Iron Cross: The Dartmouth Cobras #6 (35 page)

The front door opened. Scott said “Hi” to someone. The door slammed shut.

Bower gave Tyler a level look. “You were saying, little man?”

“I’ll show you little.” Tyler clenched his jaw as Luke blocked his lunge forward with an arm across his chest. “You’re gonna defend him after—”

“Nope, but I like you. Preferably in one piece.” Luke sucked his teeth and shook his head. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Fuck that! Bower thinks Zach’s the better man for his sister? Pretty obvious that he don’t know what Pearce’s been up to.” His whole body shook with rage as Bower’s brow rose, like he didn’t believe Pearce could do any wrong. The jerk had no fucking clue. “We might have gotten arrested, but at least none of us are fucking cheaters! Scott had to watch Pearce kissing Raif in the police station, and I saw how much it hurt him. But he’s still trying to hold things together for your sister and your niece because he loves them!”

“Tyler!” Luke tried to drag Tyler back. “Shut up!”

“Why? He thinks he can judge Scott because his relationship is perfect, and now he’s so far up Richter’s ass—”

“
Ty
!” This time it was Raif who cut him off, partially with his sharp tone, partially by hauling Tyler back by the collar of his shirt. “I think it’s time to go.”

Tyler blinked, the impact of all he’d said hitting him as his anger skidded to an abrupt halt. Becky looked close to tears. Bower’s face was red and his eyes promised a slow painful death. Luke simply shook his head again and turned to walk out. But it was Richter’s cool regard that scared Tyler the most.

He looked past Tyler to Raif, a thin smile on his lips. “We have much to discuss, Mr. Zovko. You might want to keep a gag on the boy—although it may be too late. You’ll forgive me if I don’t ask you to stay.”

“Understood, Mr. Richter,” Raif said stiffly. He hesitated, glancing over at Becky. “I’m sorry. There’s more to this, but—”

Becky cut across the room and slapped Raif across the face. Raif had plenty of time to stop her, but he didn’t even try. After she ran from the room, Silver following close behind, Raif turned to Tyler. Jerked his chin toward the living room. Tyler hung his head and shoved his hands in his pockets. What an epic mess.

And it was all his fault.

They didn’t speak again as they got in their own cars. Or after they parked in front of Tyler’s place and made their way inside. Once they’d gotten into the apartment and Raif had sat heavily on the sofa, Tyler decided he had to say
something
. He hated that he’d upset Becky, but he couldn’t fix that. And maybe he couldn’t do anything to fix things with Raif either.

But he had to try. He knelt at Raif’s feet and opened his mouth.

Raif held up his hand. “No. Stand. Or sit beside me. We need to talk.”

Oh shit
. If Raif didn’t want Tyler kneeling, he must be really pissed. Or ready to end their…relationship. There was no other word for it. Tyler loved Raif, and Chicklet had accepted him into the mix. And so had Laura. What the four of them were building was special. Worth fighting for.

Rising to his feet, Tyler bit the tip of his tongue hard, trying to figure out where to start. He pressed his eyes shut and lowered to the sofa beside Raif. “I don’t know why I said all that. I’ll find a way to fix it. I’m really sorry.”

Nodding, Raif rubbed the back of his neck. “I know you are. And I’m not pleased, but that’s not what we need to talk about. I attempted to call you several times, then called Pischlar to get Richter’s address. I’d hoped spending time with your friends would be good for you, but apparently—”

“This isn’t Luke’s and Scott’s fault. I had an awesome time with them, but then I talked to my mom. She wants to get married, and I kinda let it slip that Luke wants to marry Jami.” Tyler jammed him elbows into his knees and dropped his head onto his hands. “I’m an idiot.”

Raif patted Tyler’s shoulder, a smile playing at the edge of his lips. “No. You just have a very big mouth.”

Tyler scowled at him. “Gee. Thanks.”

“Anytime.” Raif chuckled, but his eyes had gone dark and serious. “Now, for the reason I called and went to find you at Richter’s house. Please hear me out before you become upset. Laura was injured on the job and she—”

The earth dropped about a foot under Tyler as he stood. All this sitting around and Laura was hurt? But she’d had the day off! “I figured she went out for dinner with Chicklet! Is she at the hospital? Why did you bring me here? Did she get shot?”

“No. I would have brought you directly to the hospital if it was serious. She has a cut on her arm that needed stitches, but the real issue is that she’s in shock. A man attacked her with a knife and she had to shoot him to save her own life.” Raif latched on to the back of Tyler’s jeans and pulled him down to the sofa. “The doctor wants her to rest and will reevaluate her in the morning. He does not want too many visitors, so with Laura’s brother there and Chicklet… She called me with an update just before I went to Richter’s. Laura is sleeping. You can see her tomorrow.”

“She didn’t ask for me?” Tyler would want to see Laura if he were hurt. Maybe the doctor was right, but he’d hate for Laura to think he didn’t care enough to show up. “Maybe I should call and see if she’s awake. A few minutes wouldn’t be bad for her.”

“They have her on medication to keep her relaxed. She
is
sleeping, Ty.”

“All right.” Tyler looked around the room, wondering if he should just go to bed. The team wasn’t leaving until around one tomorrow since the first game on their road trip was in New York, but what else did he have to do?

Not that he’d actually sleep. He couldn’t help picturing Laura, his beautiful, tough woman, fighting for her life against a man with a knife… His skin went cold and he pressed his hand over his eyes. She could have died out there, just doing her job. He couldn’t lose her.

“Would you like to watch a movie?” Raif went over to the TV stand, picking up a movie from the pile Tyler and Laura had set up for their Disney marathon. Raif’s lips quirked as he held up
The Little Mermaid
. “I don’t believe you watched this one today.”

“That’s Laura’s favorite. I’ll wait for when she’s home and…and I get back. There won’t be time tomorrow.”

Raif inclined his head, picking up a few more movies and reading the descriptions on the back. “There are many of these I haven’t seen, but if this is something you do with Laura, perhaps it would be better to choose something else.”

“You don’t really want to watch a Disney movie with me, man. You weren’t into any of the ones that we had on this morning, you were exercising your brain.” Tyler remembered laughing and glancing over his shoulder at Raif, who was all focused on the sudoku book. Seemed a long time since he and Laura used to tease Chicklet about all her crossword puzzles and number games. He snorted and called Raif the same thing they used to call her. “Nerd.”

“Nerd? I’m not sure that is something you should call your Dom, boy.”

Tyler smirked. “She doesn’t mind.”

“You are sorely in need of a spanking. But first, to correct you, I would like to watch these movies you enjoy so much. I’m not sure why singing princesses entertain you so much—”

“It’s not about the princesses. They’re funny. Do you like Eddie Murphy?”

Cocking his head, Raif studied the movie in his hand.
Cinderella
. He looked confused. “I can’t imagine him playing the voice of a cartoon character.”

“He’s done a few! Damn, we are so watching
Mulan
. Wait here, I’ll go get it!” Tyler scrambled off the sofa and ran to his room. He got the movie from his collection and skidded across the floor as he hurried down the hall. For some reason, sharing this with Raif felt important. Other guys on the team made fun of Tyler for loving Disney movies, but Raif never had. If he actually liked some of them, Tyler would have someone to chill with before road games. And after.

After would be awesome. Winding down from a game with a movie on that was familiar and relaxing while lying in bed with his man.

Within the first few minutes, Raif was chuckling, and by the time Mulan was done proving herself as “a man,” he was grinning and leaning forward. Tyler had more fun watching Raif’s reactions to the movie than he’d ever had actually
watching
the movie.

The next movie Tyler put on wasn’t a Disney movie—he was sticking with the Eddie Murphy theme—but Raif seemed to enjoy
Shrek
just as much as he had
Mulan
. Tyler mentioned both had a sequel, but a yawn cut him off and Raif shook his head with a smile.

“We both need sleep.” He slung his arm over Tyler’s shoulder and drew him toward the bedroom. “But make sure to pack them both. And others you think I’ll like.”

“I will.” Tyler plopped down on the bed, groaning as Raif made him sit up to take off his shirt. He watched Raif strip and climb onto the other side of the bed. Being pulled into Raif’s arms felt good, but now that they were here, he had to wonder if Raif wanted more.

Actually, it had always been Tyler demanding more, and Raif focusing on taking care of him. Raif seemed happy just being with Tyler without sex or anything. Tyler didn’t doubt Raif’s desire, but there was never a “right” time for them to take the next step.

He usually got all impatient and thought with his dick. This time wasn’t about that. He needed to know what Raif expected from him. Was willing to give him whatever that was.

“It’s not before a game. We can…” Tyler had to make sure Raif understood he was offering, not demanding. “I’m yours, Raif. Whenever you want me.”

“Yes, you are, Ty.” Raif pressed Tyler’s head down on his shoulder. “And I do want you. Like this.”

Tyler closed his eyes and smiled. Like this was absolutely perfect.

C
hicklet waited outside the police station for Laura, sitting on the hood of her car, comforted by the fact that Hamilton was able to go in with Laura since she couldn’t. She didn’t know police procedure, but Laura’s brother had told her Laura would be on administrative leave for a bit while they investigated the shooting.

It had been a long night and neither Chicklet nor Hamilton had slept at all, but they’d taken turns getting coffee and stretching their legs. The way Hamilt
on grilled the doctor reminded Chicklet of all the reasons she liked him so much. He was a damn good cop, but when it came to his foster sister, everything else was secondary.

He’d make sure Laura came out of this all right. Not that there was any doubt. Laura hadn’t shot the asshole who’d attacked her because she was trigger-happy; she’d had no choice.

The question was, would Laura believe that, or would she beat herself up for the next couple of weeks while she was on leave, wondering if she could have done something differently? And how was Chicklet supposed to help her deal with the guilt when all she could do was be grateful that Laura had made it out alive?

I can do this. I have to.
Chicklet took out a pack of gum and popped two pieces into her mouth. She frowned as Hamilton came out and leaned on the car beside her.

“You said you’d stay with her.”

Hamilton’s lips thinned. He glared at his shiny black shoes. “She asked me not to. I couldn’t force the issue in front of the captain. It would make us both look bad.”

Right. Chicklet sighed and chewed hard on her gum. “She’ll be all right. She’s tough.”

“Yep.” Hamilton glanced over at her. “Make you feel any better, saying that?”

“Nope.” But really, what choice did she have? She had absolutely no control over Laura’s job. So she simply held out the pack of gum.

He took a piece and they both chewed in silence. A car pulled up and Hamilton stood up straight as a man who looked like he was still in his teens got out of the passenger side. Ian White, one of the Cobras, stepped out from the driver’s side. Chicklet studied the younger guy. He had to be the rookie, Richards. She hadn’t seen him around, but he was vaguely familiar.

White nodded at Hamilton. “I gotta see my house arrest lady to tell her where I’ll be at during the road trip. She said she’d meet me here. Kid wanted to come for the ride. He said he got his bike stolen last week and he reported it?”

“Not my department.” Hamilton frowned at Richards. “I’m sure they told you they’d call?”

“But they didn’t.” Richards ducked his head and scuffed his sneakers on the pavement. “Figured I’d hear something the next day.”

“Well, you didn’t.” Hamilton’s tone went cold. “That should tell you something.”

Well, this was interesting. Chicklet watched Richards lean over to whisper something to White before getting back into the car. White gave Hamilton a narrow-eyed look before heading into the station.

She arched a brow at Hamilton.

He shook his head. “None of your business.”

“Got it.” But Chicklet wasn’t stupid. She had a feeling there was no missing bike. And Hamilton was a bit of a dick. Whatever. So long as he was there for Laura, she’d stay out of his personal shit.

Because Laura was about to lose one of the things she lived for, even if only for a little while. All she’d have left to fall back on was her family. And the only people she considered
family were Chicklet and the Hamiltons.

Hopefully, that would change. But it hadn’t yet.

* * * *

“So you didn’t see him before he tackled you?”

Laura didn’t blink. Didn’t show any emotion. She relayed the facts as clearly as possible, as she’d been doing for the past thirty minutes, first on paper, now answering the questions the internal affairs officer had about her report. “No, Detective West, I did not see him. I was following procedure, securing the perimeter. The suspect—”
Pepper. His name was Pepper.
Only it hadn’t been. And her brain couldn’t find his real name. Which seemed wrong. But she took a deep breath and continued, needing to prove to the investigating officer that she was fit for duty. Even though she knew exactly how this would end. “—the suspect hadn’t shown violent tendencies in the past, but I knew I had to be careful because who knew what drugs he was on.”

West nodded, taking a few notes on the pad in front of him, his tone lacking any inflection as he moved on to the next question. “At what point did you feel the need to use lethal force?”

I didn’t. I didn’t want to kill him.
But pulling the trigger was lethal force, and she wouldn’t get anywhere letting IA think she wasn’t well aware of that. She clenched her jaw and met West’s level gaze. “When he tried to stab me.”

“I assume you were trained in hand-to-hand combat? Showed the ability at some point to disarm a perp? You brought a gun to a knife fight, Officer Tallent.” He scribbled down a few more notes. “I will be reviewing all your training records to make certain you are current.”

“Of course.”

“The suspect…‘Pepper’?” West’s brow lifted as he glanced down at her report. “Is that his given name?”

“No.”

“I see. I will have to make the corrections once I receive the coroner’s report. In any case, you didn’t mention how he responded when you warned him to drop his weapon. It is important that you include all details in the—”

“I didn’t.”

“Didn’t?” West set down his pen and steepled his hands on the table. “Did you warn him that you would shoot?”

“No.”

“You mention several times in your report that you followed procedure. Verbal directives are not optional—they are
imperative
to procedure. But you failed to give them to the suspect.” Not a question this time. More like West was putting her on trial and finding her guilty with every single mistake she’d made. He didn’t look like he gained any pleasure from condemning her—that almost would have been easier to deal with. Then she could call him an asshole in her head and take up the challenge of not letting him get to her.

But he wasn’t
trying
to get to her. It was almost like he had absolutely no feelings at all and couldn’t care less whether or not she’d meant to kill Pepper. He was ice-cold, seeing nothing beyond the black and white language in the Code of Conduct that she hadn’t followed to the letter. Every other cop in their district was just happy she hadn’t died in the line of duty. West was neutral about her being alive, and seemed more intent on reminding her that her survival had been at the expense of someone else’s

As if she could forget.

West asked a few more questions in the same detached manner before putting his notes in the file and closing it. He didn’t bother looking at her as he laid the final blow. “You will surrender your shield and service weapon, Officer Tallent. Until further notice, you are on administrative leave.”

“Until…” Laura wet her lips, not moving even though West had stood, clearly done with her. She’d expected
to be put on leave, it was standard practice in this kind of case for an officer to get time off for psychological evaluations and to give the investigators time to do their job, but “until further notice” sounded like forever.

“Until I deem you fit for duty,” West said. Then he left.

He was gone, but the interview room had cameras, which meant she was still being watched. So she couldn’t fall apart as she pulled out her gun and took off her badge. Couldn’t show how hard it was to leave them on the table and walk away.

The men and women in the bullpen had the grace not to watch her as she made her way out. This was so much worse than the least dignified walk of shame. Almost as though she’d ripped off a limb and was expected to function without it. There was no fucking way she’d embarrass herself by crying, though her vision was blurry and her throat so tight it was hard to breathe. The only way she could manage was to let herself go numb. Air came a little easier as she distanced herself from her emotions. She went through the same process before every court appearance, no matter how difficult the case. A judge would respect her testimony more if she stuck to the bare truth, without emotion or personal bias.

And that was exactly how she’d earn her badge back. By showing the shrink she was “fit.” Pepper’s death was a tragedy. She might need to redo some training, maybe she would volunteer—no. She would do each and every thing they asked of her. No more, no less.

Chicklet and Ryan were waiting for her by Chicklet’s car, on the other side of the station, but Laura took her time getting to them. The calm mask of acceptance she’d pulled on wouldn’t fool them. She needed a few seconds to make sure it fit just right.

Another door opened and West joined Chicklet and Ryan, an actual smile on his lips. Sharp and cruel enough that she pictured him carving it into his stone-cold expression for special occasions. Why the hell couldn’t he have given her that smile during the interview? The man she saw facing her brother she could have dealt with, no problem.

“She should be out soon, Hamilton. I must say I’m a little disappointed, though. I was hoping, since she’s not a blood relative, that she didn’t share your disregard for the rules.” He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, tapped one out, then brought it to his lips
and lit the tip. “Apparently it runs in the family.”

“You know damn well it was a clean kill, West.” Ryan shoved away from the car, his jaw developing that dangerous tick she knew meant trouble. “You got a problem with me, don’t take it out on her.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I handled her no differently than I would any other officer. And she gets no special treatment for being your foster sister.” West let out a puff of smoke with a laugh. “Please inform her a note from your mommy won't suffice for the psych eval.”

Ryan snarled and lunged forward, missing West’s throat by an inch and only because Chicklet had a firm grip on his arm. She hopped off the hood of the car, slipping between Ryan and West, to walk her crimson nails up West’s chest.

Chicklet let out a throaty chuckle. “Oh, you’d be fun to play with. All that power isn’t enough to compensate, is it? I could help you with your confidence,
boy
.”

Laura wasn’t too numb to grin at how red West’s face went as he caught on to the implication in Chicklet’s words. He took a step back and puffed hard on his cigarette before dropping it and crushing it under the sole of his boot.

“I’m not sure what you mean, ma’am. Please see to it that Officer Tallent goes to the initial evaluation. She’ll be off for the next month, at very least. Longer if she refuses to cooperate.”

A month…Laura opened her mouth wide to suck in as much air as she could, wishing she hadn’t let the numbness slip, even for a minute. Chicklet looked stunned, which seemed to satisfy West, because he disappeared back into the station without another comment.

Her brother let out a rough, angry sound and paced away from the car. Chicklet tipped her head back, eyes closed as though she could gather strength from the sun glaring down on them. The only reason they were both here was to support Laura, and Laura didn’t belong here anymore. But she did know where she still belonged. And what she needed to do with her sudden excess of free time.

She made her way to the car, ready to tell her brother, and her Mistress, that it was time to go home.

“Hey, sweetie.” Her Mistress came to her, took Laura in her arms for a firm hug. “This will be over before you know it.”

“I know.” Laura was pleased with how level she sounded. No mask on, she didn’t need one anymore. She was completely available to her Mistress, and there was no reason to trouble her with things neither of them could change.

Ryan stroked her hair and sighed. “He’s a miserable bastard, but I doubt he did anything unprofessional in front of the cameras. I’ve been through this a time or two myself and it fucking sucks, but a month is standard. He’ll handle this by the book. And if he doesn’t—”

“He followed procedure. I’m fine.” She smiled at her brother to reassure him. “You said I needed time off. Now I have it.”

“Yeah…” Ryan kissed her forehead. “You call me if you’re ever not, okay?”

Even though she nodded, he looked to Chicklet, waiting for her to confirm that she would if Laura didn’t before heading inside.

On the drive home, Chicklet looked at Laura several times as though she wanted to ask her something, but changed her mind. Once they were home, Chicklet brought Laura straight to the bedroom, handed her a change of clothes, and instructed her to take a shower. She didn’t say why, but Laura knew.

She knew, and for the first time since giving up her badge, she felt overwhelmed by pain. They’d cleaned her up at the hospital, but she’d headed straight to the station once she was released. Someone had brought her uniform, and she’d thought of nothing but making her report and letting those in charge decide her fate.

In the bathroom, she checked herself in the mirror. She undid her hair, combing her fingers through it and feeling the dirt still clinging to her scalp. Her face was clean, she’d scrubbed it in the sink at the hospital. But as she undid her shirt she noticed her hands—no, her nails. The crud under them was red.