Page 31 of Before They Were Lovers

“I’ve got too many detectives who lack the courage to make dangerous busts. This city needs some strong but levelheaded officers to go up against these bastards. I need cops with some balls…and stamina.”

God’s face didn’t change, his expression remaining passive and unreadable.

Day couldn’t help it. He curled his lips upward in a broad smile.

“We’re ready, Chief. We got this.”

Their captain nodded, giving them a look as if he was half-proud but also half-nervous. Not many—actually, no one—made detective three and a half years out of training.

“I don’t doubt it. But don’t think this is gonna be easy, Officer Day. The headlines and viral videos may have you gassedup, but rest assured, my detectives don’t get any breaks or do-overs.” The chief got right in his face, cigarette breath and all. “If you make me regret this…if you fuck up evenonce, I’ll bust your asses all the way down to policing holiday parades and kids’ festivals.”

“Yes, sir,” they mumbled.

“All right then.” The chief headed toward the door and threw one last command over his shoulder. “See that they get the manuals, Murphy, and logins for the prep courses.”

“Yes, sir,” their captain answered.

“All right, you two, you got a lot of work to do. The detective’s exam will be the hardest test you ever take.”

“Congrats, guys. You’ve certainly earned it.” Joker and his lieutenant shook their hands.

After they were dismissed and out of the office, he and God exchanged a long look.

“Wanna grab a beer?” God rumbled.

“Hell yeah.”

They were almost to the locker rooms to change and grab their bags when a suave and rich voice made him stop in his tracks.

“Officers God and Day, hold up.”

Day turned to see a man strolling up to them with a broad, slick smile. He was tall and immaculately put together in a sharp blue suit.

As he got closer, Day noticed the gleam in the man’s chocolate-brown eyes that held a little too much admiration. He was giving him the kind of glare that made him feel sized up.

“Who’s this dipshit?” God rumbled.

“No clue,” Day whispered out the side of his mouth.

“And you are?” Day asked, his voice neutral and uninterested.

“I’m Detective Johnson. I’m a ballistics expert for Zone Three, so I move from precinct to precinct, and lucky me, I happened to be in yours this week.”

Day

Day smirked at this sexy son of a bitch who he’d never seen before.

“Lucky, huh?”

“Yeah, you two are the men of the hour. I’ve heard amazing things.”

Johnson continued to sidle up close to him. “I’ve heard a whole lot aboutyou, Officer Day.”

Oh gosh.

He probably heard the “whole lot” part from Ronowski, who’d made it his life’s mission to ensure everyone in their zone knew Day preferred men. Though Ronowski probably didn’t say it so politically correct.

“Well, um, it was nice meeting you,” Day said, trying to back away.

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