Chapter 7 #2
“Why are you so close?” she rasps out, yet also not trying to get away.
I lower my chin, our faces inches apart as I zero in on the pulse in her throat, thumping away. “Do you want me to pull away?” I murmur.
The rain continues relentlessly and mimics the pounding of my heart.
A slight gasp escapes her lips. Her mouth is a toe lift away.
Big brown eyes pan up and tangle with mine, neither of us willing to break whatever this is.
Our stares hold and strike with the same electricity that’s coursing outside.
I hover closer and breathe the question once again. “Do you?”
What am I doing? I am on duty, and if this woman closes the gap, a millimeter, I will take her mouth as my own.
I’ve gotta pull back.
A streak of lightning flashes across the sky, followed by a roar of thunder, breaking us from this spell.
We both jerk from the jolt of energy. I push off the pillar, and swallow hard, attempting to act like that didn’t just happen.
“Rose, I need you here with me. No one knows your mom better than you. And I promise you, if you tell me what Maggie said, I will be truthful with you.”
There’s a pause, her back still braced against the concrete. She mutters something under her breath that I don’t catch. Then her eyes track to mine, full of questions. “Did you know my mom was there the night Maggie’s parents died?”
“I did.”
“Did you know a year ago?”
“Yes.” My arms hang limply at my sides. “Yes, I knew.”
There’s a sudden tense inhale, like this moment is stealing something. Her frown causes a sharp pain in my chest. “You should have told me! I thought we had someth—” she confesses, hurt, yet stopping her thought from releasing. I know what she was going to say. She thought we had something.
We did.
Until I messed it up.
“It wasn’t intentional, Rose. You shadowing me and what happened to Maggie’s parents were two separate things.
That is still an open investigation, albeit a cold one, so no, I didn’t share any details with you.
I only knew so much anyway because that case was turned over to Denny about two years ago when the previous captain retired, who, I might add, was a crappy investigator.
Denny is still playing catch-up from all that guy missed.
I helped Denny weed through the cases that took priority, and unfortunately, that wasn’t one of them.
Names and a few details were all I had. Plus, I assumed you knew the story of that night. Why wouldn’t you? She’s your mom.”
She stands there, staring at me, blinking, taking in everything I said, so I continue, the words tumbling out of me, rushed and messy.
“Then your mom was taken, and the case landed on our desks.
It took us a few days to connect the dots, but then it clicked.
We only skimmed the file from the night of the fire.
We saw the photograph and wanted to talk to you and Maggie first."
I take a moment to compose myself and slow down. "I was so upset for you. I wanted to reach out so badly, but Denny advised against it. It would have been too personal.”
Man! Why did I just say that?
“And you’re always a professional, aren’t you?” she bites out, throwing my words back in my face—the excuse I used right after I pulled away from our kiss.
That one stung.
I ignore this and proceed, “Is that why Maggie told you not to trust me? Because I withheld that information from you?”
She nods.
“I see,” I mutter as she turns from the pillar, sending a bit of gravel skittering across the pavement as thunder rolls overhead.
With a deliberate step, I move closer until her eyes meet mine. “Believe me, Rose,” I implore. “Not once did I lie to you. There were things I couldn’t say. Couldn’t talk about. Things I didn’t even know myself. But I never lied.”
She exhales, the turmoil draining from her face. “That makes sense.”
I stare. Longer than I should.
And there it is again. The same look she had given me the night in the bar. The one that burned straight through me then … and still does now.
Because, God, she is beautiful. She doesn’t pull away as my breath seizes. “Don’t leave,” I plead. “Let’s find your mom. Together.” Her eyes stay locked. “And maybe not try to kill each other in the process.”
She chuckles as the rain pelts the walls while I wait for her answer. Her shoulders relax. “I will always be honest with you, Rose. Lying to you isn’t an option.”
She barely breathes and whispers her answer. “Okay.”
We make our way back to the lobby, and Rose is lighter now as we walk.
I really should have told her to leave. And I definitely shouldn’t have told her I almost called her. So stupid. Being around her is testing my sanity.
I squeeze my eyes, attempting to compose myself.
Which is why I don’t see the body until I run straight into it.
Oomph! We collide. “Oh geez. Sorry, man.”
The guy in the three-piece suit jolts back a step or two. “No problem…” Then he looks over my shoulder as a sudden recognition fills his face. “Rose?”
Her head pops around my body. “Niko?”
You can’t be serious? Did I bodyslam into Rose’s ex?
This is just my luck.
Rose pivots around me, obviously in quite a hurry to get closer to this dude. Jealousy erupts, and I don’t like it.
Reluctantly, they both go in for a hug. It’s awkward, but I don’t miss the small smile that crosses Niko’s lips as soon as their bodies connect.
I look away.
“W-what are you doing here?” Rose asks, sounding almost excited.
Niko raises a mask. “My company is hosting a Gatsby-themed masquerade ball. Remember, we were supposed to go together?”
This captures my attention as I look around the lobby again. The throngs of people milling around in elaborate costumes now make sense. Some are wearing masks, which I didn’t notice before.
This type of crowd is a cop’s worst nightmare. Identities hidden away. It’s easy to commit crimes when no one knows who you are.
Rose fiddles with the hem of her shirt. “That’s right.” She shuffles her feet. “How have you been?”
He smiles. Again.
On instinct, and since I refuse to admit I’m jealous, I scan over my competition. He’s not as tall as I am. Maybe an inch or two shorter, yet still towers over Rose. His hair is blonde, slicked back in a rich-bro kinda way.
I mean, I’m not blind. He’s a good-looking dude. I understand what Rose saw in him.
“I’ve been good. No complaints here. I have a lot on my plate right now, which is keeping me busy.” Rose nods as he turns his attention to me. His face falls as his jaw tenses. “And who might you be?”
I extend my hand. “Detective Cal Masters. I’m investigating Diane Sheridan's disappearance.” His palm wraps around mine, and with all his strength, he squeezes.
A chuckle bubbles forth at this guy’s attempt to intimidate me. I swallow it down.
He’s funny.
I squeeze. Harder. “You’re Niko, I assume?” He drops his hand, flexing it once, then twice. Probably from the pain.
I grin.
“Oh, sorry!” Rose reenters the chat. “I should have introduced you. Niko is my ex.”
“Ah yes. The guy from the screensaver on your phone.” Rose twists slightly, her eyes narrowing in warning. Niko grins, clearly pleased with this revelation.
But his irritation returns. “So you’re here with him. Helping? Together?” Niko grinds his teeth.
“Yes. Like he said, Cal is investigating my mom’s disappearance.” She pauses to compose herself. “It’s been so hard, Niko.”
Why is she being so vulnerable with him? And with me, I get nothing but sass and attitude.
I need to stop with this jealousy.
Niko’s face falls. “I’m so sorry you are dealing with this, Rose. I loved your mom, you know that.”
She gives him a tight smile and sniffles. “I know.”
“I figured you must have been pretty stressed when you didn’t respond to my text earlier. Do you need me to tag along? I can h—”
“That won’t be necessary,” I snap, rougher than I intend. Rose’s gaze snaps to mine, sharp and full of fire, but I hold it anyway. Our stares lock, maxed out on anger and frustration. Niko doesn’t flinch—his eyes stay trained on her like I’m invisible.
She addresses him again. “Actually, I had to have special permission to be here, so I doubt that would work. But it's sweet of you to offer.”
“You know I would do anything for you, Rosebud.”
With that nickname drop, I decide to leave these two love birds and let them talk. Gently, I rest my palm on her lower back.
Inappropriate? Yes.
Necessary? Also yes.
Niko’s eyes immediately zero in on my touch. “I’m going to be at the front desk asking about security. Take your time.”
Reluctantly, I walk away, but also watching.
Something about this guy rubs me the wrong way.
Call it a cop’s instinct that comes from years of watching people, reading the things they don’t say. But there’s a vibe coming off him. And it’s not a good one.
Or maybe I’m just a paranoid SOB.
While I’m waiting for the clerk to pull up the information I asked for, Rose breaks away from Mr. Wonderful with a hug and walks in my direction. She moves with purpose, her eyes focused on mine, worry etched across her face.
But it’s not her that Niko watches as she comes my way.
It’s me.