by Sahara Kelly
No-shows? Scared off by the sight of their car, or Lou talking to Sean? Barbara didn’t know. There were too many things she didn’t know right now, so she stopped trying to evaluate the situation on that level and simply did her job - providing backup for Lou.
The thought crossed her mind that perhaps she should call in for more backup, but since this was shaping up to be just two guys having a conversation, it probably wasn’t necessary. And anyway, Lou might have already done it.
She didn’t know. A small nagging irritant tickled at her brain. She didn’t know too damn much. Lou had better do some straightforward and simple talking when they got this business out of the way and sat down together.
The professional side of Barbara needed to get in line with the personal side of Barbara. If she was gonna get seriously involved with this guy there had to be a clean slate between them.
No more secrets, no more evasions - no more missing bits of the puzzle.
She chuckled to herself. She was going to have to make sure they didn’t end up in bed before she’d gotten things straightened out. Otherwise, they’d never find time to talk about anything. Not for a few days anyway.
Just the thought of a few days in bed with Lou was distracting, making Barbara exert a physical effort to keep her mind on her job. The street was pretty empty, nobody had showed up to jeopardize Sean and it looked like this was yet another dead end.
It seemed Lou’s conversation with Sean was ending, as they both turned back towards her.
Then…in one of those odd occurrences that seem unreal and dreamlike when remembered later…things slipped out of focus and into slow motion.
Lou opened his mouth and yelled something at the same moment Sean tripped and stumbled to one knee colliding with him from behind.
Barbara didn’t catch what Lou shouted, but started forward, watching Lou draw his weapon.
And aiming his gun at her.
And catching her breath as he fired.
Ears ringing, Barbara stopped dead, shock cementing her feet to the ground. Then an odd warmth blossomed around her ribs and she looked downwards. To her surprise a brilliant scarlet stain was seeping through her jacket.
The truth seeped equally slowly into her numbed brain.
I’ve been shot.
She crumpled, the pain beginning - a fire that grew in intensity until she could scarcely breathe. Another shot rang out, but she barely registered it.
Her last thought as she sank to the pavement was that Lou had gone and shot her. With his gun.
I really picked the wrong one this time.
Chapter Eleven
“I oughta take you outside and pound you into a pulp.”
The chief’s softly irate voice percolated through the fog surrounding Barbara.
“You don’t need to. I’ve done it to myself a dozen times already.” Lou’s answer was little more than a rough groan. “I’ve seen it in my head endlessly. I can’t close my eyes without seeing it.”
A hand brushed Barbara’s cheek. It felt good. She was tired - too tired to say anything. But that touch warmed and comforted her. She vaguely caught the chief’s next words.
“It’ll fade. Let it go. She’ll be fine.”
“God…”
Lou sounded so sad. She wanted to reach out to him and hug him, but there was no strength in her arms and something tight was binding her chest making it difficult to draw a breath.
It could wait. She sighed and nestled back into the fog.
Lou watched her eyelids flicker and held his breath, but then she slid back down into sleep. The doctors called it a “healing” sleep and said it was the best thing for her, but it was probably the worst thing for the man beside her bed.
For the last twenty-four hours he’d held a vigil, leaving her hospital room only to file reports and fill in the chief. Even that had been perfunctory, bringing the chief himself to Barbara’s side to tidy up the details.
“Well, at least you got him.” The chief sounded pleased.
“Yeah I got him. And shot Barbara in the process.”
“Oh for God’s sake, Franconi, snap out of it. It was a through-and-through. A flesh wound. She’s gonna be absolutely fine, although probably so damn pissed at you you’ll end up in that bed as its next patient.”
That made Lou chuckle in spite of his depression. “You’re right about that.” He sighed. “How’s Rostovich?”
“Shaken.”
“He talk?” Lou really didn’t care, but he knew the chief would expect him to ask.
“Nope. Not a word. But the guy driving the car got a real scare with the glass shard threatening his vision. I guess he saw the light. He’s the one singing like a Russian bird. Given us quite a bit to go on, most of which has gone over to your group at State.”
Lou nodded. He could still see the ugly black length of gun barrel protruding from the car window as it eased silently behind Barbara. He’d shouted, tried to warn her then shot - not realizing Sean could see what he saw and was desperately trying to dive for safety.
The consequent comedy of errors had resulted in his first shot blowing out the passenger window after passing cleanly through Barbara’s flesh. He’d followed it with a shot to the tire, effectively disabling the vehicle and keeping its scratched and bleeding occupants from going anywhere.
He knew he’d used his cell and summoned assistance. He knew he’d kept everything under control even when speaking those dreaded words “Officer down”. He just couldn’t remember doing it. All he could recall - with horribly detailed clarity - was Barbara’s white face on the pavement and the blood pooling beneath her armpit.
There was just so damn much of it -
His fingers gripped her hand more tightly as the memories crowded in on him, sending a shiver of horror down his spine once again. It had been too damn close for comfort.
“Looks like we’ve seen the end of Rostovich’s organization, even if the lad himself makes bail. Don’t care how good a lawyer he’s got, this one is gonna be hard to avoid.” The chief turned to the door. “You did good, Lou. Barbara did good too. It’s a case of all’s well that ends well. Don’t go beating yourself up over this. You were in the right place at the right time to nab the big boys and you did it, just like you’re supposed to.”
The chief rested his good hand on Lou’s shoulder for a brief moment. “She’s a strong woman and she deserves a good man. You may be it, I don’t know. That’s up to the two of you. But put this little accident behind you. You’ve got a lot of years ahead.” He chuckled. “Of course, I don’t think she’s gonna forget it quite so easily. If you guys get together, she’s gonna bring this up every time she gets pissed.”
With another low laugh, the chief left the room.
“He’s right, you know.”
Lou jumped as Barbara’s hoarse voice came from the bed. “Hey babe. How you feeling?” He stroked her hair away from her forehead with a tender touch.
“Sore, fuzzy and quite possibly pissed at you. You shot me.” She yawned. “Care to explain that?”
“Yes. I can explain it. And I will - when you’re up and about. Right now, all I want you to know is that my life stopped when I lost my aim and hit you. I swear to God. My life stopped, my heart stopped…the world stopped.”
She smiled lopsidedly at him, her hand in his. “Aww.”
“Needless to say I didn’t mean to shoot you, honey. It was the guy in the car behind you.”
She blinked. “Car? There was a car?”
Lou nodded. “Yeah. Rostovich was driving himself that day. He had another guy riding shotgun for him.” He swallowed. “We got him. I winged you in the process, but we got him.”
“Good.” She sighed. “Lou?”
“What, sweetheart?”
“Are you rich?”
“Huh?” Lou blinked.
“You’ve got a Rolex watch.” Her worried hazel eyes drifted a little as the medications ranged through her body.
He grinned. “Y
ep. And it would seem somebody’s been through my stuff.”
“Sorry.” She blushed.
“Don’t be. It’s okay. I got to keep it when I got divorced. Sometimes the husband comes out of these things with a good deal. My ex wasn’t hurting for cash, babe. She just couldn’t deal with the whole cop thing, you know?”
“Yes. I know.” The look of relief on Barbara’s face was almost comic.
“So you thought I was making big bucks from…what…taking kickbacks?”
“No, I thought you might be running the bootleg ring yourself.”
Lou laughed aloud. “You’d never have told me that if you weren’t seriously drugged, you know.”
“Probably.” She yawned. “I’m still trying to deal with you shooting me.”
He sighed. “You’re gonna be fine, babe. My shot went right through, barely grazed a rib and won’t even leave a scar. Or not much of one anyway.”
“Lucky, huh? Doubt I could get a date if I was badly scarred.”
Lou’s hand tightened on hers. “There will be no more dates for you. Not allowed. You’re mine now.”
“Oh really?” Weak and groggy as she was, she struggled to pull herself up. “That’s a bit overbearing of you, don’t you think? Do I have any say in the matter?”
“No. Lie down.” Lou firmly pressed her back on the pillows. “You can argue this with me when you’re stronger. And we can both end up in bed together. Right now, you’re healing. I’m healing too. The shock of seeing you lying there - well, fuck it. I may never recover.”
She chuckled. “Liar.”
He grinned back. “Well, not without a lot of reassurance on your part that you forgive me.”
“I forgive you.”
“That wasn’t what I had in mind.”
“Oh really?” Barbara tugged on his hand. “Just what did you have in mind?”
Inspector Franconi leaned over and placed his lips very close to Detective Fremont’s ear. And told her exactly what he had in mind.
When the nurse responded to the accelerated heart rate showing on the monitor for the wounded cop’s room, all she found was another cop sitting next to the bed. They both looked quite calm and surprised to see her.
She shook her head, checked the dials, and completely missed the sleepy kiss blown by the patient over the IV tube to her guy.
*~~*~~*
Two months later
“Hey, listen to this.”
Barbara stretched lazily in bed next to the reclining length of Lou Franconi as he caught up with the local news. “What?”
“It’s from Friday’s Town Crier.” Lou folded the page and proceeded to read the article aloud.
“As a follow up to a recent story, we refer our readers to a statement from our Chief of Police. He informs our crime reporter that an investigation into the black-marketing of pirated videos has been successfully concluded by State authorities. Arrests have been made not only in the area of copyright violations, but also in other more heinous crimes. He cited the brave resolve of the local officers who participated in this operation and also the delight expressed by everyone involved at the crippling of a major criminal organization which had operated statewide for some time. He noted the cordial relations that were established with the Federal agencies also working on the case, referring to them as another example of mutual cooperation and hard work bringing a satisfactory conclusion.”
He looked at Barbara. “I’d say that was pretty accurate, wouldn’t you?”
She looked back at him, taking in the picture of all that luscious male flesh, laughing blue eyes and a heart that she knew was hers alone. “Oh yes. Particularly the bit about cordial relations.”
Wickedly, she lifted the covers and slithered down next to Lou, reaching for the solid length of his erection. It grew even more solid as she ran her palm over it. “I do like maintaining cordial relations.”
Lou groaned and the paper fell to the floor beside the bed. “No arguments from here. I rather like…ahhh…the mutual cooperation bit myself…” He moved, turning himself and her so that he could find the soft and moist skin between Barbara’s thighs.
“Mmmm…” Barbara purred around his cock as she licked and teased the purpling head.
“Mmmm…” Lou growled into her pussy, smearing her honeyed juices over the sensitive lips in the way she loved.
Thus passionately and intimately tangled together, Inspector Lou Franconi and his soon-to-be permanent partner, Detective Barbara Fremont, demonstrated the accuracy of the newspaper article and simultaneously arrived at a satisfactory conclusion.
A mst satisfactory conclusion.
About the Author
Sahara Kelly is always happy to explain to editors that her spelling errors aren’t really errors, since she was born and raised in England, where an extra “u” is quite in order. She likes to think it adds colour to her writing. Sadly, it’s not a widely held belief in the United States, so she’d like you to know she still retains a lot from her English childhood even though you won’t see much of it in her spelling.
Arriving in America with her almost-complete collection of Leslie Charteris’ Saint novels and a passion for Monty Python, Sahara’s new life eventually expanded to include a husband, offspring, citizenship, and a certain amount of acclimation to her new surroundings. (She still cherishes that extra “u” though.)
After more than two decades of writing, Sahara is now enjoying the greater freedom offered to authors by the rapidly expanding self-publishing scene and looking forward to many more such experiences. Being freed of restraints has opened doors - for Sahara and many other writers. There are now no impediments; no obstructions barring the path from writer to reader. Which is, in many ways, exactly as originally intended when that first storyteller sat on a rock outside her cave, tugged her bearskin around her shoulders and smiled at her kids across the open fire with the words “Once upon a time...” (or however it sounded several million years ago.)
To find out more about Sahara Kelly and her writing, please drop by her website and visit her at:
Sahara Kelly (Website – http://www.saharakelly.com)
This is where Sahara shares none of the intimate details of her life, but will present you with a list of books she'd like you to buy so that she can go do research on a beach in Aruba and be pampered with massages accompanied by drinks with umbrellas in them. She’ll send you a postcard. Thank you.
When not dreaming of lazing on tropical beaches, Sahara has a relatively active social presence on the Internet. Take a look:
Follow Sahara on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SaharaKelly
Friend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sahara.kelly
See what she’s blogging about: http://writersaharakelly.blogspot.com
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You can stay on top of what’s on the way from Sahara’s fertile imagination by subscribing to her newsletter and keeping up to date with everything going on by clicking here. (http://eepurl.com/bxpvp) She doesn’t send them out too often, so you won’t be swamped with unwanted mail. Sahara loathes that and refuses to inflict it on anyone else so you can go ahead and subscribe without worrying about it.
Also By Sahara Kelly
(*- co-written with S.L. Carpenter)
The Landlocked Baron
Book 1 in the Pearls of Baron Ridlington series
The Mistletoe Marquess
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The Gypsy Gentlemen Series
Honor and Secrets
Control and Compassion
Endings and Beginnings
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Oh My Laird!
Deverell’s Obsession
The Fifth Wife
Julia and the Devil
Discreet Madness
The Viscount and the Witch
Miss Foxworth’s Fate
Feels So Right*
~
Whole Lotta Love Series
Love in the Cards*
Love on the Road*
Love Under the Lights*
~
Happy Endings*
With a Little Help from my Friends (with Ciana Stone)
Letting Off Steam
Winding Her Up
Stripping Her Gears
My Renaissance Romance
Hired Help*
Open House
So Into You*
Faerieland needs YOU
My Wish
My Prize
My Hero
Showing Off*
And many more…
*~~*~~*
Several of the above titles were co-written with friend and writing partner S.L. Carpenter. Together, they have a dozen or so books available, each featuring their trademark touches of humor and heat. Their most recent releases are a contemporary romance - a bundle of their very first three books now available together – Feels So Right, a collection of strange fairy tales – Happy Endings - and the Whole Lotta Love series.
These, and a whole bunch of Sahara Kelly’s other books, can be found online for your eReader or your reader app. Quite a few are also in print. No excuses, people. You can add her stories to your bookshelves physically or digitally. Go get ‘em.
*~~*~~*
Sahara would like to mention that she and S.L. Carpenter co-own a small business, and have been up and running for five years. They have blended another of their shared passions - art - and formed an online graphics business focusing on the complicated world of writers. If you’re interested in seeing what they get up to when they’re not writing something twistedly hot and sexy, they’d like to invite you to come visit their company at the link below and check out some of the amazing cover art currently being created by S.L. Carpenter. They’re certainly never bored…