Sin City Uniform 01 - All Fired Up by Morticia Knight Read Free Book Online Page A

guy, so he would likely have to get his info from him in bite sized pieces. As with Vicki though, he appreciated that the man was a straight shooter. He didn’t anticipate having to sift through a lot of bullshit.
    They arrived at the diner on the other side of the interstate and although a little run down, when they stepped inside Shawn was assailed with the aroma of homemade food. He could see why Trent would want to make it a regular destination. They sat in a booth across from one another in the very back, the place thankfully almost empty. Shawn was thrown when the waitress only handed a menu to him. He lifted his eyebrows at Trent.
    “I already know what’s on that.”
    “Any recommendations?”
    “I’d have to know what you like.”
    “You could always ask.”
    Trent considered him, his eyes narrowing a little.
    “Okay. I’m asking.”
    “As much as I love comfort food once in a while, I tend to eat fairly healthy.”
    “I like all the salads, but they make a damn good Cobb. I also like the turkey and avocado sandwich.”
    Shawn glanced over the well-worn menu, the plastic laminate peeling away on parts of the edges. “Hmm. Actually, the turkey avocado sounds excellent. I think I’ll go for that.”
    The server returned. Trent gently took the menu from Shawn and handed it to her.
    “Two turkey avocado sandwiches, Lora.” He looked at Shawn. “Drink?”
    “Iced tea, no lemon.”
    He turned back to Lora. “I’ll have the same with iced tea too, but bring lemon with mine.”
    “Sure thing, Trent.”
    After she walked away, they were back to staring at one another. This time when heat rose to his face, it had nothing to do with the temperature.
    “You still haven’t told me why you threw me over your shoulder like a caveman last night.”
    He wants forthright. I’ll give him forthright.
    Trent made a small grunt. “That wasn’t my intent.”
    “Fine. What was your intent then?”
    Trent cast his eyes down and fiddled with the spoon lying on his paper napkin. Lora came by with their drinks. Trent thanked her and waited until she’d walked away again before speaking.
    “How’s your lip?”
    “ What ? Are you nuts? Why can’t you answer a simple question?”
    Shawn’s frustration grew. Trent could blurt most things out without hesitation, yet this one topic he kept dancing around.
    What the hell?
    Squirming in the booth, Trent clasped his hands in front of him. Shawn noted how white his knuckles became from the obvious tension-filled grip Trent had on them.
    “I lost my lover, my partner and best friend while he was in the line of duty.” Trent met his gaze. “He was on the Homeland Security SAT team and was the first one on the scene of a robbery at a casino. He was shot in the head and died instantly. When I saw you in trouble at the Bellagio—saw you almost drown—it was too much…” Trent lowered his eyes for a moment as if to gather himself before raising them again and continuing. “I like you a lot. Last night was uncalled for, but I want you to understand that it came from a place of concern. All I could think of was getting you to safety.”
    Holy shit.
    “Oh God, Trent, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
    Shawn was taken aback by the revelation. He wished Vicki had warned him. She had to know, didn’t she?
    “Don’t worry about last night. It was just my stupid pride that was hurt.” He cleared his throat. “And I really appreciate what you did at the Bellagio. Truth be told, I was scared shitless. I actually thought I was a goner.”
    He looked at Trent with as much sincerity as he could muster.
    “Thank you for that. I mean it.”
    Trent dipped his chin in acknowledgment. Lora approached the table with their food and they went about eating.
    “Mmm. Thanks for the suggestion. This is really good.”
    Shawn spied what he was sure was an actual smile on Trent’s face. It hadn’t occurred to him until that moment that he never saw Trent smile much. When he did, it