Page 149 of Hot Cops

“You put your own father in jail?” Jennifer asked.

Blake looked at Jennifer, clearly waiting for an introduction. Caliph quickly did so. “This is my girlfriend, Jen.”

Blake smiled. “Nice to meet you, and yeah, I did. He was selling drugs at some of the local schools. And not just marijuana, but ecstasy and heroin. I think there are a lot of people better off with him in jail.”

Chloe put her fork down, unable to swallow through the lump that had grown in her throat. She knew Blake’s childhood hadn’t been easy, but he’d never shared many details about it with her. She hadn’t known him at all until the summer he’d gotten a job at the sub place near the community college she attended. They’d both gone to different public schools, growing up on opposite ends of the city.

“I’m sorry, too,” Chloe said softly. Blake caught her gaze, his eyes reflecting too many emotions to register—sadness, regret, anger, remorse. She looked away rather than face them. She’d seen all those things when they first met as well.

Maybe she was more like her mother than she realized—inexplicably drawn to people in pain, in need of rescue. Though Blake sure as hell hadn’t let her save him. She doubted that would change now and she refused to be pulled back into Blake’s life.

Jett broke the silence. “Guess the police force is a more interesting job than Sid’s Sub Shop. Isn’t that where you used to work?”

Blake nodded. “Yeah. Met Chloe there. She used to do homework between classes at the table in the corner.” He faced her once more. “You still put down those Italian subs like you’re never going to eat again?”

Her brothers chuckled. She flashed them all dirty looks until they sobered up.

Blake may be older, but the bad boy was still there, lurking beneath his skin. She could see it in his face as he gave her a crooked grin.

It was the same smile that had captured her attention back in college. She’d taken one look at the bad boy behind the shop counter and fallen hard. A lot of people had tried to warn her away from him, telling her stories about how he stole beer and cigarettes from convenience stores, drove his motorcycle like he had a death wish and vandalized buildings. Blake had never denied the stories, but he’d never gotten caught either.

It hadn’t mattered to her at the time because when he was with her, he had been sweet and funny. Her badass biker boyfriend. Given her goodie-goodie status, it had felt scandalous to be with someone with a reputation and wonderful to be so adored by him. She’d always hoped she had helped him be a better person, while he taught her how to be just a little bit wicked. Whatever they’d done for each other, there had never been a doubt in her mind that Blake had loved her.

Until he disappeared. Then she’d spent months—years—wondering what had been real and what had been lies. In the end, she’d felt used and stupid. And so angry.

“It was wonderful of you to volunteer to participate in the calendar.” Her mom looked genuinely pleased and almost grateful.

Why was Chloe the only person who remembered the past?

Chloe snorted at her mother’s praise, drawing everyone’s attention to her. “He drew the short straw.”

Blake grinned, while Mama looked confused. “Short straw?”

Blake leaned back in his chair, looking far too comfortable and at home. “It’s a good cause. I don’t mind helping out.”

Caliph rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you don’t. As I recall, you don’t have a bit of trouble strutting around with your shirt off.”

Chloe gave Blake a superior smile, grateful for Caliph’s snide comment. Finally. She’d warned him about her brothers’ anger and though it would cost her in good karma, it felt good to watch them give Blake shit.

Blake crossed his arms, drawing too much attention to the muscles bulging beneath his t-shirt. “I figure those of us who haven’t let ourselves go owe it to those who have to step forward. By the way, I don’t remember seeing your name on the list of models, Caliph.”

Caliph’s eyes darkened as Jennifer slowly wrapped her hand around his wrist. Chloe was trying to decide if the touch was a warning or Jennifer’s way of holding Caliph in his seat.

“I’m still trying to convince my sons to participate. We have two slots open.” Mama gave Caliph a hopeful glance.

“I told you, Mama, I don’t think the older members of your group would embrace the idea of a guy covered in tattoos.”

Jennifer shook her head as if the argument was a familiar one. “I told him that onlyeverywoman who bought the calendar would be into that, but he’s stubborn.”

Caliph gave Jennifer a sweet kiss on the cheek. “Not every woman in the world is as open-minded as you, Jen. There are plenty out there who still turn up their noses when they see my ink. Besides, I have no desire to make a jackass of myself, posing like some king ofGQ.”

Mama looked from Caliph to Justin, but he cut her off at the pass. “Don’t look at me. I already suckered Ned into doing it. You only need one marketing exec.” Ned Kinnaman was Justin’s partner at their advertising firm and one of the sexiest men Chloe had ever met. She was actually a bit nervous about photographing Ned. He literally oozed sex and sin.

Justin laughed when he spotted Chloe’s flushed cheeks. “See,” he pointed at her, making her blush even more. “That’s what Ned’s going to bring to the calendar. I’ve done my part.”

Chloe scowled at her brother for embarrassing her, then she caught a glimpse of jealousy in Blake’s gaze. Revenge reared its beautiful head.

“I’m not going to lie, Justin,” she said as she fanned herself. “I’m really looking forward to Ned’s day to pose. He’s February, and I’m envisioning putting him on my bed with red silk sheets, completely naked, except for a box of chocolates covering his?—”

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