Page 18 of Branded Hearts

Luke gives me a sceptical look, but thankfully doesn’t push further. Instead, he claps a hand on my shoulder and gestures toward the house.

“Well, come on, then. Let’s head back inside.”

As we make our way back to the party, my mind drifts back to Amelia. Despite the abrupt end to our conversation, her presence lingers in my thoughts, accompanied by a slew of what-ifs.

What if things had gone differently? What if we had given in to the tension between us?

Deep down, I know it’s probably for the best.

Amelia is Liv’s best friend, and I can’t risk messing that up—or my relationship with my sister. As tempting as it is to entertain those what-ifs with Amelia, I’ve set these boundaries for a reason, and I need to stick to them. Besides, she deserves someone who’s not a brooding mess, with a future as uncertain as mine.

That’s just how it has to be, for everyone’s sake.

6

Aweek hascrawled by, and I find myself ploughing through the endless tranquillity of Wattle Creek Police Station. Yesterday’s shift dragged on into overtime, thanks to the ongoing drama at Beaumont Creek Jail. And then there’s the paperwork—endless stacks of tedious speeding fines, each one requiring my painstaking focus.

Amidst all this, Amelia lingers in my thoughts like an unwelcome guest who refuses to leave. It’s embarrassing to admit, but she’s been on my mind every morning and every night for over a week now. Her presence is like a persistent shadow, always lurking at the edge of my mind, making it damn near impossible to focus on my job.

I keep replaying our last conversation at her workplace, where memories of that one night resurfaced—the night where the lines blurred slightly, where things almost changed. I can’t shake the memory of how close I came to kissing her, how the air between us crackled with undeniable tension. If it weren’t for the intrusion, I might have leaned in, closed that gap, and crossed that line I’ve been dancing around for years now.

Fucking hell.

That was so long ago. Years have passed, and not a single thought or itch of that night has resurfaced. Until now.

Interrupting my thoughts, our superintendent, Gary Faulkner, enters the room, his presence commanding attention.

“Mornin’, Mitchell. How’s your week been?” Faulkner’s voice breaks the quiet of the room.

“Fine. The usual, sir.”

Faulkner nods, then gestures toward me. “And your partner? Everything okay there?”

I nod. “Yeah, we’re doing fine, sir. No complaints.”

“Daniels,” Faulkner says with a chuckle. “There’s never a dull moment with that bloke.”

Fighting a smirk, I nod in agreement. “That’s for sure.”

“Noticed you clocked off late yesterday. All good?” he inquires, his tone casual yet observant.

“Fine, sir. Just had some things to finish up,” I reply, my responses succinct.

Faulkner studies me before offering, “You know, Mitchell, you can finish up earlier today to make up for the extra hours last night.”

His unexpected kindness catches me off guard. “Sir, I don’t think—” I begin, but he cuts me off, his tone firm and decisive.

“Look, son. You do a damn good job around here, Mitchell. It’s fine. Go on, get out of ‘ere a bit earlier today,” he insists, leaving no room for argument.

Grateful for the reprieve, I nod. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.”

With that, Faulkner exits the lunchroom, leaving me to contemplate his gesture. It’s a rare moment of compassion in a job that often feels isolating.

Faulkner’s mention of Sebastian brings another thought to mind; there really is never a dull moment with that bloke. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job. It’s been my passion for as long as I can remember. But lately, I can’t shake the feeling that something is missing. There’s a longing for excitement, a need to sort things out before I become a grumpy fuck like my father.

That man takes the definition of ‘cunt’ to a whole new level.

Despite Mumma’s sunny disposition, which one would think might lighten his mood, he remainsunchanged. I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Xavier, who often bears the brunt of his foul temper as his right-hand man on the farm.

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