Hard Days Knight: Under-Cover Knights, Book 1 (4 page)

L
uc shifted
the cat to his shoulder, where it lay like an old rag. “Take a quick break, the dessert is set out, and make sure everything is picked up outside, please.”

Del noticed only a few young people grumbled. Some actually ran toward the rear doors.

“They’re looking for leftovers,” Luc said from behind her.

Delilah laughed but noticed Angel still sat on the bleacher with Pepper. “Looks like Angel’s found a friend.”

Luc studied the boy for a minute then said, “Maybe Abby has a convert.”

“You’ve got a good thing going here, Luc,” Del said.

“Actually, the risks are just starting to pay off. The funding for the remodeling came through so before long we’ll be adding a kind of lounge, a creative space, a game room and a place where tutors can meet with the kids and they can work on homework. If you’d been here three weeks ago, you might have thought like we did that we wouldn’t be able to continue.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

Abby approached Luc and lifted the cat from his arms, “I don’t suppose you’re thinking of adopting Hermione, are you?”

Luc hooked his thumbs in the pockets of his jeans. “I think these animals are getting superiority complexes from the names you stick on them, Abby.”

“So you figured out the method to my madness, Mr. Larue,” she teased. “Names are very important to how the world sees us. And our ASPCA residents need all the PR advantages they can get.”

Del said, “I think you’re absolutely brilliant, Abby. By the way, there’s an officer at the precinct that just lost her feline pal. Hermione might be just the ticket. I’ll give you a call this week and see if we might plan a bit of subterfuge.”

“You got it.” She loaded Hermione into her crate. “Monette, when you’re done admiring Hogwart, please return her to her crate. And Angel, Pepper might need to make a trip outside to the nearest tree. Don’t let him off his leash.”

Angel nodded.

Delilah turned to Luc. “Any tips?”

Luc smiled down at her. “You don’t need tips. You’re a natural, just be yourself so they see cops are people, too.”

“I guess. You must get excited to see these kids progress.”

“Sometimes success comes in terms of hours, not lifetimes. In good choices vs. devastating ones. But yeah, it’s definitely worth it.”

With a whistle from Luc, everyone returned to their seats and gave him their attention. “We heard from Abby about how important pets can be to our well-being and how volunteerism is a good kind of double edged sword. Next, we’ll hear how Ms. Burke came to be a police officer.” He waved Del to the center of the room.

Del placed both hands on her knees and pushed off the bleacher. Turning to face the group, she clasped her hands to keep them from twitching.

“Hi, I’m…Delilah, and I’m a cop. Hmm, did that just sound like I was introducing myself at a 12 step meeting?” Sharing her discomfort with them had broken the ice. Everyone laughed and relaxed, including her.

“I guess it’s because I rarely admit to my real name. I use Del as a kind of professional barrier, like an author might use a pen name. We humans construct those barriers to protect ourselves, but as we learn to trust the people around us, we expose more of our true selves. I’m sure each of you can relate to that. So,
here
you may call me Delilah. Does anyone have any questions about my job?

Monette raised her hand. “Why did you decide to become a cop, Ms. Delilah, ma’am, er, sir?” The others snickered behind. She pointed at them playfully then to Delilah, she added, “You’re pretty enough to be a model.”

“Thanks, Monette. I don’t think anyone’s ever said that to me before.” Delilah pursed her lips. She had thought about this a lot in the last couple years. “I don’t think I played cops and robbers like some boys do when they’re young. The simple answer is that cops are just people who started out as children from different backgrounds, grew into teens like y’all and for various reasons decided on this line of work. I did have attributes that proved helpful when I went into law enforcement, but it took a family tragedy when I was twenty-one to make me realize what I’d known for years… that I wanted to finish my college degree and go straight to the police academy.”

“What happened,” asked Tia.

Del’s shoulders straightened. “My older brother was shot, in a gang related skirmish.”

“Is he dead?” asked Angel.

“Angel!” Tia sighed.

“It’s okay,” said Delilah. “It was close for a while, but he pulled through. Though he is in a wheelchair. Some of you might even know him—Father Thomas from Saint Teresa’s?”

The group stirred. Del’s eyes lit on a few of them, then Jude, whose eyes slid away as he stroked his hands down the front of his jeans. Tia made the sign of the cross.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I hated unfairness, not realizing it was a foundation for my job now. When Tommy got shot, it was only the catalyst that said to me, ‘It’s time.’ I think I’d always known I wanted to stand against those who prey on the innocent and defenseless and find justice for the victims of crime.

“My ‘gift’ if you want to call it that, is the ability to read people, to see their true intentions. And my brother would add that I’m tenacious, like a pit with a bowl full of bones.

“Your other mentors have talked about each of us having a special talent—a passion in some cases. My brother’s calling, was to help his community, especially young people, to get out of their desperate environments and make the dreams of kids they see on TV or in school become their own reality. Even those gang members who were responsible for his disability. I didn’t feel so generous. To me that, and what Leanne does, for instance, is a calling. I’m more of a public servant. I’m not that compassionate or patient or forgiving, not to mention I hate needles.”

They laughed.

“I understand some of you have, or are living on the street. That makes you the innocent—not victims—because I don’t see anyone here who would categorize himself or herself that way. How many of you know a cop personally?” No hands went up.

“Well, now that’s just sad. Cops are people, too. Well now, you can say you know one and I hope you’ll think of me as a friend. The thing is, you can run across a bad cop like you can a crooked store manager or a bad parent; but the majority of police officers are here to serve and protect. Passing judgment is not our job.”

She looked over at Luc, wondered if he was thinking about the day she’d thought him a thief, and just yesterday, a Lothario.

“You all know the code to dial for emergency—911? Well just put an extra one on the end and you have my badge number. 9111. If you ever need anything or you find yourself in a situation you can’t get out of, call the Police Department at 555-2222 and ask for badge number 9111. They’ll put you through no matter where I am or what time it is. My partner’s name is Jed just in case you get put through to him. Just mention I’m your friend, and he’ll respond as if it was me.

“If you have a passion for fairness and the will to stand in the gap between those who prey and their victims, you might be my next partner.”

They clapped for her as she stepped aside. Luc took her place.

He thanked Del and turned to the group. “My turn. We’ve been talking about positive attributes today. Talents. Have you identified your best quality? Knowing that might lead you to discover your passion. Maybe it’s not even community related. You might be the next Michelangelo or American Idol.”

They were suddenly shy, looking at their laps, fiddling with hair, so Del said, “I have an idea. Sometimes it’s easier to see the good qualities in our friends. I’ll go first.” She looked at Luc. “I haven’t known Mr. Larue long, and he’d be too shy to admit it about himself…”

Luc groaned. She wouldn’t. He tried to communicate with a panicked stare. She smiled back at him drawing out the moment just for meanness.

“Luc Larue… is a very generous man. Would you all agree?”

“And he’s got a wicked lay-up,” said Jude.

“Yeah, that too,” Del said, looking at Luc, who let out a relieved breath.

Monette said, “I can tell you one of Angel’s strengths.”

Angel rolled his eyes as if to say the whole conversation was silly, but Del noticed he moved forward in his seat to hear her more clearly.

“He’s loyal. He sticks by his friends and doesn’t let anyone disparage them.”

“Ugh…what does ‘disparage’ mean?” asked the small boy behind her with a whine.

She turned around. “And you, Jeremiah,” she said. “You are always trying to learn, always asking questions.”

“Well, Monette got us off to a good start. Anyone else?” asked Luc.

Tia said quietly, “Jude is compassionate and tenderhearted.” She looked down at her twisting hands.

Jude jumped up from his seat suddenly and said to her, “That’s not true.”

Angel rose as well. “This is stupid. I got somewhere I have to be.”

Angel glared at Tia and stomped after Jude, handing the leash to Jeremiah before they left through the front door.

From the stunned silence came a small voice. “I think I’m a geek.”

Even blinking back tears, Monette didn’t miss a beat. “Reuben’s right. He is always trying to figure out how video games are made. It’s kinda irritating, Reuben.” She bumped him on the knees with her shoulders and smiled. Reuben obviously didn’t think that was a compliment.

Luc needed to salvage the exercise. “Sometimes we don’t see ourselves as others see us. There’s almost always stuff going on with one side or the other that should be taken into consideration. Let’s not be too hasty to judge.

“I appreciate everyone coming out today. Don’t forget the basketball game Tuesday night at 6:00. Monette and Tia, if you’d remind Jude and Angel.”

“Sure, Mr. Larue, but they wouldn’t miss a game for nothin’.” The girls rose and hopped down the bleachers.

Monette kissed Hogwart and carried her back to Abby, then she turned to Del. “Wanna see something?” she whispered. Her eyes held a mischievous glint as she pulled a paperback novel from her bag and held it where just she and Del could view it.

The book was entitled,
The Billionaire Shiek and His Secret Mistress
and starring in the role of Billionaire Sheik was none other than their own Luc Larue. He was tanned, his muscles primed; his powerful chest gave way to that
can’t-pinch-an-inch
eight-pack. The veins that cut across his biceps made Del’s mouth water. His
Mistress
was seated below him, her cheek in his big hand and he looked down at her sultrily. It wasn’t Mercy Love.

“Oh, my! He does make a fine sheik, doesn’t he?” Del asked Monette, “How many people here know about Mr. Larue’s job?”

Monette looked thoughtful. “I think most of the kids know ‘cause we’ve kinda talked about it, but I don’t think the adults do.”

Delilah would bet her cruiser Leanne and Abby had run across a romance cover or two. “Well, let’s keep his “secret” until he’s ready to come completely out of the cover man closet, okay?”

Monette’s mouth thinned briefly but she agreed. “Okay.” She placed the book back in her tote and waved goodbye.

“Bye, Mr. Larue. Come on, Reuben. Let’s go down to the library. I signed us up for two computers at 3:30.” The shorter Reuben clomped over to her. Monette swung the long strapped purse over her shoulder and they walked out together.

“
W
ell
, it wasn’t a perfect BE day but it could have been a lot worse.” Luc held his breath waiting to hear what Delilah thought.

“Luc, I don’t know how it usually goes but I was impressed with everyone involved. Those young people are remarkably invested in this community you’ve built. I was surprised I didn’t face more general antagonism.”

Del’s intelligence and concern for the people she served made Luc want to know everything about her. When she talked about the kids or her job, her eyes glinted, and she didn’t wait to see what he thought before giving him her opinion. Intelligence, confidence,
opinionated
were traits the women in his life all shared. He’d dated women who’d lacked those qualities thinking it would be more relaxing, but he’d been wrong. Here was proof, standing right in front of him. Being around her lit the fire in his belly, unlike any woman he’d met before. He wanted her. Wanted to know everything about her. And he wanted her as a regular at the center, for Monette and Tia and the rest of his kids.

“They don’t blame law enforcement for their situations as much as social services and their absent or abusive families.”

She handed him the folded tablecloths and he pulled a cabinet open and tucked them inside. Her face was just inches from his shoulder. With the building deserted, the silence created an intimacy in the storeroom.

“I’m sorry about Tom. That must have been hard.”

“It was.” She looked down, absently wiping the already clean counter. “People usually assume that because he’s in a wheelchair he couldn’t have sex anymore, so he decided to become a priest. But Tommy took the collar before the shooting, and he says that just reaffirmed his determination to make a difference in the community.”

She paused, took a breath. “Something I didn’t mention because I didn’t want to negatively influence the group, was that I had my own goal when I took off for the police academy. I wanted revenge. I intended to catch those responsible for Tom’s assault. I still do.”

He laid his hand on her shoulder and tilted her face up. His eyes were compassionate and kind. “I think you want justice, Del.
You
may think so, but I doubt you’re capable of revenge. I know Tom.”

She smiled. “Don’t tell me—Father Tom is a mentor.”

He laughed. “A regular.”

“That figures.” She looked up and said softly, “You remind me of him, you know.”

“Really. I can’t think of a better compliment. Now, who will you turn to for answers, a priest or a romance cover model?”

Her eyes slanted up, “That’s easy. I’d turn to the man of the cloth, the tartan kilt that is.”

Luc picked up her hand, threw the cloth in the sink and placed her hand on his shoulder as if they were about to dance. The silence stretched around them like a cocoon.

Drawing her to him, he said, “If I’m reading that look correctly, then please, don’t slap me when I do this…”

His left hand slipped into her hair and slowly his face lowered, eyes locked until his lips met hers. His were warm and firm and coaxed hers to open and allow his tongue to gently seek entrance, meeting hers in tentative strokes.

He tasted wonderful, and smelled of fresh air and male heat. She loved the feel of his strong shoulders under her hands. She inhaled deeply and sucked his tongue into her mouth, hers dancing with his as every thrust drove heat down, down. Her fingers wound through the silky dark strands and she felt the press of his arousal through her jeans as he leaned her against the counter. His hand found her breast and cupped it,thumb swiping across her nipple. She shivered. Then, his arm came around her holding her as he withdrew from the kiss and set his chin on top of her head, breathing hard.

He blew out a sigh. “Well, Ms. Sexy cop, I’m all for making love on the cot in my office but I promised you dinner.”

Del was amazed at the speed with which her body had responded to Luc’s. She’d never been the type to be coy or play games, and she wouldn’t start with him. With her face buried in his chest, her blood racing to the beat of his heart beneath her cheek, she said, “I don’t know. How strong is that cot?”

He pulled back and his smile kicked up on one side. “Okay, since I didn’t scare you off, how long do you need to get ready for dinner?”

“We’re not going for the cot?” Even to her own ears she sounded disappointed.

“It’s sweet of you to reconsider, darlin’, but I must pay my debts. Now, off with you. I’ll pick you up at seven. What’s your address?” Del told him and he released her. “Don’t forget. La Maison is black tie on Saturday night.”

She had forgotten, and knowing how well he looked in costume, she couldn’t wait to see him in a suit and tie.