Chapter 3 #3
“Teething babies and rambunctious toddlers? I can’t wait.
” It was a loud, crazy life, and she was here for it.
Now she could really get to know her nephews, spoil them, and become their favorite auntie.
That and being close to Maria again were the only things she was actually looking forward to in Renegade.
For a moment, a niggle of doubt crept in.
Maybe she shouldn’t have presumed on her brother and sister-in-law’s hospitality.
But there was no way she could stay at Mom and Dad’s.
Not with the memories haunting her childhood home and disapproval hovering over every move she made. She’d go bonkers within an hour.
Michael shook his head and chuckled. “They’ll be thrilled you’re here.”
Her tiny morsel of doubt evaporated. “Well, who wouldn’t be?”
“But I wouldn’t count on getting much sleep,” he said.
“So my sleep schedule will remain completely unchanged. Cool.” See? Everything would be just fine.
“You’re still loving the nightlife, I see. Not that there’s much of one here in Renegade, but we better get off this roof before someone else calls 911 and my coworkers get called out.” He led her over to the fire escape and down to the lower-level roof over the kitchen.
“How is the cop life, by the way?” Even in the dark, she could tell there was more than a maturity and fitness change in her old crush.
This was not the happy-go-lucky Michael of her youth.
Obviously, his mother’s death had taken a toll.
Josh had mentioned he was actually kind of worried about Michael pushing too hard. “Any new leads with your mom’s case?”
His sigh answered her question. “Nothing promising. And now the last person to see her alive is missing too.”
“Wow. In Renegade? I thought nothing dangerous ever happened here.”
“If that were the case, I’d be out of work.
Instead, a whole underground network called the Shadow Syndicate was recently uncovered and some major players taken down.
They were involved in human trafficking, drugs, real estate fraud, and government corruption.
Now I have a string of weird break-ins I’m investigating. Plenty to keep us busy.”
So maybe sleepy little Renegade had more major crime issues than she’d realized.
Still, she’d probably have plenty of time on her hands.
“If you ever need help—your mom’s case or anything else—you know I’m here for you.
And no matter what anyone says, your mother was a saint.
There’s no way she was involved in any corruption. ”
“Thanks.” He looked up a moment and then back at her. “Now that you have all those federal resources at your disposal, maybe I’ll take you up on your offer sometime.”
“Good. I took the job because I want to make a difference.” And if she could help the Martinellis in any way, it would make the move worth it. They’d done so much for her over the years.
Michael helped her down the old ladder she’d used by the kitchen entrance and walked with her out to the street, where she’d parked her little VW bug.
“You’re still driving this thing?” He ran his hand along the sunny yellow body of her beloved car. “Not exactly the vehicle for a tough FBI agent.”
Dani gasped. “Abandon Princess Buttercup? Are you crazy?” She leaned in and hugged the hood of the car.
“Don’t listen to him, girl.” She dropped a quick kiss on the cold metal and then slugged Michael in the arm.
“You can’t say such things around her. She’s a little temperamental these days, but she’s earned my loyalty.
She made it all the way from Baltimore, so give the girl some credit. ”
Michael released a full-on belly laugh. It rang out, deep and throaty.
As it rumbled through and around her, she enjoyed the sweet taste of victory. According to Maria, Michael’s sense of responsibility these days had all but snuffed out his once-vibrant fun side.
But Dani had a career to focus on, a world to save. He probably had a sweet equally nerdy and adorable girlfriend now.
And maybe being back in Renegade and having a friend on the force would come in handy.
“I guess I better go tell Josh and Lily the good news.” Dani pulled the keys to Buttercup out of her pocket. “How did you know where I was, anyway?”
Michael groaned and slapped a hand on his forehead.
“What?”
“I left Sage at the restaurant. I saw you out the window and thought you were going to jump. I ran over and completely forgot about her.”
“Who’s Sage? Your girlfriend?” The thought stung way more than it should.
“My date. A first date, actually.”
After a rush of initial relief, a sharp prick to her conscience almost made her wince. There she went again, getting in the way. Making a scene. Again.
“I’m so sorry, Mikey. Should I go and help explai—”
Michael batted her apology away. “Don’t worry about it, Dani. You’ve got better things to do. And she’s probably long gone.”
“I’m really sorry to mess up your date.”
“That’s okay. It was mostly to keep my dad happy. He’s champing at the bit for grandkids.” He pulled her in for a hug. “I’m glad you’re back home. And I’m glad you’re safe.”
For a moment, his warmth and his cedar-amber scent soothed the ache inside. But she knew better than to get too attached. She wouldn’t be here long.
She pulled back and grinned at him. “See you around, Mikey.”