by Blue Saffire
“What are you doing here? How did you find me?” I say when I open the door.
Sunny runs forward with his tail wagging as he barks. Kevin squats to pet his head. My little traitor soaks the attention up.
“Hello, boy. Remember me?” Kevin croons as Sunny rolls onto his back for a belly rub.
“To your room, Sunny.” I bark the command.
Sunny whimpers, but he rolls over and heads back to the spare bedroom. Kevin stands and leans into the doorjamb, placing his head against it. He looks tired and stressed. I want to reach up and push his hair back from his forehead. His usual neat locks are now a mess.
“I remembered your dog’s name was Sunny. Not that many pure breed blue pit bulls with that name. I used my skills to find a dog walker with a client that had a pit ball named Sunny,” he says nonchalantly.
“Seriously?”
He moves to grab my waist and pushes me inside. Butterflies take off in my belly as soon as he touches me. I look into his eyes and my thoughts scramble. He has a little five o’clock shadow, and it’s so hot on him.
“You said it was more complicated. Explain it to me.”
“Kevin,” I groan. “Can’t we leave this in the past? What’s done is done.”
He searches my eyes. “If you were anyone else, I’d walk away. I’m not in the habit of chasing after women that don’t want to be chased. You made it seem that way two years ago. I told myself to forget you. It’s why I didn’t try to find you then.”
“Finding out that I was undercover was your way of not looking for me?” I snort.
“Aye.”
“Hold on. How did you get confidential information about the case that I was on, anyway?”
“I’m a resourceful man.” He smiles. “I also helped a little with the case. From time to time we get called in to help on a few. Shh, that’s our little secret.”
I narrow my eyes at him. I never got a bad vibe from him before. I’m not getting one now, but I’m curious.
“You probably already know you can’t trust about half of the precinct. We help with cases that the boys aren’t trustworthy enough for,” he says as if reading my mind.
He brushes my cheek, and his gaze drops to my lips. I take a step back because if he kisses me, I know this is not going to end well. He follows, closing the space between us.
“Kevin.”
“Tell me that night was a fluke. Tell me you felt none of what I felt.”
I close my eyes as the memories come flooding back. That night was one of the best nights of my life. It wasn’t the sexual part. That was fantastic. To be honest, I pull up those memories when I spend time with my vibrator.
However, the night was special to me because I felt like he saw me. For years, I didn’t have that. I soaked up his attention during those few hours.
He will never know how much that meant to me or how much I needed it. The time I spent with Kevin may have been only a few hours, but it was a night that left an impression, which is why this can’t happen. Especially not now.
“I can’t tell you that.”
Before the words are fully out of my mouth, he has his lips crushed to mine and his hand in my hair. My toes curl, and I grab his shirt because it’s all I can do to keep from melting into the floor. It’s better than I remember. His kiss is all-consuming.
He breaks the connection and places his forehead to mine. “Nothing has changed. You still set my blood on fire,” he breathes.
“A lot has changed,” I whisper.
He backs up and looks into my eyes. “Are you seeing someone?”
“No.”
He takes me in from head to toe and grins. “You’re still as sexy as ever, love. More gorgeous, if you ask me. Nothing has changed there.”
“Your hair is a little longer,” I murmur. “And you have more ink on your arm.”
His smile brightens. “You checking me out?”
I return the smile. “I see you still have a sense of humor.”
His smile falls, and he knits his brows. “Life is too short for regrets, lass. You’re one regret I don’t want to have.”
Oh my God, seriously? It’s like that night all over again. He kept saying things that would make me swoon.
Cal’s face pops into my head. He got hurt because of me. His wife was shot because of me. She’s Kevin’s sister. If he knew, he would hate me for it.
I harden my resolve. “Some things are worth the regret. I’m telling you that I’m one of those things. You have no idea how bad an idea it is to get involved with me.”
Kevin takes a step back. With a nod, he pulls his wallet from his pocket and plucks out a card. He holds it out toward me.
“I’ve never been able to get you off my mind. I stayed away because that’s what it felt like you wanted.” He moves closer, crowding my space once again. This time he leans into my ear. “You had secrets then, love, and I see you still have them now. I was willing to take you as you were. I’m still willing to take you as you are. If you decide this connection is worth the try, I’ll be on the other end of that call.”
With that, he places the card in my hand and kisses my forehead. Like that morning two years ago, when I watched him walk out of my home, I feel him take something with him as he leaves. I don’t call after him like my brain screams for me to.
This is for the best.
* * *
Kevin
“Come on, Uncle Kevin. Why not?”
“Because I said so,” I say to Con as he pouts. “You’re on punishment, or have you forgotten?”
“No, I didn’t forget,” he mutters and slinks off like a mopey slug.
The nerve of this kid. Like I’d really allow him to go hang out with friends after he landed his hardheaded ass in a pair of cuffs. I’m sure he thought he was going to get away with going to his little party since it was Trenton’s night to have him and his sisters.
Too bad for him, Trenton needed me to pick them up so he could cover a shift at the Golden Clover. Things still aren’t back to normal yet. Mum and Da spend most of their time at the hospital. We’ve been picking up the slack all around. I’m exhausted, but I’m not complaining.
“Uncle Kevin.” Kasey comes running into the kitchen. “Can I sleep with you?”
I squat and run a hand over her hair. “What happened to your bed?”
I’m renting a three-bedroom. I got bunks for the little girls to share a room with Mckenna, and Con has his own room. When my place is finished, I’ll have enough space for them to all spread out.
Kasey wraps her little arms around my neck and buries her face there. “I had a nightmare last night. Mommy and Daddy always let me sleep in their bed when I’m scared,” she whispers.
My heart lurches. It aches for these kids. Con has been a pain in my ass, but he’s usually a good kid, just cocky as hell. It’s clear they each are trying to deal with this the best they know how.
I stand, lifting her up in one arm, and kiss the top of her head. “Sure, you can sleep in my room.” I tickle her stomach. “That is, as long as you don’t tell my mum that I eat cookies in bed before my bedtime.”
“Promise.” She giggles. “But you should brush your teeth before you go to bed.”
“You’re so smart, you know that?”
“Mommy’s smart. She tells us to brush before bed,” she says with pride.
I can’t help but smile even as I fight back my emotions. My sister is doing a hell of a job raising these kids. They don’t deserve to lose her.
“You know, I used to sneak your mommy cookies before bed all the time. That is until your grandma found out and put us both on punishment.”
Kasey giggles some more, and it makes my night. On top of exhaustion, I can’t stop thinking about Danita. I’ve known from the beginning she’s had secrets.
It was in the careful way she worded things that night we spent together. I read between the lines. It’s something not many people would pick up on, but in my profession, I’m always looking for what others aren’t.
Danita was honest that night, but she was also closed off and guarded. At first, I attributed it to us being strangers. We were only getting to know each other. However, the more she loosened up, the more measured she became. I knew it for what it was. The lass has deep secrets.
Yet somehow, I don’t care. I want to get to know her and peel back the layers. I think that’s part of the allure. She’s gorgeous and mysterious.
“Uncle Kevin, what are you thinking about?” Kasey pulls me from my thoughts as I stand her on the foot of my bed.
“A lot, sweetheart. A whole lot.”
“You should write it down and make a list like Uncle Quinn. Then you won’t have that worry line in your forehead.”
I chuckle and kiss her cheek. “Not a bad idea, but I don’t think one of your uncle’s lists will fix things for me.”
“Doesn’t hurt to try, right?” She gives me a toothless smile.
I look down into her bright green eyes. She has so much hope in them. I haven’t decided if I should have that much hope when it comes to Danita. Do I feel a connection to her? Yes. Do I want to explore that? Yes.
The problem is, I don’t think she will open up enough for that to ever happen. I was once Danita. I’ve ruined my fair share of relationships because of it. As a cop, you don’t want to take your work home, but sometimes it follows you, and it’s hell on a relationship.
“Promise me something, love.”
“What’s that?” Kasey says with all the innocence of a sweet child.
In this moment, she reminds me so much of Erin when she was little. My baby sister looked up to me for any advice I would give her. I wish I would have given her the advice I’m about to give her daughter.
“Never date a cop. As a matter of fact, stay away from any law enforcement. We are hard to love and even harder to walk away from once you do fall.”
“Ew. I’m never falling in love. Boys are yucky. They have cooties.”
“Aye, they do. I want you to remember that until you’re thirty.”
“Promise,” she says with a sage nod.
I tug her into a hug. She’ll break that promise by the time she’s sixteen, but I’ll hold out hope that she’ll find someone worthy of her good heart. I want that for all my nieces and my nephew.
“Uncle Kevin.” I grin and turn to face the door. Molly stands there rubbing her eyes, holding her blanket.
“Come on, get over here. I better not wake up with anyone’s foot in my mouth in the morning.”
The giggles that fill the room as the girls jump on my bed and climb under the covers makes my heart swell. I’m thirty-four. Time is ticking. I want to find someone I can share moments like these with as we have our own lot.
Is that too much to ask?
Chapter 8
Suspicions
Kevin
“What did you find?” I say to Shane on the other end of the phone as I walk through my house to see the progress.
“Not much of anything,” he says in irritation.
I feel like we’re going in circles. I had the same results yesterday and the day before. Every lead turns into a dead end.
Erin has been awake for two weeks, but we still aren’t much further along than we were before she opened her eyes. She doesn’t remember much that will help us.
I walk to the front of the house to look out into the yard where the kids are playing. I go from working my jaw in frustration to smiling at my nieces and nephew. They’re having fun.
Smiles are on their faces for the moment. It warms my heart to see them in my front yard. Not for the first time, I think of my own children growing up and playing in the same yard.
As if knowing I’m watching the kids, Shane breaks through my thoughts. “How are they holding up? You need anything?”
“For now, they’re grand. They’re playing kickball outside.”
Today is my turn to spend the day with them. I only needed to drop in to my place to walk through and make sure things are on track. It should be another three weeks or so before I can start to move in.
I plan to take the kids to Dave and Buster’s after we’re done here. Hopefully I’ll be able to keep those smiles in place. Although, knowing these four, I’ll end up the ref as they argue amongst themselves.
“I’ll keep at it. It’s only a matter of time.”
“Aye, call me if anything comes up.”
“Will do.”
“Later,” I say.
I end the call and stare out the window. Something catches my eye. An unmarked car is parked a ways from my house. I narrow my eyes and decide to head out the back door.
I cross through my backyard and head into the neighbor’s, moving through the yard of their house into the next. I’m able to hop the fence of the last house and come up the side.
Now behind the car, I move toward it. I can see the kids playing from here. Con is chasing after the little girls as Mckenna laughs and looks on.
I pull my attention away from them and note the plates on the parked car, then the driver. I’d know that sleek bun anywhere. I round the car and pop open the passenger’s side door, sliding into the seat beside her.
She releases a heavy sigh. I stare at the side of her face. Neither of us saying a word at first.
“Are you going to tell me why you’re watching my nephew?”
“I need to talk to him,” she says, not turning to look at me.
“About?”
“He may have some information that can help me.”
I scoff. “That’s not going to be enough, sweetheart. This isn’t you and me. This is my nephew. When it comes to those kids, I’m not willing to ignore the secrets.”
This gets her attention. She turns to lock those whiskey-brown eyes on me. I look deep into her gaze, and for a split second, I see that vulnerability she allowed me to see once before.
“I’m going to trust you because I have no one else to trust. I think I’m running out of time, and I’ve run out of options. I need to talk to your nephew—” She cuts off as a call comes in through the scanner. “Damn it, I need to go.”
My fists are clenched. I don’t like where this conversation was headed. If she’s in some type of trouble… I cut the thought off. I don’t want to think about her in danger.
“Listen, keep an eye on your nephew. Make sure he keeps himself out of trouble. I’ll be in touch soon.”
“Danita—” She holds up her hand.
When she looks into my eyes, I see the war within. She gives a nod. It’s clear she’s relinquishing whatever it is she’s warring with.
“I said I need your help. I’ll come to you. I promise. These are the last cards I have to play. I won’t be able to tell you everything, but I’ll do my best to be as honest as I can be. Fair?”
“Fair enough…for now.”
“I’ll give you a ring as soon as I can.”
I bite back all the things I want to say as she starts the car. With a nod, I turn and step out. As she pulls away, I realize she knew I would see her. At least, I believe she wanted to be seen.
My curiosity goes through the roof. I shouldn’t trust her, but I do. I look toward the house again where the kids are now sitting in the grass.
It’s been about three weeks since Conroy ended up in Danita’s cuffs. My head has been in the case to find Erin and Cal’s shooters. However, as I think about it now, Con has been acting a little strange.
“What mess have ya gotten into, lad?”
* * *
Danita
“Look what the wind blew in,” Detective Harris murmurs as I walk into the crime scene.
The house is huge. The type they show on TV shows like Million Dollar Listings. Marble floors and dripping chandeliers.
Some deep pockets, for sure. No wonder Serg insisted I take point on this one. Someone is sure to want answers for this.
“Why are you here?” I say to Harris.
He runs his gaze over me. “You know you and I could be something great. I love all that fire you have.” He leans into my ear to whisper his next bitter words. “Too bad you’re into that Irish perk.”
“Excuse me?”
“Anyway. Serg wants me to work this one with you. Something about you not having a partner but wanting you on this case. Blah, blah, blah.”
“Code for he didn’t want you and Dawson fucking this one up,” I scoff.
“Why do you hate me so much? You’ve never tried to be nice to me. Would it kill you to stop being a—”
“That’s why I’ve never been nice to you. You think it’s your right to speak to me any way you want and treat me with disrespect. I’ve told you no repeatedly.”
“You’re saying no, but I know I have ways to make you say yes. I’m trying to prevent you from making a big mistake,” he says with a cocky grin.
“Unbelievable. Get to work or get out of my way.”
He folds his arms over his chest. I ignore him and get cracking on the crime scene in front of us. I pull on a pair of gloves and start to move around the house, searching for clues.
Apparently, this place belongs to some high-profile rich guy. Serg wants me to open and shut this one as fast as I can. As I look around at the sloppy job, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem at all.
Harris follows behind me like a little puppy. I’m not surprised when his eyes are on me more than on the crime scene. I move into the bedroom of the home, where the safe was entered by the perps. I scan the area and roll my shoulders as I process visually before making a move.
“Maybe if you were nicer to me, I’d help you release some of that stress,” Harris says as he steps into the closet behind me. “You know, I didn’t think that other guy was your type. I didn’t think he was your boyfriend until he disappeared, and you started acting like…your attitude changed.”