Page 47 of Badges
“Sure. Only if you tell me what’s bugging you?” I raise my eyebrows and look up at him imploringly when he sets the chilled bottle next to me.
“Fuck.” He collapses back into his chair and runs his palm over his face. “It was a mess. You don’t want to hear about it.”
I lean forward and slide my fingers over his wrist. “I do. Maybe it will help?”
His amber eyes bore into my knuckles so fiercely they begin to tingle.
Then he sighs.
“About three months ago, had a guy come home and found his wife in bed with another man. He shot them both and fled the scene, but took a jug of scotch. He probably would have escaped if he hadn’t gotten shit faced while driving and hit an SUV carrying a family of four.” He takes a long inhale, then exhales in a low rumble. “This morning I had to testify at his trial.”
“Oh damn.” I think I forget sometimes just how much he probably sees at his job. “What happened to all the people?”
“Wife and her lover died. The family, for the most part, are okay. Well, they all survived. The little boy lost an arm.” He falls quiet, moving his salad around on his plate.
“Is that why you called it off with the deputy?” I don’t want to think about Wade and that woman together. The timing makes sense though.
His eyes squeeze shut. “That was just a damn mistake that should have never happened. Her husband is a solid guy, he doesn’t deserve that.”
“Then…why? A sexy man like you could probably find anyone he wants.” Except he better not.
I don’t think I could handle that.
He pulls his arm away from me. “Before you got here, I was never in this house. I just, well, worked. A lot. I’m not fit for a relationship.” His broad shoulders rise and fall. “It’s easy to want to ride someone else’s horse so you don’t have to clean out the stall.” He flashes me a grin, then it droops into a frown. “Except I still had to deal with her shit.”
I fill up my fork, then chew thoughtfully for a moment. “I had this pair of short heels I loved, they were so comfortable. There was this really busy night while I was waitressing tables, and the left one broke. I had to borrow another girl’s shoes for the rest of my shift. I had blisters for a week because they weren’tmine.” My lips purse remembering the lingering ache. “If I had it to do again, I’d have just gone barefoot instead of using something that didn’t belong to me.” I pin him with a long stare, hoping he catches what I’m really trying to say.
His gaze finally wavers, dropping to my mouth, then down to his empty dish. “These were the best damn chops I’ve ever had.”
That makes me feel all bubbly inside. “Really?” I mean, they are pretty yummy.
“Yep. I take food seriously.” He smiles and leans back, rubbing an arc over his flat stomach.
“Aw, thank you, daddy.” I bat my lashes, teasing him to lighten the mood.
It seems to work, because he lets out a low chuckle as he gathers our plates. “I told you about calling me that.”
“Uh huh. I keep waiting on that spanking you promised.” I pick up my beer and half dance towards my room.
There’s a part of me that wants him to follow.
He almost looks like he might. Pausing at the sink, he watches me with half-lidded eyes until he turns on the faucet. “Good night, Elena.” He shuts me down, focusing instead on filling the dishwasher.
I used to want him to give in because I thought I could take advantage of him to escape. But he’s trying to help me more than I ever expected.
Now, I just want him. Yet I can’t understand why he keeps saying no?
Pre-meditated
Wade
“I can’t find mytwo biggest suspects. I need your help.” My hands splay flat on the oak table as I stare down Dixon and Mason.
They glance at each other, then Dixon frowns.
“What exactly does that mean?” The words sound more like a growl as he leans back, crossing his chest with his thick arms.
“Who?” Mason yawns.
