Page 39 of Forbidden Hearts
I’d probably have to quit my job.
“I’m glad Phoebe came home early and could help you out with Olivia.”
I would be glad too if I didn’t think about fucking her six ways till Sunday. However, the one thing no one seems to be asking is why, exactly, Phoebe came back home a month before school ended, but you know what? I don’t give a shit. All I want is for Liv to have childcare who can sign.
Which is Phoebe.
“Me too. I’m glad you were able to get her to agree.”
He laughs once. “I think that girl would’ve agreed to carry cows by hand if it meant she could avoid telling me what’s going on.”
So, he thinks there’s something too. I remind myself that it’s not my problem. “I’m sure she’ll tell you when she’s ready.”
“Not if she’s anything like her mother.” He sighs. “Anyway, I just wanted to see how today went and let you know that I am going out of town for a few days next month. You’ll be acting chief during that time.”
“Me?” I ask, confused. The last time he went away, he had someone brought in.
“You’re the most competent officer I have, and I need someone who I trust and knows this office. You’ve done well with commanding the SWAT team, so it isn’t as if you can’t handle an office of four. Unless you’re not sure you can manage?”
“Of course I can do it.”
I’m just surprised he went this route. Not because I don’t think I’m competent or can do the job but because, last year, an assistant chief position opened, and I thought he would consider me, but he didn’t. Instead, he went with someone from another town, which didn’t last. He moved here, hated the fact he couldn’t get groceries or fast food delivered, and was gone within six months.
Since then, the position has been vacant.
“Listen, I know I pissed you off when I hired Bentley last year, but I didn’t think you were fully ready or that you’d like the position.”
“You didn’t even give me a chance.”
“No, I didn’t, but I am now for a few days, to see how it goes.”
Good. I can more than do the job, and it would mean being off the patrol. I’d be able to have a more stable schedule, which in turn makes figuring out childcare less of a nightmare. It would mean giving up the SWAT team, but in the long run, it would be much better.
“I appreciate that, Chief.”
He stands, extending his hand to me. “If you can handle Phoebe for the next few months, you can handle anything.”
And with that ringing endorsement, I head home.
I drive the eight minutes—I grin because Phoebe was wrong about the time—back to my house.
When I get there, Olivia is sitting on the couch with her laptop. I flicker the lights so Olivia will look up. Her smile makes the whole shit day disappear.
“Hi, Dad.”
I smile.“Hi, Olivia. It’s late,”I tell her.
She shrugs.“I couldn’t sleep until I saw you.”
It’s definitely past what Sara would demand be her bedtime, but the kid is almost ten and it’s summer vacation.
“I’m home now, why couldn’t you sleep?”
“Someone at the store said you could be hurt.”
I jerk my head back at that.“Not at all.”
“You were with someone with a gun?”
