I remain silent as we walk out the back door to the hotel. The alleyway between buildings smells of trash and stagnant water. Even the rays of the afternoon sun avoid the narrow walkway, keeping the place dark.
“I was trying to make money,” Miles says. “And I knew I wanted to be with a man, but that experience left me a little confused, to say the least. I went out onto the street to try again when some Vice family enforcers walked up on me. They asked me how I got my bruises, and I guess I wanted to sound tough—ya know, instead of pathetic—so I told them I got into a street fight.”
“And?”
“And that’s when they said they’d pay me to be a gun for them.” Miles shrugs. “I needed the money for Jayden, so I went with it. You know the rest of the story from there. I guess Nash and Kimmy reminded me that things could be worse.”
Hm. He’s never told me that story before. I guess there’s nothing too important in those facts, but still. I like knowing them.
“Hey,” he whispers, “I’m the one always telling you stories from my past.” Miles keeps his hands in his pockets. “You should tell me more about yourself. I want to know more about you.”
“Maybe later,” I say.
“Don’t think I’ll forget.”
“Wait!” Kimmy’s voice echoes down the alley.
Miles and I stop to turn. She jogs down to us, even in her crazy heels, and stops with a smile. I lift my eyebrow, wondering if she’s going to try to extort some more cash.
“No thugs have been around here in a long time,” she says, staring up at me. “It’s the cops. They’re crackin’ down hard. We can’t work the sides of the streets anymore, ya know? People aren’t going missing. They’re getting arrested and going to jail.”
“The cops?” I repeat, mulling over the information. “They come around here?” That’s unusual. They never did before.
“Yeah. The new deputy chief wants to put an end to crime in Noimore.”
“An end, huh?”
“He’s had his pigs arrest anyone and everyone. Even those homeless guys. For loitering. It’s gettin’ to the point that even some of the crooked cops are turning. Everyone’s in jail.”
I nod as I give her statements some thought. Crime has been going down lately. Well, everywhere but Noimore.
“I got a friend in jail too,” Kimmy says. “She’s been there for a few months now. I’m worried about her, but I don’t want to go near the place.” She taps the tips of her fingers together and says, “If you guys go there asking questions, can you tell Roslyn Applegate to call me? I just want to know when she’s gettin’ out.”
Miles pulls out his phone and commits the information to the device’s memory. “Of course. And thank you for telling us this.”
Kimmy nods. “I hope it helps.”
THE CAR ride home is far too long. Jayden’s mouth-breathing buzzes over the sound of traffic. Even his little sister leans away from him, staring out the opposite window with a frown on her face.
I can’t wait until they leave. I know Miles wants to spend his waking time with them, but it’s hard to find a connection with two kids who either hate me or ignore me. At least when we get to the house, I can do my own damn thing and avoid them.
“Who’s that?” Jayden asks, pointing forward.
I follow his gesture to a police vehicle parked outside our house. My chest seizes up, and my mouth gets dry. What the fuck are cops doing here?
Jayden leans onto the back of my seat and whispers, “Have they come to take you to the slammer, Pierce?” He gets way too much sadistic joy out of the situation. If I could, I’d turn around and break his face, but that’s not an option.
Instead I zip up my jacket, concealing the gun still in its holster.
Miles parks behind the police vehicle, and a man steps out. I hold back a slew of curse words. If it isn’t Lieutenant Rhett Walker. My favorite person.
I exit our clunker and hold the seat back so Jayden and Lacy can join their brother. Rhett saunters over with a pleasant smile on his face. Although I don’t like seeing him, I doubt he’s come here to arrest me, which is better than the alternative.
“Lacy, Jayden,” Miles says. “Can you two wait in the house?”
Both his siblings nod and head for the front door, leaving me, Miles, and Rhett to the grandiose scenery that is our dilapidated neighborhood. None of our neighbors are out and about. I blame Rhett’s presence.
“I’m sorry for dropping by unannounced,” Rhett says. “But I wanted to talk you, Miles. Not on academy time.”
Miles perks up. “Me, sir?”
“Yes. Not this weekend, but the weekend after, is the annual Blue Shield Gala.”
“I’ve heard. It’s a big deal.”
“A very big deal,” Rhett says with a wider smile. “It’s a fund raiser, and the most important law enforcement personnel are there from all over Illinois, not just Joliet.”
“Sounds amazing. But what about it?”
Rhett pats Miles on the arm. “Every year I take the top three students from the academy. You get to rub elbows with all the right people. It’s a great way to start your career.”
“Me?” Miles balks. “You want to take me?”
“Of course. You’re top in the class. I’m inviting you, Barry, and Mina.”
“Wow… I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes,” Rhett replies with a chuckle. “I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time. And I bet you look striking in a suit. First impressions with your fellow officers matter.”
Miles crosses his arms and then uncrosses them, almost like he doesn’t know what to do with himself. He turns to me and then furrows his brow. “Can Pierce
