Chapter 1
NYX
“Hello.” My voice is rough from sleep. The ringing phone startled me awake.
It was supposed to be my day off, and I was planning on sleeping in and maybe picking up my apartment a little.
It was going to be a chill day spent with the only men in the world who can’t break my heart, my cat and one of the fictional varieties.
“Bennett, I need you at the station ASAP.” Montgomery’s voice is commanding and a little startling.
“Good morning to you, too.” I tried to make a joke.
His chuckle echoed through the phone. “Just get your ass to the station, Nyx.” I can tell he wants to joke around with me, but he must already be there and preparing for whatever is going on.
Fuck, it isn’t super early, but early enough I don’t want to hear Captain Montgomery’s voice this early.
“Yes, Sir. What should I expect when I get in?” I wanted to make sure I was ready for whatever we were meeting about. In Detroit, it could be anything.
“The Tigers won their game last night, and they are going to be bringing postseason baseball back to the city of Detroit in a few days. Time to plan for the chaos.” His tone seems more excited than normal for him.
He is just as excited as anyone that we won, but he is still trying to remain the stern captain he is.
“Okay, I will be in soon, sir. Give me a bit to get around. See you soon.” He hangs up the phone after saying goodbye.
I roll over in bed and give my black cat, Midnight, his morning scratches. He is curled up at the end of the bed by the window. His fur is shining in the early morning sunlight coming through the window.
“Good morning, my sweet boy.” I lean down to give him soft kisses on the top of his head.
Finally deciding to climb my ass out of bed, I head to the bathroom to get myself cleaned up.
Splashing my face with cool water and lathering up my cleanser to wash my face.
Taking a few moments to apply my skin care before brushing my teeth and running a brush through my long black locks.
Throwing on a pair of black leggings and a t-shirt before tying my tennis shoes on my feet.
I fill up my water bottle and grab my crossbody purse before running out the door.
The sun is shining through my windshield. It is a warm morning in downtown Detroit for early October, so I am driving around with my windows down. The song “The Tigers Won Again” by Gmac Cash is blaring through my speakers, celebrating yet another Detroit Tigers win.
Trying to find parking in town is going to be a nightmare before getting to the precinct, but there was no way I wasn’t getting my caffeine fix. I had to leave my apartment in a hurry and didn’t make my own coffee.
The Tigers just secured a home playoff game for the first time in a decade, and I know this town will be full of all kinds of celebrations in a few days, and Cap is going to want to get security situated as soon as possible. The state is going crazy, and we need to be prepared.
Pulling up alongside the road in my electric blue SUV, I park outside my favorite coffee shop.
This is a little hole in the wall joint called Down Under Coffee.
It’s a bright space for being located in the basement; not only is the name a play on words but also because it carries an Australian theme.
This coffee shop is always a must stop on my way to these dang security meetings.
One thing I will say, Detroit fans are always loyal to their teams, and when they do well, this town turns into a riot in the best way.
“Good morning, Nyx,” Niko, behind the counter, calls as I come into view.
“Do you want the usual this morning?” Niko is almost always working when I come in, so it is not surprising that he knows my go-to is a macchiato.
Niko is an adorable early twenties guy, with shaggy sandy blonde hair, and his skin has a beach glow to it all year long.
He always looks like he’s stepped right off the Gold Coast itself.
“Good morning, Niko! My usual would be amazing; I need all the caffeine I can stomach. Are you ready for the entire state of Michigan to descend on District Detroit while everyone celebrates?” I chuckle.
We act like we aren’t just as pumped for Detroit sports to finally be a thing to be excited about again.
I am secretly hoping I get placed somewhere I can keep an eye on the game myself. I am a sucker for a good baseball game!
“Hell ya! Let’s go Tigers!” He whispers screams with the brightest smile on his face.
He puts the lid on the disposable cup with the sleeve and slides it over the counter to me.
“Have fun keeping the city safe, Nyx.” Grabbing my lifeblood off the counter, I quickly go to head up the stairs knowing that if I don’t hurry up the vein on Captain Montgomery’s forehead will start pulsing.
I spin around quickly to make for the stairs to head back up to the ground level when I run into a brick wall of a delicious smelling man.
I bounce off his perfectly sculpted chest being shown off by the tight t-shirt he is wearing.
The only thing saving my ass from meeting the tile floor is his hands snapping out to steady me.
“Woah,” he murmurs. “Watch where you’re going, Little Witch.
” My brow furrows, confused by the nickname.
While my hair is currently cascading down my back in dark waves, and my skin does not cling to an ounce of color outside of lobster or Casper the Friendly Ghost; I don’t understand the nickname.
Dragging my gaze up his body to take in his Norse God-like face.
His skin, sun-kissed just enough to make him look like he glows from within, a hint of dirty blonde scruff lines his sharp jawline, and the brightest blue eyes I think I have ever seen in my life.
“Oh, my goodness, I am so sorry. Thank you so much for stopping me from falling flat on my ass.” I blush slightly, embarrassed by my sheer lack of awareness.
“It is not a problem. A beautiful woman like yourself can run into me anytime.” His smirk makes my blush darken as I lower my gaze.
“How ‘bout you make it up to me and sit and have a coffee with me?” Suddenly his phone starts ringing loudly, the “Halls of Montezuma” coming from the phone speakers.
“One second, Little Witch, I need to answer this.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket while moving off to the side of the coffee shop to take his call.
I take this moment to sneak out of the shop while he’s distracted.
I need to get to the precinct and help Cap come up with a plan.
The first game here is in a few days, and we need to ensure that security is top notch.
I exit the building and hurry over to my SUV, plug my phone in to start my audiobook and make my way towards work for the day.
I try not to think about the golden god who just stopped me from falling on my ass.
Reminding myself that my book boyfriends are always the safer bet. Boy, did Nick do a number on me!