Page 2 of Shadows of Before

“Technically, I’ve been demoted to patrol but I work behind a front desk.”

“That sucks. I don’t remember anybody questioning your decision at the time.”

“Go figure. What about you?”

“Aren’t you going to ask me about the PPD?”

“I’m not up for success stories.”

He snorted. “I’m pretty much in the same boat as you. I was demoted after the president was shot on my watch. I didn’t get to him on time. I’m suspended until the Secret Service decides if I can even stay in the protective division.”

“Seriously?”

His jaw tightened. “The brass doesn’t take kindly to protectees getting shot, especially when it’s the president.”

“I understand that.” Her tone was sarcastic.

He frowned. “Didn’t you read about it in the news?”

“Generally. They didn’t name the agents on duty.”

“Ah.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure.” The future yawned before him, empty. “You?”

She stared at him a long time. Then she stood. “I’m going to leave.” She gave him a sexy smirk. “With you. For just sex. Your place or mine?”

Before, he’d have loved getting Katie Donovan in the sack. What the hell, nothing made him feel good these days. Maybe some monkey sex with her would.

* * *

The next day at work, Kate was haunted by images of last night…

“You smell so good,” he said as he kissed his way down her body.

“I love how you’re made. So sculpted and supple.”

As he drove into her,“Katie, God, Katie.”Then she exploded. The sensations now made her shiver.

“Detective?” Mick Thomas had come up to the desk. Reception was furnished with one waist-high counter which dipped into a desk and benches across from it. “You don’t look so hot.”

“Because I’m bored, chief.”

His eyes narrowed on her. “Do your work here for a while. Then we’ll see.”

She sank back in her chair trying not to seethe.

“Here’s some paperwork. Read it then send it to headquarters.”

She snapped back, “I’m not your secretary.”

He braced his hands on the desk. “You keep this up and we’ll boot you out of the department.” He frowned. “Is that what you want?” She stared at him. “Damn it. I gave you this task so you could read the updates for the precinct. Keep up with what’s going on here.”

She flushed. “Then thank you.”

He strode away, mad probably. Why did she keep needling him?Didshe want to be fired? The answer was unclear.

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