be good enough. He threw on a Seahawks cap for good measure, then headed out the door.

  It took three tries to lock the deadbolt because his hands were shaking. Then he raced to the car, taking deep breaths. He jumped in and squealed the tires as he pulled out of the spot.