With Visions of Red: Book 3 (The Broken Bonds 3)

I ignore Carson’s comment and instead check my phone. Sadie had one of the computer guys at the station install GPS software on our phones so we can locate the other quickly.

Right now, she’s still at the department. As long as that little green dot on my screen stays active, I’m able to breathe. And to put up with Carson’s shit. He hasn’t stopped talking since we got in the car.

“I mean, a member of the ACPD. A profiler, no doubt.” Carson glances over at me, a smug smile stretching his face. “That’s a pretty worthy notch. Makes you look real good. Hell, and it’s Sadie. Tight little ass. Nice, perky tits. The other officers will probably take it easy on you just for the fact that you got in her pants, man. Not that she hasn’t been around. But that’s just inner office gossip.” He sends me another smile. “You know that, right?”

Normally, I’d have him jacked up against his seat and on his way out the car door for talking about her that way, but I’m letting his bullshit roll right off. I get it—the petty attempt to rile me, to trip me up. I’m just offended he thinks I’m simple enough to fall for some cliché detective shit.

He pulls into a spot in front of The Lair. Turns toward me as he opens his door. “Of course, not all the rumors are that far off. You know how freaky she is. It’s kind of obvious why Quinn has me babysitting you. Keeping you away from Sadie so he can have her to himself.”

Still, I’m not above jealousy when it comes to Sadie. Carson is probing for a weak spot. And when my grip tightens on the phone, he chuckles.

“For Sadie’s sake, and what she’s going through right now…” I say as I get out of the car and look at him from across the roof. “I’m not going to give you what you want. We can spend all day taking jabs at each other. Or we can work together.”

His eyes squint. “We’re not partners. We’re not working together, dude. You’re a fucking suspect in a criminal investigation, and your brother—and this club—is in the middle of all of it.”

I shrug. “Even so, you need my cooperation.” I slam the door shut. “You need a lot more from me than I do from you, rook. Trying to push my buttons so I take a swing at you and get locked up for the day? Not happening. Though, I would really love to put my fist through your face.” I smile. “Rain check?”

He flips me off.

As we head to the front door, I pull my key ring out and Carson straightens his tie. “Just get your brother here. That’s all the cooperation I need from you.”

That tick in my eye has Carson’s name on it. As soon as this is over…

My train of thought veers off as I nudge the door and it cracks open. Carson already has his gun drawn as he pushes me aside and takes up the front.

“Stay here,” he says, knocking the door open with his foot. He quickly checks all angles before he moves into the club.

Watching him is like watching a cop show. For all of Carson’s douchery, he takes charge like a true cop. But I’m not one to hang back. I follow his lead, checking the hallway entrance twice, before I enter the main level.

“I should have a gun,” I say as I look for anything out of place. This could’ve been a break-in, but what kind of person needs to rob a BDSM club? I can’t imagine anyone being that hard up.

Carson called it when he said the club is at the center of all this. I know my role, why the UNSUB has it out for me, but there’s got to be more. Which really has me questioning what my brother’s part is. Julian has to play some role of his own. I need to get a handle on that before Carson does.

When Carson feels the bottom level is clear, he lowers his gun. “The last thing I’m doing is giving you a gun.” He shakes his head. “You’re a fucking suspect. Do you not get that?”

“Yeah, I get that. But according to Sadie’s profile, so is everyone at the department. That includes you, Detective Dick.” He starts toward me, but I keep moving toward the stairs. Every second wasted fighting with Carson is a second keeping me away from Sadie. “Let’s check the surveillance. It doesn’t look like whoever was here stole anything. Nothing’s wrecked or damaged. Doubt it’s vandalism.”

He laughs. “Now you’re a detective? Why don’t you stick with the pervy shit and leave the detecting to me.”

I start to lead the way up the spiral staircase, but Carson jumps ahead. Fine by me. He can take the bullet.

Once we reach the top level, I find the office door unlocked and open. A sick feeling worms its way into my stomach as I enter. Nothing looks touched, but there’s an eerie feeling floating through the room, as if someone was just here.

“Pull up the surveillance,” Carson says. He sinks into one of the cushioned chairs, but keeps his gun at the ready.

I take a seat behind the desk. “We’re not partners, remember? And I sure as hell don’t work for you. So don’t bark orders at me.”

He smiles and bats his eyes. “Pretty please?”

I punch my password in and glance up. “What is your issue with me? Just because you think you have some evidence…that proves what? That I know my rope?”

His brow furrows. “My gut instinct says you’re involved.”

I guess I can’t argue with that. I’m not exactly innocent. But I keep Sadie’s words from last night close. She’s all the exoneration I need.

“It’s up,” I say. Carson moves to stand beside me as I launch the playback footage of last night. “I should check the log of the break-in first.”