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PRESENT DAY—SEPTEMBER 2019
Marquette, Michigan
“Bro, you okay? You look like you’re gonna get sick.”
Driving south along Lakeshore Drive, I snap my head up as my partner Thomas Buckley nudges me. Attempting to shake off the ghostly memories that have haunted me since Colton called me two days ago, I slow my breath. “Yeah, man. We’re almost there.”
My pulse pounds against my ears like an incessant alarm. I curse my rotten luck. Why the hell did I agree to do this?
Because I can’t tell Colton Ramsay no. It’s been almost two years since I’ve seen him, and five years since his wedding. Still, it feels like yesterday.
After graduating from Quantico, I was assigned to the San Francisco office for two years. During that time, I threw myself into my work, focusing on being the best field agent I could. Austin, Dallas, Albuquerque... I’ve seen it all. Most of it isn’t good.
After my big break in Little Rock solving the human trafficking case of the century, I was sent back to Detroit—with a new title. Special Agent Luke Donovan. Detroit has a major network they’ve been tracking in the state, and David Cross, Colton’s old partner, asked for me specifically. So, with a hefty promotion in hand, I returned to the one place in the world I hate most—Rochester Hills.
My parents still live nearby. My father never made it past the rank of captain. But Joe Donovan has bigger endeavors to pursue. My brother Jamie is running for state representative, and our father couldn’t be prouder.
If only I would have married a Mefford... Dad’s sentiments.
The thought of the email Christy sent me a few weeks ago makes my stomach clench. Apparently, she’s in the middle of a nasty divorce. She didn’t mention that—my mother did. But Christy saw Jamie’s name in the paper announcing his candidacy and offered to donate to his campaign... for a price, no doubt. That woman always has ulterior motives.
I never answered her. Honestly, I’m not interested in dating anyone, especially her. I had a brief fling with a woman from the Sacramento office, but it didn’t go anywhere. It couldn’t. Not with a certain blond-haired, green-eyed beauty constantly on my mind.
Penny.
Colt called me out of the blue to help with this case. A sorority girl murdered at a university... it’s definitely my area of expertise. But facing Penny Ramsay after five years? This might be my breaking point.
As my partner rambles on about how beautiful—and large—Lake Superior is, I try to banter back. But my mind is elsewhere.
Am I ready for this? For her? To say the last time we’d seen each other hadn’t gone well is an understatement. She has every reason to be pissed at me. My so-called apology at Colt’s wedding backfired.
In hindsight, it wasn’t as much an apology, but more of a let’s-push-this-under-the-rug-and-get-on-with-life tactic. At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing. I’d taken my mom’s advice to see if our chemistry was still there.
FYI: It was. Unfortunately, Pen and I have always been more oil than water. After the wedding, I had every intention of contacting her to clear things up. But life got in the way.
Two years ago, at Colt’s daughter’s christening, I’d planned on talking to Colt about my feelings. Conveniently, Penny was preoccupied with some sort of school function, even though she and I both were asked to be Sophie’s godparents. I wanted Colt’s blessing to follow my heart.
Until Kyra spilled the beans about Penny’s long-term crush on me. Colt took up his figurative shotgun with a final warning that his little sister is off-limits. Period. That was the last time we spoke.
So why did he call me about this case? Because he’s desperate. As an intern with the Marquette PD, Penny brought the case to Colt’s attention. But that’s only the cover story. Something’s wrong with her, and she won’t confide in either Colt or Kyra.
Gripping the steering wheel, I try to shake off the thoughts of the cherubic little girl I’d once known. The last few days, every memory from our past has coursed through my mind, and I’ve run the gamut of emotions from happiness and pride to fear and dread. Colt dropped this opportunity in my lap like a stick of dynamite, and the impending explosion will either make or break me.
I have no delusions. I’m not anticipating the best reception. I’m well aware this plan might crash and burn. I have no clue if Penny will forgive me or if she’ll even want me. But I’ve let her down too many times. This is my last chance to make things right... to get closure.
That’s why I agreed to come. I’ll be damned if I leave Marquette without burying our past so I can move on with my life.
Buckley whips a finger out the window. “There it is, man. Marquette PD on the right.”
Entering the parking lot, I pull into a free space as far from the building as I can. I throw my standard issue black Chevy SUV into park and remove my keys from the ignition. As I slowly exit the vehicle, acid churns in my stomach.
Buckley cocks his head. “You okay? We can get settled at the hotel first.”
Gazing up at the two-story brownstone in front of me, I brush my sweaty hands on my khaki’s and strengthen my resolve. Delaying the inevitable has never been in my best interest.
“Let’s do this.” I stride across the lot and open the double doors of the Marquette Police Department, bracing myself for the storm to come.
To Be Continued...