Bucked (The Invincibles 6)

?

?Doesn’t look familiar.”

How was this guy the chief of a police force the size of DC Metro’s? “He’s on my detail now. That’s probably all you need to know.”

“Decker said you’re leaving tomorrow. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I shrugged. “Safer than staying here.”

Jinx held out his hand. When I took it, he pulled me to my feet. “I’m going to miss you, TJ,” he said, embracing me.

I heard the door open. “Everything okay in here?” Buck asked.

“It’s fine,” I said, backing away. “Jinx was just leaving.” I looked from Buck back to Jinx. “Before you go, I’m assuming you took Barb’s laptop into evidence. How soon can I get it back?”

“We didn’t find a computer, laptop or otherwise.”

My eyes met Buck’s.

“I’ll walk you out,” he said to Jinx.

“You won’t reconsider?” he asked.

“Reconsider what?”

“Sticking around here.”

“I didn’t realize you were really asking.”

“If I was?”

I shook my head. Jinx leaned down and brushed my lips with his. The kiss was chaste but made me uncomfortable nonetheless.

When Buck cleared his throat, Jinx studied me.

“You should go,” I mumbled.

“I’ll be in touch,” he said before leaning down to kiss me again. When he left, I walked over and closed the door behind him. For a moment, I thought about locking it but turned off the light and got back in bed without doing so.

As I expected, within a couple of minutes, the door eased open.

“You okay, Stella?” asked Buck.

“I’m fine.”

“Goodnight, then.”

“Goodnight, Buck.” Was it my imagination, or was there an edge to his voice?

I wasn’t sure how long I’d been lying awake, staring into nothing, unable to sleep, when my phone vibrated. I picked it up from the bedside table and swiped the screen with my finger.

You still awake? said the text from Buck.

I smiled. Yeah. Guess you are too.

Can’t sleep.

Why not?