Page 45 of Whatever You Need

“I can’t believe you pulled this off in such a short period of time,” Logan said, swinging a rag over his shoulder. I couldn’t agree more. I was grateful that these guys could come over and lend me a hand on such short notice. It would have taken me weeks on my own.

I threw my arm around Amelia and pulled her tight against me. “She’s a great helper. Even though she uses an obnoxious amount of tape along the edges.”

She elbowed me in the stomach. “Sorry, we can’t all be perfect painters like you.”

I grinned down at her, and she grinned back. “I’m impressed. You did a good job.”

“Thanks. I just want to add another coat with the roller and then I’ll clean up.”

My cell phone started ringing on the table where it was charging. I walked over and picked it up, noticing it was my sergeant. “What’s up, Sarg?”

“We have a situation, they just pulled your informant from the river.”

“Fuck.” I quickly walked into my bedroom and closed the door behind me. “What the hell happened?”

“You’re not going to like it, but he jumped.”

“Damn it.” I’ve been working around the clock on this investigation. Could things possibly get any worse? I rubbed my temples, feeling frustration snake through me. His cover must have been blown somehow, because Luis Becerra was not suicidal. He had a baby on the way and did everything he could to protect his family. If he jumped, he must have felt that was the only way to keep them safe.

“Are you sure?”

“You know better than to ask that, but yes, I’m positive.”

There was a knock on the door, and a second later, Logan stepped into the room. He held his phone up, obviously already up to speed. “I can be there in thirty, Logan is with me, so hang tight.”

I hung up the phone and bit back a groan of annoyance. I had no idea where to go from here. The only name I had to connect to this mess was my good old friend Benny, and he was serving twenty-five to life.

Logan sat on the edge of my bed and clasped his hands together. “I was not expecting this.”

“I sense a shitstorm brewing.”

“You and me both, brother.” He stood up and tucked his phone in his back pocket. “You ready to head out?”

“Yeah, I just need a few minutes,” I said as he backed away for the door. I walked into my closet and grabbed my work clothes to change into.

Amelia stepped into my room. “Logan said you guys have an emergency at work.”

I scrubbed my hands down my face. “I’m sorry. I know we had plans for later…”

“That’s okay.” She placed her hand on my shoulder and peered up at me. “Why don’t you go, I’ll clean up and show myself out.”

I brushed a stray hair from her face. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I don’t mind. How long will you be?”

I covered her hand that was still holding on to my shirt. “A few hours. I’m sorry, I know we had dinner reservations later.”

I promised her that I would take her out on a date tonight. Something that surprised the hell out of me when I asked, but the second she accepted, I knew I made the right decision.

She pulled on my neck, putting us nose to nose. “Why don’t you just swing by my place when you’re done. I’ll grab some takeout and we’ll heat it up when you’re finished with work. I don’t need to go to a fancy restaurant, I just want you to be safe.”

My eyes gentled on her. When was the last time a woman other than my mother worried about me? A long fucking time. I leaned in and gave her a kiss. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Funny, because I was thinking the same thing about you.”

I cupped her face in my hands. “Thank you for being so understanding.”

“You don’t need to thank me.” She looked me up and down. “But you might want to clean up before you go.”

I squeezed her hand, and her smile made my heart constrict. “I’ll text you when I’m done.”

“Sounds like a plan.” She kissed me one last time, patted my chest and walked out.

I didn’t understand what was happening between us, but I was done questioning it.

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