Page 33 of Stay with Me

“I’ll close it for you,” the guy says as he sees Rem in my arms.

“Thanks, man.”

I press for my floor and wait. It takes some maneuvering, but I get the cage up to get us out once on my floor. Rem begins to stir right as I get to my door.

I kiss her forehead as I continue to get the lock open. She takes a sharp inhale of air and opens her eyes. The moment our eyes lock, she reaches to wrap her arms around my neck. I bury my face into her neck and kiss her soft skin.

“You’re okay, baby. I’ve got you,” I murmur against her flesh.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

“I’m always here for you.”

I push into the apartment and drop her shoes by the front door. Then I start for the bedroom. She passes back out before I get down the hall.

Settling her on the bed, I then toe off my shoes and begin to get her out of her clothes. The few times I have been around after one of her panic attacks, she’s slept for hours after. I don’t think she’ll wake again for some time, but I’ll be here waiting when she does.

Once I get her clothes off, I tuck her in and go to get my laptop. I want to look up some of my options outside of going back to the force. Seeing her freak out tonight drove home how much I need to change and how much I want to change for her.

Things have been going so good. The only thing stopping me from telling her that I’m done is the fact that I still can’t tell her but so much. I know Rem, she’ll have questions.

I blow out a sigh. “Why haven’t you just resigned?” I murmur to myself.

I take a moment to think that through. I’ll still have to be cautious about what I share with family and friends because I’m a key witness in the case. However, Rem will know I’m safe.

I run a hand though my hair and scratch at my scalp. To be honest with myself, I haven’t resigned because I’ve never thought of who I’d be if not a cop. Captain Ross bringing up my money and other options I have was one of the first times I seriously stopped to think about what else is out there for me.

I became a cop for a reason. As I think about that, it’s hard to think I’ll be giving that up. Knowing whatever I do has to have as strong of a why, I sit staring at my computer screen.

“Fuck,” I mutter, getting frustrated as no answers come to me in this moment.

There are all the businesses I got to be a part of while undercover. I can’t say there was one thing that stood out to me. Nothing that has stuck.

However, I have to come up with something. My days as a detective are over. All I can think about is the panic on Reminisce’s face at that restaurant.

I place the laptop aside needing to focus on something else. I refuse to believe I can’t have what I want. I look at Rem fast asleep beside me.

“I’m not the only one in this. I know I’m not,” I whisper.

I yawn and settle in the bed. Pulling her body into mine, I wrap my arms around her tightly and kiss the top of her head.

“Knight,” she whimpers my name and wraps her arm around me.

“I’m right here, baby. I’m right here.”

CHAPTER 14

Be My Peace

Knight

Sweat is dripping down my face, and my T-shirt is sticking to my body, but I’ve never felt more alive. I needed this. Time with my family.

The last few days have been surprisingly great. Reminisce has been working from home so we haven’t left my place. At least, she hasn’t.

I decided to give her some space to work today. Prince and Lord were up for a game of basketball, so I joined them at the gym. I arrived to find Bishop, Dwayne, and Kegan as well. I hadn’t known my brother and two cousins were roped into this. If Bishop is around, so is Dwayne.

Dwayne and his brother are close, so I can’t say I’m surprised to see Kegan. I’m not going to lie and say I’m not happy to see them all. I’ve come to appreciate the brotherhood we have after being around a brotherhood not born of blood.

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