Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“It worked,” he snapped. “I’m not letting him hurt you.”
Davis and Terri stepped in the doorway and waited. “Everything okay in here?” his brother asked.
“No,” Leena replied. “Your brother just took it upon himself to threaten the bastard responsible for this mess. Not just him but his children as well.”
John noticed she didn’t mention anything about the child who was dead. His unease and anger ratcheted up another few notches. “He threatened you,” he reiterated.
“So what,” she hollered back. “You’re a cop. And, that’s not right.” Leena moved back and slipped around him before going between Davis and Terri only to vanish from sight. Terri followed leaving him alone with his brother.
“Got something to say?”
“Not a thing,” Davis assured him. “I’m with you. What do you need me to do?”
“He is going down, they all are. I need her safe until it’s done.”
Davis nodded. “I’ll do it.”
John sighed, grateful his brother was on his side in this instance. He knew that his moral code was strong and typically unflappable but for Davis to side with his brother meant the world to John.
“I’ll be ready in a minute.” He went to the kitchen where Leena stood by the counter. “What’s wrong?”
“This isn’t right. You know this.”
“Back to that damn line again?” He’d rip the thing out and burn it.
“It’s what separates the cops from the scum they are getting off the streets and protecting the rest of us from.”
“Is that what you tell yourself?”
She gaped at him like a fish out of water, blinked, and shook her head. “What are you talking about? You think that cops can do whatever the hell they want?”
“It’s not the same.”
“Sure it is. Doesn’t matter who it is, there’s always a line. And it’s a line that you don’t cross.”
“The hell I won’t.” He threw his hands up in the air and stomped the remaining distance to her. “Don’t you get that?” His voice ripped from his throat, ragged and graveled. “Damn it, Leena. There is no line when it comes to you. None. Never will be.”
Her eyes shone with unshed tears before she shook her head and walked out, Argo following closely.
Chapter 11
“Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses.”
~Elizabeth Taylor
* * *
Leena couldn’t get his words out of her head. There is no line when it comes to you. None. Never will be. Christ, on one hand it was so hot she’d wanted to jump him right there but on the other, it killed her to think of him breaking what he’d worked so hard to accomplish because of her. She’d snuck out of the house that night, her and Argo, and she’d gone back home, leaving him a note.
Sure, it wasn’t the best thing she could have done, but what was done was done and it was time for her to move on with her life. Her feelings toward the man didn’t matter. Their lives had intersected and now they were parting into separate paths once more.
Didn’t stop the dreams, the longings, or any of that, however. She cleared her throat, turned off the engine to her van and hopped out, swiping the key on the way. Heading for the front, she took in the grounds. Lots of fenced in areas and different buildings. Nice enough but sterile in her mind.
Stepping inside, she walked to the desk and waited for the man there to look up. His dark head was bowed as he typed on the keyboard.
“Be right with you,” he muttered.
Leena glanced at her watch and went to one of the hard uncomfortable chairs there. She understood why, if a dog were to lift his leg, you sure didn’t want anything cloth to soak it up. She was still a bit early so she wouldn’t argue him wanting her to wait, but she wasn’t about to be late for this appointment.
She’d just settled back when the man deigned to put his attention on her. His bright blue eyes startling even from the distance against his darker skin. “Mrs. Parsons?”
She stood. “Ms. Parsons, actually, but otherwise, yes.”
He flashed a grin that had her nearly tripping over her feet. “Sorry, Ma’am.”
“No problem.” Damn he’s fine. “I have an appointment with Mitch Guerreo.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll take you to him now. He requested you meet him in the kennels.” He pushed back from the desk and walked around to her side.
These guys in uniform get hotter every time I see them.
He offered his hand. “Corporal Weems.”
“Nice to meet you, Corporal.”
“This way please.” He opened a door and waved her through. They stepped outside and she took another look around the place. Very nice.
Mitch met her outside the kennel where Hugo was located. His grin was fleeting but it came. “Thank you, Corporal, that will be all.”
After a salute, the man left her alone with Mitch. He raked his eyes over her and she waited.