Page 25 of More Than a Hero
Pete sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “We didn’t have much gang activity over here for a long time. It’s only just started creeping in these last few years. I’ve been in the area for about five years, on the task force for three. And it’s getting worse.”
Marcus let out a dry chuckle. “Yeah, I figured. That highway running straight down the Eastern Shore? It’s a gift to these guys. If their drivers stick to the speed limit and don’t pull anything stupid, they can get past all the major cities straight into Hampton Roads. And going north, they’ve got a clear path all the way into Pennsylvania on backroads.”
Pete blew out a slow breath. “Yeah, we know that too well.” He flipped his notebook closed. “Thanks for calling back, Marcus.”
“No problem. Stay safe out there.”
“You too.” Pete hung up, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. What he really wanted to do was call Angie.
Ever since their time together each day last weekend, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his head. Or off his lips. Her kisses were addictive, but hell, so was everything about her. The way she laughed, like sunshine cutting through storm clouds. The way she absently shoved her purple glasses on top of her head when she got animated, only to grab them again a second later and plop them on her nose.
He loved being around her. And damn if that wasn’t a little terrifying.
Jeremy strode back in, looking way too pleased with himself. “All okay?” Pete asked, forcing his mind back to the case.
Jeremy nodded. “Yeah. She’s got a case that’ll keep her tied up till late afternoon.” He flopped into his chair. “Anything from your call?”
Pete filled him in on what Marcus had said.
Jeremy muttered a curse. “Bloods. Fucking great.”
“Yep. We’ll just close the case for now.” Pete checked his watch. “You ready to head to the high school?”
Jeremy groaned. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Jeremy and Pete climbed into their unmarked SUV, the late-morning sun glaring against the windshield as Pete pulled out of the lot.
“So,” Jeremy said, fastening his seat belt, “you’ve been in a good mood all week. Got anything to do with a certain purple-glasses-wearing woman?”
Pete smirked. “Maybe.”
Jeremy barked a laugh. “Damn, look at you. Can’t stop smiling. You’re done for.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Pete said, shaking his head, but he couldn’t deny it.
Silence stretched for a few beats before Pete cleared his throat. “Actually… I wanted to tell you something.”
Jeremy glanced at him. “Yeah?”
“I, uh… I asked Angie out. For real this time.”
Jeremy’s grin was immediate. “You finally pulled the trigger.”
Pete chuckled. “Yeah.”
Jeremy leaned back in his seat, smirking. “When’s the first official date?”
“It was last Friday night?—”
“Wait, what?” Jeremy said, his head jerking around to glare at his partner.
“We had dinner on Friday night. And then I was back at her house on Saturday evening. And we had lunch out on Sunday?—”
“What the fuck, man? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”
Pete shrugged. “I know, but if it had been a bust or she didn’t want to see me again, I hated to make a big deal about it.”
Jeremy shook his head. “Damn… you and Angie. So I take it you two are dating now?”
