Justice for Corrie (Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Book 3) (9 page)

“For the record, Corrie Madison, I like you.”

She smiled against his shoulder. “I like you too, Quint Axton.”

“Glad we have that covered.”

They sat in silence, until the automated voice from the clock in Corrie’s room announced it was eleven o’clock.

“I have to get going,” Quint said reluctantly.

“Do you want to stay?”

Quint almost groaned. Did he want to stay? Oh yeah, but he couldn’t. He didn’t want to rush her. He was enjoying the dating game they were playing. He hadn’t played it since he was in high school. The one step forward, two steps backward dance they were doing was much more interesting and intense than most of the adult relationships he’d had. The women he’d been dating didn’t bother playing games, but instead told him outright they wanted to sleep with him. But the dating game with Corrie was fun, different. Besides that, she looked almost embarrassed she’d said the words, and the last thing he wanted was for her to regret anything they did together.

“Yes, I want to stay, but I’m not.”

“You’re not?” Corrie sat up against him.

“Retract your claws, woman,” he said with a laugh.

Corrie gasped and unclenched her hands, which had fisted into his chest when he’d said he wasn’t staying. “Sorry.”

Quint flattened his hand over hers and rubbed her with this thumb. “There’s nothing more that I want to do than take you to your bed, strip you naked, and taste you from your toes to your luscious lips…” He heard her inhale sharply, and he smiled. “But I don’t want to rush you.”

“Rush me, Quint. I’m okay with that.”

He kissed her hard, forcing her head back until she gasped and surrendered against him. He lifted his head and ran a fingertip over her plump just-kissed lips. “I don’t want to rush this because I want it to last. I want
us
to last. I want you to get to know me. I want to get to know you better. I want to fall in like with you before I take you to bed and fall in love with you.”

“F-fall in love with me?”

“Yeah, ‘cos I can see it happening. I’m not there yet, but I don’t want to rush what we’re doing and not get the chance to see what we could become.”

“I think I’m already falling in like with you, Quint.”

He smiled down at her. “Good. Then my master plan is working. Come on, walk me to the door then lock up behind me.”

“Okay.”

Quint put his shirt back on and pulled the table back to where it was when he’d arrived. He looked around, making sure nothing else was out of place.

“What are you doing?” Corrie asked, standing by the kitchen counter.

“I’m making sure everything’s put away.” Quint finished examining her space and came up to where Corrie was and saw a weird look on her face. “What’s wrong now?”

“You were really trying to see if anything was out of place?”

“Of course. I don’t want to leave anything out where you could get hurt if you ran into it.”

“I think Emily and Bethany are the only ones that have done that before…but usually it’s because they’ve brought over all of Ethan’s baby stuff and the place is a disaster area by the time they’re ready to leave.”

Quint leaned down and kissed her hard again. “I’m glad to help.”

She smiled up at him. “Thanks for making me forget everything for a night.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Text me tomorrow? Let me know what you’re up to?”

“I will. I’ll call the station in the morning about the letter and see what’s up.”

“Good. Why don’t you come with Emily when she comes in to give her fingerprints? Let me know when you’ll be there and I’ll try to come and meet you. We can talk about what the detective found out and perhaps come up with a plan. Maybe we can do lunch afterwards?”

“I’d like that.”

“Will Bethany come too? She’s more than welcome.”

“Probably not. She’s been staying at home and watching Ethan while Emily is at work. She’s taking some time off of work to be with him. I’m not sure they’ll want to bring him to a police station. They’re a little overprotective. Especially Bethany. I swear she wouldn’t even let me hold him if she thought she’d get away with it.”

Quint chuckled. “Okay, I’m sure I’ll meet her at some point.”

“You want to?”

“Of course I do. She’s your friend’s partner. Why wouldn’t I?”

“I’ve told you that I liked you tonight, haven’t I?”

He smiled. “Yeah, but you can tell me again.”

“I like you.”

Quint brought Corrie into his arms and hugged her tightly. “Stay safe, Corrie. Don’t let anyone in this apartment if you don’t know who they are.”

“I won’t.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Quint kissed Corrie on the forehead, not trusting himself to stop if he touched his lips to hers again.

“Bye, sweetheart.”

“Bye, Quint.”

For the third time, Quint listened as Corrie locked herself into her apartment. He only wished he could stay there and keep her safe. He hadn’t earned the right yet, but he hoped it’d be soon.

T
he man kept
a keen eye on the door from his hiding spot as the cop left the blind bitch’s apartment. He pulled out his cell and made a call.

“He’s gone.”

“I want that whore eliminated,” the voice on the other end of the phone growled.

“The pig is becoming an issue. We need to wait.”

“You know what? It’s not about the cops or the fucking FBI. She’s a pain in my ass and I
want
her eliminated,” the other man insisted.

The man in the parking lot took another drag off his cigarette before speaking. “She’s got a security system and is dating a fucking cop. I told you that letter was a bad idea. She’s got more protection now than she had right after I did the job. We need to back the fuck off and let everyone chill. I can get to her a lot easier if everyone thinks the threat is over.”

“I thought you wanted to grab her now and fuck her up?”

“I
did
, I
do
, but there’s too much heat on her now. And when they don’t find Shaun, they’re gonna step up their game and there will be even more heat on her…and you and your operation.”

“No, there won’t. That asshole will be just another missing person. No one is ever gonna find his body. You made sure of that.”

The man in the parking lot sighed quietly. He’d made his case. He could probably get to the blind chick if the boss insisted, but he hoped he’d see it his way.

He wanted her, all right. She wasn’t fat, her tits would squeeze nicely in his hands, and he’d love to stick his cock inside her, but at the moment there was just too much attention around her. He didn’t say anything and the boss man on the other end of the line continued.

“Fine, we’ll do it your way…for now. But you stay on her. If it looks like they’re closing in on my operation, end her. Got it?”

“Yes, sir.”

The man stubbed out his cigarette under his boot and pocketed his phone after ending the call. Good. His way. He fucking liked his way. The poor little blind girl didn’t have a chance in hell of getting away from him. He just needed to keep watch and figure out the best way to get to her…without causing her to alert anyone. He’d be patient. When it came to killing, he was always patient as long as, in the end, people ended up with their brains blown out. If he played with her a bit before he killed her…no one would be the wiser. Besides, he’d never fucked a blind chick.

He adjusted his pants over his erection and faded back into the shadows.

C
orrie held
on to Emily’s elbow as they walked to the table in the small restaurant. Her cane dangled by her side just in case, but she usually didn’t need it when she was with Emily and Bethany.

They loved Kona Grill. It was an eclectic restaurant that had everything from sushi to burgers. It’d been about a week and a half since her date with Quint, and Emily couldn’t wait to give her the third degree anymore. They’d talked about Quint over the phone and after their first date, but Corrie knew she’d be grilled tonight by both Emily and Bethany. Which was okay; it meant they cared about her…and that they were simply nosy. They’d planned it so they’d have time for some girl talk before Quint got there.

Corrie was nervous for Quint to meet Emily and Bethany together. Oh, he’d already met Emily on the night of their first date, but for some reason it seemed different since he’d be meeting and talking with them together as a couple. Corrie didn’t care about the fact that they were
together
-together, but this was Texas. Not exactly the most progressive state.

Emily was her best friend. She’d always been there for her. If Quint didn’t get along with Emily—or Bethany—their relationship would be over before it began. And she really
really
wanted their relationship to continue.

The other night she and Quint had spent two hours talking about nothing in particular on the phone. It was nice to get to know him and ask him things that she would’ve felt embarrassed asking about face-to-face. He, in turn, felt comfortable to question her about her blindness. Corrie had no problem whatsoever telling him whatever he wanted to know, even if his questions weren’t necessarily politically correct. It was obvious he was asking because he was curious and not out of maliciousness.

Quint had gotten off work in the afternoon then was doing some shooting practice with some of the other officers in the department and wouldn’t be able to get to the restaurant until around six-thirty. Emily had picked her up at the clinic at five and the plan was for them to go to the restaurant, and meet Bethany there. Since Quint was meeting them later, he’d told them to go ahead and order and not to wait for him; he’d grab something as soon as he got there.

“Hey! Em! Over here!”

Corrie heard Bethany’s voice carry over the din of the other diners. Emily steered them toward her. Corrie dropped her friend’s arm when she stopped at their table and listened as Emily and Bethany greeted each other.

“How’s my little man?” Emily cooed to Ethan.

Corrie smiled. She loved how gushy Emily got whenever she was around her son.

“How was he today?” Emily asked her partner.

“Good,” Bethany preened. “He really is a perfect baby. He did his normal baby stuff today…ate, slept, and pooped.”

They all laughed. Corrie settled into the chair Emily had stopped her beside and put her elbows on the table.

“So…” Bethany started. “Corrie, Em tells me you’ve snagged yourself one hot hunk of a man.”

“I don’t know about that, but so far he seems pretty darn near perfect.”

“We’ll see.” Her tone was skeptical.

“Bethany!” Emily scolded. “Don’t go chasing him off tonight. He really did seem like a good guy when I met him.”

“I know, but again, I’m reserving judgment. I don’t care if he seems to be as nice as Mr. Rogers himself…I have to see it for myself. You know I’m protective of those I love, Em.”

Corrie smiled as she heard her friends kiss briefly.

“So…how’s he in bed?” Bethany asked nonchalantly.

Corrie about choked on the water she’d just picked up. “I don’t know…yet. But if he makes love as well as he kisses, I’m sure it’ll be fantastic.”

“You haven’t slept with him yet?” Emily asked.

“Uh, no,” Corrie said in a drawled incredulous voice. “It’s only been a week and a half since our date. And besides, he’s kinda in on my case. You know, the whole bad-guy-threatening-me thing.”

“Pbsst.”

Corrie could picture Emily waving her hand in the air as she airily dismissed her words. “The looks that man was giving you as you left for dinner last week were smokin’ hot. I can’t believe he hasn’t locked you in his room and made passionate love to you all night long.”

“Emily!”

“What?” Her voice was amused.

Corrie shook her head. “You’re impossible. Please don’t embarrass me tonight.”

“Would I do that?”

“Yes!”

They all laughed.

The waitress chose that moment to come up to the table. The trio had been to the restaurant so many times they didn’t even need to see the menu anymore.

“I’d like the jambalaya, please.” Emily always ordered the spicy seafood dish.

“Lobster mac and cheese.”

Corrie smiled. Bethany’s weakness was carbohydrates, and she always splurged whenever they went out. She was still trying to lose some of the baby weight she’d gained while carrying Ethan, but she’d probably run about ten miles tomorrow to take care of the extra calories she’d consume tonight. She’d never seen anyone able to eat and drink as much as Bethany did, and still be able to retain her slim figure.

“I’ll take the big kahuna cheeseburger.”

“I have no idea how you manage to eat that thing without getting it all over you,” Emily complained good-naturedly. “Seriously, that thing is huge and drips with all the condiments they put on it. You’re the neatest blind person I’ve ever met. It’s annoying.”

“You love me and you know it.”

Corrie felt Emily lightly punch her in her arm teasingly. “I do, you crazy bitch.”

They all laughed and fell into a comfortable conversation about work, catching up with their lives in general, and even Ethan’s bowel movements and eating habits.

“I can’t believe we’re sitting here talking about poop and what the best way to pulverize food into infant-sized chunks is. What happened to us? We used to be cool!” Corrie teased her friends. When they started to defend themselves, Corrie held up a hand. “Okay, maybe we were never really cool in the first place. But seriously, I’m so happy for you two. With all that’s stacked up against not only you having a relationship together, but also the prejudice against raising your son in today’s society, I’m thrilled to be in both your lives. And I know I’ve told you this before, but I’ll never do anything to put any of you in danger. I’d rather die than lead the guy who killed Cayley and the others to your door.”

Corrie felt a hand on her own. “I might give you crap, but Corrie, I know how much you love Emily and Ethan.” Bethany’s words were heartfelt and as serious as Corrie had ever heard. “I never dreamed I’d find a woman to love like Emily. And as sure as I stand here, I never thought I’d be a mother. Ethan means everything to me. I’d do whatever it took to keep him safe. If Satan himself walked into our house and told me to choose between my life and Ethan’s, I’d choose Ethan every time. So I get what you’re saying, and as Emily’s wife, and as Ethan’s mom, and as your friend…thank you. Seriously.”

Corrie knew she had the goofiest grin on her face, but she couldn’t help it. “We’re so sappy, aren’t we? What happened to us being cool?”

“We were never cool,” Emily laughed. “You said it yourself!”

“True!”

The three women ate their meals when they arrived and ordered a round of some frou-frou drink the waitress recommended. They were laughing and reminiscing over stories when Bethany said in a quiet voice, “Don’t look now, but there’s a hottie coming straight for the table, and he can’t take his eyes off of you, Corrie. I’m assuming your Quint has arrived.”

Corrie turned in the direction from which she’d arrived at the table in and smiled. She felt a hand on her upper back, right before she smelled Quint’s unique scent. His lips touched her temple then he spoke in his deep voice, which never failed to send a shiver down her spine. “Emily. Good to see you again. And you must be Bethany.”

Corrie could picture in her head Quint holding out his hand for Bethany to shake.

“Hi. We’ve heard a lot about you.”

“And I’ve heard nothing but good things about you, Bethany. And this little guy too.”

Corrie lost the feel of Quint’s hand as he went over to Ethan and cooed at him. Before too long he was back at her side, and Corrie heard the empty chair next to her being pulled out from the table and then Quint settle in beside her.

“Hi, sweetheart. Did you have a good day?” Quint’s voice was breathy and intimate right next to her ear.

Corrie turned to face Quint. “Yeah. It feels good to get back into the swing of things at the clinic.”

“All was quiet?”

Corrie knew what he meant. They’d talked at length regarding the reservations she had about returning to the clinic. He’d played devil’s advocate and had given her lots of reasons not to return to work, but in the end told her he’d support her no matter what she decided as long as she was careful about her security.

She nodded at his question. “Yeah, nothing out of the ordinary happened. No calls, no letters, no firebombs.” She smiled when she said the last and she felt Quint’s finger stroke down her cheek.

“Good, that’s good.”

“How was your day?”

“Same old, same old. Two reports of burglaries, one cat stuck in a tree, and twelve speeding tickets.”

“Only twelve? You’re slipping.”

Corrie heard Quint chuckle before Bethany interrupted them.

“Oh my Lord, you guys are so fucking cute it’s almost sickening.”

“Bethany! You can’t swear in front of Ethan!” Corrie turned and scolded in what was a recurring argument between them.

“Just because
you
gave up swearing, doesn’t mean I did.”

“But you’re his mom,” Corrie said, appalled. “You can’t swear around him either! You’re supposed to be peeved when other people do.”

“Cor, I think a few swear words are gonna be the least of this kid’s issues as he grows up. And you know it.”

Corrie knew what Bethany was talking about. Society was changing, but it didn’t mean it’d be easy growing up in an unconventional family environment. “Yeah, well, regardless, he shouldn’t grow up to be a potty-mouth…so his Aunt Corrie will be swear-free around him.”

The others all laughed at her righteous indignation.

“So…Quint…”

Corrie groaned, knowing Bethany was starting her inquisition.

“What’re you doing about this asshole who’s threatening our Corrie? You got any more leads on the case? ‘Cos I’ll tell ya right now, me and Emily are not likin’ it one bit.”

“I’m right there with you, Bethany. What I’m doing is working with the detective on the case to dig up as much as we can on this Shaun guy. My friend on the Texas Rangers and my other friend in the FBI are also working as hard as they can to shut this shit down. We’re not there yet, but I’ll tell you this, I’ll do everything I can to keep Corrie safe. You have my word.”

There was silence around the table for a moment and Corrie just knew Bethany was giving Quint her “bitch face.” She was about to open her mouth to try to say something…anything to break the tension, when Bethany spoke.

“Okay then. Good.”

Introductions had been made, the tension had eased, and Corrie was able to relax as her friends continued to chat about nothing in particular and get to know Quint.

He was amazing. Corrie felt his hand on the back of her chair as they talked. He’d occasionally play with a strand of her hair and rub his thumb on the back of her neck. Even though he wasn’t talking to her specifically, Corrie knew Quint’s attention was on her.

She tried to imagine what Quint saw in her friends. Emily was thirty-four and Bethany was twenty-five. Emily sometimes complained that she felt like a cougar when people gave them weird looks. They were about the same height, five-six or so, but very different in looks. Emily had crazy curly black hair that she was always complaining about being in her way, but Corrie knew was probably beautiful and lush. Bethany was slender and blonde. Even though she looked harmless and cute and kinda like a pixie, Corrie knew firsthand she could be a complete hardass. She might have gotten past being the one to start fights, but if someone else did, she was one-hundred percent in. Corrie loved them both. They were as good friends as anyone could ever have.

“Okay, kids. I hate to break this party up, but Ethan’s getting restless and we need to get him home,” Emily stated during a lull in the conversation. “Corrie? You coming with us? We can drop you off.”

“I’ll take her.” Quint’s voice was lazy, but firm.

“It’s not a big deal,” Emily said. “Her place is on our way home.”

“It’s fine. I’m happy to drop her off. You guys need to get that little guy home.”

Corrie could hear Ethan kicking and gurgling in his carrier. When Emily started to protest again, Corrie kicked where she thought her leg might be under the table to shut her up.

“Ow! Shit, Corrie. I have no idea how you always know right where my leg is!”

Corrie knew she was blushing. Darn Em for calling her out.

Quint laughed. “Come on, sweetheart. I’m sure you have to be tired.”

They all packed up their stuff and stood from the table. Corrie felt Quint’s arm go around her waist as he steered her through the tables to the front of the restaurant. When they got to the door, he shifted and took her hand in his, as he always did. Corrie squeezed his hand lightly in thanks.

“It was good meeting you, Quint,” Bethany said seriously. “You seem like a nice guy. You weren’t awkward with me or Emily at all. That means a lot to us. And because Corrie is one of our best friends, you’ll probably be seeing us again. Treat her right, would ya? Otherwise you’ll have to deal with
us
.”

Corrie winced, but she should’ve known Quint would handle Bethany with grace.

“I like Corrie. Any friend of hers is gladly a friend of mine. I couldn’t care less if you were male, female, tall, short, purple, or yellow. As long as you treat her as a friend should, I have no issues whatsoever. Good friends are hard to find. She, and I, would be stupid to care about all that other shit.”

“Good answer.” That was Emily. She hadn’t said a lot, letting Bethany take the lead, but Corrie could tell she was impressed.