Page 19 of White Raven
“I need it Rhaena.Weneed it.”
“By we, I’m assuming you don’t mean me and you.” She’d be lying if she said it didn’t sting a little, knowing that he, in fact, didnotmean the two of them. She forcefully bit off another hunk of her pastry and chewed angrily.
“I’ve gotta figure out how to—figure it out.” Athan shrugged a shoulder and stared off at the whiteboard that they still had yet to clear off. Rhaena sighed through her mouthful.
“I don’t think it’ll take too much to let yourselves start enjoying some freedom. I am happy for you, I just…” She shook her head.
“I’ll miss you too. And it’s not like I’m not coming back. I’m not even really going anywhere. I’m ten minutes up the street from you. Lately I’ve seen you more outside of work than in it. Why are you worried?”
“I guess I’m not a big fan of change.”
“I could understand that more if Sarah’s best friend didn’t currently live next door to you—someone you’re also close with, and an even bigger reason to see us more often than not. Foley will probably assign Jenkins to you anyway, and how could that possibly upset your…changinglifestyle?” It was rare to see a grin that showed all his pretty teeth, and she wasn’t exactly sure if she liked it or not yet. It was fucking weird, but oddly cute.
“I don’t think he’d assign him to me. You know how he is about personal life. If he thinks it’ll interfere with our work, he won’t risk it. I’m not getting my hopes up about that.”
“You know me too well, Gloves,” Foley said from behind her chair, startling her. Rhaena nearly choked on the last bite of her doughnut as she spun around in her chair. “Glad we’re already on the topic. Meet Detective Sykes.”
Well…she was hot. Dark auburn hair that fell over her unusually large tits, a tiny dark beauty mark at the corner of her mouth. Her hair looked professionally maintained, nails manicured with dark polish. She was lean and toned everywhere that mattered, and her sharp jawbone complimented her pale complexion. She flashed eyes that were fiercely green, and extended her slender fingers, gripping Rhaena’s hand like a man—which surprised her just a little. She didn’t look like the type of woman that would have that firm of a handshake.
“Nice to meet you,” she smiled, fluttering thick lashes thathadto be fake. This chick was utterly flawless.
“Yeah…” Rhaena returned, awkwardly. “You too.” Sykes released her hand and turned her attention to Athan, who appeared completely disinterested. There had to be something wrong with him. One look around the precinct would have told him that he was the only man she didn’t have some effect on. “You must be Detective Kane.”
“Yeah.” Wow…solid response. Though, she probably couldn’t say anything now, could she?
“I promise I’ll look after her while you’re out,” Sykes winked, bouncing her weight to one hip that jutted out in a more flirtatious way than Rhaena would have liked. She figured she’d never not be protective of him—especially when he was now engaged to someone she considered a friend to her. In a way, Rhaena supposed she was protecting Sarah too.
“Yeah, I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Athan smirked, stacking a few files on his desk. “Rhaena doesn’t need much protecting…but you won’t find a better partner.” He locked eyes with Rhaena, and she couldn’t help but melt a little at the compliment. He would always have her six. And they’d be partners even if a day came when they gave up their badges.
“Detective Sykes will need to be briefed on what you’re currently working on, Northwood. Kane, if you don’t mind her manning your desk until you return?” Foley gestured to the space Athan was readying.
“Not at all. I’ll get my personals out of it for you and sign out.”
“I’ll go grab you a box.” Foley gave Rhaena a look. “You two get better acquainted.” Rhaena tried her best not to glare at him, but the slight smirk on the captain’s face told her heknew exactly what she was feeling about the whole situation. He tightened his mouth, trying to hide the smile and excused himself down the hallway towards where Jenkins’ desk still sat on the other side of the precinct. She finally looked back up to where the new blood was scoping out the whiteboard next to her chair.
“Nothing to see there,” Rhaena said, starting to raise from her seat. “That case is closed.” She took the towel that was stashed next to the markers on the tray at the bottom and started to wipe away the details.
“Sarah St. James?” Sykes noted, crossing her arms across her chest and stepping towards the board. Athan’s attention fixed on the detective, although she paid him no mind and leaned in close to Sarah’s driver’s license photo. “Isn’t that the girl that got attacked a couple of months ago?”
Rhaena pulled the photo down and placed it in a filing box. “Yep.”
“That was one hell of a case. You two must be excited.” She turned towards Athan who suddenly seemed a bit more interested in her. And for good reason.
“About?” he asked, pausing absolutely everything he was doing while Rhaena hastily wiped down the board and started taking down more photos.
“A closing that big had to put you guys on the radar. Big promotion? Or are you just enjoying some time off for leisure?”
“Neither. It’s personal.” He eyed her carefully. “Is that why you came on board at the 12th? Want a piece of that pie, Detective Sykes?”
She laughed—and for someone to look like that, the sound that came out of her was the most annoying, high-pitched, nasal giggle that resembled nails on a fucking chalkboard. Rhaena immediately preferred Athan’s chair over it. Was shereally gonna be forced to work with this tramp? “Please,” she grinned. “Call me Ryan.”
“Ryan?” Rhaena huffed a laugh of her own. “That’s your first name?”
She turned her body back toward Rhaena and snorted. “I didn’t pick it, detective.” It seemed like Rhaena’s tone hadn’t flustered her a bit. She must have heard it too often for it to bother her anymore, or she simply didn’t give a shit that Rhaena was uncomfortable working with her. Nevermind the fact that Rhaena couldn’t find a good reason other than—well…she just didn’t want to. “I’m not trying to move up on the ladder, no. I’m only in Boston for a little while. I’m visiting some family here indefinitely. Needed some work.”
“Where are you from?” Rhaena asked, suddenly intrigued. Athan seemed to mirror that notion.
“All over, really. I travel a lot. But I’ve hunkered down in Seattle for the past several years.”
