Twenty-Six
Nico took a deep breath as he waited for the elevator. Captain Gardner was probably fuming mad at him for leaving against her wishes. If she wanted to take the promotion away from him, he was fine with it. Some things were more important than becoming the youngest Lieutenant in the precinct. And helping Freya fit into that category.
There was no way he was going to apologize for that.
The elevator doors opened and he climbed inside. His stomach twisted in knots. He just hoped that Gardner didn't decide to demote him. Not that there was anything wrong with being Detective—it was highly respectable, especially at his age. But he'd worked so hard to get to Sergeant, even moving across the country away from his family. Not that leaving Morgan behind had been much of a sacrifice.
He shuddered just thinking of her.
The elevator lurched to a stop. Nico braced himself for whatever was to come. He would stand his ground and hold his head high. No matter the consequences, he'd done the right thing.
He stepped out as soon as the doors opened. Everything was quiet on his floor. Some night officers sat at their desks, working quietly. His team was probably falling asleep in the conference room. Gardner and the Lieutenant were both out of sight.
Nico breathed a sigh of relief and headed for the conference room. It was empty.
That was just as well considering he'd forgotten to bring the pizza he'd promised. He stopped at the desk of the first officer he came to. "Do you know where the team working on Turner's case is?"
She glanced up at Nico and pushed her glasses up her nose. "Gardner sent them home."
Blood drained from Nico's face. Had she taken them all off the case to make Nico pay for leaving in the middle of everything?
"You okay, Sergeant?"
He was going to be sick. "Fine. I'll be in my office." Puking into the trash bin.
"Oh, I overhead Gardner saying she wanted to talk to you."
Of course she did. "Thanks." Nico hurried to his office and closed the door behind him. What had he done? He hadn't thought his actions would go any further than impacting himself. What if Reese, Wilson, Henderson, and the others on the case all got in trouble, too?
Gardner was known throughout the force as being hard-lined. She'd risen through the ranks in a time when women rarely ever made Detective. Her mentality was that she still had a lot to prove.
Nico pulled his hair until it hurt. He punched the air. What had he done? He would never forgive himself if he'd gotten his entire team taken from the case, or worse, demoted from their positions. Not even Gardner would do that, would she?
He paced furiously. He needed to prepare what he was going to say. The first priority was making sure nothing happened to his team. If he was reprimanded, fine. But not them. They hadn't done anything.
Nico kicked the couch and then went around to his desk. He pulled up a blank document and prepared his speech, starting with all the good qualities of his men and women. Why they deserved the best.
"What are you working on?"
Nico's head snapped to attention. He hadn't heard the door open, much less anyone knocking.
Captain Gardner stood in his doorway. "It must be important."
"It is." He clicked the mouse, hiding the document. "Where is my team?"
"I sent them home."
Nico took a deep breath. "They don't—"
"You should go home, too."
His stomach lurched. "I think we need to talk, Captain."
She nodded. "We do, but after you've had some rest. You've been going nonstop for days. We'll go over everything in the morning."
Nico arched a brow. "Wait. You're not taking us off the case?"
Gardner leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms. "At first, I was somewhat put off by you standing up to me like that, but you know what?"
He swallowed. "No."
"That's exactly the kind of leadership we need around here. Someone who will stand up for what's right." She narrowed her eyes. "Even if it puts his rank on the line."
Nico nodded. "Okay."
She moved from the frame and stood tall. "I filled out the paperwork to recommend you for the promotion."
His mouth gaped. "You did?"
"Yes. We need more people like you, Valentin. You've put in more hours than anyone in the last year—practically by double. After we—you—solve Turner's case, I'm going to insist you take a vacation." Her mouth twitched. "You do know what that is, don't you?"
He felt light-headed. "I've heard rumors of their existence."
"Good. Now go home and get a full night's sleep. Bring some more of those really good donuts, okay?"
"No problem. Thank you, Captain."
Gardner held his gaze. "Thank you." She turned around and left.
Nico slunk down into his chair, his pulse drumming in his ears. He pinched himself—he was awake. That conversation had really just happened.
He closed his eyes, suddenly aware of how tired he was.
"I said go home to sleep," came Gardner's voice.
Nico sat up. "Thanks, Captain." He got up and quickly cleared off his desk so he could start fresh in the morning—or possibly early afternoon. He was so tired, he could easily sleep for sixteen hours instead of eight.
He said goodbye to the officers as he passed their desks.
When he finally climbed into bed, he fell asleep immediately. He had dreams of spending more time with Freya and a big promotion ceremony. It wasn't often he put on the blue uniform anymore, but for a promotion, he was always glad to wear it.
Nico woke up to a strange sensation—the feeling of being rested. He stretched and rolled over, half-tempted to get some more shut-eye. Instead, he scooted over to the nightstand, where his phone sat.
It was only a few minutes past nine. No wonder he felt so good. He should hurry to work, but there was something more important to do.
He went over to his texting conversation with Freya.
Good morning, beautiful.
She might still be sleeping, especially if it had ended up being a long night with her brother. Hopefully she would see the message when she woke up.
The phone buzzed in his hands.
Morning, tall, dark, and handsome.
A smile spread across his face.
Did you sleep well?
Yeah. The best part was waking up to a text from the sweetest and best-looking guy around.
Nico leaned back against his pillow and sighed. I hope you mean me.
Ha ha! Of course. Thanks for helping out last night.
No problem. How's he doing?
So much better. Our family is the best.
Nico smiled. Happy to hear it. Do you have time to meet me for a quick breakfast?
With you? Name the time and place.
Anywhere but Roosevelt's.
Don't even joke about that. If you can pick me up, I'll go anywhere.
Sounds like a plan. Is a half hour too soon? I have to get back to work. Though now, that was the last place he wanted to go. Taking Freya somewhere far away, never to return sounded like the best plan ever.
I'll be ready. xoxo
Can't wait.
She sent a string of hugging and kissing emoticons.
He needed to tell that woman how much he loved her.
Nico raced out bed and took the quickest shower of his life. On the way to Dakota's house, he stopped to pick up a bouquet of colorful tulips. He held them behind his back as he walked up to the door and rang the bell.
Dakota answered, and she wrapped her arms around him.
"Um… Thanks?" Nico laughed.
"That's for helping out my younger siblings. Shale said that if you hadn't been there to convince him, he'd have stayed in his place all night, drinking away his pain."
"Really?"
Dakota nodded. "And Freya, too."
"What about her?" Nico asked.
She leaned closer and lowered her voice. "I've never seen that girl happier. No
t even when she was four, and we got a puppy."
"Wow." Nico brought a hand to his heart. "I beat out a puppy. How do I respond to such a compliment?"
Dakota tilted her head, keeping her smile. "You don't happen to have a brother, do you?"
He chuckled. "I do, but I'm not sure you'd be interested in him. We're polar opposites."
"Bummer. Well, do you want to come in? I think Freya's almost done."
"I'm ready," she called from inside. "Let me just get my shoes on."
Nico smiled. "Take your time. I'll wait."
"Aw," gushed Dakota. She turned around and stepped inside. "He's a keeper."
"You don't have to tell me."
Dakota turned around. "What's that behind your back?"
"Nothing. Hey, are you sure you don't want me to cover the cost of your mirror and painting? I still feel really bad about that."
She shook her head. "Logan's got it covered. She'll be begging for mercy when he's done with her."
Freya stepped outside, as gorgeous as ever. His breath caught, and then he remembered the tulips. He held them out in front of her. "They don't compare to your beauty, but I hope you like them."
She and Dakota exchanged an excited glance. Freya then wrapped her arms around Nico. "Thank you. They're perfect."
"I'll put those in a vase." Dakota took them. "They're going to look great in my room."
"Hey!" Freya glared at her, but her eyes shone.
"Just kidding. You two kids have fun. Want me to wait for you, Freya?"
"Nah. Shale's going to take me car shopping later. I'll stop by and look at the pictures after that."
Dakota's eyes lit up. "No more playing chauffeur?"
Nico kissed Freya's cheek. "I'll miss it."
"You can still drive me around."
"Let's start now." He turned to Dakota. "See you later."
"Bye. Thanks for the flowers," she teased.
Nico held the car door open for Freya.
"You really are a keeper." She ran her hand along his cheek and held his gaze.
"I want to keep you." He leaned forward and brushed his mouth across her soft lips. She smelled divine, like a mixture of chocolate and summertime flowers. "I hate that I have to hurry off to work after breakfast."
She grabbed his jacket and pulled him closer. "I'm just glad to be able to have some time with you before you go to work." She forced her mouth against his.
He kissed back with equal passion and ran his hands through her long, soft hair. He found himself wanting more, so he stepped back and gazed into her beautiful dark blue eyes.
Freya cleared her throat. "Maybe we should get breakfast."
Nico nodded and stepped back. She got into the seat. He closed the door, went around to his side, and started the car. "What do you think of donuts for breakfast?"
She closed her eyes for a moment. "I haven't had a donut in so long. That sounds perfect."
He chuckled. "Good, because I'm supposed to bring some into the office."
While they were eating donuts and sipping coffee, Freya kept glancing over at him, giving him a look like he was some kind of hero.
"You've done so much to help Shale. I can't thank you enough."
"It was nothing."
"Don't downplay it. You've really made a difference. First in helping him get the job, then in giving him a wakeup call last night. You didn't get in trouble for leaving, did you?"
He shook his head. "Quite the opposite, actually."
"What do you mean?"
Nico put his hand on top of hers. "How about I tell you tonight? Over dinner."
Her face lit up. "I'd love that."
His heart raced. He took her hand and laced his fingers between hers. "And I love you, Freya Hunter."
Her eyes widened. "You do?"
His stomach twisted. "Not exactly the response I was going for, but yes. I do."
Would she say it back? He couldn't have felt more exposed than if he was standing in the middle of the busy donut shop stark naked. In fact, that would have preferable to her staring at him, not saying anything.
"I love you, too." She let go of his hand and ran around to his side of the booth and jumped into his lap. She stared at him adoringly. "I'm so happy you feel the same way." She pressed her palms on his cheeks and gave him a kiss that sent shivers down his spine.
"Wow," he said after she pulled back. "If I'd have known you'd respond like that, I would have said that long ago."
Freya kissed his nose. "This was the perfect timing."
He glanced at the clock. "Unfortunately, I have to get to work."
"In that case, I can't wait for dinner." She pressed her luscious lips on his again.
By the time he stepped off the elevator, carrying two large boxes of Vikki's Donuts, he still couldn't feel the ground beneath him.
He dropped one box off in the conference room, where his team was busily working, except one key player.
"Where's Reese?" Nico asked.
"Checking out a lead." Henderson looked up from a stack of papers. "One of the high schoolers texted her about a drug deal everyone's talking about. Rumor has it, our guy is supposed to be there."
Nico nearly dropped the box of donuts. "What are we doing here?"
"Getting ready to make our move."
"Fill me in."
Wilson and Henderson spoke over each other, filling Nico in on everything he'd missed. Nico sat down, setting the second box of donuts aside. He scribbled notes furiously on a pad of paper and tried to let everything sink in.
It sounded promising. Turner's shooter was probably headed their way. His heart thundered in his chest.
Gardner burst into the room, slamming the heavy door against the doorstop. Her dark eyes were wild. "I just got a tip from one of the informants—he's here! We've got to move now. Undercover. Go." She spun around and left.
Wilson was the first out of his chair, nearly knocking it over. He stumbled over a stack of manila folders on the floor.
Nico jumped from his chair. "Henderson, Wilson—take one car. I'll go with them." Nico nodded toward the other two officers in the room.
"I biked to work," Stringer said.
Silver's eyes widened. "And my backseat is packed full. I can take one of you."
"Take Stringer." Nico grabbed his jacket. "I'll see you guys there. Lay low."
Everything went by in a blur as Nico made his way to the scene. His mind raced along with his blood pressure. He double-checked his bullet-proof vest and made sure his gun was ready. He'd parked about a block away from the address he'd been given.
Nico crouched low and stayed near the buildings as he made his way over. He hid in some bushes and took in the scene—he almost didn't recognize Reese. She really did look like a high schooler. Other cops were hidden around the property, but none of the drug dealers seemed to have noticed.
One of the guys turned around. He had a limp—from where the K9 dog had bit him.
It was Turner's killer. It took all of his self-control not to run out and pummel the man.
A crash sounded off to Nico's right.
Commotion broke out. People screamed and ran in every direction.
Someone shouted, "Cops!"
Gunfire sounded.
Pain exploded in Nico's arm.
He reached for the bloody wound and fell to the ground.
Twenty-Seven
Freya leaned closer to Dakota's laptop. "Go back to that last one."
Dakota clicked over to the previous photo. Freya stood in the courtyard, her head thrown back as she laughed.
"I don't even remember him taking that one," she said. "Marcel told me a joke. He must have snapped that when I wasn't looking."
"It's beautiful. But then again, all of them are. I don't know how we're ever going to pick any." She clicked through more images.
"Oh, not that one." Freya frowned, disgusted.
"No?" Dakota asked. "Why not?"
Freya tilted her head. "I look aw
ful."
"No, you don't. But if you don't like it, I'll gladly strike it off the list. That's what? Two out of Three hundred?"
"Something like that."
A knock sounded and Marcel peeked his head through the doorway. "I don't suppose I could get some help?"
Freya jumped up, glad for the opportunity to do something other than sit in a chair. "What do you need?"
"I'm getting pictures of the wedding party, and I'm having a hard time getting everyone to look at the camera. Who has three flower girls and a dog for a ring bearer?" Marcel shook his head.
"There's a wedding today?" Freya asked.
"Some people like the cheaper weekday rates," Dakota said, still focused on the pictures.
"Mind if I help out?" Freya asked.
"Go ahead."
Freya followed Marcel down the hall. "Seriously, why would anyone get married in the middle of the week?"
He shrugged. "It works for some, usually they have smaller ceremonies. But these guys are just doing pictures and a dry run."
It didn't make much sense, but she didn't have to understand to help out.
"Trust me, everyone does what the bride wants. No one wants to see her go bridezilla, and there's never any telling what will set anyone off."
They went into the courtyard, where a large wedding party stood. Sure enough, three little girls in white dresses were chasing around a dog in a tuxedo.
"Okay, girls," Marcel called out. "Come over here and meet Freya. She's going to help with the pictures."
"Thank you," the bride said.
"No problem." Freya smiled and got down to the level of the girls.
One girl stopped and smiled at her. "You're pretty."
"So are you," Freya said. "Do you know that as soon as we get these pictures taken, you can run around all you want?" She turned to Marcel. "Where do you want them?"
"In front of the bride."
Freya arranged the girls and managed to get the cocker spaniel to sit in front of them. Then she moved over by Marcel and asked the girls to focus on her and smile.
Before long, Marcel lowered the camera. "We've got plenty of wonderful shots."
"You'll be back for the actual service?" asked the bride.
"I will."
"And her? Will she help you out again?"
Marcel glanced at Freya. "Will you?"
Bayside Wishes Page 18