Page 18 of Girl Code
“That’s a compliment I’ll take any day of the week.”
“Detective Chinn worked out a very good deal for you Ms. Hill.” His boss eyed him suspiciously for a moment, “I don’t know exactly how you two know each other or how you became involved in this case, but I will say I’m happy to accept your help. In fact, I’d like to offer you a new deal.”
“A new deal?” Dante spoke up, frowning because he wasn’t sure exactly where this was going to go.
“Yes, a new deal.” She turned back to Mickey, “We’d like to offer you a position working with us. Your skills could come in very handy on many of our investigations, even if you’d have to go through a little more red tape.”
“Oh…” Mickey’s mouth gaped open a little but before she could utter another word Dante grabbed her hand and pulled her back to his side.
“No.”
“What?” Mickey and Lieutenant Hafner both said at the same time, shooting him near identical glances of disbelief.
“No.” He repeated with a shake of his head, focusing on Mickey.
“Why?” She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.
“Yes, please explain to me why you’re against this offer, Detective Chinn. You were adamant in our last discussion that she was the best and we like to have the best on our side, working with us. Have you changed your position about her abilities?”
“No.” He scowled at his boss and then looked back down at Mickey, “No. Of course not. She’s amazing. You’re amazing, Mick. You know that. That’s not the issue, but you can’t come to work for the department.”
“Why?” She repeated.
He twisted them slightly so that he was between her and his boss. He kept her close, holding her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. She was staring up at him with her brows furrowed and her lips pursed and he knew he had to hurry before she decided to accept the job offer just to spite him.
“There are rules about interoffice relationships.” He leaned his face close to hers and gave her a small smile.
“What?”
“You’ll have to choose. The job or me. They won’t let you have both. Rules.”
Mickey’s brow relaxed a little, “I hate rules.”
“I know.” He cupped her cheek, “But this isn’t one they’ll let you break and I don’t want to lose you. Not when I just found you again.”
“Dante.” She snuggled close to him, tipping her face up to his, “I don’t want to lose you either. Not again. I walked away from you once. I don’t think I could survive doing it again, not for anything but definitely not for a job working with the police.”
He chuckled a little, “You do realize I’m police, right? You’re going to have to stop snarling your nose like that when you say the word or I might take offense.”
Mickey grinned, “I’ll promise to try. That’s the best I can do right now.”
“I’ll take it, just so long as you don’t take the job.”
She rolled her eyes and tiptoed up to brush her lips against his, “I love you Dante and I’m not losing you again.”
His heart swelled when she said the words out loud. He’d known that she loved him too. It had been there in her every touch and kiss. She loved him but she’d been holding back and now he knew why. She’d been worried about going to jail, about hurting him again, about losing him again. Now that she knew that wasn’t going to happen, she’d let the words out into the world and they made everything inside of him fully click into place
She loved him and she was choosing him this time. No more running. No more hiding. They were finally going to be together.
He smiled when she squeezed his hand as well. She was the one to turn back to his boss and this time she stood at his side, showing a united front.
“I’ll have to pass on the job opportunity, though it would be nice to show those boys in blue that anything they can do, I can do bleeding.” Mickey winked at the big officers flanking the Lieutenant, “I can’t accept.”
Lieutenant Hafner looked from Mickey to Dante and back again. Dante wasn’t sure he’d ever seen the woman smile outright but in that moment her face broke open. She grinned and when she did, Dante realized she was actually a very pretty woman and young, so much younger than her usually stern expression made her seem.
“Ah, I see.” She reigned herself in a moment later and gave Dante a brisk nod, “Since that’s the case, I’ll head back to the office. Detective Chinn, you’ll need to see a doctor for that gunshot wound and I’ll expect your full report on my desk as soon as possible. You know the drill.”
“Yes ma’am.”
