A Serial Affair

by Natalie Dunbar

  “You’ve already apologized for that,” he reminded her.

  “Then I want to explain.”

  “It’s all in the past.” He sipped from his glass. “Do you have to?”

  “Yes.” She sensed that he was waiting. “I love my family,” she began. “You know we’re very close.”

  Reed nodded.

  “You know that I spend a lot of time with them, too.” She met his gaze, silently asking for understanding. “Last year was extra special for me because I was dating Emilio and you, and crazy about you both. I should have just let things play out, but you know me, I charge ahead and fix things afterward.” Stopping to gauge his reaction, she gleaned nothing except the feeling he was uncomfortable. She charged on. “I—I couldn’t pick between the two of you on my own, so I considered other things and what others liked and thought.”

  “Nice to know I stood out in the crowd,” he quipped.

  Marina winced. She was making a mess of this.

  “And?” he prompted, setting his glass on the table.

  “Emilio was a family friend who spoke Spanish, and they liked him a lot. Of course they liked you, too, but…”

  “He had the shared heritage thing going on?”

  Marina nodded. “Yes, but once you were out of the picture I realized that he wasn’t the one for me.”

  “So why didn’t you come back for another chance with me?”

  An uncomfortable pressure settled about her neck and shoulders, weighing her down. It had to do with her pushing herself to make this explanation and anticipating Reed’s reaction. She wet her lips and swallowed. “I didn’t come back because I’d already hurt you. I didn’t know if you’d forgive me and then I went through a period where I didn’t know what I wanted.”

  “And now you do?” His voice dipped lower, his eyes darkening.

  “Yeah. I want another chance with you, Reed, and it doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks.”

  Reed’s expression was a stubborn combination of hurt and anger. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  “Yes, you do.” Reaching across the table, she caught his hand. “You can be mad at me, go ahead, but if you’re honest with yourself, you won’t turn away.”

  “So now you’re telling me how to act when you’re the one who dropped me?” Reed’s voice rang with so much emotion it made her heart ache.

  “Yes, because I love you. Reed, I’m sorry!” Tears slipped down her cheek. She realized that she was crying. Marina rarely cried. Dropping her head in supreme embarrassment, she concentrated on making the tears stop.

  Reaching out with his fingertips, he gently wiped away some of the moisture. “You don’t get to cry and make me the bad guy,” he murmured.

  Shaking her head, she dabbed at her eyes with her napkin. He was right. She knew that tears could be manipulative, so why couldn’t she stop? And where was all this emotion coming from?

  “Excuse me.” Pushing her chair back, she stood and walked to the ladies’ room. There she cried some more, cursing at herself the entire time. Reed was never going to forgive her, but it wasn’t as if he was the last man on earth. She rationalized her behavior with thoughts of being tired and stressed with their work on the task force. In all honesty, working closely with him had shown her sides of him that hadn’t surfaced during their dates. Marina washed her face and fixed her makeup. If anyone had told her that she would end up crying over Reed Crawford, she wouldn’t have believed it.

  When she got back to the table, Reed had already paid the bill. The rest of her food had been put in a take-out carton. Opening her purse, she reached for her wallet.

  He waved his hand dismissively. “No. I’ve already taken care of it.”

  “I should be getting home,” she said politely, not bothering to sit. She’d done enough apologizing.

  Retrieving her carry-out carton, he stood and they left the restaurant. Back in the car, he twisted in the seat to face her and ask, “Are you okay?”

  Reed always cared. That was one of the things she liked most about him. Hearing him verbalize it made her feel that much better.

  “Disappointed, but otherwise fine,” she answered flippantly. “You’re not much for giving people second chances when it comes to your feelings.”

  Clenching his jaw, he sighed heavily. “How long have I known you? Ten years? You drop the boyfriends, the almost boyfriends, and move on. You don’t do reruns.”

  “Maybe you’re different from the rest?” she suggested.

  “Oh, I am,” he attested. “Thought you knew it, too.”

  Nodding, she lifted her hands in a helpless gesture. “Okay, I blew it. Forget I said anything.”

  “Just like that?”

  “Just like that,” she confirmed. Reaching for the seat belt, she turned to face the front of the car. He was going to drive her crazy.

  “You’re pouting.”

  Marina bit down on the inside of her jaw. “No. Don’t flatter yourself.”

  “You’re pouting,” he insisted, a smirk in his tone.

  “If you say so,” she retorted, letting her head relax against the headrest and forcing her folded arms into a more relaxed pose. She didn’t need to win this childish argument.

  She did turn to look at him then and saw that he’d been razzing her. Deep down she knew she deserved it but it didn’t make her feel any better. She felt too raw and emotional to discuss it any further. With an effort she pulled in her bottom lip and relaxed her facial muscles.

  Back at the station she gathered her things, said good night and headed for her car.

  “What are you doing this evening?” Reed asked a bit too casually.

  Was he rubbing salt in the wound? she wondered. She’d wanted to spend it with him. “Probably see a movie with a friend if I’m not too tired,” she lied. The evening would be spent working off some of her frustration in the gym. “What about you?”

  “I’ll probably work off some of the Italian food we ate and then it’s my turn to check on Mom.”

  She gave his face a quick assessment. The faint bruises were nearly gone. They were another source of negative emotion with her. The last thing Reed needed was another run-in with whoever was stalking him. “Going to call for backup?”

  “Nah, I can handle it,” he said smoothly.

  Alone? “Well, have a good evening,” she replied, and kept walking. In her head, another battle raged. There’d been no new ambushes, but she had a strong hunch about Reed in the old neighborhood tonight. Was she going to back up a macho man who didn’t want any help?

  CHAPTER 14

  Marina knew which Xsport Fitness Gym Reed liked to work out in. He was a creature of habit. She even knew his routine, so it was nothing for her to go home, change into workout gear and plan her routine around his so she could work out without being seen. The gym was enormous. She quit early so she could get back to the ancient Honda she’d borrowed from her neighbor so Reed wouldn’t recognize her car. If nothing happened, he’d never know she’d followed him, she reasoned as she waited for Reed to leave.

  Dusk was falling when Reed finally came out. He walked casually, scanning the area so thoroughly that she scooted down in the seat. Following him brought back memories of her training days at the academy. Once she was certain that he was traveling to his mother’s house, she turned off and took a shortcut.

  It was almost dark when she arrived and scoped out the neighborhood while pretending to look for an address. Residents were abandoning their porches for the lighted security of their homes. A majority of the streetlamps were burned out or missing.

  She didn’t see anyone lurking or hanging around but that meant next to nothing. The neighborhood was rundown. What she was doing was dangerous and she did not have the jurisdiction to be backing up a cop in this situation. She pushed herself with the knowledge that she was helping a friend.

  A block away from Trudy’s, Marina parked on the side street. Pulling a baseball cap over her hair, she stepped ou
t of the car in loose dark clothing. The alley yawned ahead of her, looking dark and dangerous. A lesser woman alone could have been taking her life in her hands.

  Marina didn’t know this alley, but she knew stealth. It was high on her list of skills. She listened to the sounds of the night, becoming one with them.

  As she employed the masculine stride she’d perfected in classes that focused on creating disguises, comfort came when she thought of her hand-to-hand combat training, fitted her fingers around the trusty Glock pistol in one pocket and touched the cell phone in the other. There was even a pair of handcuffs in her back pocket, left over from an academy class that covered subduing suspects. She could do this and unless Reed was attacked and overwhelmed, he’d never even know she’d backed him up.

  Stepping into the alley, she picked her way carefully, keeping to the cover of bushes and trees. On occasion she used the sides and backs of garages for cover. Once she’d started, the first block’s alley breezed by. A third of the way down the alley of Trudy’s block, she heard Reed’s car. A dark figure up ahead hopped a fence and was followed by another.

  Ducking into the bushes, Marina’s breath hitched. Peering into the dimness she hoped there were no more than two potential assailants. Maintaining stealth, she sped up, determined to reach Trudy’s before anything happened.

  The sharp sound of breaking glass fractured the night. Marina hurried, almost running. At Trudy’s back gate she hesitated, listening. She heard the muffled sounds of blows followed by masculine grunts. Two shadowy figures were fighting in the dark. Where was the other person?

  Covered by the noise accompanying the fight, Marina used her hands to propel herself over the fence and step lightly down onto the sidewalk in the yard. Intent on locating the other possible assailant, she closed on the edge of the garage.

  An arm snaked out in the darkness, dragging her forward. Sensing the right fist following it, Marina ducked and used the forward motion to roll. Down, and half on the grass and half on the sidewalk, she kicked out, landing blows to the thighs and a lucky one to her assailant’s crouch.

  With a high-pitched cry of pain, he bent over, backing up. Adrenaline surging, she scrambled to her feet, punching and kicking.

  He went down.

  Pressing her advantage, Marina smashed his nose with her fist. While he writhed in pain she rolled him over and secured his wrists with the cuffs from her back pocket.

  With her attacker immobilized, Marina spared a glance for Reed and his beefy assailant. They were on the grass, punching each other in a battle worthy of a heavyweight championship bout. With a savage burst of energy, Reed decimated the other man with the brutal thunder of his fists. Dazed, his assailant fell and cowered behind his outstretched hands. Latching onto one arm, Reed turned and cuffed him in a smooth, effortless motion.

  Police sirens sounded in the distance. Marina glanced up to see Trudy’s silhouette in the back bedroom window. She must have called the police.

  As the sound increased in volume, Marina considered cutting down the alley. Her presence would take a delicate explanation. So damned what, she mused finally. I haven’t done anything but defend myself.

  “Marina? I heard someone else fighting. You okay?” Reed called.

  She realized then that her disguise wasn’t good enough to fool Reed. “Fine,” she answered. “No rush, but I’ve got someone back here waiting for you.”

  Reed chuckled. With a knee in his assailant’s chest, he fumbled with something in his back pocket. She focused, trying to see it in the dark and failing. He aimed it at his assailant.

  Marina released an audible sigh when bright light from Reed’s flashlight illuminated the man’s face.

  Reed gazed at the man in shock. “Anthony!”

  “Yeah, Mr. Big Time Police Detective. It’s me!”

  “Why?” Reed demanded in a harsh tone.

  Struggling like a wild bull, he tried to break free. “You can’t hold me.”

  Adjusting his weight and his grasp, Reed held on to him. “Why?” he repeated.

  Anthony glared up at him, his eyes full of venom and hatred. “Because we wanted to bring you down and it’s personal. We don’t like how you caught Chelsie and dragged him out in the street like he wasn’t nothing. Chelsie ain’t killed nobody.”

  “If he’s innocent, it should come out in court.” Reed removed his knee and dragged Anthony to his feet.

  “You expect me to believe that shit?” Anthony sneered. “This time you stepping up on Chelsie’s back. You’d give your ass for another promotion.”

  “I’m going to kick yours some more if you don’t stop all the BS.” Reed practically growled. “I’ve had enough. Do you think I don’t know he was over the local drug factory?”

  The sound of a car hurtling to a stop in the street reached them. Car doors slammed.

  “Police!” someone yelled. Footsteps echoed on the sidewalk between the houses. Twin flashlight beams illuminated the darkness.

  “Police Officer!” Reed yelled back.

  “How’d you like that black eye I gave you last time?” Anthony asked, laughing hoarsely.

  “You sucker punched me in the dark, coward.” Reed’s voice roughened.

  “Yeah, but you da hotshot cop, Mr. Big Stuff. You supposed to be ready all the time. I always could scrap better than you, anyway.”

  “Yeah, that’s why I’ve got you cuffed and ready for the lockup,” Reed snapped.

  Two cops in uniform rounded the side of the house. “Crawford?” one of them called.

  “That’s me,” Reed answered, shining his flashlight on the badge in his hand. He told the two uniformed patrolmen about being attacked in his mother’s backyard. Then he handed over his assailant.

  “What about this man on the ground? He’s been cuffed.”

  Marina spoke up. “He attacked me, so I had to defend myself. I’m Special Agent Marina Santos.” She flashed her ID.

  “And what are you doing here, ma’am?” one of them asked.

  “Lieutenant Crawford and I are friends and we’re working on a task force project together. I was concerned since he got ambushed in the dark a few days ago, so I followed him here,” she explained, hoping she didn’t make Reed sound like he was totally incompetent.

  “You can follow me home anytime,” one of the officers said, flashing her a playful smile.

  Happy that this was not going to turn into a jurisdictional issue, Marina ignored him.

  “Who’s your backup, Anthony?” Reed asked, shining the beam of his flashlight on the slender man lying on the ground in a fetal position. “Dooley,” he murmured in dawning recognition.

  The man turned his face away from the bright light.

  “Will you be pressing charges?” one of uniforms asked Reed as he hauled Dooley to his feet.

  “Yes, I will,” Reed answered, eyeing Anthony and Dooley. “I’ll be down to take care of the paperwork in the morning.”

  Marina stood on Trudy’s front porch with Reed and watched the patrolmen put the two men in the back of the cruiser.

  Reed tapped her arm. “Unofficial backup, huh?”

  Marina opened her arms and pulled him into a fierce hug. “You were being stubborn and I was worried. Anything could have happened.”

  “I’m okay.” He returned the hug, holding her for several precious seconds more. “Anthony had his backup. I’m glad you were mine.”

  Being in his arms felt so wonderful that she closed her eyes.

  “How’d you know it was me?”

  “The sounds you make when you fight, the way you move, and the body underneath those sweats…Girl, I’d know you anywhere.” Reed slowly dropped his arms.

  Marina tore herself away from him.

  He unlocked the front door and pushed it open. “Want to come in for a minute?”

  “Why not?” She followed him into the brightly lit interior.

  Dressed in a sleeveless housedress, Trudy Crawford sat in a chair at her computer. Seeing Marin
a, she smiled and greeted her. “I saw you out back fighting and I’m proud of you,” she said coyly when Marina came and kissed her cheek. “When I saw that man grab you I thought it was all over.”

  “I had a lot of training,” Marina explained modestly. She wasn’t superwoman, but she’d worked hard to hone her skills.

  “Training’s one thing. Execution is another,” Trudy said, smiling at Reed’s kiss on her cheek. She studied both of them until she was certain they were fine.