Page 28 of The Biggest Sacrifice

“Hi, I’m Daisy. Welcome home, Officer Casanova. The Chief has told me all about you. It’s nice to finally meet you!”

I eye her. She’s very young, but very attractive. Green eyes, pale skin and wild red hair. Her mention of speaking about me with the Chief doesn’t go unnoticed and my thoughts are already churning about their relationship. How close are they that they need to talk about me? I shake her hand quickly. “Thank you. Hope he was talking only good stuff.” I raise a brow. There’s something off here.

“Oh, of course! Youandyour twin!” She winks at me.

She fucking winks. What the fuck is going on here?

I glance back to the Chief’s office and pull up short when I see him in there with Cash.

Taking a deep breath when he meets my eyes and waves me in, I contemplate for a quick second turning tail and running. I’m so over this right now. I don’t know how I’m going to get through my days. This fucking guy is everywhere.

“Morning, Tom. Feeling good about being back?” Chief claps me on the shoulder and all I can do is nod.

“Good, good. So, I was just telling O’Brien that I want him patrolling with you today.”

“What? No, Chief, I’m-”

“Tom, please. I want you two together. I changed up some routes and I want Cash to fill you in.”

“Just give me the rundown. I can figure it out. I don’t need tips from the new guy.”

Cash chuckles. “How long do I have to be here before I’m not the new guy anymore?”

“Not sure. Maybe you should go so the name doesn’t stick.” I snap back.

“Officers!” I don’t even flinch at the Chief’s tone of voice. I’m too busy staring at Cash, who’s staring right back. “Are we going to have a problem here?”

Like the good kiss ass he is, Cash responds, “No, sir, no problem for me.”

I narrow my eyes and bite my lip. But I remain quiet.

“O’Brien, give us a minute.”

Watching him walk out the door, I imagine kicking him through it instead. Taking a moment to revel in that glorious idea, I finally turn and give the Chief my attention. “Tom, talk to me.”

“Nothing to say, sir. You want me with the new guy? I’ll go.” I turn to leave, adjusting my belt.

“I won’t lose you. I’ve let you slide for years, but Tom, something has to give here. Out of everyone, you know I get it.”

Refusing to meet his eyes again, I don’t turn back around. “I’m fine, Chief. We’ll check in at lunch.” I walk out to the floor, grab the keys for the cruiser and yell, “O’Brien! We’re leaving!” as I head out into the morning sun. I know the Chief would be the one to get it, but he’s not the one I need to explain things to.

CHAPTER 17

CASH

“I should drive,since I know the routes.”

“Fuck that.” Tom replies with an attitude as we walk to the patrol car.

“Okay. Then you’re going to have to listen to me giving you directions. So, your choice. Take orders from me or be the passenger princess.”

He halts, and I almost walk into him. “Okay, pretty boy. You drive since you know so much.”

He tosses the keys straight up and I stretch to catch them before they hit the ground. Shaking my head with a smirk, “I’ve upgraded from new guy to pretty boy. I’m glad you’re taking notice.”

I pass by him and round the car to the driver’s side, sliding in. A second later, he walks up to the car and gets in the passenger side, giving the door an extra loud slam.

“Seatbelt, Officer Casanova. We practice safety in this town.”

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