Page 19 of Iron Willed Warrior

“Unfortunately.” My fingers slid through the condensation on my glass. “I was with a guy who promised me the world. All I really wanted was his love, but even that was too much to expect.” I forced a smile. “That’s why I’m a cynic. But you’re way ahead of me. You’re crushing on a far superior guy. Even if Dean isn’t the one for you, you’ve got excellent taste.”

“That’s looking on the bright side. Dean’s an amazing guy.”

“Then I’m glad he’s your friend.”

“Suppose it’s better than nothing.” She lifted her glass, clinking it against mine. “Dean is renting a place next door to the bar,” she added. “Cole is staying with him.”

My eyes hit on Cole again. He’d turned in his seat, watching me over his shoulder. We both looked away.

I cleared my throat.

“Why’d you move to Silver Ridge?” I asked. “You’re a lot farther from the sheriff’s department headquarters.”

“My patrols take me all around the county. Plus, my parents and sister moved nearby. A lot of bad things have happened around Hartley in the last few years, you know? My family wanted a little distance.”

“Stillwater,” I said under my breath.

She nodded solemnly. “But there’s not really an escape. Not until Stillwater is gone, and then there will be new bad guys to fight. That’s why I asked to join the Protectors myself.”

I grinned. “Really? Good for you. They need some feminine energy.”

Her glossy lips pursed. “Owen said no. He lets me help out here and there, but he claimed he needs me to focus on being a deputy. I realize that I don’t have that military credibility, and I don’t have the same training. But I’ve accomplished a lot. I’m proud of who I am. I was top of my academy class. Yet once again, I’m told I’m too young and inexperienced. How will that change unless they give me a chance? It’s bullshit.”

She accentuated the last word by setting her glass on the table with a thump.

“Have you ever killed anyone?” I asked.

“Yes. Last year. Well…Owen and I were firing on the same guy, so I can’t be sure, but I aimed to kill. And I don’t regret it.” Her voice gained in intensity. “I’m not delicate, any more than you are.”

“But it’s hard to hear no. I understand. I’ve been there.”

“Really?”

“Are you kidding? So many times. I’ve had to prove myselfover and over again. As a Marine, as an agent. I heard it from my own family.”

You’re weak, my uncle sneered.You’re never going to cut it.

I forced that voice out of my head.

“It took years to get where I am,” I continued, “and it’s still not easy. You just have to keep proving the doubters wrong.”

She groaned. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do. It’s exhausting.”

“It can be. But it’s worth it. You should sign up for extra trainings. Take hand-to-hand combat lessons beyond the basics that the department offers. It’ll make you a better cop, and Owen might change his mind about sending you on Protectors missions.”

She chewed her lip, hesitating over her next words. “Oryoucould teach me. I’ve been undercover for a sting operation before. A larger department down south needed female officers to pose as underage girls. I loved catching those predatory bastards and sending them to jail. I could step in as your partner on the Stillwater mission.”

I reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Maybe a few years down the road, I’ll take you up on that. Not yet.”

Keira sighed. “I knew you were going to say that. Had to try anyway.”

“And I admire you for it. It takes bravery to put yourself out there.”

“I’d like to put my bravery to more productive uses.”

“I’m sure you’ll get your chance. Eventually.”

On my periphery, I felt Cole’s gaze on me again. That man was proving impossible to ignore.

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