The Officer's Promise (Brothers in Blue Book 1) by K. Langston Read Free Book Online

morning.”
    Her grandmother arrived from Oklahoma five days later and had been here since. She would have come sooner but they shut down air traffic the three days following, so MaryAnn stayed with us. Each night, after everyone else went to sleep, she would sneak out of Reese’s room and come crawl in bed with me where I held her until she cried herself to sleep in my arms. I wanted to take her pain away so badly, carry it as my own, but I didn’t know how.
    All I could do was be there for her, just like I promised.
    “I’m so scared, Ryker. I feel so alone.”
    Reaching for the back of her neck, I pulled her forward, pressing her forehead to mine. “Don’t be scared,” I whispered, trying to talk around the knot in my throat. “You’re not alone. You have me. You’ll always have me. I’ll write you every day.”
    Those sad eyes that had lost their shine ten days ago began to sparkle with hope.
    She nodded.
    “I love you, MaryAnn. Time and distance will never change that.”
    “I love you too, Ryker.”
    “Cunningham,” Lieutenant Gomez barked, interrupting my thoughts. “Meet me in my office after dismissal.”
    Shit.
    As soon as everyone cleared out, I made my way down the hall to his office. Working in the same precinct my father started out at, they all held me to a higher standard than most, especially my lieutenant, who was one of my father’s closest friends. Gomez was a pretty fair guy, though you just didn’t want to get on his bad side, and I’m pretty sure that’s where I was about to be sitting.
    “You wanted to see me, sir?”
    “Shut the door, son.”
    Following his order, I took the seat in front of him. “I wanted you to hear this from me first.” He let go of a heavy sigh. “Deveraux was released on bail this morning.”
    “Fuck. Already?”
    “Afraid so. That lawyer of his is something else. He’ll probably walk for this, which pisses me off. There needs to be better, tougher laws in place for these situations.” He shook his head. “I do have some good news though. I’ve talked to the captain, and he’s approved for you to take your vacation early, per your request.”
    I gave him a nod, silently thanking him.
    It was very rare I took this much time off, but I had put in for vacation a few months ago to attend my parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary. All of my brothers and Reese were coming into town. It’s not often we were all together at once, so I took the extra time. But after what happened with MaryAnn, I’d requested more.
    She needed me.
    “Go ahead and finish out your shift today. I’ll keep you posted when I know more,” he said, getting up from his desk and opening the door.
    “Thank you, sir.”
    Leaving his office, I fished my phone from my pocket.
    “Hey you,” MaryAnn’s voice cracked with sleep, answering on the second ring.
    “Shit, did I wake you?”
    “No, I woke up just before you called, but I haven’t made it out of bed yet. I’m too busy playing with this sweet kitty.”
    She giggled.
    I stopped mid-stride, rounding the corner.
    The seductive sleepiness of her voice raced straight to my groin. Images bombarded my mind, one after the other of her lying in the bed, playing with her sweet…
    Shit, stay focused.
    “Trent made bond.”
    “Okay,” she whispered.
    “We’ll talk more when I get home but, MaryAnn, you have nothing to worry about.”
    “I’ll have to face him eventually.”
    “Yes. But it will be when you’re ready and not a second sooner. You with me?”
    “I’m with you.”
    “Good. I’ll be home around seven. We’ll talk more then.”
    We said good-bye and I ended the call, anxious to get through this shift so I could get home to her.

M y anxiety was through the roof by the time Ryker made it home. I sat in the same spot for hours.
    Worried.
    Wondering.
    What if Trent found me? What happens when he does find me or we do come face-to-face again?
    Because, eventually, it’s bound to happen.
    Will I be strong