“Luke, we both knew the time would come where I would have to join the real world again. I know you wish you had more leads to go on, but as long as I keep my head down and don’t get caught, no one will know that I’m helping you and Wes. I’ll just have to be more careful.”
Between the tick in his jaw and his hard, dark stare, I got the impression he didn’t love that plan.
“No fucking way are you to get involved in the Redmond case again. I don’t want you anywhere near that case. Whatever Wes needs, I’ll figure it out.”
“That’s not fair. I was part of this. I want to help. And I have better access than you do. Tonight, for example. I’m going to have the entire station almost completely to myself.”
“And you’re going to do your job like it was any other night. I’m serious, Letty. We don’t know the veracity of the threat, and until we do, I need you to stay away from this case.”
I wanted to argue, to tell him that I could take care of myself, but he was looking at me with such desperation that I caved.
“Fine. For now. I’m not done with this conversation though,” I said, my arms crossed in front of my chest.
The relief on his face was palpable as he blew out a breath.
“That’s good with me. You look mad at me. Come here,” he said. He opened his arms, and I stepped into them without hesitation.
Luke wrapped me in his freshly showered scent. Whatever was happening between us, I really, really liked that I could now touch Luke like this. I slipped my hand beneath the back of his shirt and was rewarded with a quiet growl.
“You were right. This does make me less mad at you,” I teased.
Luke’s rumbled laughter made me smile.
“Who are you working with tonight at the station?”
At least one other person was assigned the night shift so no one was ever by themselves. It was usually one of the lieutenants, but sometimes the rotation was off, and another officer would pull the short straw.
“Captain Langston, I think,” I told him as I pulled back.
“Good.” He nodded. “If you see Monroe, try to keep your distance, okay?”
“Yes, Dad.” I rolled my eyes.
Luke raised one eyebrow, a grin slowly tugging at his lips.
“I thought it was supposed to be daddy?”
“No,” I said. “Not doing that.”
“No?” A mischievous glint lit his eyes. I hadn’t seen Luke this flirty and playful… ever. He was always more serious than his brothers, more stoic than the other officers at work. This new side of him, a side of him that only I got to see, would be dangerous for my crush. If it was just a crush. I didn’t know what we were anymore.
“We’re not there yet.”
“Yet?” He was openly smiling at me now, his straight whiteteeth on full display, set behind his perfect lips.
“Stop repeating me. Just no.” I shook my head. “I’m not kink shaming anyone, but I promise you, I do not want to be thinking about my father in times of… stuff,” I said, waving my arms around like that was helping me make a point.
Luke burst out laughing. He had to wipe the tears from his eyes before he could respond. “Noted. And I thought I knew all there was to know you about, Letty Girl. Learn something new every day.”
“Well, I should get going,” I said.
“Okay, I’m going to head back to my place since you’re not going to be here anyway. Call me when you get home just so I know you’re safe?”
“Promise.”
I was glad I had a shift tonight. Not just because I needed to feel like a real person again and get back into the routine of life but because it would give me a chance away from Luke to figure out what our changing relationship meant. We hadn’t really crossed any lines. We could keep things the same as they always were—or we could risk it all.
19
