no. So I was here when an emergency overdose case was brought in.”
Brianne shook her head and sighed. Although her job didn’t normally bring her near the Emergency Room, she wasn’t immune to the stories or gossip. She couldn’t work in a New York City hospital and ignore the often sad stories that floated through the halls. “There are always OD cases coming in at night. What makes this one so special?”
“She’s got her own personal bodyguard. A uniformed cop is stationed outside her door, watching who comes in and out. And you know what?” Sharon leaned closer and whispered. “I checked him out this morning and he’s
Brianne had her fill of gorgeous cops at home, she thought. She didn’t need to see any at work.
“What happened to Tony?” Brianne asked of Sharon’s long-term boyfriend.
Her friend shrugged. “We’re taking a break from commitment. Anyway, you’ve got to see this guy.” Determined, Sharon grabbed Brianne’s elbow and pulled her down a hall.
“The cafeteria’s the other way,” Brianne grumbled, but she knew the faster she checked out the cute cop, the faster Sharon would be satisfied-and Brianne would finally be eating lunch. Since she’d skipped breakfast, she was starving. But the reasons why she’d missed a meal had left her sated in many other ways-ways more important to her than appetite.
She walked with Sharon, and when her friend paused, rather indiscreetly in Brianne’s opinion, across the hall from the uniformed cop, Brianne stopped as well.
“Don’t you love a man in uniform?” Sharon asked.
Brianne murmured a noncommittal response. Because one glance at the man in blue told her he couldn’t hold a candle to Jake. Then again, she hadn’t expected him to. Brianne had a hunch that Jake had set the standard by which she’d judge men for the rest of her life.
She turned to Sharon to ask if she’d had enough, when she caught sight of a pair of men standing by the elevator on the far side of the hall. There were many dark-haired men in the world, but only one with that rebel posture and rugged cutoff sweatshirt. Only one who made her heart race, made her blood pound and made her want to lose her clothes and fall into his bed.
And he was a detective who was so attracted to danger that he couldn’t stay away. Not even when he was on injury leave. Not even when he’d been shot and wounded and hadn’t completely recuperated yet. The disappointment racing through her system was strong as she accepted the truth: he was a man who would always place himself in danger on a daily basis, no matter what his occupational status.
Brianne’s pulse began a thready beat and a wave of light-headedness assaulted her, a combination of shock, nerves and anxiety. Real anxiety, the kind she hadn’t had in so long, but the kind she’d experienced again upon meeting Jake. She had no doubt she could overcome it; she just hated that she had to.
Jake. Their connection had been intense and emotional from the beginning. What she felt for him was so strong, so consuming, she was afraid to put a name to it. But raising an adolescent had taught her the value of honesty, and the least she could do was be truthful with herself.
Brianne was afraid she was falling in love with the detective. But love was everything about who a person was inside as well as out. Jake’s job was an essential part of Jake Lowell, the man. So how could she have such a strong, negative reaction to his career choice?
If she truly loved him, she had to love everything about him. And she didn’t love his job. She admired it, and him-but she couldn’t accept the circumstances that went with it. She
She’d spent years forging a safety net for Marc and herself. And Jake, a narcotics cop, was as far from safe as Brianne could possibly get. Any foolish notions she’d held about making a long-term relationship with Jake work sank along with the elevator he’d stepped into.
JAKE AND VICKERS walked out of the building and into the hot, humid New York City air.
“I hate hospitals.” Vickers gave a visible shudder.
“Then you’re in the wrong profession, my man.” A narc spent too many damn hours in hospitals.
“Well, I’m out of here. I’ve got some paperwork back at the precinct. I’ll call you when the toxicology reports are in.”
Jake nodded, swallowing around the last of the dry sandwich he’d picked up inside. While Vickers headed back to the precinct, Jake looked around for David. He found the man in his appointed spot, watching Brianne’s back from a location outside the hospital. They’d agreed they couldn’t cover all entrances and had settled for the one closest to Rehab. Since Jake couldn’t have Brianne tailed inside the hospital without her catching on, he had no choice but to trust she was safe in her daily routine.
He stopped near the sidewalk vendor who was selling hot dogs, hot pretzels and drinks from his cart. “I’ll take two colas.” Jake pulled some folded bills out of his pocket and paid the man, then walked over to David.
Jake handed a can of cola to his friend. “So what’s been going on?”
“Looks like your hunch was right. I saw your pal Ramirez taking a morning stroll outside the hospital about half an hour ago. Maybe he figured Brianne would be coming out for lunch.”
Although he’d suspected as much, Jake’s stomach clenched when he heard the news. “Damn,” he muttered.
“Don’t worry. He’s close but I’m closer.”
“Just keep it that way, pal. And remember, I’m trusting you with my life.”
“You mean
“I never say what I don’t mean, so watch her back.” Jake meant no insult. He knew David would do his best no matter what, but telling David how strongly Jake felt about Brianne helped him entrust her life to someone other than himself.
He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Vickers. “Do me a favor. Turn around and come back,” Jake said without preamble.
He hadn’t wanted to let the police in on Ramirez’s interest in Brianne, but now he had no choice. He had to get the scum off the street for good, but he’d settle for Vickers keeping him busy while Jake checked out The Eclectic Eatery. The cops could pick up Ramirez for jay-walking and detain him for a little while. That was all the time Jake needed to do a little experimenting himself. He’d order off The Eclectic Eatery menu and, with a little luck, he’d score drugs. Then they’d be able to nail Ramirez and keep him in custody where he belonged.
Luck had better be on his side, Jake thought. Because if he came up empty and they had to let Ramirez go, Jake would have to tell Brianne he’d put her in danger-he’d have no choice. Without that knowledge, she wouldn’t be aware and careful enough to protect herself inside the hospital. On trips to the ladies’ room and supply closets, Brianne needed to be alert and on guard.
But he shuddered to think of her reaction. And he hated causing her pain or a return to the old fears she thought she’d put behind her. He knew Brianne was strong. She’d pull herself together enough to get through this. On a personal level, however, being honest with Brianne would mean not just the end of his summer fling, but losing her trust and faith in him, probably for good.
JAKE STEPPED INSIDE the too-quiet penthouse. With the silence surrounding him, he missed his apartment, a place where he could slam his front door shut in pure anger. Goddamn pansy elevator and its easy glide did nothing to alleviate his frustration. Norton slid on his run to greet Jake as he entered the apartment.
Jake scratched the back of his ear, the same way he’d seen Brianne pet the dog. Norton wasn’t satisfied and lowered himself to the floor, seeking a longer stretch of attention. No matter how much love and affection Brianne gave him at night, they were both still gone during most of the day. The pooch was obviously starving for affection if he sought it from Jake. He leaned down on his knees, gave the dog the petting he desired and got slobbered on for his trouble.
Before he could unwind and lose the tension of the day, Jake took Norton for a quick walk. Thank goodness, the dog cooperated, and he was back home before he knew it-home to mull over his unsuccessful trip to the gourmet shop where he’d failed to score. Of course, the order that signaled a request for drugs could change weekly or even daily. Jake had known that going in, but he’d still hoped this case would have an easy wrap-up. For Brianne’s sake. He dreaded reigniting her anxieties, and now he had no choice.
