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Evan
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The rest of the day went by uneventfully as Scott, Torres, and I chased dead ends. Adams took a sick day, poor Hana had to stay at the hospital for a heavy dose of antibiotics to kill her pneumonia. People kept calling in to the precinct claiming they’d seen Jameson or Lorelei. It was one of the things I hated about the job; the mass panic that happened when murders and crime escalated. People started seeing things that weren’t there, which resulted in the phone ringing off the hook at the precinct. That was exactly what had happened.
We spent most of the day talking to people about what they’d seen. That always ended the same. Simple cases of misidentification. The last woman who’d called in had told us Jameson was holding her hostage. The task force was sent out, but when we’d arrived on the scene, it had been an absolute shit show. The woman’s boyfriend had been there smacking her around, and her kids had been screaming and crying. It had been a fucking mess. Now, I had a stack of paperwork a mile high due to a domestic violence dispute that hadn’t brought us one step closer to catching Jameson.
Not to mention, we had gotten nowhere on figuring out what had happened to Garcia and Marshall. They should have checked in. Oh, and the cell phone trace? Yeah, that had been a huge no go.
At least Madison and Avery had had some luck, but of course, the small-ass town made it near impossible to get evidence any quicker than forty-eight hours. It was going to take that long to get all the residue samples and identifications of the victims we were waiting on, and that put us all in the position of sitting on our asses waiting for the full moon. That more than anything made me think about moving back to Louisiana. I still had the job offer to work for Shreveport’s police department sitting on my counter. They wanted me to run things, and even though it was a small town, being in charge would mean I’d have access to changing things and ensuring the process was a smooth one.
My thoughts of home cut off abruptly by the ringtone on my phone.
“Bradley,” I answered. It was William, the owner of the Down Under Pub.
“Tapes are ready. Come on down,” William said.
“Excellent. Thank you. We’ll head over there right now.” I hung up the phone and continued driving.
“It was William from the pub. He wanted to let us know we can get the surveillance tapes tonight,” I said as I made a U-turn to head toward the Down Under Pub.
“Great,” Scott said from the passenger seat, but he was texting on his phone, and he seemed a little distracted. “Hey, do you think you guys could hold things together for the night and tomorrow?” Scott asked as he put his phone back in his pocket.
“Definitely, man. Doesn’t seem like we have anything to do but look at the tapes and just sit around and wait,” Torres said from the backseat.
“Yeah, no problem,” I said. “You two going to go see your mom?” I asked. “Connecticut right? I heard it’s nice out there.”
Scott smiled at my comment regarding his childhood home. “I think so. Maddie got a call from the doctor’s office saying she’s healthy and already made the next appointment. I can’t wait to see the baby, hear its heartbeat.” Scott smiled again as he took off his glasses and placed them in his breast pocket.
“She and Avery will meet us over at the bar. They’re wrapping up some paperwork.”
I stifled a groan. I had paperwork too. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It was only 4:00 p.m. After we finished up at the bar, I could head back to the precinct and tackle it, but all I wanted to do was to take Avery back to her place and make love to her again. Last night had been amazing. While she’d slept, I’d counted every single freckle on her body and kissed every last one of them. That was the only time that sassy ass mouth of hers wasn’t running and the only time she wasn’t trying to overanalyze things. Everything had been so rushed our first time, I’d barely had a chance to see her fully, to really look at her.
I wanted to undress her. Sure, I had gotten to do that last night but I wanted to do it slowly, take my time with each piece of clothing, peel it from her body with ease and precision. She deserved the attention as I fucked her with my eyes. But it was more than that. So much more. I didn’t want a simple screw. I wanted to hold her, cherish her, lap up every ounce of whatever she was willing to give and bottle it up and carry it with me. Always.
On second thought, maybe that paperwork could wait until the next morning.
When we finally made it to the pub, William told us to order some dinner and drinks while he finished gathering the tapes, on the house of course. We eagerly sat down at what Scott had called their “usual table” in the corner and ordered burgers and sodas. What I really wanted was an ice cold beer. I wasn’t used to having other guys at my back other than Adams. It was nice to have them with me, chatting and shooting the shit, waiting for the food to come.
For a Monday evening, the place was packed. Bodies flirted on the dance floor, taking up every inch of space. They masked the view, so it was nearly impossible to see the bar. People waited impatiently for their drinks, and a few murmurs of impatience ricocheted off the walls.
“It must be college night,” Torres said between swigs of his drink. I glanced at the bar again and noticed the shirts and sweaters all riddled with the words University of Virginia. The giggling girls and the smell of heat and sweat added to the ambiance. I agreed with Torres. It was definitely college night.
“Let’s just eat and get out of here,” Scott suggested as he motioned for Doreen to come over.
“Hey, sexy. Where’s your girl? Decided to go for a real woman?” Doreen purred as she sidled up next to Scott. Tonight, she had on a hot pink halter-top dress with lipstick to match. Scott shook his head and laughed.
“She’s on her way, Doreen. Any way we can get this food in a hurry?” Scott asked.
“Anything for you.” She winked and walked away. Doreen was something else. She was crude, but she was fun and harmless.
Less than fifteen minutes later, Doreen came back with our food, and we devoured it, barely saying a word to each other. I glanced at my phone and checked a quick text message from Avery.
Avery: Stuck in traffic. Be there in 15. :*
She used a kissing face emoticon? I was afraid my face was going to crack with the big-ass smile that stretched from ear to ear, and I ran my fingers over the keys of my phone to type out a reply. Maybe make a comment about how I couldn’t wait to spend the night with her again, but before I could, I heard movement near our table.
“Are you guys cops?” I looked up from my phone to see three college girls standing next to our table. Scott shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and Torres looked unamused. The girls were hot. Not just your average hot, but supermodel, Gisele Bundchen hot. The way Scott kept clearing his throat and running his hands through his hair, I knew he thought they were hot, too. As the tension rose in the room, I had a strange feeling this wasn’t going to end well. My mind shifted to Madison and Avery. They would be here any minute. I had to get these girls to leave.
“Yep,” I replied, trying to give them the hint we weren’t interested with my one-word answer. It didn’t matter to me that they were tall, thin, and fantastically gorgeous. I had a fantastically gorgeous woman, and none of these girls would ever compare to Avery.
“That’s awesome,” the middle one said. I didn’t know what her name was, and I didn’t care.
“I’m Felicia by the way.” I inwardly groaned. Now she had a name. She and her friends pulled up chairs, and her blue eyes sparkled as she sat down next to me. Her green-eyed friend, who looked like some Indian princess with her long, dark braided hair and ebony skin cozied up to Torres and the other one, well, she’d found her place next to Scott. Her boobs were enormous and clearly fake. Just like the bubblegum pink lipstick that was all over her plastic lips. The girl’s body probably cost more than I was worth.
Scott shot me a look that was everything I was feeling. Trapped and totally screwed.
“This is Yvette.” She pointed to the girl next to Torres. “And that’s Cassie.”
“Nice to meet you, ladies, but we are rather busy,” Scott said as he took another swig of his drink.
“Doesn’t look like it. You guys look lonely,” Cassie said as she crossed her long legs, hiking up her already too short miniskirt.
“And single,” Yvette purred as she pointed to her ring finger. Scott coughed, choking on his soda.
“We aren’t single,” Torres said matter-of-factly as he sat back into the chair. He folded his arms across his chest. I grabbed my soda and sipped it slowly, trying to give myself something to do. Why couldn’t this be something stronger?
“If you aren’t married, you’re single,” Felicia said, a coy smile forming on her full red lips. She took my beer out of my hand and downed the rest. I nearly lost my shit. I was just about to say something when I glanced over at Scott. He had put his glasses on as he read a message on his phone. His hair fell into his eyes, and Cassie went to sweep the strand of hair away.
“Don’t touch me,” Scott said from clenched teeth. Torres sat up in his chair as a wide smile spread across his face. The girls sucked their teeth, shocked that someone would tell their friend to keep her hands off them. It was apparent these girls weren’t used to getting shot down.
“Excuse me?” Cassie said, her mouth wide open in shock.
“I think you heard the man.” We all whipped our heads around, and there were Madison and Avery. Avery’s arms were crossed over her chest, and her face was beet red. Madison clenched her fists at her sides as she looked between Scott and Cassie.
“Who the hell are you?” Cassie asked as she stood up from the chair.
“I’m that man’s fiancée.” Madison pointed to Scott. “So, if you don’t move your ass away from him and take your little friends with you, there is going to be a problem.” Cassie laughed.
“You’re his fiancée?” She looked Madison up and down. “You’re fat.” Oh fuck. Cassie scrunched her nose. Scott shot up from his chair and grabbed Madison just as she went to lunge at Cassie. Shit was about to get real.
I was half paying attention to Felicia as I listened to Madison growl like a damn lion. Scott whispered something in Madison’s ear that seemed to calm her down. Felicia rubbed my arm, and then it happened and well, it seemed to happen in slow motion. Avery grabbed Felicia by her arm and pulled her out of the chair. Felicia looked up at her confused as Avery motioned for her to step outside. The people on the dance floor separated and watched as Avery and Felicia hurried across the floor to the side door that led to the alleyway.
We all rushed after them, barreling through the crowds of people who were gawking at the scene unfolding in front of them. The cool breeze blasted our faces as we exited out into the alleyway. The buzzing of cars whipped through the air. As the door slammed behind us, Cassie jumped and Madison tried to lunge at her again.
I watched as Avery and Felicia spoke. I don’t know what Avery was saying but Felicia was white as a ghost.
“Man, you’d better stop her,” Torres said as he stood back and watched. “Before she does something stupid.” We all just kind of stood there, watching Avery scare the life out of a woman who was much larger than she was. I think we all had the same thought. We were too fucking scared to stop her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” Felicia sobbed as Avery turned her head to me, smiled and rolled her eyes.
“It’s all right. Just have enough respect for yourself to stop hitting on a man when he says he’s not interested,” Avery added.
Color returned to Felicia’s face and her eyes widened. “I don’t need relationship advice from you.” She looked at Avery up and down. I watched as Avery went rigid.
“Avery, it’s okay.” I went up behind her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. She softened and slowly diverted her eyes from Felicia. Avery took a deep breath and closed her eyes, gaining her composure.
“You fucking bitch.” Felicia spat the words in Avery’s face, her fire returning. Avery tensed, her hands forming fists at her sides. Strands of Avery’s red hair broke free from the neat bun.
Taking a deep breath, Avery let out a sigh. “She’s not worth it,” Avery whispered as she unclenched her fists and walked away from Felicia.
Torres shepherded Cassie, Yvette, and Felicia, escorting them to their car; mostly for their own safety rather than gentleman’s courtesy. Madison and Avery still looked like they were out for blood as they huddled together, their faces contorted into a scowl. As the girls got further away, Scott and I both released Madison and Avery.
“I can’t believe you guys let those little girls sit with you,” Avery commented, trying to regain her composure. She let her hair down all the way, and she smoothed out her shirt. Her hair was so beautiful and full when it was down. I wished she’d wear it down more often. It made her seem softer and kinder. Traits I knew she tried to bury, but that were so much a part of her.
“Can’t blame them, Avery, for trying. These are some good-looking men,” Madison said as she hugged Scott. He smiled as he played with her hair. He tiled her chin and kissed her gently on the lips. She blushed and snuggled in deeper to him.
I chuckled.
“You’re crazy, you know that?” I said as I grabbed Avery into a hug. She tensed briefly, but softened as I moved her hair out of her face.
“I wanted to ruin her pretty little face.” Avery shrugged. “But composure, decorum, FBI rules, yadda, yadda, yadda.” She snickered.
“Why?” I tilted her chin up so she could look at me. “Did it matter to you?” I wanted her to say it. To say that over the past few days I had grown on her. That maybe she cared more than she let on. Sure, those girls had been hot, but they weren’t Avery. No one would ever come close to her.
Something that looked like confusion or hesitation flickered in her eyes. I softly placed my lips against hers and kissed her slowly, trying my damnedest to stifle any hesitation that was lingering. I didn’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t this. There weren’t tongues darting out. We weren’t grasping at each other’s bodies. The kiss was different. It held so much. It held the words she couldn’t say: she cared.
As I released her lips, her eyes opened and the flicker of confusion and hesitation were gone. I saw, for the first time since I’d met Avery, something that looked an awful lot like happiness.
“Yes, it matters to me,” Avery said as she walked away. I trailed behind her, the most contented fucking smile plastered on my face and I didn’t give a damn who saw it.
“Hey, we’re going to head to my mom’s now. Get the eight-hour drive over with. We should be back in a day or so. Keep us updated on the case, okay?” Scott said as Madison and Avery moved to the side to chat.
“Sounds good, man. Drive safe.” Scott patted my shoulder.
“By the way, Torres just texted me. He took a cab back to the hotel.”
“Got it,” I acknowledged.
“Are you ready to go?” Avery asked, releasing Madison from a hug.
“Yep, are you done trying to fight people?” I teased.
“Never,” Avery said as she kissed me on the cheek.
With Madison and Scott off on their journey to Connecticut, I ran back inside to grab the tapes from William. He was slightly pissed off that there had been yet another fight because of Madison and Avery at his bar. Another fight? I’d have to ask Avery about that one.
As I walked to my car, I glanced up and saw Avery sitting across the hood of the Subaru. Her hair still hung loose and past her shoulders and the moon reflected off the redness of her hair. I remembered the first night I’d met her and how I’d daydreamed about making love to her on the hood of my car. I smiled.
“What are you smiling about, stud?” Avery asked as I approached her.
Against my better judgment, I threw the tapes in the car. I should have headed right to the station to watch them, but my mind focused on the hot redhead sprawled out on the hood of my car. There were no leads on the case. Sure, Torres had a hunch, but I didn’t work on hunches. I needed facts. Scott and Madison were taking a day off. What would happen if I took a night off, too?
I walked back to Avery, and I pushed my body between her legs and ravished her mouth. My tongue darted in and out, and I gently tugged on her lower lip with my teeth. Avery fell back against the hood of the car, and I was on top of her. I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to stop, and the soft mewing noises coming from her mouth let me know that she didn’t want me to stop, either. I had nothing to say to her. Not now. Everything I had to tell her had to be done with my body. Avery opened her eyes and the lust there let me know I was doing a hell of a job showing her. My mouth found hers again, and I knew by the way my cock pressed against my pants that I had to get her home, and fast before we were arrested for indecent exposure. Yep, I’d be taking the night off.
