Page 5 of Beyond the Badge: Nox

“But… you’re always sad.”

Jesus.

“Daddy says it’s ‘cause of Aunt Jackie.”

Your daddy isn’t wrong.“Do you remember her?”

“A little bit.”

“What do you remember?”

“I remember her sneakin’ me a lollipop after Daddy said I couldn’t have one.”

At the time, Nox had closed his eyes and swallowed down the uncomfortable lump wedged in his throat.

That lump had returned, and no amount of swallowing could get rid of it.

When he finally opened his eyes, he looked directly at Jamison.

He gave the man a single nod and an, “Okay.”

ChapterOne

“I seea couple of new faces tonight, so just a quick reminder that this bereavement support group is open to any members of law enforcement or military who lost a loved one or significant other. As well as family and partners of law enforcement or military, either killed in the line of duty or passed away in any other manner.”

Just like it stated on the fucking pamphlet.

Nox had slipped in the door and found an empty seat in the back row at the last minute.

Like he had for the past three weeks, he’d sit on his bike out in the parking lot and watch the time. He’d wait until only two minutes were left before the weekly meeting started, then he’d head inside to avoid getting caught up in any conversation beforehand.

He also ducked out immediately afterward to steer clear of the same.

No coffee, no donuts, no chit chat.

He came, did his required time and split.

He wasn’t there to make friends.

He wasn’t there to socialize.

He wasn’t there to compare scars to see whose ran the deepest.

He was only doing what was necessary to keep his job, stay on the task force and make his BAMC brothers happy.

And, more importantly, keep them off his ass.

“Since this is my last meeting here, I will miss you all and I truly appreciate the support you’ve given me as the host of this group these last three years.” The older woman sniffled, and tears filled her eyes.

Nox ground his teeth. He had no tolerance for this emotional bullshit.

“Once I found my dream retirement home in a state without snow…” Bonnie chuckled at that and so did everyone else. Everyone except Nox. “I began to search for the perfect replacement. Someone who’s experienced what we have and would understand what we’ve dealt with. It wasn’t an easy search, but I finally found her. We can’t be any luckier to have her step in to take my place since this will be my last night. She ran a similar group for years in Pittsburgh until life got too hectic for her to keep up. We all know what that’s like, right? Now, she’s ready to get back to it. Without further ado, I want to introduce Aaliyah James.”

Clapping ensued as a woman rose from the front row and stepped up to the dais.

Nox blinked. The new host was nothing like the old one.

Bonnie’s head was full of short gray hair. Glasses covered her light blue eyes. Her loose jowls shook when she spoke. Her skin was pale, and her hands were full of age spots. She wore clothes that had been tucked in her closet since the early 2000s and her feet were encased in tan orthopedic shoes.

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