Page 32 of I Want You
Monroe didn’t say anything, but I didn’t need him to protect me from this.
“I did, sir,” I said. Chief Williams stared me down. I wasn’t one to back down from a stare-off, but I had too much respect for the chief to try it with him. “I found out that Juliet had been having an affair a few months back, but she wouldn’t tell me with who. She confessed to me yesterday.”
“Fucking hell, Monroe,” he reprimanded, leveling a hard glare at him.
“I know,” Matt said, meeting the chief’s eyes before darting down to the table.
Chief closed his eyes, his head tipping back as he took in a deep breath.
“So, you thought you would take a swing at him in a public place where everyone can witness my officers acting like frat boys? You forget how to control yourself and act like a law-abiding, model citizen?” He shook his head, kicking out a chair for me to sit on. Monroe had taken a seat when Neves and Souza left. “I get it, Wilder. I do. That’s a tough betrayal to swallow, but you can’t go around beating the shit out of your fellow cops, or anyone else, in a rowdy bar fight like a drunken idiot.”
“I wouldn’t say he ‘beat the shit out’ of me,” Monroe grumbled. “He got a few good hits in, but so did I.”
Chief looked at him, a question in his eyes as to how that argument wasn’t wise to make right now.
“Yeah. He’s going to go back tomyhouse, lay inmybed, withmywife while she tends to his bruised ribs. He’ll be fine.”
“She’s not your wife for much longer.”
A humorless laugh escaped my lips. “Can’t come soon enough.”
“Boys,” Chief yelled. “I need a team that has trust and respect. A united front for this community. Infighting is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. If you two can’t get past this, something will have to change. Figure it out.”
I nodded my assent, Matt doing the same.
I didn’t feel the need to punch the guy again, but trust and respect? That seemed as likely as being struck by lightning. Twice.
“Get out of here. Go home and rest. I expect both of you to show up for your shifts tomorrow, ready to serve and protect.”
“Yes, sir.” I got up from my seat and shook the chief’s hand on my way to the door.
“Monroe,” he called. I could hear their short conversation on my way out. “I hope it was worth it.”
“She is, sir,” Monroe said quietly.
I ripped open the door to the outer vestibule. My thoughts on who I could call for a ride back to my place disappeared as I stepped out. Seb was sitting in one of the chairs against the wall, waiting for me. He smirked at the sight of me. I must look like a disheveled mess, so unlike my usual self. But I only had eyes for her. Scarlett stopped her pacing, her breath hitching when she saw me. In 0.2 seconds, she had her arms wrapped around me. I held in a groan, the pain in my side aching.
She pulled back and dropped her arms.
“I’m sorry. Are you hurt? Of course you’re hurt. You just gotinto a bar fight with another cop. What were you thinking? What happened?” Her questions shot at me in rapid fire.
I placed my hand behind her head and pulled her to me for another hug. She fell into the spot under my wing, perfectly molding to my side like it was made for her. “Hey, I’m not hurt. You should see the other guy,” I joked.
“Looks like you’re going to be just fine yourself tonight.” Matt walked into the vestibule. He scanned me and Scarlett meaningfully. Like a guy couldn’t have a friend who’s a woman without it meaning something more.
Seb stood up. He otherwise didn’t move a muscle or say a single word, but his eyes darkened as he tracked Matt to the door, not relaxing until he was fully gone. Juliet’s car swung into the parking lot of the station, and she hopped out as soon as she had it in park. Matt waved for her to get back in the car. I caught her eye through the window, but the anger that I felt earlier didn’t make a reappearance.
“Thanks for showing up. I’m ready to get out of here.”
“Anytime, man,” Seb said. “You did good back there.” He smiled, pride shining in his eyes.
“No. Not good,” Scarlett hissed. We piled into Seb’s car. I tried to give Scarlett the front seat, but she hopped in the back. “I can’t believe you got into a bar fight. I’m still in shock.”
“I can’t believe you got up there to sing karaoke,” I teased.
Her laugh was music to my ears. “That was so much fun. You should do it next time. I’ll sing something with you,” she said.
“Not a chance, Letty. That’s all you.”
