Page 26 of Wild Card

Abe’s eyes widen in surprise. “Talon told you about his previous injury?”

“Not exactly.”

“Then how did you know?”

“It came up in conversation?”

“He brought it up?”

“I mean, he mentioned his therapy a few months ago from an occupational injury.”

He seems to think on this, his silence unnerving. Finally, he relaxes and shakes his head. “This is a totally different injury and you’re qualified to see it through. He’s dedicated to regaining mobility and getting back to full duty. He’s convinced you can get him there. Unless you tell me he’s done something inappropriate, he’s moving to your schedule.”

I know when I’ve lost. If I argue further, it will mean a lot more explanation than Abe needs. “Thank you for trusting my process.”

“I trust you, the process is a bonus.”

Any other time, this compliment would have me on cloud nine. I paste on my best smile and nod.

Abe Koch just handed me my biggest challenge yet: Finding a way to fully rehabilitate Talon Simms without falling for his charms.

A bell goes off in my head, reminding me of my commitment to stay away from danger.

Safe, consistent, stable.

A man whose burns come from the grill, not God-knows-what on the job.

Yep, I can do this.

Rehab a shoulder… easy peasy. Child’s play.

Therapy 101.

Who cares if he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met and being near him reduces my insides to goo.

Or that his gray-blue eyes and smile should come with a warning.

We won’t think about the fact that his kiss topped the best kiss of my life. Even if it was pretend.

Yep, we’ll forget about all of this.

Easy… peasy…

4

TALON

“You got somewhere to be?”Captain Boyd saunters through the bullpen.

“Yep.” I grab my cell and keys, ready to get away from this fucking desk. Tweaking my shoulder was an inconvenience. Being on desk duty is hell.

“Next time you rookies decide to go work with Hayes Security, stay there. They went and fucked up all the training we sunk in you.” He points in a circle to Ace, Major, and Ford.

I can’t help but goad the man. “Oh, Boydy-Boyd. Are you jealous we got to play with the big boys?”

His scowl is a reward. “No, dipshit. More like pissed on my squandered investment. You four have turned into wastes of space.”

I grab my chest, cringing dramatically. “You wound me. Dr. Welch will have a field day with this recent development. I can see the report now,‘Officer Simms had a significant setback. Peewee’s abuse of power is evident in his ability to slice open mental wounds with his words.’”

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