by Blue Saffire
I freeze and turn to face him. When I look into his blue eyes, I see a mix of curiosity, jealousy, and…anger? It’s as if he’s fishing for answers.
“What guy?”
He gives a short laugh. “Come on, sweetheart. Don’t play stupid. Big guy with the glasses. Intense, looked like he had a stick up his ass. Used to stop by your place.”
I stiffen. “How do you know who used to stop by my place?”
He waves me off and turns to walk away. I grab his forearm and stop him. My heart is racing.
Was Eric right to be worried about my safety? Did something happen to him because of me? Could Harris be behind his disappearance?
After all, Harris was the last person Eric had been pushing for me to make a case against before he disappeared. He’d been adamant that I build something around Harris. I had tried, but I couldn’t get anything solid, much to Eric’s frustration.
Harris looks down at my hand on him, then back up at me. I don’t release him. “Answer me.”
He moves to get into my face. “Have you ever wondered why you were never recruited?”
I take a step back. He’s all but admitting there’s an inside ring. I narrow my gaze at him.
“They watch your every move before they come for you. One of these days, you’ll thank me.”
With that, he turns, leaving me stunned. I’m not sure what to think of what just happened, but I feel as unsafe as I ever have. One thing I know for sure, I’m going to need to find out what Cal knew and soon.
A shiver rolls through me. I can’t help but wonder if I’m still being watched. And what does he mean that one of these days I’ll thank him?
Chapter 9
Fun Times
Kevin
Molly’s giggles fill the air of Dave and Buster’s as I hold her up while she tosses the basketballs that her big sister hands her. We’re trying to beat Con, who’s standing next to us with Kasey at his side, cheering him on. It’s quite comical.
“I got this, Uncle Kevin.” Molly laughs.
“You wish,” Con taunts, sinking his third basket in a row.
“Don’t listen to him. Stay focused,” I say to Molly. I know she’s not going to beat him, but I give her hope anyway.
“Oh,” Con crows as the buzzer sounds and he sinks his last shot.
“Oh man,” Molly says.
I place her down on her feet. She pouts and folds her arms over her chest as she looks up at her brother. I purse my lips to keep from laughing.
“I’m going to be big one day, and we’ll see what happens. Just you wait,” she says.
Con tugs her in and messes her hair. “I’ll be waiting.”
“What do you guys want to do next? I want to play the Jurassic Park game again,” Mckenna says.
“Yeah, let’s go,” Conroy says and takes off before anyone can reply.
Mckenna follows behind him, but I grab Molly and Kasey before they can run off. “Hold on, you two. That’s a two-person game.” Not to mention the violence, but I don’t say that to them because it’ll hurt their little feelings. “We’ll find something else to do.”
“Look, they’re finally off Halo. We can go play that now,” Molly says.
“Ha, you’re not getting my ass kicked,” I snort. That game is more violent than Jurassic Park.
“Swear jar. That’s a dollar,” Molly says as she pouts. “We’re not babies. We can play it. Mommy lets us watch Con when he plays it.”
“I’ll put in my dollar,” I say and refrain from rolling my eyes. I’m going to smack Trent upside the head for his swear jar idea. “How about we play that bowling game?”
“Okay,” Molly murmurs. “But I want to do the motorcycles after.”
I don’t tell her I think she might be too little for those. Erin’s kids are pretty tall for their ages. Maybe I’m wrong.
We make rounds to a few of the games before Con and Mckenna catch up to us. The little girls are having a blast, and the twins seem to be enjoying themselves too. I’ll admit, this has been fun. They’re all hilarious. Thank God they’re not spoil sports.
“Uncle Kevin, I’m hungry again,” Kasey says, giving me puppy dog eyes.
I’ve dropped almost three hundred dollars in food alone in here already. These kids eat like a basketball team. I look at my watch. I should probably get them home to bathe and get ready for bed soon.
“Looks like it’s time to call it a night,” I say to them all, earning groans from the twins.
“Kevin, is that you?”
I look up and lock eyes with my ex. She looks good. Still fit like the fitness trainer she is. Her brown skin has a glow to it. She’s cut all her hair off and now has a pixie cut that’s cute on her.
“Hey, Evelyn,” I reply.
She looks around at the kids surrounding me. “Wow, is that your niece and nephew? They’ve gotten so big. Are the other two yours?” She bites her lip as she drags her eyes over me in an appreciative gaze.
“No, they’re all Erin’s.”
“Hi, I’m Kasey,” my niece sings as she waves up at Evelyn while Molly hides behind me shyly.
“Hello, cutie,” Evelyn says in return, not taking her eyes off me.
I place a hand on Molly’s head as she clings to my leg. Evelyn follows the gesture and her smile grows. Kasey reaches for my other hand.
“So you’re single still?” she asks, and I shrug. “You look amazing. I’ve been watching you with these guys, and my friends and I thought you were such a good dad. Then I realized it was you.”
“Yeah, I’m spending some time with my family. Listen, we’re about to leave.”
I have no desire to rekindle anything from our past. Our relationship was a dumpster fire waiting to happen. In the end, it was best we went our separate ways.
The great sex wasn’t worth the fighting, lack of communication, or dishonesty. The woman knows how to use sex as a weapon and tool of manipulation. I was younger, my priorities sucked. I’ve grown up a lot since then.
Evelyn moves in, closing the distance, and places her hand on my chest. “Maybe we can trade numbers or something,” she says and gives me a bright smile.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“Oh man, come on,” Conroy groans, drawing my attention.
I turn to look at him, and he has a frown on his face. Following his gaze, I find none other than Detective Moralez walking toward us. She takes my breath away. I take her in from head to toe.
Her hair is loose; it’s longer than it was two years ago. Her dark waves bounce around her shoulders and in her face. She has on a pair of black patent leather heels and tight blue jeans, along with a white T-shirt under a navy blue blazer. Her badge is around her neck.
I never thought I’d find a cop so sexy, but damn, Danita makes a badge and gun look hot as hell. I suck my lip into my mouth and smile as I remember peeling her out of a similar pair of jeans. Reminding myself where I am and who I’m with, I shove those thoughts back.
“Hey, I thought that was you.” She holds up a takeout bag. “Looks like we had the same idea.”
I narrow my eyes at her. This is no coincidence. However, I play right along with her.
“I guess great minds do think alike.”
Moralez turns her attention to Evelyn. “And who do we have here?”
I don’t even try to hide the shit-eating grin that comes to my face. Is that jealousy I detect? My little detective might as well turn green as she lets that monster show.
This woman does my head in.
* * *
Danita
Are you kidding me?
I chide myself as soon as the words are out of my mouth. I have absolutely no right to be jealous, but the feeling rises in me as I watch this woman with her hand on Kevin. She’s pretty. Very attractive, in th
at Instagram model type of way.
Pecan-colored skin, hips and ass for days, a snatched waist. She’s killing that pixie cut. One thing becomes apparent to me. Kevin has a sweet tooth; he seems to like him some brown women.
I don’t know why knowing this puts something within me at ease. The thought of not being a product of curiosity causes me to look more closely at the night I spent getting to know Kevin.
I quickly shut that door. I’m here to get information, not start a relationship. However, I can’t take my eyes off the hand this woman still has on his chest.
He takes a step back until her hand falls away. “This is an old friend, Evelyn. Evelyn, this is Danita,” he introduces.
My heart jerks. Hearing him use a name that’s not mine brings reality home. No matter if this woman is from his present or his past, I’ll never be either. I can’t be. He doesn’t even know who I am.
She gives a fake laugh. “Old friend? I think we were well past friends.”
“That was a long time ago,” Kevin says pointedly.
I don’t miss the pout that comes to Evelyn’s face. I shouldn’t be so glad he has made their status clear, but I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t give me a bit of satisfaction. Despite knowing things between us will never go anywhere, it brings a smile to my lips. Dismissing this woman and the past she may have had with Kevin, I turn my focus to the kids.
I squat and look between the two little girls at his sides. “Well, who do we have here?”
The younger-looking one steps forward with a wave. “I’m Kasey,” she says.
I hold out my hand for hers. “Nice to meet you, Kasey. Such a pretty name for a pretty girl.”
Her face lights up instantly. Taking my hand with her little one, she gives a good shake. I then turn to her sister. This one looks like Cal a bit more than the others.
“And what’s your name?” I ask the shy-looking girl as she hides halfway behind her uncle’s leg.
She looks up at Kevin before she turns back to me with a bright little smile. “I’m Molly.” Instead of taking my hand, she moves forward and wraps her arms around my neck.
I’m a little surprised by the gesture, but I wrap my arms around her and give a good squeeze. When I look up at Kevin, he has a shocked look on his face. I lift a brow in question.
He smiles and mouths, She’s super shy. I nod as I give her another squeeze.
These poor babies have been through a lot. I’m sure she needs a hug. I’m glad to be able to give it.
“It’s nice to meet you, Molly,” I say when she takes a step back.
The Evelyn chick squats beside me. “Wow, that looked like a great hug. Can I have one?”
I stand and turn to look away to keep from laughing as Molly races back behind Kevin’s leg. I guess there’s a reason she and Kevin aren’t together anymore. They say kids know things.
“She’s a bit shy,” Kevin says in explanation to Evelyn.
“Oh, that’s okay,” she says and stands.
When I turn to look back at Kevin, he has mirth dancing in his eyes as he locks gazes with me. He reaches out for my hand and tugs me closer to lean into my ear. That same energy that always passes between us hums through my hand and straight to my belly.
“Molly never hugs strangers. I’m not the only one drawn to you at first sight,” he whispers.
I’m not a butterflies kind of girl, but I suddenly have a stomach full. When Kevin backs away, his eyes drop to my lips. It takes everything in me to ignore the heated stare he gives me.
“So, you’re a cop too?” Evelyn asks. “Did you guys used to work together or something?”
“She’s a detective. No, we never worked together,” Kevin responds.
“Uncle Kevin, I’m still hungry,” Kasey says.
“Hey, I have some French fries. You want to share them?”
Her little face lights up. “Yeah,” she says excitedly.
I go to reach for her hand, but my phone rings. I groan and slump my shoulders. I won’t be getting to eat this food or getting the answers I came for.
Excusing myself, I answer the call, and sure enough, I have to go in. I finish the call quickly as agitation builds. I’m already exhausted and stressed as it is.
Frustration covers Kevin’s face as I turn back to him. “Duty calls,” he says.
“Yup, you’ve got it. Tomorrow is my official day off. We’ll hook up then?”
He nods. “I need to be in the office in the morning, but once I have my work covered, I’ll be ready to hear all you have to say,” he says.
I return his nod and bend to hand my bag of food over to Kasey. She smiles as she places it down before her to look inside. I look over her shoulder.
“Maybe you can share the burger with Conroy,” I say as I look him in the eyes.
The kid looks between me and his uncle, no doubt trying to figure out if he can trust me. I’m willing to earn his trust if that’s the only way I’m going to get the answers I need. Kevin reaches to mess Conroy’s hair as if to show him it’s okay to trust me.
“Thanks,” Conroy says.
“Thank you,” Molly says around a fry.
“Anytime.”
Chapter 10
We Need to Talk
Kevin
Looking down at my watch, I snarl at the time. It’s after six o’clock and I’m finally getting back to the office after my rounds. I would have been done much sooner if it hadn’t been for Quinn being so distracted this morning.
Quinn needs to get it together, but he’s not the only one. I toss my key on the desk and plop down in my chair. I stare at the computer screen unseeingly while ignoring the few people that are still here at this hour.
I wanted answers yesterday when Danita showed up at the restaurant. Conroy had this look in his eyes all night after she left. I still remember the look he had when I picked him up after he was arrested.
When I asked him about it last night, he shrugged it off and said it was nothing. I let it slide at the time because I know my nephew. If I push him too far, he’ll shut down or start to butt heads with me.
Danita says she needs his help. I’m not going to cause Con to clam up before I know facts. However, patience has never been my strong suit. I’ve been waiting to hear from her all day.
“Ah, fuck this,” I say and grab my keys.
It’s never been in my character to let things slide once I know something’s not right. Moralez was watching my nephew for a reason. I want to know why now, not later.
I wave Scott off as he heads toward me with papers in his hand. I know he’s coming for me to sign off on his expense reports. I’ll get to all of that tomorrow. I’m headed out the door when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it and answer without checking who the caller is.
“Blackhart,” I grunt into the device.
“It’s me. I’ll be getting out of a cab in front of your office in about five minutes.”
“Go straight to the black Viper in the lot. I’ll be waiting,” I say and pick up my pace.
Once outside, I lean up against the passenger side of my car. I take a look at my watch as I stand with my arms folded over my chest. I’m not waiting long before a car pulls up and Moralez steps out in black slacks, Converse, a white T-shirt, and a New York Yankees cap pulled down over her eyes. She has a messenger bag tossed across her torso.
She moves to me quickly, and I open the door for her to get into my car. After she’s inside, I round the car, get in, and start out of the lot. I shift in my seat as her scent fills the space.
Silence surrounds us as I wait for her to start explaining. We’re almost halfway to my rental apartment when I decide to break the silence. I want answers.
“What’s going on, and what does my nephew have to do with it?”
She releases a heavy sigh and turns toward m
e. I give her a quick glance before turning back to the road. I can’t see her eyes underneath the cap, which frustrates me.
“I’m going to tell you as much as I can. Which might not be much.”
“The more I know, the more I can help,” I say.
“The more you know, the more danger you’ll be in. Listen, I need you to trust me. I know I’m asking for a hell of a lot, but it’s safer for everyone if I tell you what you need to know and only what you need to know,” she says with a hint of a plea in her voice.
I work my jaw. This goes against every fiber of my being. However, I can feel the desperation coming off her. I bite back the words I want to say and nod for her to continue.
“I have something to show you. Can we go somewhere to talk more?”
“We’ll be at my place in a few. Have you eaten?”
“No.” She chuckles. “I haven’t had a thing since yesterday afternoon. I really had planned to eat and talk to you yesterday.”
I frown. I know all too well how the job can cause you to forget to eat. I don’t like the fact that she hasn’t had something in over twenty-four hours.
I pull into the parking lot at my place and turn off the car to get out. I make a face when I round the car and Danita is already outside closing her own door. Placing a hand on the small of her back, I lead her up to my apartment.
“This is a nice community,” she says, bringing me from thoughts of how right my hand feels on her. “I thought that was your place I was outside of the other day.”
I grin, knowing she’s fishing for information. “I got this place to be able to help with the kids. My house is still under construction. It’ll be done soon.”
She turns her head up at me. I can finally see her eyes. “You’re a good uncle. I can see how much you care about those kids. They’re lucky to have you. Especially…” Her eyes turn sad. “I’m glad your sister is awake. How’s Cal doing?”
I release a heavy breath, stopping in front of my door to unlock it. “There hasn’t been much change. It’s not looking good, but we’re hopeful for the kids, if nothing else.”