ROMANCE: Mason (Bad Boy Alpha Male Stepbrother Romance Boxset) (New Adult Contemporary Stepbrother Romance Collection) (112 page)

              “I hate this place.”  Audrey said to one of her co-workers. 

              Jewel was a girl barely out of high school with hair of three different colors.  She rubbed the tannish skin of her nose with the back of her hand, before plunging it back into the soapy dishwater. 

              “Yeah, don’t we all?”  She transferred the pot she was scrubbing into the rinse sink.  “Did you hear another girl from campus was murdered?”

              Audrey loaded her arms with two long rectangles wrapped in brown paper; napkins for the tables. 

              “Yeah, I heard.” 

              “Is your husband working the case?” 

              Audrey hesitated.  She didn’t have many friends, and she had purposefully refrained from sharing her marriage troubles with her co-workers.  This girl wouldn’t get it she said she simply didn’t know.

              “Well, he’s not a detective…”  Audrey began. 

              “Oh, yeah I forgot.” 

              “Make sure you’re extra careful, ok?”

              “Oh yeah.”  The girl said with a shrug.  “I bought some mace.  She finished the last pot and followed Audrey back to the kitchen. 

              Mace.  Audrey thought.  That’s a good idea.  I could ask Liam.  She paused mid step at the thought.  No!  I can get it myself.   

              Liam looked over the desk at his Sergeant.  He rubbed his hands along the tops of his pressed uniform pants. 

              “Sir, I just don’t get it.” 

              Sergeant McIntyre looked at him blankly.  “What’s not to get, Lamb?  There’s an opening in homicide.  I’ve nominated you.” 

              “I’ve been a beat cop for eight years.” 

              “That’s exactly why you need to consider this.”  He moved a pen then a pencil, his brown eyes deep in thought.  “Do you know how many cops want homicide?”

              “I do.” 

              “You have helped out plenty of times in general assignment investigations.  Your record as a beat cop is near perfect.  You’re ready.” 

              Liam enjoyed the compliments, but something else was nagging at him.

              “What about Hank?”

              Sergeant McIntyre’s eyes narrowed.  He put his elbows on the desk and placed his hands together like a steeple.  “What about him?”

              Liam shrugged uncomfortably.  “He’s been a cop longer than I have.”

              The Sergeant sighed.  “Liam, some people are cut out to be a detective and some…”  He held his hands out palm up as if that motion could explain better than words what he wanted to say. 

              “True, but no one gives him a chance because he’s a little larger than he should be.”

              “A little?”  McIntyre barked a laugh.  “Try forty pounds over his weight limit.” 

              “Yes, for a beat cop.  Not for a detective.  His record is perfect too.”  Liam placed a finger in the air to make his next point.  “Plus, we have been partners for a while now.  We know each other…can practically read each other’s minds.”    

              Sergeant McIntyre sighed.  “Let me see what I can do, but I’m not making any promises.” 

              Liam stood and paused at the door.  “He’s helped with investigations too.  I won’t name names, but he’s done far more than you think.” 

              Sergeant McIntyre shook his head after Liam had quietly shut his office door.  He was one of the best cops the force had seen in ten years.  There was just something odd about him.  He wished he could pinpoint what it was.  The best word to describe it was animalism.  Liam Lamb could turn the head of most women on the force, and other officers were intimidated by him.  Sure he was arrogant at times, but usually he was just a good guy doing a good job. 

              Sergeant McIntyre picked up the phone and dialed Lieutenant Cory’s extension.  Another thing that made Liam Lamb intimidating was his strange accuracy in judgment of character and intuition on the job.  It was almost otherworldly.  If he felt Hank could do the job, then it was a pretty good bet that he could.  Homicide was running in the deficit as it was. 

              “Hey, Tom, listen I think Liam will come over, but he has a stipulation.”  Sergeant McIntyre listened for a moment before laughing robustly and leaning back in his chair.  “Yeah, he is rather attached to the fat fuck.”

              “I can’t believe it.”  Hank said.  “I just can’t.” 

              Liam smiled and patted his friend on the back.  “You did it!” 

              “I can’t believe I said yes.  I thought I’d just retire as a beat cop.” 

              “You’re going to do great things, my man.  We both are.”

              Hank twisted to look at Liam.  “You think so?  I mean…yeah we are!  Still partners, but now we’re homicide detectives!”

              Liam waited for Hank to start the sedan.  A dark green unmarked sedan, their new ride as of Monday morning. 

              “Don’t forget, we’re meeting tomorrow to review case files.” 

              “Are you sure I can’t give you a ride home?” 

              “Nah…”  Liam paused.  “Sure, but let’s celebrate first.” 

              Hank’s face split into a grin.  “Well, alright then!”

              The bar, O’Malley’s, was a dark wood place that reeked of typical pub, yet had an air of sophistication that couldn’t quite be explained.  Less than a block from police headquarters, it was a typical hangout for off duty cops, particularly on Friday nights. 

              Hank sipped his second beer, looking at Liam quietly.  Murmurs were heard all around them, and the occasional crack of balls hitting together on the pool tables.

              “So, why did you do it?”

              “Do what?”

              “Make them to take me too.”

              Liam studied Hank, weighing his words.  “I didn’t make them do anything.  I just suggested that you would be a good candidate too.” 

              “Thanks.  I wouldn’t have ever done it for myself.”

              “Precisely.”  Liam drained his beer and motioned for the waitress.  “Can I have the check?”

              “Hey, I thought I was paying!”  Hank cried indignantly. 

              Liam smiled.  “Not this time, buddy.  Tonight it’s my treat.”

              “Well, if it isn’t Detective Lamb and Detective Walters.” 

              Liam knew the voice and gave himself a moment of preparation before looking up.  Hank raised his eyebrows over his mug of beer. 

              “Hello, Officer Haddad.”  Liam responded allowing his eyes to rise briefly to Lydia’s face.  And her face was all he was willing to look at.  The woman stood beside the table in a tight fitting dark green blouse that was unbuttoned two buttons too many; her full breasts were straining against the fabric and remaining buttons.  Liam almost laughed aloud at the look on Hank’s face. 

              “Please!  What’s with the formalities?” 

              “Well, hey there, Lydia!”  Hank’s face broke into a huge grin, but Liam knew he was being facetious. 

              Lydia barely glanced at Hank.  She slid her charcoal lined eyes back to Liam.  “Aren’t you going to ask me to sit down?” 

              “We were just about to leave.” 

              As if on cue the waitress returned with the check.  Liam handed her a twenty, telling her to keep the change. 

              “See, we’re paid up and everything.” 

              “Right.”  She said coolly.  Her mouth seemed to have a permanent smirk, but Liam noticed that her eyes were cold.  They were always cold.  Her reputation was one of the meanest bitches on the force.  She turned her attention to Hank.  “So, tell me something, how is it that I’ve been waiting for a spot in Homicide for six months and you’re offered one and receive a response all in the same day?” 

              Hank flitted his eyes nervously to Liam.  He laughed lightly and drained the dregs of his beer.  “Well, Lydia, if you must know…I’ve slept my way to the top!”

              Lydia pinched her lips together and pushed them towards on cheek.  “Very funny.”  She turned her head to Liam.  “Can I talk to you for a minute?” 

              “Talk.  I’m sitting right here.” 

              “I meant privately.” 

              Liam licked his lips and glanced at Hank.  All Hank could offer was a shrug.  He sighed and tried to smile at her. 

              “Sure.”  Liam stood.  “Hank, I’ll meet you at the car.” 

              Hank nodded and watched his friend walk towards the front of the bar with Lydia.  A frown formed along the edges of his mouth.  Lydia’s jeans were like her shirt; too tight.  She sashayed her round rear end all the way to the door.  High heeled boots gave her a slightly leggier look than shat her 5’4” frame usually allowed for.  He worried about his friend.  He knew things weren’t right at home, although Liam had been a little tight lipped about it, and now this woman was doing everything she could to make it harder on him.

              Hank turned his wrist up and looked at his watch.  He’s give the wench five minutes, and not a minute more. 

              Liam turned and rested his rear end on the side of the car.  He crossed his legs at the ankle and clasped his hands together. 

              “What is it, Lydia?”

              She took a step closer to him.  “Why do you ignore me?”

              Liam laughed.  “What, are we in high school?”

              “Look, I’ve seen the way you look at me.” 

              “Yeah?  And how’s that?”

              Lydia took another step forward.  “Like you want the same thing I want.” 

              Liam’s green eyes hardened.  “Lydia, I’m married.”

              She laughed without mirth, moving her head so her wavy black hair shimmered around her. 

              Liam felt his body go still.  She was beautiful…and dangerous.  The animal side of him responded in force.  All senses went on high alert to the sexual magnetism she was throwing out. 

              “I don’t see a ring.”  She breathed, laying her hands on his chest. 

              A brief memory shot through Liam’s mind.  It was the day that Audrey demanded they sleep in separate bedrooms.  He had yanked his simple gold band from his ring finger and tossed it into a drawer of the vanity in the guest bathroom.  It had made soft pinging noises, bouncing twice before resting between a box of Q-tips and an old toothbrush. 

              “I may not wear it, but I’m still married.” 

              “Hmmm.”  She practically purred.  “Out of sight out mind.” 

              She stood on tip toe and hovered her mouth right over his bottom lip.  A small smile of triumph rippled across her full lips as Liam’s head instinctually lowered to hers.  It wasn’t a kiss of love. It was the brutal kiss of pent up frustration and need. 

              Liam opened her mouth with his and began a hot exploration of her tongue and teeth.  His body responded immediately.  He could taste what she had hidden so well.  He pulled his face back and stared at her darkly, wanting to slap the smug smile from her face. 

              “You’re a shifter.”  He whispered in disbelief. 

              “So I am.”  She responded. 

              Hank had seen the kiss, and really couldn’t believe it.  He blinked rapidly as he approached the two of them.  Lydia stepped back, her eyes still on Liam. 

              “We need to get going.”  Hank said as calmly as he could. 

              “Yeah.”  Liam tried to keep the anger and shake from his voice. 

              “I’ll be seeing you.”  Lydia said in farewell.  He boots making a tapping noise as she walked away. 

              Hank put the keys in the ignition without saying a word.  Neither man noticed the dark car that was nestled in between a Jeep Wrangler and Ford Taurus.  If they didn’t notice the car, they certainly hadn’t noticed the person inside, nor realized that the person was lowering a camera.  Ten photos graphs had been taken in less than two minutes.

              Hank pulled into the parking lot of a gas station two blocks away.  He killed the engine and stared out of the windshield. 

              “What are you doing, Liam?”

              Liam raised a hand from where it had been clenched on his knee.  He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. 

              Hank turned his head and watched his friend’s jaw clench and unclench in the murky artificial light of the parking lot.  He sighed and drummed his fingers on the edge of the steering wheel. 

              “You know I’m not nosey about your home life, but this is…well it’s… wrong, Liam.” 

              “I know.”  Liam visibly relaxed.  “I don’t know what happened.”