One day, they’d spend more days together than apart.He couldn’t wait for that day to finally come.
He clicked the meeting link on his laptop and waited for his boss to answer on the other end while he scrolled through pictures of Aria and him on his phone.He found a selfie of them and sent her a text.
NICK: By our third date I knew the distance thing was going to be a huge problem because all I wanted to do was be with you.I still feel that way.
NICK: Communicating more with you was step 1.Next up, moving closer to you.
He sent the picture of her sitting next to him in a restaurant.Just as he took the photo, she’d turned her face into his and kissed his cheek.He loved the picture.It was one of his favorites.That night, he’d taken her to bed and worshipped her for hours, because he couldn’t get enough of her.Like every time they were together, he knew time was short and he needed to pack in as much as he could in the hours they had together.
The extended stays he had with her when she came to him, or he went to her, were filled with them just staying in, talking, eating, pretending they were binge-watching something when they spent the majority of their time making out on the couch.They’d make love late into the night.First thing in the morning when he got to wake up to her amazing blue eyes, gazing back at him, he’d kiss her like he’d never get the chance again and he’d dread them being apart again.
“Nick,” his boss said by way of greeting.“Looks like you’re deep into thinking about something.”
More like someone.Her.“It’s the reason I asked for the meeting.”
His boss fell back deeper into his chair.“You’re finally going to do it.”
Nick raised a brow.“Do what?”
“Ask me for a transfer, so you can be closer to your brother.”He said it like he’d been expecting it for a long time.
“Yes.”But not just because of him, though he wasn’t going to say that to his boss.It was one thing to want to be closer to his family, another to ask his boss to move him so he could be closer to his girlfriend.One who broke up with him six miserable days ago.“I want to know what options are available to me.”
“I don’t want to lose you, that’s for damn sure.You’re too valuable an asset.”
Nick appreciated that.“I miss my brother.He and his wife are expecting.I want to be a part of their family in a real and present way.”In more ways than one.“We’ve lost a lot of time with Mason undercover for so many years.”
“I get it.With technology today, everyone is just a click, text, or call away, but that’s not the same as holding your niece or nephew in your arms.”
Nick pressed on.“I looked into some things the last few days.Mason’s been helping out with cases in Blackrock Falls and the surrounding areas for a while now.Ever since he took down the Blackrock Falls PD lieutenant who was involved in the murder-for-hire operation being run out of that MC, the police have kept that position open because they can’t find anyone qualified who wants to relocate there.”
His boss leaned forward.“Are you thinking of taking that position?”
“Not necessarily.”It wasn’t ideal, but if it was the only thing available, he’d take it.But he had a better idea.“There’s also been an uptick in federal cases coming our way in the state, so I’ve put some feelers out within the FBI and state law enforcement.Seems they’d like to have a bigger FBI presence in Wyoming.”
His boss eyed him.“Is that so?”
“Yes.Mason is there.He could do more, but that would take away from him training our up-and-coming undercover agents.And it seems more than one agent is needed in the region.”
“What are you saying?”His boss sounded interested in the solution he’d come up with.
“Perhaps the bureau needs a new office in Blackrock Falls.”
His boss leaned back in his chair again.“Interesting.I’m assuming you’ve gathered the information needed to support this request.”
Nick clicked send on the email he’d already written.“It should be in your inbox any second.”
His boss smirked.“You’re very thorough.”
Nick didn’t comment.“The Blackrock Falls police department has some unused office space available in their building.The office will be central to all the major surrounding areas where we’ll be needed.”
His boss stared off into the distance for a moment, then turned back to Nick.“I’ll look into this, evaluate your findings, and if I feel like it’s warranted, I’ll push it up the ladder.”
“Thank you for the consideration.”
“I’d hate to see you busted down to a lieutenant in a police department that wouldn’t be able to use your considerable talents to the fullest extent of your abilities.”
He shrugged.“I love my job.I just need to be there.”