Page 43 of Burning for Him

Jenn and Yardley stepped forward. It was then Doug noticed the latter was filming everything on her phone, although she kept it pointed at the train wreck named Lainey. Jenn smiled. “Hi, Lynette. We have the entire incident recorded. You can add sexual assault to the charges too. Yardley has her on video trying to grope Doug without his consent.”

The female officer arched her eyebrows at him. “Did she now?”

He rolled his eyes and sighed. While he was a little embarrassed about it, he knew Jenn would feel better if the charge was filed. “Yeah, you can add that too.”

Lainey screamed her head off as two of the other officers helped her stand, then placed her in handcuffs. She racked up more charges when she tried to kick them and spit on one’s shirt. They ended up using a hobble restraint, a device that wrapped around her ankles and was connected to the handcuffs behind her back, limiting her movements even more, before placing her into the rear of a patrol car.

Since Yardley’s video was live, she emailed the link to a Tampa PD address that Lynette had given her for evidence. The club’s security guards dispersed the crowd, and two officers took statements from Jenkins and several witnesses. As they did that, Doug walked with Lynette and her male partner to their vehicle, providing them with a few more details about what had led up to the night’s events. “I’m not sure if there’s anything you can charge Jenkins with. I mean, it’s not a crime to send texts to someone who asked for them and paid you.”

Lynette agreed with him. “She’s an idiot, but at least she knew that if she made the profiles and sent the DMs to herself, you guys would’ve figured that out right away.”

“I wish she did. I’ll have Colleen charge her credit card first thing in the morning for the remaining hours we logged this week, before she gets bailed out. If she tries to back-charge it, we’ll sic the lawyers on her.”

“Good idea. So,” she said with a grin when they stopped beside the passenger side. The closed doors and windows muffled Lainey’s screeching and cursing, and both officers ignored her for the moment. “I heard from Dakota that you and Jenn are now an item.” Dakota Swift was also on Tampa PD,the girlfriend of Logan Reese from the TS Omega Team, and a member of The Covenant. “About damn time you got your head out of your ass.”

He opened his mouth to give a snarky retort, but then changed his mind. Despite their failed attempt at dating, he and Lynette were friends, and what she said was the truth. “Yeah, you’re right. It was about time.”

“She’s good for you. Every time you look at her, there’s love in your eyes. I’m glad it’s working out for the two of you.”

“Thanks. What about you? Anyone special in your life?”

“Maybe. I met someone a couple of weeks ago, and the first two dates went well.” She shrugged. “We’ll see how it goes.”

Her partner handed Doug a card. “Here’s the case number. Stop by tomorrow to give your statement and bring her file and any other evidence you’ve got.” Many TPD officers had worked or trained with Trident Security employees before, so they were familiar with the company's practice of keeping detailed notes on every case.

“You’ve got it.” Doug shook the man’s hand and then Lynette’s. “Sorry you got stuck with that nutcase.”

She chuckled. “No worries. She seems like she’ll be entertaining. It was a boring night before this. Take it easy, Doug.”

“You too. Stay safe.”

“Right back at ya.”

As they got into the vehicle, Lainey’s vitriolic rant grew louder before they shut the doors again. Doug returned to where Jenn and her friends stood, laughing as their gazes were glued to Yardley’s phone. Jenn looked up and smiled at him. “Yardley’s video is already viral. Lainey’s going to lose a lot of followers after they see it.”

Doug couldn’t care less, but then again, he was kind of glad that karma was a bitch. He and his men had wasted almost twoweeks protecting someone who didn’t need it, all so she could post lies for views.

Spade approached. “So, does this mean we’re officially off duty?”

“Yup. Although we have to go give our statements tomorrow.”

“No problem.” The man grinned and cocked his head toward the four women but directed his words to Doug. “Wanna stay for a drink?”

He was tempted to ask which one of Jenn’s friends Spade was interested in, but decided not to interfere. Instead, he eyed his woman, finally noticing how hot she looked in a denim mini skirt, a blue tank top with a sheer white blouse over it, and cute navy-blue wedge sandals. She had a little bit of makeup on, and her hair was up in a ponytail. While he had complete faith she would never cheat on him, he sure as hell didn’t trust any of the men in the club not to hit on her. “Oh, yeah. We’re definitely staying.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“That was so much fun! I can’t believe we did it!” Jenn’s body still buzzed with excitement after spending an hour soaring above the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico, suspended in a colorful hot air balloon just after sunrise. It was the perfect day for it—sunny, with a few white, puffy clouds and fair winds. The pilot had steered them over the Rio Grande River and lowered the balloon enough for them to skim over the water, allowing for a better view of the beautiful landscape. They’d spotted several bighorn sheep and a bull elk with a massive rack of antlers along the river banks. It was an exhilarating experience that Jenn would never forget. It was even more special that she got to share it with Doug.

After setting down at the landing zone a little while ago, they celebrated their flight with a complimentary glass of champagne and received a commemorative certificate. Then, they thanked the pilot and tipped him before hopping into a shuttle van that transported them back to their rental car at the company’s main office.

Margie’s memorial was two days earlier, and Doug had taken three days off from work so he could go with Jenn and make a long weekend out of the trip. The deceased woman’s familyloved that several volunteers who’d served with her had driven to or flown in for the service. The memorial was bittersweet, with many of Margie’s former students and teachers also attending. A catered repast was held afterward at a local VMA hall that her brother belonged to in Albuquerque. Jenn was thrilled to see Tony and re-introduce him to Doug, who didn’t act like a green-eyed oaf now that he knew the other man had no interest in her. Secretly, Jenn liked it when his jealousy emerged occasionally. It got her heart racing and her panties wet.

She’d been happy to learn Tony was in a new relationship and it was going well. However, his boyfriend, Tad Winslow, a police officer from Hazard Falls, was unable to make the trip because he had a mandatory K9 certification training scheduled on the same day as the memorial. Tony showed her some pictures of the guy, though, and she had to admit, he was damn good-looking, and they made a cute couple. She hoped it worked out for them because Tony deserved to be loved by someone special.

Things were tense between Tony and Doug at the beginning of the trip—mostly a clash of alpha protector grunting—but they’d since managed to call a truce. Jenn might even go so far as to call them friends...on a good day. After having breakfast and spending a few hours sightseeing with the couple yesterday, Tony left to catch an evening flight home, promising to keep in touch.

The shuttle dropped them off, and as they approached their car, Doug unlocked it with a key fob and opened the passenger door for her. “I parachuted a few times in the Marines, but I think I prefer floating over falling. I really enjoyed it.” He leaned down and gave her a swift kiss. “Although I think the beautiful woman in the basket with me had something to do with that.”

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