Building Empires (MidKnight Blue Book 1)

by Sherryl Hancock

  “You’re my best friend, Joe,” she began, “and I love you more than anything in the world.” She paused, obviously worried about what she was about to say. “I just think, that we need to step back for a while, and just see how we feel, you know?” Her voice pleaded with him to understand, and thanks to Tom, he did.

  “Kind of like not seeing the forest for the trees, eh?” he said, smiling down at her.

  A relieved smile crossed Midnight’s face; she had been so afraid that he’d be angry or that his ego would get in the way, but she realized now that she should have known better.

  “But,” he said sternly, his eyes searching hers, “we stay close, and we still back each other up.”

  “I wouldn’t allow it to be any other way,” she said, her eyes misty with tears.

  “I’ll always be here for you, Midnight,” he said quietly, as he stared deep into her eyes. “Always.”

  “And I for you, Joseph,” she replied with equal sincerity.

  He leaned down and kissed her lips. Although the kiss was tender, it was more poignant, than passionate. They had just moved to a new level in their friendship. And they had nowhere to go but up.

  Chapter 3

  San Diego, California, 1989

  Joe and Midnight stayed very close, no one could interfere with their friendship. They were there for each other come Hell or high water. It’s how they wanted their relationship. It worked for them, and it gave them both the comfort they needed, without the intensity of the romantic entanglements.

  Midnight had relationships with other police officers from different departments and other men she met, but she never wanted them for long. The men would either become possessive of her, or they would try to change her; Midnight would put up with neither. Many simply couldn’t handle how close she was to her partner. At any given time, night or day, Joe could call and Midnight would drop everything for him. The men she dated couldn’t, or wouldn’t, compete with that. Then there was the fact that she’d just been promoted to lieutenant; she was the youngest lieutenant in the department, as well as being one of the very few female ranking officers. The jealousy over that kept men in the department far from Midnight.

  She never felt like she had to have a man around. To her, they were good for sex, but other than that they were too self-centered and self-serving to be around too long. As far as Midnight was concerned, she didn’t need anyone but herself and her work. She figured if she didn’t rely on anyone, they could never let her down.

  The only exception to that rule was Joseph Michael Sinclair. Sometimes, if she’d allow herself to think about it, Midnight would rail at the fates that had made it so that she was not in love with the one man she cared about and trusted most.

  For Joe the feelings were the same. He always knew Midnight would be there for him, if he needed her, as he was for her. Joe found that, in a lot of ways, being with Midnight was like being with his lifelong best friend, Rick. He felt the same kinship with her as he did with Rick, she knew him inside and out, as he did her. They each knew what made the other tick and they shared the same dedication to FORS.

  Joe’s relationships, too, were many, but usually short-lived. Often, women would only be interested in his money; it had become general knowledge in the department that Joe was worth a lot. Some women found Joe a challenge, sometimes because of his brooding silence, but usually because of his relationship with Midnight. Women seemed to think that if they could hold on to Joe longer than Midnight had, then they were somehow better than her. Joe did not understand the logic but Midnight found it amusing.

  ****

  Midnight was working late one evening when there was a light knock on the doorjamb to her office. Looking up she saw Tammy, a shy member for FORS, standing there.

  “Hi Tammy,” Midnight said, smiling, “what’s up?”

  “Do you have a minute?” Tammy replied softly.

  “Sure,” Midnight replied, nodding and gesturing for her to sit down. She did, though she was hesitant.

  Tammy was a member of FORS by default. She’d never been a hard-core gang member. She had, however, dated the leader of a gang FORS had taken down. Tammy turned to FORS to take him down after he’d raped and beaten her. She was a shy, quiet girl. Once her ex-boyfriend had been taken down, Joe had taken Tammy under his wing, treating her delicately and with a great deal of compassion. She’d come further out of her shell in the time she’d spent around the unit and it had a lot to do with Joe and his attention to her. He often took her to lunch or just sat and talked to her, trying to get her to open up and have more confidence. It was definitely working. Tammy didn’t look or act like the same scared-to-death girl she had been when Midnight had first met her. She was finally dating again, but she was always comparing men she dated to Joe. They always paled in comparison, but the man she’d gone out with the night before had a lot promise.

  “So, what’s going on with you?” Midnight asked, giving her a warm smile.

  “Oh,” Tammy said, sighing, “I went out last night.”

  “And?” Midnight asked, leaning forward with interest.

  “And he’s very nice.” She blushed and stared shyly at the floor. “And a lot like Joe.”

  “Really now?” Midnight said, grinning. Midnight knew that Tammy idolized Joe as if he were the perfect man.

  “He’s nice huh?” Midnight asked.

  “Well, yes,” Tammy said, her smile wider now.

  “Who is it?” Midnight asked suspiciously, but her smile remained. She knew that Tammy wanted to tell her something, but she was afraid.

  “It’s …” Tammy hesitated again, then she reached behind her and closed Midnight’s door. As she sat back down, she took in a deep breath to calm her nerves. “It’s Spider,” she said. Midnight was surprised but the longer she thought about it, the more it made sense.

  Spider was quiet, but he did have a certain sincere, sweet quality to him, and in a way, he was like Joe. Midnight’s smile told Tammy that she approved of the match. Tammy smiled back, relieved. She was afraid that Midnight might not approve of them being together. Midnight and Joe’s relationship hadn’t lasted long because of the impact the job had had on it. She thought that maybe Midnight would say the same about their new relationship.

  “I think that’s great, Tammy,” Midnight said, genuinely pleased about the union.

  Tammy smiled happily. She was glad Midnight approved and she knew Spider would be relieved too.

  To many of them, FORS was a family, and Midnight was the head of that family. Much like a mother’s disapproval, Midnight’s disapproval could spell certain death to any relationship, venture, or plan. It was their way, and they loved it.

  ****

  The next day in the office, Joe received a call he could barely believe.

  “Sinclair,” he answered, his tone as always distracted as he multi-tasked trying to get everything done at once.

  “Such bad phone etiquette,” came the sardonic reply in an English accent much like Joe’s.

  “Hey!” Joe exclaimed, knowing his best friend Rick’s voice better than anyone’s.

  “Hey yourself,” Rick said, grinning at his end.

  “How’ve you been, man?” Joe asked.

  “Me? Oh, I’m fine. You?”

  “Same ole, thing,” Joe replied happily.

  “Yeah, well, I’m ’bout to change that up,” Rick replied, his smile evident in his voice. “I’m coming out there.”

  That had to sink in for a minute with Joe. “Coming here? Man, that’s great! How long you staying?”

  “Forever.”

  “What?” Joe asked, his voice rising as if he could not possibly have heard his friend right. “You’re leaving England?”

  “Yeah, they will let me out you know,” Rick said, his tone wry.

  “You’re leaving your family? Rick,” Joe said then, now sounding worried, “nothing’s happened has it?”

  Rick only laughed. “God, man! No nothing’s happened, I’m ju
st tired of living here and I’ve been thinking about a change of scenery, so I’m coming,” Rick said, looking out the window of his flat, thinking of a particularly sticky situation he’d recently been dealing with. A local debutante had been trying to nail him to the matrimonial cross.

  “When?” Joe asked.

  “A week.”

  “When’s your flight?” Joe asked, reaching for a pad and paper to write it all down. He couldn’t believe that Rick was actually coming to California to stay.

  He hadn’t seen him since he’d left England. Rick had been his best friend since he was seven years old. They’d grown up together. Joe got all the details from Rick, then hung up with a big smile on his face.

  He got up from his desk and walked over to Midnight’s office.

  “Guess who I just talked to,” he said, his grin still wide.

  “Who?” Midnight replied, noting his grin and canting her head to the side.

  “Rick Debenshire.”

  “Your best friend,” Midnight replied, looking suitably impressed.

  “You’re my best friend,” Joe replied, narrowing his eyes at her, “but he was for many years.”

  “You’re allowed to have more than one,” Midnight said with a grin.

  “Wouldn’t be considered ‘best’ then, love,” Joe pointed out, chuckling.

  “Good point,” she replied. “He’ll be here, when?”

  “A week,” Joe answered.

  “This should definitely be interesting,” Midnight said, her lips twisted in a grin.

  Indeed it would.

  ****

  A week later, Joe waited for Rick at the end of the gangway. When he saw Rick walking along, he strode over to him. The two men hugged, and laughed, but Rick could see that Joe was as serious as ever. Joe had always been that way. People around them glanced at the two men. They were a complete contrast, not just in looks, but in personality as well, and it showed.

  Rick was gregarious, open, and outgoing. He had a wide smile and sapphire-blue eyes that sparkled with good humor. Whereas Joe had a dark brooding air about him, he was a mystery. It had always made them an intriguing pair in their youth in London. It had also made them good partners in their gang years before.

  Once they were through customs and baggage claim, and in the car, Rick looked over at his lifelong friend.

  “So now what?” Rick asked, the glint in his eyes mischievous as always.

  “Bar?” Joe asked, grin in place.

  “And you think I’ll say no to that?” Rick replied.

  An hour later, they sat at a table in a bar Joe and the rest of FORS frequented. They were talking and drinking beer, Joe was telling Rick about FORS’s latest case. Rick’s attention was diverted at one point when he saw a beautiful blond enter the bar; he watched as she walked over the bar. She obviously knew the bartender, since all she did was hold up one finger and the bartender, nodding and smiling, handed her a drink a few moments later. As Rick watched, the woman turned, her eyes scanning the bar. They came to rest on the table where Rick and Joe were sitting. Picking up her drink, she walked in that direction. Rick found himself staring as she walked. She had a body that could stop a Mack truck, and a beautiful face to match.

  Joe realized quickly that Rick was no longer listening. He recognized the look on his friend’s face easily, it was pure lust. Joe turned in his chair to check out the object of Rick’s attention. His eyebrow rose as he saw Midnight walking toward them.

  Should have seen that one coming, Joe thought to himself.

  Midnight’s eyes flicked to Joe’s then back at Rick, resuming the stare she’d held since turning toward the table.

  Joe turned back to look at Rick, chuckling at how awestruck his friend looked.

  “Uh, Rick,” Joe began, his tone humorous, “this would be Midnight, my partner.”

  Rick’s eyes widened noticeably. Joe had told him about his partner being a woman, and that Midnight was an ex-gang leader like Joe. He’d also heard tales about Midnight being able to throw down in a fight with even the toughest gang members. So this petite, copper-blond haired, green-eyed vixen was far from what he’d expected. It took him a few moments to find his voice.

  Midnight noticed, and grinned at him. She knew she was never what people expected. She liked that she surprised people, it kept them guessing. She, too, was a bit awed by Joe’s friend. He was extremely handsome. He had long light brown hair, worn long past his shoulders. From what she could see, his build was lean, but he looked like he was probably almost as tall as Joe. He had deep sapphire-blue eyes that sparkled mischievously.

  As she reached the table, Midnight shifted her drink to her left hand and offered her right hand to Rick.

  “Good to meet you,” she said, her voice holding a tint of humor at the situation.

  “Uh, you too,” Rick said, finally finding his voice as he took her hand, holding it just a few seconds longer than necessary.

  Joe hooked a booted foot around a nearby chair, pulling it over so Midnight could sit down between them. Glancing at Rick again, he could see that his oldest friend was still a bit dumbfounded. Joe couldn’t help but needle Rick.

  “She’s something, isn’t she?” he said, his eyes glinting mischievously as he looked over at his partner.

  “You can say that again,” Rick said, smiling too, his eyes on Midnight.

  “Hullo, I’m sitting right here,” Midnight said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. Then she looked at Rick. “So, Rick, are you here for a visit or …”

  “I’m here to stay,” he replied, his look direct.

  “I see,” Midnight said, nodding, her look appraising.

  The spark between them was undeniable.

  “I understand you take in stray gang members,” Rick said, his lip curling in a grin.

  “I took in this one didn’t I?” Midnight said, gesturing to Joe with her head.

  “Smartest thing you ever did,” Joe put in.

  Midnight chuckled at that, then looked over at Rick again. “Joe said you were his second in the gang back home?”

  Rick inclined his head.

  “He’s good,” Joe said, nodding his head.

  Midnight nodded too. “Well, Joe, bring him down, we’ll see what we see,” she said, her look once again appraising.

  Rick caught the look and narrowed his eyes at it, then nodded in agreement.

  Joe quirked his lips at the definite chemistry, blowing his breath out to relieve the tension he suddenly felt. He wasn’t sure what to do with that, so he ordered another shot. The three of them stayed at the bar until well into the evening, only leaving when Midnight got a page and had to leave.

  Rick watched her go with interest written on his face. He caught the narrowed look Joe sent him, but didn’t comment on it. He wasn’t worried, Joe was his oldest and best friend and Rick hadn’t met a woman yet who could come between them. At least he didn’t think so. Women were just a pastime, sometimes good, sometimes not.

  London, England, 1988

  Sheila Theland had set her sights on Richard Debenshire. She’d heard about Rick’s wild side and she liked the idea of taming him; his sharp good looks and long hair excited her own wild side. It never occurred to her that he had the reputation as a player for a reason, and had she stopped to think about it, she would have shrugged and said that was with “other women” not her. Sheila pursued Rick as she had never pursued a man before. When he finally took her up on her many suggestions, she was thrilled.

  Six months later, she wasn’t as thrilled. Rick had kept her guessing during their time together. She finally resorted to telling him she thought she was pregnant, in a desperate attempt to hold onto him. Of course she wasn’t sure that she was pregnant, in fact she had only been two days late when she told him. His reaction to her revelation wasn’t what she been prepared for. She had expected either out and out anger, or sullen resignation, but she had received neither. He simply stared at her for a moment, then off into space for a long
time. She could see he was considering his options, then he nodded imperceptibly, as if he had just made an agreement with himself. To her utter shock, he stood up then and left.

  He showed up at her parents’ door two weeks later, dressed in his customary jeans, black cotton button up shirt, and a leather jacket. He asked for her and stood leaning indolently against the doorjamb, preventing the butler from closing the door. When Sheila had reached the top of the stairs, she was breathless. She’d planned to be cool and unaffected by him, punishing him for his rebuff. Seeing him again, though, changed that. She rushed down the stairs and all her dignity went by the wayside

  Once in the sitting room, Rick sat on the couch and calmly waited.

  “So?” he said simply, with one eyebrow raised cynically.

  “So?” Sheila replied, almost stupidly, then she realized what he was asking. “Oh!” she said, startled that he would be so crass as to bring up a subject of such a delicate nature so casually, as if he were asking after something as everyday as the weather.

  When she didn’t respond to his question, he narrowed his eyes at her, his mouth pursing in anger held in check. At least, she thought, he isn’t rude enough to actually ask the question outright. She was always making excuses for his attitude and demeanor. She knew that she shouldn’t continue to play games with him and tell him what he wanted to know, but she just couldn’t believe that was the only reason he had come. Surely he had missed her too.

  “I’ve missed you a great deal,” she said, smiling shyly at him, pretending not to understand what he was asking. She hoped that his sense of propriety wouldn’t allow him to ask her directly about the baby.

  Rick didn’t respond, he continued to watch her, his deep blue eyes cool, his face showing that he was unaffected by her. Finally, she had shaken her head “no,” keeping her eyes on the floor. Somehow, she had expected him to breathe a sigh of relief and tell her to be more careful, and then they could get back to their relationship. But once again, he surprised her, and stood up and walked out without one word. She didn’t hear from him again. She ran into him at a party his parents had forced him to attend; he and Joe had been there together. They were loud, rude, and their behavior was beyond reprehensible. When she had caught him alone, he looked at her as if he didn’t even know her. She had been devastated, but had managed to convince herself since then that he had only been drunk, and that was why he pretended not to recognize her. She was wrong.