When Cara found out I was joining the Police Academy, she said something that stuck with me. She said, “You aren’t hurting anyone, Clover, just the Wind Dragons’ egos.”
I don’t think that’s right though.
My choice is going to have much deeper repercussions than that.
When Rhett steps into my apartment later that night, I can’t keep the smile off my face. He’s dressed in all black, his usual getup—jeans, boots, and a T-shirt—his blond hair falling across his forehead, the only thing boyish about him.
“Hello, stranger,” I say to him, running into his arms and giving him a warm hug. “How was the ride?”
“Just what I needed,” he replies, letting go of me and turning to embrace Cara. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages either. How’s work?”
“Good,” she replies, referring to her advertising and marketing career. “Keeps me busy.”
“Too busy to come visit the clubhouse a little more?” he asks, something flashing in his blue eyes.
“I was there a few nights ago,” she tells him, sitting back down on the couch and crossing her legs underneath her. Rhett and I do the same.
“I wasn’t there—”
“Not my fault,” she cuts him off, then turns to me. “I’m going to bring us more beer from the fridge.”
She escapes to the kitchen, leaving me with Rhett.
I don’t miss him staring at her ass as she walks away.
“Why don’t you two just fuck and get it over with?” I complain, getting comfortable on the black leather underneath me. My couch is probably the most expensive thing in my apartment, and it’s my favorite thing.
Rhett’s jaw goes tight. If he tells me it’s none of my business, I might have to take him out. Or try to, anyway. Rhett is as trained as me, but much bigger. I’m quicker though.
“Don’t start with me,” he grumbles, then expertly changes the subject. “How about you? Anyone catch your eye in the office? Some nerdy accountant or something?”
Cara comes back in with her arms full of beer, catching the end of that. “I can’t imagine Clo with a nerdy accountant.”
“There’s one really sexy guy I’ve seen around,” I admit, picturing one officer I’ve seen at the station. “I haven’t spoken to him though, but fuck, it should be illegal to look that good.”
Cara laughs, placing a cold bottle in my hands. “So what are you waiting for? There’s no way he hasn’t noticed you. You’re a babe.”
“I don’t make the first move,” I reply with a smirk. “And I don’t know, mixing business with pleasure isn’t the best idea, don’t you think?”
“I think you could use a little bit of pleasure,” she replies with a wink.
I roll my eyes and twist open the lid on my beer. “Okay, tell me everything I’ve missed out on back home.”
The two of them share a look, then remind me just how much I miss home.
THREE
“YOU asked to see me, Officer?” I say as I step into Jones’s office when I’m back at work a few days later. I met Officer Jones back in the academy, when he was one of the training instructors there. He’s a hard man and takes no shit, especially from me.
“Please tell me, Black, why you can’t seem to listen to your partner?” he starts off with, and I know this isn’t going to be good. “You are a rookie; Jenks is not. I paired you with him so he could show you the ropes and you could learn from his experience, not so you can do whatever the hell you want when he’s not looking.”
I purse my lips. I have been listening to Jenks, even when I don’t agree with his decisions, because I know I’ll get yelled at if I don’t. “And what exactly didn’t I do?” I fire back, trying to keep my temper contained. “Not run to the Seven-Eleven to pick him up more doughnuts? Because he actually did ask me to do that yesterday.”
It’s probably why I’m standing here right now. Jenks snitched on me, just like a little kid in the schoolyard, wanting me to get into trouble. In my world, snitches end up in ditches. Here? All you have to do is suck up to Jones’s ass to get extra privileges.
Jones sighs and picks up a piece of paper in front of him. “Jenks wants a new partner. He’s been asking for a while, and I’ve said no, but now, I’m going to grant him that, because I think it’s going to be beneficial to you both.”
I stay silent, because I’m more than okay with that, and wait for him to continue.
“Banks is going to be your new partner, and I think he will be a good mentor to you.”
“Who is Officer Banks?” I ask him, pursing my lips. There are many officers who come in and out of these doors, and I don’t know them all by name.
“I’ll introduce you to him. Let me give you a little brief on Banks. He’s about to be promoted to sergeant, even though he’s been with the force for only four years. He’s hardworking, intimidating, and good at what he does. He comes from a line of officers, but he’s much more than just born into this. He’s our most promising officer and may even be my superior one day. Hopefully he will rub off on you, Black.”
Being promoted after four years is pretty incredible. I was told it can take anywhere between five and ten years, so this Banks guy must be the real deal.
“Okay,” I reply, absorbing this new information. “And when does this take effect?”
“Now,” Jones replies, studying me. “And, Black?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t fuck this up,” he tells me, his eyes boring into mine.
“Would I do something like that?” I ask him, flashing a charming smile.
His expression remains unchanged.
“I graduated top of my class, sir,” I remind him. “I’ve done nothing to make you believe that I’m less than capable, and I want this. I’m going to prove to everyone that I’m meant to be here.”
I might not have been born into it, in fact that couldn’t be further from the truth, but I want this.
“None of the testing at the academy took your random spurts of attitude into account,” he grumbles, returning to his paperwork, silently dismissing me.
I exit his office and run straight into the sexy man I’ve seen around, the one I was telling Cara and Rhett about.
“Sorry,” I tell him, stepping back so my breasts are no longer touching his hard body. He’s even better-looking up close, and has this whole jock vibe about him: built, tall, with brown wavy hair and full lips.
I move to step around him, and as I do he glances down at me and says, “I guess Jones told you the news?”
“What news?” I ask him, lost in his eyes.
He scowls, lips tightening in irritation. “That I’m your new partner.”
My eyes widen. “You’re Banks?”
Just my luck.
“I thought they said you were bright,” he replies, expression unmoved. He steps around me and enters Jones’s office, and I stand there for a second with narrowed eyes. Of course he’s a dick. With a face, body, and ambition like that, why wouldn’t he be?
I bite the inside of my cheek, silently fuming at his extremely rude and uncalled-for comment. Who does he think he is?
Ten minutes later, he finds me at my desk, and says, “Get ready, we’re heading out on a domestic-violence call.”
I instantly follow him outside. When he reaches the police car, he stops and turns to study me. “Do as I say, Black, and this partnership will go smoothly.”
I grit my teeth together. “I want to learn how to be the best policewoman I can be, not be pushed into the background. We’re partners, Banks. It might have been your show up until now, but that was before you met me.”
I’m not letting anyone bully me, I don’t give two shits who they are, or what they look like. He’s not going to be allowed to speak to me like that, like I’m nothing and no one.
I’m Clover Fucking Black, and that might not mean something to him now, but it will.
I slide into the car and ignore him, watching how his jaw tenses and his mood
sours.
Maybe I should have just gotten Jenks those doughnuts.
Banks stays silent the entire drive. Normally I’m a person who would probably appreciate that, but something about the way he ignores me sets me on edge. The tension in the car is palpable, the air thick and hostile. I don’t know why he dislikes me since we just met—no, it’s like he hated me before he even met me, and I want to know why. My stubborn side wants to stay quiet and not speak until he does, but my temper won’t allow my silence any longer.
“So what’s the deal?” I ask him, keeping my tone casual. “You like this with everyone, or have you been saving your brooding attitude just for me?”
I don’t think he expected me to be so direct, because his momentary glance is filled with surprise and annoyance.
“We’re not here to be friends—”
“No, we’re not. But even Jenks made the rides better than this, so if that’s how you want to be known . . .” I trail off, shrugging.
He’s silent for a few moments. “I’ve been with my partner for years. We worked well together. And now because he is injured and taking time off I’m being paired with some—”
“Be careful with what you’re about to say, buddy.”
“Insolent rookie who wouldn’t listen to her partner, who has seniority over her.”
“Insolent?” I ask, jaw tensing. “You know nothing about me, Banks. Nothing. You haven’t even had a proper conversation with me yet, so why don’t you keep your judgmental, rude attitude to yourself until you actually have something to go on, instead of lazy Jenks’s and Jones’s opinions of me.
“You’re supposed to be the older, mature one of us,” I continue, pushing him further. “Act like it. Show me and teach me how to be better; don’t treat me like I don’t deserve to be here.”
I want to punch something, and I sure as hell don’t want to be sitting in this car with him.
“And there’s the attitude I was warned about,” he mutters, shaking his head. “How do you still have your job?”
“They only call it an attitude because I’m a woman. One of the only ones here. If I were a man, they’d call it leadership skills, so don’t try and use that on me. I’m an asset to the force, and they know it. No one wants to give me a proper chance though.”
“Maybe because you’re a liability? If we can’t trust that you will listen to orders, no one will want to give you the important calls because too much will be at stake.”
Realizing his words actually make sense, I stare out the window and take a deep breath. Is that really why no one has given me a chance? They don’t think I can follow orders? I never thought of it like that. I hate that Banks might have a point.
“Okay,” I finally reply. “How about I prove to you that I can listen and be trusted, and then maybe you give me a little trust in return. I’m sharp, a quick learner, and have good instincts. You won’t regret it.”
He sneaks a glance at me before nodding. “Deal.”
Exhaling for the first time in weeks, I start to feel good about where I’m at. I’m not afraid of hard work, and I know there is a lot I still need to learn. I just needed this chance to show them that I can do it.
“So is it true you told Jenks he doesn’t need any more doughnuts?” he asks, cracking a small smile.
Maybe he’s not so bad after all.
We arrive at the house, and it’s definitely not the house I’d imagined for this type of call, but then again, domestic violence knows no discrimination. It even has the whole white picket fence, screaming “perfect family.”
We get out of the car and knock on the front door, and a man with a slash across his face answers it. It looks like he’s been burned with a curling iron, and I have to wonder if that’s what the injury is actually from. He tells us he made the call after his wife attacked him with—yes—a curling iron, punched him, and kicked him in the balls.
“We will come back and check on you,” Banks promises the man when his wife seems to be unable to be located. “You head on up to the hospital to get that burn taken care of, we will handle the rest.”
“Or we could try to track her down now?” I say to him. “What if we stake out here; she has to come back sometime today, right? She lives here.”
Banks shoots me a look, clearly telling me to shut up, then tells the man, “We will be back to check on the situation. Give us a call if there are any further incidents.”
“So this is what Jenks meant,” he mutters as we both slide back into the car. “When I make a decision, you need to follow it, and you need to back me up. Do not undermine me, or try to make us look unprofessional in front of civilians, Black. We are a team. We do not bicker like that in front of anyone, you hear me?”
Fuck.
“Yes, I hear you,” I say softly, shifting in my seat. When he puts it like that, I can understand what he means. Shit. I shouldn’t have said anything, and I need to trust that my partner has made the right call, even if I may disagree.
“Good,” he murmurs.
“That had to have been really painful,” I say, bringing the subject back to the man with the burn.
“She sounds crazy,” Banks admits, frowning. “I don’t want him to think she will get away with this just because he’s male. I know you obviously thought my telling him that we will return later is some kind of cop-out, but it’s not. We will find her. But staking out a house isn’t the best way to utilize our time, all right? This isn’t my first rodeo, you need to trust me.”
“Okay,” I tell him. “I get it.” He’s right. I can’t expect to focus on one case at a time, especially for a domestic disturbance like this.
I don’t like the whole stigma surrounding violence against men, and I agree with him: she can’t get away with attacking her husband, just like a man shouldn’t get away with attacking his wife.
“So what next?” I ask him.
It’s exciting not knowing what is going to happen today. I like the unpredictability of the job. It’s like my adrenaline is going to be at a high all day.
“You should see your face right now,” Banks comments.
“What about my face?” I ask, wondering if I have something on there.
“You just look excited, and in your element,” he admits, blue eyes softening as he watches me. “You look like me four years ago.”
I shrug. “Considering what I’ve heard about you, I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
He gives me a full-blown smile this time, and a set of dimples makes an appearance. Just when I thought he couldn’t possibly get any more attractive.
“I want to take down the bad guys, what can I say? It’s not like I’m excited that other people are having a shit day or going through a rough time, but I do like that I can do something about it. And if I get to chase a criminal, or save a fucking kitten, I’m still doing something to benefit the community,” I continue, avoiding his eyes.
“You know what, Black?”
“What?” I reply.
“Maybe you’re not so bad after all,” he murmurs. “And maybe I do have something to work with here.”
“I was just thinking the same thing about you, Banks,” I reply with a grin.
We head out on the next call, tension in the car dulled, the hostility gone.
For now.
FOUR
“HAS Banks used his handcuffs on you in the bedroom yet?” Cara asks me, laughing to herself. I love coming home and talking shit with her more than anything.
“Very funny,” I tell her, pursing my lips. “We have a professional relationship only, so get your mind out of the gutter.”
The last few weeks as Banks’s partner have been my best time on the force. I’m learning things from him, and just watching him handle situations is honestly inspiring. He’s starting to trust me and give me more leeway and freedom with our calls, and it’s reminded me why I’m doing this. I haven’t had any time at my desk; I’ve been out in the action, and helping as many people as I ca
n. It’s what I always wanted, and he’s the one who has taken a chance and given it to me. I know if I fuck up, he will be the one to take the heat for it, so I’ve been making sure to follow instructions and protocol. I’m not going to fuck this up, not when I’m finally getting a taste of what being a cop is really about.
“You’re the one who blushes every time his name comes up,” she teases, leaning toward me over the table. “Come on, admit it. You like him.”
Fuck.
Admitting this out loud is not what I need right now, because it doesn’t matter what I think of him, nothing is ever going to happen. I decide to distract and evade.
“Only if you admit that you like Rhett.” I pause, and then add, “As more than just a friend.”
She looks toward the bar. “Could we get another two vodkas, please?” she calls out.
I shake my head, refusing after already having one. “Dude, one of us has to drive.”
She turns to me, smirking. “They’re both for me.”
“Did you turn into an alcoholic in my absence?” I ask her, brows rising. Don’t get me wrong, the two of us have been irresponsibly intoxicated many a time, but Cara has never been much of a day drinker.
She taps her pink nails on the table, the clicking noise distracting. “I think Rhett has a girlfriend,” she blurts out, shoulders hunching.
“Is this you admitting that you have feelings for him?” I ask her, eyes going wide as saucers. “Holy fuck, Cara, isn’t this a day of revelations.”
I’ve been calling this for years, but all my comments have been ignored. Cara will call me and speak about Rhett most of the time, and then Rhett will call and do the exact same. I’ve tried to bring it up to the both of them, only to be shut down by their denial. This is a first.
A muscle ticks in her jaw. “I don’t know what I’m feeling, okay? But when I saw him with her at the restaurant, there was this tightness in my chest, and it hasn’t gone away, and for some reason it’s all I can think about.”
“That’s called jealousy, dear,” I tell her, wrapping my arm around her. “Why don’t you talk to him? At the end of the day, he’s still one of your best friends. You know, after me.”
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