Page 270 of Bossy Hero

I exhale a soft laugh, and his eyes dance in amusement. Unable to resist, I grasp his cheeks and lay a lip lock on him. “You are precious, my love.”

As I stand, I boop his nose, which is a bit crazy. Alan’s not a nose-boop kind of man.

He’s the type you throw your panties at, according to my daughter.

“Finish up your call. I’ll see you in the conference room.”

“Why?”

I wink. “Open the box after your call.”

Turning on my heel, I slink out of his office, giving him no chance to ask questions.

As soon as I close the door behind me, Lettie whisks me down the hall to help me get ready.

Ready for our happily ever after.

Big Al

“Thanks again for everything. My family owes you a debt of gratitude. Truth be told, the whole damn city does.”

I blow off the praise. That isn’t why we do what we do. “All in a day’s work. Justice was a long time coming.”

“It sure as hell was.”

Originally, the chief called to tell me he was able to make the final arrest of his career this morning when he happily put Mayor Kirkland in cuffs. Like me, Bigsby is retiring soon.

The conversation quickly spiraled into a blend of personal and case-related topics. I enjoy talking to him. And now that I don’t have a shitload of pressure on my shoulders, I didn’t feel guilty about shooting the shit.

He also told me Huxley Bowen was brought up on federal charges for his role in Lenkov’s failed Miami trafficking attempt. That should keep him off the street for a long time. With Katia’s help, they might have enough to get him on human trafficking and sexual assault charges as well. He needs to be labeled a sexual predator for the rest of his life.

Bigsby’s exhale crackles the line. “You know, I play poker once a month with some friends. I bet you’d fit right in. Some of them are former military. We have an opening at our table now that Patterson is pushing daisies, where he belongs. Traitor. So... are you interested?”

“Assuming this place doesn’t burn down when I retire, I’ll have more free time soon. Count me in.”

He utters a raspy laugh. “Excellent.”

I can’t help but think I made a friend. One in my age range, who doesn’t need me for something.

Blinking out of the odd thought, I return us to business. “Keep me posted on any new developments with the trafficking customer arrests.”

“Will do. I have no doubt Katia will be able to provide everything we need to take down the rest of the people on that list. After everything she’s suffered, she’s more than eager to do it.”

Come to find out, Katia was protecting her father from Lenkov by not telling him she was pretending to be a double agent. Lenkov was watching her every move, and if he ever suspected Bigsby—or his bratva alias, Alexei—was aware of what they were doing, he’d have been killed. As it was, Lenkov never disclosed Patterson was dirty. She was as surprised as the rest of us.

For years, she worked to become an asset to Lenkov, earning his trust to get her hands on more evidence to take him down. A brilliant plan.

“Excellent.” My eyes catch on the box on the corner of the desk. “Well, I better run. Talk soon.”

“Take care, Lancaster.”

Words I never planned to say—ever—fall out of my mouth before I can stop them. “You know what, Bigsby? You can call me... Alan.”

“And you can call me Bigs.”

My lips tug into a grin. “Have a good night, Bigs.”

“You too, Alan.”

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