Page 52 of Tristano

I don’t say a word to him. Instead, I make my way toward the supply closet and grab a box. I take it back to my desk and start filling it with the few personal items I have here.

I smile as I pick up a picture an elementary student drew for me when I stopped by and talked to the kids about what I did. The department teamed up with the local schools to try and show the kids that not all cops are bad and that we just want to help them.

The kids loved it. They all wanted to try on our hats or hold our badges. We gave them all stickers as honorary little officers. It was a rewarding day.

Looking back on it now though, I think I was only sent because it was grunt work. Something none of the others wanted to do. Just another way my uncle was controlling me.

I keep picking up items, ignoring the stares around me. I don’t care about any of these people.

Before I know it, I have everything and place the lid back on the box. I turn, about to leave, when I come to a halt.

Ricky is standing there, a forlorn look on his face.

“I’m going to miss ya, kid,” he whispers.

I set the box down, moving into his arms. “Thank you for always having my back. I think you’re the only one in this entire department that ever truly believed in me.”

“You have good instincts. Keep honing them. This might be a door closing right now, but I know there’s a better one waiting for you. If you ever need anything, call me. We might not be on the same team anymore, but I always have your back.”

He squeezes me extra hard, making my eyes tear up. I didn’t think I’d miss this place, but I will miss him. Ricky is the one bright spot in my life as a police officer.

“Thank you, Ricky. Thank you for everything.”

“Take care of yourself, kid.” He pats my back before pulling back.

I don’t miss the sheen in his eyes as he watches me walk away.

While this might be the end for me, it feels right. Like I outgrew this place in the two weeks I’ve been gone. Almost as if my experiences made me better than this place.

For so long, I aimed to be a great cop, but I think I was doing it for the wrong reasons. I wanted to live up to my family’s legacy and make my uncle proud. I also wanted to do it for all the women out there who are stalked by predators, but if I’m being honest with myself, that wasn’t the primary reason.

Letting go of that need to be validated has lifted a weight off of me.

I can’t wait to see what life brings me next.

* * *

Serena’s placeisn’t even dirty, yet I can’t help but clean up. The dust is driving me bonkers. Then there’s the way she has her books sorted. Who the hell sorts by colors?

It makes no sense.

Then there are the photos that are all haphazardly placed on the walls.

I can’t handle it, but I’m trying to.

Or maybe I can’t handle her being out of my sight.

I wanted to go with her. Stand outside and stalk her as she went into work. I could tell she was nervous about it, which only made that itch to follow her worse.

She talked me out of it though. It wouldn’t be a good look if she was seen with a known member of a criminal organization. I really hate this divide between us. I wish I could eliminate it.

So instead of being with her, I’m here at her apartment wiping down her already clean counters while listening to ’90s gangster rap.

“The dunky dunk. Do the dunky dunk,” I mutter as I dunk the rag back into the sink full of soapy water.

“Why do you do that?” Her voice coming from behind me has me turning to face her, my fists up.

“Whoa. You can’t be doing that to a man. You’re going to make me react and do something I don’t want to do. I’m just glad I didn’t reach for my gun.”

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