He definitely had a convincing story, but she wouldn’t fall for it. He could tell whopper lies with a straight face.
“I can’t name all the laws you’ve broken by impersonating an officer.” She shoved the door shut with a little too much force. “If you’ll give me a few minutes, I can pawn Pike’s replacement off on someone, then I should be free to leave. Can you wait?”
“Unfortunately, no. I—”
“Oh.” The disappointment she’d swallowed each time she’d hit a dead end trying to discover his identity crept into her throat.
“I have an appointment. Since I don’t officially start until next week, the captain said I could come by later. Your dad said you couldn’t make it this afternoon.”
“How did you know?” She stomped down the part of her that wanted to believe. Smashed whatever made her want to jump to the conclusion he was taking Pike’s place and that’s why he was in her office. “Oh, you are thorough, I’ll give you that.”
“Darby…”
She watched his chest expand and waited for the release. “Are you… Are you holding your breath?” She was afraid to ask. Afraid of the answer.
Erren quickly exhaled, slightly shaking his head.
“Oh, my God. It’s true. You really are working here?”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.” He moved around the corner of Pike’s desk, planting himself on the edge of hers and fiddling with the amber paperweight. Each time he tossed it in the air, she imagined him tossing her heart from one hand to the other. Yes, melodramatic and severely over the top…but she had an excuse—she loved the guy.
“I heard your brother’s awake. Sometime last week?” He set the chunk of amber down on her desk.
“Yeah, he woke up like nothing was wrong, surprised that he was in the hospital. But he remembers that Knighton shot him and Walter,” she said.
“We know that Knighton was following your brother. We can only assume he didn’t know what he’d stumbled upon until he told Thrumburt. It just snowballed from there when I started asking questions.”
She tried to focus on what he was saying. But her heart was screaming for him to acknowledge her. How could he just sit there and talk about the case? How would she work with him across the room if he acted like a partner?
“So…you gave up the excitement of undercover work for this mundane job teaching cadets?”
Erren looked out the window at cadets on the training course. Every inch of him was uncomfortable. Had he misread her feelings that much? Hell, he thought she’d at least say how much she’d missed him. Sure as the sun rose he’d missed her. She’d been on his mind every passing minute of his exile at the FBI safe house.
She’d kept a cool head and a noncaring attitude since he’d arrived, but Erren could see through her. Yeah, Darby had learned how to lie in the last three weeks. But not well enough. She may have his tell down pat, but he knew hers, too.
“Sort of.” He shrugged.
“More mystery?” She shrugged back.
Erren recognized the same attitude in the movement they’d both utilized. Ambivalence, the shrug he used to cover what he didn’t want to say aloud. She had it down to perfection, making his read of her more difficult. “They brought me in to lead a special task force. The higher-ups actually suggested you’d be perfect to work with.”
“But?”
“I didn’t think it would be a good idea.” Trying to tease her, he’d mistakenly hurt her again, hitting her where she was most vulnerable…her lack of confidence in herself.
“Right. I don’t take orders well enough. I rush in and muck up undercover operations. I can just imagine what type of recommendation you’d give me.”
“I don’t think you do. You’re perfect for the job. I thought we’d keep Pike’s operation going…working together, but…” He watched her bite her lip but keep her face emotionless, like a cop listening intently. “But I think the department frowns on officers dating. So I’ll need to transfer to a different division.” He caught himself holding his breath and wanted to risk everything. He said what he’d wanted to ever since seeing her behind that desk. “I really want to kiss you, Darby.”
He reached for her hand, desperate to touch her, but she avoided him.
“It’s an interesting offer.”
“But I don’t think you’re being completely honest.” She poked him in his abdomen and grinned. “I asked Michael about how he lived. He swore he never sold drugs or paid his rent with drug money and that Pike gave him everything he needed. How could the man afford to support my brother?”
“Well, he…um… He didn’t actually pay for anything.”
“I’m not following.” She frowned.
“It was me. Don’t get the wrong idea. I mean, I’m not old-money wealthy or anything.”
“What? You’re not Bruce Wayne?”
“I have a trust fund that provided what Pike needed to make this operation work.” He slipped his hand around her waist but she avoided his grasp.
“Spill it, mister. No more secrets.”
Darby stepped closer to him, tapping his name plate. The name that clearly read Rhodes. “I know that’s not real. I’ve called in favors, took advantage of my celebrity status and run searches in every database law enforcement has to offer. Erren Rhodes does not exist.”
“I’m standing right in front of you, O’Malley.”
Capturing her hand in his, Erren pulled her to his chest and enclosed her arms within his. He tilted her chin back with the tip of his finger until he could see the emerald sparkle of her eyes.
“Be honest, you’ve got a thing for me, right?”
She nodded and raised her lips to his.
He gave away his heart in the kiss and never wanted it back. Darby was the woman he’d never allowed himself to imagine.
“So who are you really, cowboy?”
Before he answered, he waited for the slender quizzical arch of her brow that he adored. “Just the guy who loves you.”
THANKS Devona…for Erren. Jill…whew, nine weeks. Amy, Carol, Kim, Kym, Regina & Robin…there are no words thankful enough. And Kourtney…we made it to Disney World!
