Sworn to Be His (The Archer Family Book 3)

by Allison Gatta

  "Me?"

  "You worked harder on this case than anyone else. If they're going after anyone, it's going to be you."

  She blinked. This time, she hadn't seen that coming. Not from a mile away.

  * * *

  "You're coming with me," he said, trying to keep the raising panic from his voice.

  With every second, he saw a new flash of memory. Another soldier he'd fought beside. Another fallen comrade. Will.

  If he didn't do something—and fast—Jade's face might just become another reminder of his failure. Another life he'd been too foolish and short-sighted to save.

  "Derrick, I'm a trained officer. I had a side arm just like you and—"

  "Then bring it after you get dressed. We're going to the station." He hadn't meant to bark at her, but she swung her legs over the side of the bed all the same and made for her closet. As she moved, he closed his eyes, determined not to be distracted by the swell and curve of her body.

  He needed to focus. Needed to think of each and every circumstance that might incriminate Zac.

  Fucking Zac.

  Of course she didn't think perfect Zac had lifted a finger, despite every clue that led him to the scene. Perfect Zac couldn't be held accountable for a single damn thing in her eyes. He was nothing but a dreamboat where she was concerned.

  He gritted his teeth and shoved his phone into his pocket before pulling on his shirt. Just then, Jade sidled from the closet wearing a half-rumpled button down and slacks. Without so much as a word to her, he started down the stairs, listening to her light footfalls trailing behind him, then opened her passenger side door before swinging over to the driver's seat.

  "It's my day off." She grumbled again as she bucked her seatbelt and closed her door.

  He didn't bother answering her. Instead, he started up the car and headed onto the high street, pushing the engine as hard and fast as it could go. For all he knew, they were already watching her, waiting until they had a clear shot.

  From what he'd seen of their crime scenes, these guys were not unfamiliar with messy hits. Even Crystal's death had been a chaotic one with turned-over tables and blood smeared on the bathroom tiles.

  He glanced at Jade through the corner of his eye, trying his best to turn his mind to other topics. To better, more hopeful things.

  Like, for example, what he'd do when he finally had definitive proof that Zac was behind this whole ordeal.

  He had to admit there was some foundation behind Jade's doubts. After all, only an idiot would come into a unit and start causing mayhem within the first week. But then, in that same token, wouldn’t the farfetched nature of it made it that much more likely?

  If all signs pointed to the butler doing something, wasn't it still most likely that the butler did it?

  He didn't know what to think anymore. All he knew was that he could feel the fury rolling off of Jade in huge, sweeping waves, and if he didn't act soon, she would likely implode.

  "We need to get you some Kevlar. At the very least," he offered and then pulled into the front row of parking in the station and raised the emergency brake.

  "Oh please. You only just came up with that. You're trying to keep me in your sight."

  "Jade, please—"

  "Which is strange. Maybe you just think I'd run away with Zac if given the chance and you're afraid I'll—"

  He climbed from the car before she got the chance to finish and shoved his way through the wide, glass double doors and into the elevator. She was too quick for the automatic doors, though. Just as quickly she was sprinting along behind him, her blond hair flying out behind her as she rushed into the lift.

  "Why don't you just say what this is really about? I thought you weren't the jealous type. I thought—"

  "I'm not." He ground out. "I told you, this is about keeping you safe."

  "No, it's about not trusting me. Or, apparently, not trusting my judgment. I'm telling you, I grew up with this guy, and he’s not—"

  There was a loud ding, and the doors slid open onto the practically empty office space. Here and there a few officers were huddled around desks, but for the most part the place was a ghost town. And in the very corner of the room, with a single light shining through the pane of the window, was the supervisor's office.

  "I'm going in there with you," she said.

  "It's your day off," he shot back. "Can you please go grab some Kevlar?"

  Before he had the chance to argue with her any more, the wide oak door of the supervisor's office swung open and he stood in the doorway, his walrus mustache wilting as he surveyed the pair of them. "Good. It's both of you. I thought I heard your voices. Lockhart, Archer, I'd like a word."

  He left the door ajar as he disappeared from the frame and Derrick grit his teeth as he strode toward what was quickly feeling more and more like his certain demise.

  Jade followed behind him silently and when they were both inside the lush, dark office, she closed the door and stood at attention in front of Sanders' desk.

  "Supervisor," she said. "I heard what happened and—"

  "Yes. This breach is the biggest in the history of our unit." The older man folded his hands on the desk in front of him and glanced from Derrick and Jade with weary, watery eyes. "I must ask if either of you have been questioned by any of your fellow officers about the case."

  "No," Derrick said at once, then glanced at Jade, waiting for her response. She glanced up at him with narrowed eyes and then gave a brusque shake of her head.

  "Detective Flynn and I have discussed it. I've also discussed it with Freddricks."

  "I see. And were either of these officers particularly interested in any details of the case?"

  "Not to my knowledge," Jade answered.

  The older man closed his eyes, then rubbed them with his thumb and forefinger. "You two must understand how suspicious this is. The electricity for the entire building was cut during the breech. We've no footage to lead us to suspects. As the two detectives working most closely on this case, it does look suspicious. Is there anything either of you wish to tell me?"

  Derrick glanced down at Jade and when she gave the slightest shake of her head, he closed his eyes, let out one long breath, and said, "I have reason to believe detective Flynn was involved in tampering with the evidence."

  Sanders perked up, though his face was just as stern as ever. "On what grounds?"

  "He's the newest to this unit. He's been asking questions. We've been working on this case for two years, why would anyone choose to act now?"

  "Why would he implicate himself?" Sanders shot back and Jade nodded silently alongside him.

  "There's something not right about Detective Flynn's interest in the case."

  "In his interest in me, you mean," Jade murmured under her breath and Derrick looked down at her again.

  "I won't deny there has been some personal entanglement between Detective Flynn, Detective Lockhart, and myself, but I swear to you that my interest in this case is purely professional. I recommend that we keep a close eye on Detective Flynn and investigate further. Possibly suspend him from investigation on this case until we have further evidence."

  "Detective Flynn is also on call this weekend. Shall I call him in for questioning?" Sanders raised his eyebrows.

  "I would recommend it, sir, yes."

  Jade glowered at him.

  "And Detective Lockhart? What do you have to say?"

  "I'm not on the clock, sir. My opinion is meaningless here." She said the words through gritted teeth, and though Derrick wanted to argue with her, she was out the door before he got the chance.

  He watched her go, and when Sanders at last dismissed him he followed her toward the closing elevator doors.

  After waiting for the next lift, he ran into the parking lot and chased her down. She was just on the edge of the property, ready to walk out onto the street.

  "Jade, stop. Let me drive you home. You can't—"

  "I'm sick of being told what I can and can
't do. I'm not fragile. You don't have to—"

  "You don't understand. This is bigger than your problems with me. These people are likely after you. They want to kill you. Get some Kevlar. Get some protection. Please, just do anything."

  She stared him down for a long moment. "You didn't even consider what a fool you were making of me."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Dragging me in there, ignoring what I said in front of the supervisor, all of it. You can't force me to do what you want or think what you want."

  "I know that."

  "No, I don't think you do." She shook her head. "I'm not yours to save."

  "But you are. You're mine."

  "No, Derrick. You don't respect me. I can't...I can't deal with that. Not now."

  "Jade, at least let me drive you home."

  "No." She didn't qualify her answer. Hell, she didn't even change her expression as she said it. She simply turned on her heel and headed off in the opposite direction.

  He wanted to jump in his car and drive alongside her, follow her if only to make sure she got home safe and sound, but he knew that was the wrong move. He'd check on her later. Make sure she was okay.

  For now?

  He was going to make sure Zac paid for this. Every last bit of it.

  Chapter 10

  "Shit." Derrick ducked lower in his car seat, watching as Jade stalked onto her front porch, bent over, and then picked up her morning newspaper. It was Sunday already and though he hadn't seen any clues about whether or not someone was watching her, he still wasn't willing to give up his vigil.

  Even if she didn't understand the severity of the situation, that was fine. Even if she'd boil over with rage if she knew what he was doing—that was fine too. Just so long as she was safe.

  In his pocket, his cell phone began to buzz against the seat and he thumbed it on clumsily, careful to make sure Jade hadn't craned her neck to look down the street and notice his all-too-familiar car.

  Frankly, he'd been shocked she hadn't caught him yet, but he supposed she had more important things on her mind. She did look weary, her blond hair hanging limply around her shoulders.

  Probably the stress of the case.

  Or the stress of what had happened between them...

  He shook his head, and when Jade slipped back inside he held his phone to his ear and said, "Hello?"

  "Oh, hey, geez. I thought there was a problem with your phone or something," his sister Andy said. "Long time no talk."

  "I know, I'm sorry. Things have been...crazy at work." He opted for the safest answer, but given the pause on the other side of the line, he didn't think Andy was buying it.

  "Everything okay? Nothing dangerous?"

  "You know me."

  "That's why I have to ask," She sighed. "Look, there's something I wanted to tell you and it's too important to say over e-mail."

  "They're retiring Logan's number?" He guessed. His sister's husband was one of the biggest stars in the baseball industry, running neck-and-neck with their brother, Matt, who'd started in the majors again this season and was already breaking records.

  "Not yet. Matter of time on that one." He could hear the smile in her voice and his heart squeezed inside his chest.

  He loved that sound. The smile that was always implied when Andy was talking about her husband. It was almost the same tone that he had when he talked about Jade. Or when Jade was speaking about him.

  "Okay then, shoot. What's the big news?" he asked.

  "Logan and I are expecting!" Her voice hitched on the last word and Derrick smiled despite everything else blowing up around him.

  "I'm so happy for you, sis."

  "Thanks. I just wanted to kind of sort of tell you in person. E-mail didn't seem good enough."

  "No, I'm glad you called."

  "Good." Andy said, and then went on, "so you going to tell me what's going on? I've heard you when things are stressful at work, and you sound different than that."

  "Maybe you should be the detective." He laughed.

  "Maybe. I bet I'd be damned good."

  "Me too."

  "So, come on. Spill. What's going on? You finally make a move on Jade or something?"

  He was silent and then his sister's gasp filled the line.

  "Oh. My. God."

  "Don't. Come on."

  "This is huge. I had a bet going with Matt and I'm going to win so much money."

  "You had a bet going?" Derrick raised his eyebrows.

  "Of course. You think we didn't notice what was going on? One month you're sending sentence-long emails and then the next you're typing paragraphs about the new girl at work?"

  "She's not new—"

  "Not anymore. Jeez. Wow." Andy let out a long breath, and then said, "Okay, so what happened?"

  "Nothing. It doesn't matter. She doesn't want anything to do with me."

  "I'm sure that's not true."

  "I called her out in front of our superior."

  "Oh. Right." Andy sighed. "What would you do that?"

  I was jealous.

  "I don't know."

  "Well, this is fixable. You need to do what I call the ol' bloom and beg."

  "Bloom and beg?"

  "Yeah, get her some flowers and beg on bended knee for her forgiveness. If she really likes you—and I think she does—she'll probably let you back into her good graces."

  "Right. Bloom and beg." He considered for a moment, and then he remembered the look on her face as he'd spoken to their commanding officer. "I don't think that's going to work."

  "Well, think about it."

  "The thing is, I didn't do anything wrong. She was going to get herself in danger if I didn't—"

  "Oh, here we go with the hero complex," Andy sighed.

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "Well, no offense, but you sort of have this thing you do where you think you can save everyone no matter what the situation."

  "You don't even know the situation."

  "I don't have to. I know you."

  "Right." Derrick scrubbed a hand over his face.

  "Just, you know, think about it. Bloom and beg. Works every time."

  "I'll think about it." Derrick hung up then slid back in his seat and waited for Jade to walk outside again.

  * * *

  When Monday morning came around, Jade could hardly tear herself from the bed. All weekend she'd been curled around a surprisingly snuggly Lisa and mentally banging her head against the wall.

  Stupid.

  She repeated the word to herself over and over again, and still she couldn't bring herself to call Derrick and apologize.

  I've got nothing to apologize for.

  After all, wasn't he the one who'd made everything about their relationship? All she'd said was that Zac couldn't possibly be the mole, and she still felt that way. What kind of idiot would waltz into the department as the new guy and start selling information from day one? Who wouldn't build trust first?

  She knew Zac well enough to know that he was smarter than that. It was so much more likely that someone in the department had been waiting for a scapegoat and Zac had been the perfect target.

  And if that conclusion hurts my pride less, then so much the better.

  She cringed at the thought, but knew it was no small part of her decision making. What kind of woman would she be if she had been interested in a guy like that? What kind of detective?

  Lisa purred beside her and Jade snuggled into her fur. It had been a long time since she'd taken a sick day. Maybe if she did that, she could avoid seeing Derrick and...

  And then what? Stay in her bed forever? Good plan.

  She yawned and reached for her phone. Then, after a quick glance at the time, she groaned. Time to meet her maker. Pay the piper. Make the doughnuts.

  Making quick work of prepping for the day, she shoved her hair into a ponytail and petted Lisa before scooting out the door and speeding to work. When she rolled into the parking lot, she was only ten minutes
late.

  "Not bad," she muttered, then scanned the parking lot for Derrick's car.

  "Not here," she mumbled, furrowing her brow and looking around again. "Odd."

  Hitching her canvas tote on her shoulder, she hit the elevator, waiting for the ominous creaking of the pulley, and then closed her eyes when the lift finally halted.

  "Here goes nothing." With a little ding, the doors opened and she stepped into a room full of bustling, buzzing detectives.

  It was like everyone in the department had already been there for hours, all shuffling and chatting and waving papers in the air. Again she glanced around for Derrick, but when she caught no sign of him, she made her way to her desk, careful to listen in on conversations as she passed them by.

  "They're saying it's a code orange. All officers are to be on the alert—"

  "Babe, I need you to stay calm—"

  "It could be anybody—"

  Jade pursed her lips and sat her bag in her seat before heading straight for the captain's office. Supervisor Sanders was sitting behind the desk, his jowled face resting in the palm of his hand while he reviewed some paperwork.

  "Sir," she said, and he glanced up at her, though he didn't seem to register her presence. "Is everything okay? Did I miss the morning meeting?"

  "I'm holding the meeting later in the day. When we have more information." He said it slowly, almost gravely.

  "Right, um. Anything I can do?"

  "Just get back to work for now. And remain calm."

  "Right. Okay." She nodded and headed from the office. In all her time moping this weekend, she hadn't even bothered to consider what this breech might look like in the grand scheme of things—what her coworkers would do in the face of such a massive crisis.

  Derrick's words rang in her ears as she headed back to her desk:

  "Jade, we don't have time for this argument. My only concern is getting you someplace safe right now...You worked harder on this case than anyone else. If they're going after anyone, it's going to be you."

  She could be in real danger right now. Greater than anything she'd ever been in before.

  So why was it she felt so hollow?

  "Hey," A deep voice sounded from behind her and she turned to find Zac leaning on the corner of her cubicle.