Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“I hope you don’t still beat yourself up over that.”
“I was cocky. I let it all get to my head.”
“You were amazing at what you did. You put bad guys away. You had a right to hold your head high. That was one of the biggest cases of your career at the DOJ.
“Hell, the more I learned about you the more I was in awe. You graduated at the top of your class and the DOJ hired you before the ink dried on your degree.
“They knew they had someone special. You walked into that courtroom kicking ass and taking names after. You would have been running that place by now,” I say.
“Yeah, and I would be looking over my shoulder at night. I regret a lot about that case and how you entered my life back then.”
“I don’t know if I regret that. If I wasn’t there, who’s to say someone else would have saved your life?”
“Which is why I regret it.” She looks down into her empty plate. “You took a bullet for me. I’ll never forget that.”
“It was only a flesh wound, and I was doing my job.”
“But that’s just it. It’s your job to put your life on the line for others. That bullet wound is always a reminder for me. When I bathed you that day, I saw it. You placed that tat over it, but I could still make it out,” she whispers.
“Hey, baby. I’m still here. I’ve been through a hell of a lot since, and I’m still kicking,” I reply.
“You mean like that wound on your back? I wasn’t going to bring it up, but I know your body. Probably better than you do. That’s new.”
I sit back, working my jaw as the memory of how I got that wound surfaces. Knowing how she feels about my job, her seeing the new wound doesn’t help. I wish I could tell her that this will never be a problem again, but I can’t make her that promise.
Everything is up in the air. If I could go back to what I love, I would. However, the chances of that don’t look the greatest. Although as long as there is a chance, I’m not closing that door.
“Yeah, that wasn’t one of the greatest moments in my career.”
She shakes her head. “How long before the next case? How long before you disappear again? God, Knight, you were gone for over a year.”
“You were keeping track? Does that mean you did miss me?”
“Don’t. I hate when you do that. Your job is a reality. I can’t just pretend you’re someone you’re not.”
“I’m not asking you to. I’m asking you to give me a chance to show you who I am. My job is a small part of that—”
“Oh, no it’s not. Your job is a huge part of that. Knight, I want more. I don’t just want someone I can call in the middle of the night to warm my bed if he’s not busy chasing bad guys. I’m thirty. I want what Bishop and Saga have.”
“What makes you think that’s not what I want?”
She locks eyes with me. I allow her to take a long hard look. While I may be uncertain about my career, when it comes to us, I know exactly what I want.
“I think we should call it a night. Thank you for dinner.”
“No, thank you, baby. I love how you took care of me. You have to admit we feel right when we’re together.”
“It’s fun when we’re together,” she says. “But fun isn’t what I’m looking for. I’m looking for stability and safety.”
Her words are like a blow to the chest. They sting more than any bullet I’ve ever taken. I nod and lift my hand for the check.
“I almost forgot,” I say after paying for dinner. “I found your earrings in my bathroom.”
“Oh my God, I thought I lost those. My dad gave them to me.”
“I’ll take you home. We can pick them up on the way.”
“How do you know I didn’t drive in today?”
“I didn’t see your car in your spot in the garage.”
“How did you know I was still at work?”
I grin at her. “Your sister told me.”
She gasps. “Is that why she kept texting me?”
“I plead the fifth.”
Folding her arms over her chest, she glares at me. “I’ll be having a talk with her. Where’s the loyalty?”
“Sometimes the people around you know what’s best for you before you do.”
“And you’re what’s best for me, Detective Moran?”
I just barely hold myself back from flinching. That name is a double-edged sword at the moment. Instead of answering her question, I get up and hold my hand out.
“Let’s get you your earrings.”
CHAPTER 9
Elevation
Reminisce
“Come upstairs with me. It’ll only take a minute,” Knight says as he takes off his helmet.
I nod and climb off the bike to follow him. It’s only as I start to move my feet that I think better of going up with him. It’s too late now. He has his hand on the small of my back, leading me to the elevator.