Page 13 of Before They Were Lovers

God didn’t need to tell him. Day automatically braced, quickly adjusting to the rhythm of God’s movements. They’d done this dance so often that he knew what was about to happen.

Day caught sight of a light-colored SUV swerving messily in and out of the sparse traffic. No other squad cars were following, but most of the other officers weren’t as skilled as God behind the wheel.

“Dispatch, be informed Unit 12 is 10-35.”

They were in a hot pursuit with full lights and sirens.

The driver glanced their way, seeming to panic as he tried to shake them, hitting a couple of bumpers of slow-moving drivers and sideswiping parked cars.

They approached the intersection, and God needed to make his move before this idiot killed someone or himself.

He swung the squad car to the right, cutting off the SUV, attempting to box him in.

“Where the fuck is everyone?” Day sneered, snatching the radio out of its cradle. “Unit 12 requesting backup.”

“Fuck those gutless bastards,” God rumbled as he floored it, running nose to nose with the other vehicle.

Day glared at the driver, whose eyes were blown wide.

“Is he crying? For shit’s sake. End this now, God, or it won’t end well,” Day gritted as they barreled toward another intersection.

Day’s heart was racing. God was in the perfect position to box this guy in. His partner eased off the gas, making the suspect think he could slip by, until God jerked the wheel and collided with the back bumper, sending the SUV into an uncontrollablespin. The moment the driver’s side was vulnerable, God T-boned it, flipping the car onto its side and pushing it until it slammed into the curb.

It was done so smoothly it looked choreographed.

“Unit 12, 10-20, chase ended, suspect needs assistance, send ambulance.”

He and God jumped out of the squad car in complete synch,thinkingthe chase was over until the driver squirmed out of the busted passenger window like a snake and took off.

“Oh, you gotta be fucking shittin’ me,” Day scoffed, bolting with God on his heels.

“This little fucker,” God shouted. “APD, stop!”

Their runner glanced over his shoulder as he shoved his way through the heavy foot traffic on the sidewalk.

“APD, move, move!” Day yelled, trying to create a clear path.

Day could hear sirens in the distance, but by the time the others arrived, this would be over.

The suspect was slowing down, probably running out of breath, and in his desperation, he grabbed a little girl holding her mom’s hand and spun around, using her as a shield.

Day caught a glint of metal the man was reaching for in his waistband, and with a final burst of speed, Day lunged for the girl. At the same time, God dove for the thug’s chest, slamming them both to the ground.

“Stay down!” God barked as he yanked the guy’s hands behind his back.

Their runner didn’t stand a chance under God’s bulk. He jerked the man to his feet and patted him down, removing the 9mm from his waistband and handing it to Day.

The chase was over, and now the spectacle began as people started whipping out their cell phones.

Day didn’t care about the cameras. All he cared about was getting another crazy asshole off the streets.

“My baby.” The mother raced over and grabbed her toddler, tears streaming down her face. “Oh my god. Thank you, thank you.”

Day nodded.

Five squad cars raced toward them, skidding to dramatic stops. The officers ran over to assist God, got their suspect into one of the back seats, and slammed him inside.

“Holy shit, you two.”

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