Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Terry, Virgil and Maisie looked sincerely sad about Bonnie’s death and Kat seemed indifferent with a hint of residual anger that wouldn’t seem to go away. Vanessa’s eyes were filled with tears, and I couldn’t see Emmett’s face as he held her close, comforting her.
Sadie and Jasper shared a look that made me realize that as close as the Ashby family was, there were still some secrets only those two knew.
CHAPTER FOUR
Jameson
I stepped inside the squad room for the morning briefing. The stench of stale coffee overwhelmed me with about two dozen types of cologne and perfume.
Despite the less than welcoming looks—and stares—I couldn’t help but smile because I was here. The Academy was behind me now, and this was my first week of field training, which meant I was closer to my ultimate goal of becoming a detective.
Lieutenant North stood at the front of the room, handing out the details we all needed to know going into the day shift, a stern expression on his face. “We have two rookies starting today. Robbins, you’re with Gonzalez. Ellison, you’re with Jenkins. Keep your ears and eyes open, and your mouths shut.” A quick smile flashed as soft chuckles went up around the room. “And good luck. Let’s all make it home tonight.”
At those words, excitement bubbled up inside of me. This was it, my first day as a police officer. My first day in the field, where I could make a difference. “You hittin’ on me, Rookie?” A tall, lanky man stood in front of me with a teasing smile and arched brows.
“No, sir. Just ready to get started. Jameson Ellison.” I stuck out my hand and for half a moment, I thought the guy would leave me hanging.
He held up a fist instead of taking my hand. “Dion Jenkins. Let me show you where we pick up our gear for the day.” I followed beside him, trying to tamp down my cheesy smile. “I’m not an asshole, at least not for no reason. I want you to listen carefully to every word that comes out of my mouth and we’ll be fine. Ya hear me?”
“Yes, sir. I’m here to learn.”
Dion looked at me for a long moment and nodded before turning a dazzling smile on the woman behind the counter. “Amanda, sweetheart, car 246.”
“So I’m sweetheart again? You must want a working computer today.” She flashed a wide grin that made her brown eyes sparkle when she turned to me. “Ah, showing off for the rookie.”
“Ellison, ma’am.”
“Nice to meetcha, Ellison. I’m Brady, not ma’am unless you want me to put you in the Crown Vic from the auction house.”
“Got it, Brady.” She flashed a satisfied smile and disappeared, returning a few minutes later with keys and a shit ton of equipment.
“Thanks.”
“Good luck,” she called after us. “Only listen to Jenkins when it comes to the job. His life outside of here is a complete shit show.”
Dion laughed and turned to wink at her before we made our way to the parking lot filled with patrol cars. “Amanda is good people. Stuck in the equipment room because she took a couple shots to the midsection a few months back.”
I buckled myself into the seat, riding shotgun for the first time, a thrill I wouldn’t forget for a long time. “You two have history,” I said, watching all the cars line up to exit into the street. It wasn’t a question. Dion and Brady had the flirty banter down to a science, and there was a look of genuine affection that passed between them that was hard to ignore.
“Yeah, good observation. I’m not ready for her. Not yet,” he said, cruising slowly through the city. Then that subject was closed when a call came in. “That’s the alley behind Lucky Lopez. You know it, right?”
Hell yeah, I knew it. “Yes, sir. I know the owner, and I was recently at a bachelor party in one of the private rooms there.” That night had been fun, until it turned into a crime scene.
“North said you had some underworld connections. The Ashbys?”
I sighed and tried to hide my annoyance. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to outrun my family but did the whole damn precinct already know? “I am familiar with the Ashby family, and yes, my brother is the president of the Reckless Bastards.”
Dion flashed a bright smile that made his brown eyes light up. “No shit?” He shook his head and then laughed as the car came to a stop blocking the alley behind the titty bar. “No judgment here. That’s why North put us together, my father, my brother and two of my cousins run with the Killer Jags.”
“Seriously?” He nodded. “And that hasn’t made it difficult for you as a police officer?”
“Oh, hell yeah. Some cops look at me sideways like I’m only here to feed them intel, which is bullshit. It took a little longer to earn their trust, being a minority and coming from a gang banger family, but I did it. You will too.”