by Jamie Hill
Tears streamed her cheeks. “I felt the same way, even though I tried to resist it. When I saw you again, it was like coming home.” She paused. “While I was gone, I had lots of time to think. I remembered something I’d read. ‘Falling in love isn’t a choice. Staying in love is.’ I was so sad, because I thought I’d missed out on a second chance with you.”
“I was kicking myself too. Looks like we made it. We’re going to get that second chance.” He leaned in for a kiss.
She pulled back, making a face. “It’s not that I don’t want to kiss you, but I haven’t brushed my teeth in four days.”
Nick grinned and pressed a light kiss to her lips. “That’s the most original turndown line I’ve ever gotten. And I’ve heard a few over the years, believe me.” He sat on the edge of her bed and continued to hold her hand.
Jordan chuckled and sniffed. “I believe you. And that’s also a story for another day. We have some catching up to do. But right now, I don’t care. As long as we can be together.”
The door to her room opened and a nurse entered. “You’re awake! How are you feeling?”
“Fine.” Jordan shrugged. “Kind of hungry, and I could use a shower.”
“And a toothbrush,” Nick added teasingly.
Jordan’s eyes sparkled when she looked at him.
His heart soared. He loved seeing that expression on her face again so soon. She’s going to be just fine.
The nurse checked her vitals and made a call to the doctor, who said he’d see her in the morning. The woman brought Jordan a clean hospital gown and some toiletries so she could shower and get cleaned up.
While she was gone, Nick texted Doug that Jordan was awake and fine. He asked him to bring her a change of clothes the next morning, from her suitcase in the back of his rental car.
Later, the nurse brought some crackers and cheese, and pudding as a snack to get her through until breakfast.
Nick sat on the bed with her and they nibbled the crackers, neither of them starving. He felt strangely satisfied, not wanting for anything, and couldn’t keep his eyes off her. With wet hair hanging around her shoulders, wearing an ugly floral hospital gown, she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
They finally fell asleep sitting up in bed, her head on his shoulder. A lab tech woke them a couple of hours later to draw some blood when the morning shift began.
Nick yawned and stretched, and went in search of coffee for both of them. After a couple of cups her doctor came in so Nick left again. When the doctor was through the police arrived to take her statement. Nick was in the waiting room when Doug, Evan, and Ben arrived.
“How’s she doing?” Evan asked immediately.
“She’s great. Ready to get out of here. The doctor is waiting on one last set of results, but said she should be able to leave this afternoon.”
“What’s her condition?” The chief worded it carefully, but Nick caught his meaning.
He smiled. “She’s fine. The creeps didn’t harm her other than what we already knew about.”
The three men sighed with relief.
Nick nodded. “I know, right? She was lucky. We all were.”
“Ryan has an update for us. He’s meeting us here at nine,” Evan said.
“Good. Enough time for us to grab some breakfast. Neither of us has eaten much. She has to be getting hungry. I finally am.”
Doug grinned. “The adrenaline is wearing off. Did you get any sleep?”
“A couple of hours. At some point I’m going to crash and sleep for days.” He turned to Evan. “We need to figure out how to cover Charlie. I don’t think Jordan can be expected to go right back to work, and I don’t want to leave her alone.”
Evan raised his hands, palms out. “Wait until we hear from Ryan. I think that’s going to change everything.”
Intrigued, Nick nodded.
The two police officers left Jordan’s room and Nick led his coworkers in.
“Hey!” Evan gave Jordan a hug, followed by Ben and Doug, who handed over a bag with her clothes.
“Thanks.” She glanced at them. “I’m very happy to see you, but who’s watching Charlie?”
“Woods and Todd,” Ben said. “LA Witsec. They’re both good guys.”
She nodded. “How is our witness getting along? Did he ever find his all-important flash drive?”
“He did,” Ben replied. “And I’ve got to admit, the book is good. Woods and Todd both thought so. Charlie’s typing like a madman trying to finish new chapters so we can read and critique them.”
“You’re kidding me!” She laughed.
Ben pointed to Nick. “Tell her!”
Nick chuckled, embarrassed. “Yeah, it was good. I needed something to get my mind off of everything, you know…”
She smiled and looked at Doug. “Did you read it?”
Doug shook his head seriously. “No, I was too busy searching for you. Okay, I read the first chapter. And I have it saved to my phone.”
They all chuckled, and talked while Nick and Jordan ate. They were just finishing when Detective Ryan arrived.
“Good morning.” He smiled at Jordan. “You look much better than the last time I saw you.”
“I feel great. Thank you very much. And thanks for everything you did to find me. Nick told me you and the LAPD were top notch to work with.”
The compliment seemed to please him, and he gave Nick a small smile. “Well, I have some news, and enough information to fill in a few gaps for you. Yesterday, LeRoy VanDyke was killed in prison. His lawyer had been visiting him and they got into an argument. Oliver Bean says VanDyke tried to strangle him. I watched the security footage. Personally, I think the lawyer was baiting the guy by telling him lies about his family. Anyway, Bean stabbed him several times in the neck with an ink pen. VanDyke died a few hours later.”
Nick exchanged surprised glances with everyone else.
“Oh, my Lord,” Jordan murmured. “So what does this do to the case?”
Ryan shook his head. “There is no longer a case. Pete Rossi already pleaded down to reduced charges in exchange for his testimony. Now that he doesn’t have to testify, the DA has agreed to abide by the plea because of everything VanDyke put Rossi through in prison. He’ll serve many years, but he won’t get the death penalty.”
“Wow.” She seemed to process the information. “No trial. What about Charlie?”
Evan spoke up. “Charlie is a free man. He no longer requires Witsec. I’ve spoken with him already, and if you can believe this, he wants to return to Topeka. He says the big city of LA wasn’t all he’d thought it’d be. He’s decided it might be easier to write in a smaller, quieter place.”
“Plus, he likes the name Archer,” Nick added with a smile.
“Oh, he totally likes Archer,” Evan agreed. “Charlie’s one happy camper.”
Nick turned to Ryan. “What about Tracy and Wilma VanDyke? They did this to Jordan. It might have been LeRoy calling the shots, but they carried it out.”
The detective shook his head. “Tracy faces some possession charges, but it’s pretty clear that he and his wife were never a part of the big picture. Turns out it was his sister, Tessa, who was helping their father. Gabriel Monte worked for her. We all know he’s dead. Ferdinand Rios and the men working for him were apprehended at the warehouse yesterday. He’ll do his time for messing with a US Marshall.”
Nick blinked. “But Jordan said the woman she saw had long brown hair and was holding a small white poodle. That’s Wilma.”
Ryan pulled out his phone and showed Jordan a photo.
She nodded. “That’s her.”
Ryan held it up to Nick.
He saw a different woman with long dark hair. “What the—?”
The cop pulled his phone back. “This is Tessa. She and Wilma have ‘joint custody’ of LeRoy’s dog, Misty. Seems everyone loves that dog. They fight over who gets her and when. They drive back and forth from Tessa’s place in Bakersfield to pass her off. Tessa is n
ow in custody, and looks to be facing a long sentence for what she did. So it looks like Wilma and the kids will be keeping Misty.”
Ryan continued, “Tracy will be released with some fines and probation. The DEA will keep a close eye on him if he decides to carry on with the trucking company. He’s pretty upset with his pop right now. He actually mentioned selling off the business and going back to his old job in software design. Either way, he’ll inherit a bundle from his old man. After the government takes their cut in fines and restitution, Tracy and Wilma will still have it made.”
Nick thought of the boy he’d seen the night they raided VanDyke’s house. For some reason, he was glad the parents weren’t involved in the worst of it. He wouldn’t wish that on anyone, let alone a couple of little kids.
Ryan shook his head. “It’s sad, really. The family was more concerned about the dog than the old man.”
Nick frowned. “Maybe because the old man was a son of a bitch.”
“Maybe,” Ryan agreed. “He wasn’t close with his kids while they were growing up. When their mother died they were in college. He tried to make up for the lack of attention by buying them things, and that required lots of money. I don’t know if you have kids, but I can tell you bribery never works in the long run.”
Nick nodded. “I don’t, yet. I’ll remember that advice for the future.”
Jordan glanced at him with surprise.
Nick winked.
Epilogue
Silver Lake, Kansas
Jordan pulled Nick by the hand up the sidewalk to Doug and Christine’s house. “Come on, you’ve got to meet Doug’s family sometime.”
“I’ve met most of them,” he protested, but not too strongly.
She smiled. Since they’d been back, he’d pretty much let Jordan have her way. Their biggest argument had been over the distribution of drawer space in her small bedroom. He’d never lived with her before, and Lord have mercy, the man had as many clothes as she did. They’d eventually find a bigger place, but for now cozy was exactly what they needed.
“That first impression wasn’t the best. Now that you and Doug are going to be partners, Christi needs to meet the real you. The one I love.” She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his lips.
He cupped her ass and squeezed, speaking with their lips still crushed together. “We don’t have to stay long, do we? I’ve got a bottle of champagne chilling, and I have plans to drink it out of your belly button later tonight.”
Grinning, she kissed him again then pulled away. “The party is for me, so we’ll stay as long as we need to. My belly button isn’t going anywhere without you.”
“Good to know.” He batted his lashes at her.
Jordan’s heart melted. They were in a good place. Reaching for his hand again, she drew him up to the front door and knocked.
Ethan answered the door. “Aunt Jordan!” He gave her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re all right.”
She hugged the boy then pulled back, smiling. “That makes two of us, sweetie. E, I’d like you to meet my—” Accurate words escaped her. ‘Boyfriend’ sounded immature for people in their thirties, but they hadn’t discussed anything more permanent. She went with the old standby. “Partner, Nick Pierce. Nick, this is Doug and Christi’s son, Ethan.”
Nick shook hands with the boy. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“You too, sir. You’re partners with my dad, also, right?”
“For now. It’s kind of a job-share thing until Jo gets back on her feet. Then we’ll figure out what we’re going to do.”
“Is that Jordan?” Christine called from the other room, and entered the hall. “Hey!” She beamed and gave Jordan a big hug. “You look great. We’re so pleased you could make it. How do you feel?”
“I’m good. Really, really good. Christi, you remember Nick?” She placed a hand on his chest.
Christine smiled at him. “I’m choosing not to remember the last time I saw you. Instead, I’m focusing on all the good stuff my husband told me about you. He said you worked well together in California. He’s happy to have you as his partner until Jordan goes back to work.” She gave Nick a quick hug.
His face was flushed when she pulled away. Jordan smiled and held tight to his arm.
“Everyone’s in here.” Christine motioned them into the living room.
They followed her in and greeted Doug, his mother, Evan and his wife, Ben, Olivia, and Martina from the office. Jordan took a turn holding little Avery and noticed Nick did his best to avoid looking at the baby. She couldn’t help but smile. He was trying so hard, but some things were going to take time.
The label issue nagged at her, and she couldn’t let it drop. As she rocked Avery from side to side she said, “So Nick, what should I call you? ‘Boyfriend’ sounds too much like high school. ‘Partner’ sounds too severe.”
He smiled. “Significant other?”
She made a face. “Oh, I hate that. Makes you sound like an alien. Keep trying.” She glanced down at the sleeping child and smiled.
Nick shrugged. “You got me.”
“There’s always fiancé,” she said carefully, waiting to see his reaction.
He didn’t even blink. “If that’s what you want.”
She stomped a foot. “What do you mean, if that’s what I want?”
He shrugged again. His expression was a cross between amused and cocky, and she wasn’t letting him get away with it.
Avery’s face got red and she grimaced, before an odor permeated the room.
Jordan sniffed. “Uh oh.” She waved at Doug and he made his way over to them. “This little girl needs her britches changed.”
He made a face. “Ay Dios mio!”
Jordan gave a small shake of her head. “We’ve decided there’ll be no more swearing in Spanish. It’s not as fun after you’ve been sweared at by real Spanish-speaking thugs.”
Smiling, he scooped the baby into his arms. “Gotcha, and understood. Thank you, Auntie Jordan.” Doug carried Avery off.
Jordan snagged Nick by two belt loops and faced him. “Whatever happens, I’m not changing my name. I don’t even know what your real name is. Probably Peckerhead or something like that.”
He eyed her levelly. “I’ve been nothing but Pierce for as long as I can remember. Regardless, I don’t recall asking you to change your name.”
Jordan frowned. “That’s what fiancé implies. We’ve mentioned ‘commitment’. We also said something about ‘forever’, unless I heard wrong.”
“I was talking about moving in together, agreeing to split the bills, that kind of stuff. I’ll promise not to work on my truck parts in the kitchen if you promise not to hang your stockings from the shower rod. That kind of commitment.”
She snorted. “Well, look at you, Mr. Hearts-and-Flowers. I’m blown over by the romantic gestures. Stop, please, you’re embarrassing me.”
He took a step closer, planting one knee between her legs. “You think a piece of paper equals romance? I never looked at it that way. We don’t have problems in the romance department.”
“You might, mister, if you don’t get serious about this.” She puffed out her bottom lip in a pout.
He mimicked the pout and smiled. “Damn, you know I’d do anything to put a smile back on that beautiful face. Preston. My real name is Preston. You don’t have to use it, but when you’re not working I wish you would.”
She gazed at the ceiling thoughtfully. “Jordan Preston. I like that much better than Peckerhead.”
“I thought you might.” He drew her close for a kiss. “So, what do you say? Wanna get hitched?”
She huffed, “Is that all I get? No ring, no grand, sweeping gestures? Just ‘you wanna get hitched’?”
He laughed. “You kind of put me on the spot, here. I haven’t had time to plan a grand gesture even if I could think of one.”
Jordan smiled. “The champagne out of the belly button thing sounds pretty cool.”
“Oh, it will be.” He waggled his eyebrows. �
�Give me a little time. I promise I’ll come up with a proposal that’ll knock your socks off.”
The End
Also by Jamie Hill from Books We Love
Romantic Suspense:
Witness Security
Pieces of the Past, Book 1
Coming in 2015:
Cover of Darkness, Book 3
A Cop in the Family Series
Family Secrets, Book 1
Family Ties, Book 2
Family Honor, Book 3
Jamie Hill’s Triple Threat (The complete A Cop in the Family Series)
On the Edge, a romantic suspense novella
Romance, Woman’s Fiction:
The Blame Game Series
Blame it on the Stars, Book One
Blame it on the Moon, Book Two
Blame it on the Sun, Book Three
Blame it on the Rain, Book Four
Playing for Keeps
Secrets and Lies
Impulsive, a short story collection which includes
Three Wishes
Playing With Destiny
All That Jazz
High Maintenance
Please enjoy a preview of Cover of Darkness, Book 3 in the Witness Security Series
Prologue
Six months earlier
Kansas City, Kansas
“Let’s call it a night. Have a good one, you two.” Mitzi Pomeroy flipped the lock on the front door to her club then waved to the last remaining bartender and waitress. It’d been a busy night and her feet were killing her. She climbed the spiral staircase to the second floor and slipped into her office.
The plush sofa looked inviting, but she didn’t care to stick around any longer than necessary. It was freezing cold outside. She simply wanted to finish the last of her bookkeeping and go home to a warm bath and a glass of white wine. Her thigh-high boots were rubbing one leg wrong, so the first order of business was to remove them. She sat in her desk chair and unzipped the black leather, peeling the boots off one at a time. Picking them up, she swiveled and set the boots aside for another night. She had some warm Uggs to wear home.