Status Updates From Police Business (The Precin...

“He took Claire. That SOB took Claire.” A.J. listened to the end of the recording one more time. “I’m coming, amor. Be safe. I’m coming.” Claire wanted to talk. He’d talk until he was hoarse if that’s what the woman wanted. He just needed the chance to be with her. To prove himself. The chance to speak the truth in his heart.

Her heart squeezed tight, then swelled in her chest at the strength of his will and body. He had always taken care of her, always protected her—in ways she’d never even known a woman could need. His consideration made her want to cry all over again. His example made her want to do the same for him. If she could. If she knew how.

This was bad. This was very bad. “A.J.” He wasn’t smiling. He wasn’t talking yet, either. Nerves kept her tongue going. “Are you okay? You were gone so long, I was getting worried. Did you find something useful? We had an opportunity here, so I…” Her voice trailed away and she made a lame effort to smile. “Are my lips moving?”

I don’t want you out after dark.” “If I was in Debbie’s place, you’d want someone to escort me, wouldn’t you? Please?” For all of about two seconds, Claire questioned whether or not A.J. was the hero she thought he was. She’d never doubt him again. With a muttered phrase she suspected was both Spanish and graphic, he grabbed her hand and headed for the exit. “C’mon.

She felt safer when he was around. Safer in her own skin. Calmer. Stronger. More confident about who she wanted to be. When A.J. was around, Claire didn’t feel handicapped—by her hearing loss or her money or her family name. She was just Claire. He’d dismiss it as a crush, no doubt. But she was falling for him.

“Are you hurt?” he asked. Claire shook her head and reached up to tuck her hair behind her ears as nerves still worked their way out of her system. “Just scared.” “Madre dios.” Cradling her forearm, he pushed up her sleeve and inspected the purplish, palm-sized welt on her wrist. “He got to you. That SOB got to you.”

“It’s too dark out here to read your lips when you’re moving like that,” she protested. His hands settled at her waist, scorching her beneath the thin layers of silk that separated them. Blinking the rain from her lashes, she focused on the droplets of moisture that clung to male lips that were so close to her own, close enough to kiss. If she’d be so bold.

But she was oh, so vulnerable. She probably had dozens of people on the family payroll, lined up to help her, to protect her, to listen. But she didn’t trust any of them. She’d come to him. She needed him. The realization was both potent and humbling. And guaranteed to cause him trouble.

“Sorry.” He squatted in front of her, bracing one hand on the desk above her head. Her blue eyes looked a bit dazed. Guilt instantly replaced both curiosity and amusement. He gently touched her shoulder, needing to do something to make amends. “I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you hurt?”

She could make a difference in the lives of people who needed someone to make a difference. If her father would let her. If he’d trust her to make smart decisions. If he’d believe she could be safe in the world without his well-meaning protection shadowing her every step of the way.

Kinda saw it coming but I'm still taken aback

“Te amo, amor,” he whispered in her ear, knowing she couldn’t hear. “Te amo.”
ARE YOU GOING TO BE A LITTLE BITCH AND HIDE THE FACT THAT YOU LOVE HER FROM HER? I'M GOING TO LOSE MY MIND