It seemed so simple from Grey’s point of view, but… “Our jobs—”
“Are a fucking issue that you can fix,” Grey retorted harshly. “You made the mess, yes. Now, go clean it up.” He slapped a hand on Maddox’s shoulder. “Take my advice, buddy. Go swallow your goddamn pride, do what you need to do to right this situation, and go claim what’s fucking yours.”
Chapter 13
Day three without Maddox…well, sucked. All through the passing days, Joss thought over her decision, doubted herself, then decided it was for the best. Self-preservation was her only recourse, but it didn’t mean she had to like it. Even Emilia had warned her. Don’t fall in love with him.
Since she’d started back up with Maddox, she’d kept worrying about falling in love with him. The truth was, she’d been in love with him all along. Sure, at first, she was in love with the way he touched her. But then she’d realized the guy behind the sizzling touches was even better. Honorable, sweet at the right moments, strong when he needed to be. For the first time, she couldn’t hide behind the shield she kept up to protect herself. He’d been the guy she’d always been looking for, and that’s why no one measured up to him.
But he’d recently changed the game. He’d gotten jealous, and that had only made things more confusing. Sure, it would have been easy to hope that he’d be the guy she wanted him to be. Of course, she could hope that he would decide that she was the one for him and they could be together, no longer hiding and pretending they didn’t have something special between them. But then she’d end up being like every girl from his past, just like he’d said: “Girls who think they can change me.”
Hell-to-the-no, she would not be that girl, she decided…again…as she held onto the paper cup of her piping-hot coffee and strode through police headquarters, studying how different HQ was than the other precincts in Seattle. Criminals didn’t get processed at this downtown location, so for the most part, the building looked cleaner, friendlier. Hell, even fancier.
Once she’d reached the big corner office, she found the man she needed to talk to today sitting behind his desk, reading documents set out before him. The city skyline was a stunning view out the wall of windows behind him as she knocked on the door.
The Chief of Police glanced up and then greeted her with a warm smile. “Joss. What a terrific surprise. Please, come in.” He rose immediately and moved to her as she entered his office, then he took her into a warm embrace.
She rested her cheek against his shoulder, hugging him right back. She figured that most rookies found Eric to be a little intimidating, but she never had. Beneath his tough exterior was a big, cuddly bear, whom she had many fond memories of from when she was a child. Most of her summers while growing up had been spent at Eric’s family lake house. His daughter, Lana, had been Joss’s childhood friend from as early as she could remember until tenth grade. Eric’s bitter divorce, and Lana’s mother’s move to Chicago, was the only reason Lana and Joss weren’t still close. Of course, they had tried to keep in touch over email, but sadly, life often got in the way.
When Eric finally leaned away, he gave her a long look. “You’re looking well.” He tapped her arms and smiled. “And strong. Look what the academy’s done to you.”
“Toughened me up, for sure.” She smiled back.
“Please, take a seat.” He waved to the chairs in front of his desk. “How are things?”
There were a million ways to answer that question. Instead of making this conversation too complicated, she took her seat and said, “Things are great. And you?”
“Busy, as always,” Eric said, returning to his chair behind his desk. “But it’s a good busy. Are they treating you well in the west?”
“Very well, thank you.”
Eric leaned forward in his seat and steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “I’m pleased to hear that. And while I love to see you, I’m guessing your visit today isn’t personal?”
“Actually, it kinda is.” It had taken all her courage to come here today because this could backfire in her face in the most epic of ways, but she’d never let something that scared her before hinder her, so… “I was wondering if it were possible for me to request a transfer?”
Eric’s brows drew together, obvious irritation rising to his face. “Did you not tell me the west was treating you well?”
“Oh, they are,” she retorted quickly, twining her hands in her lap, desperate to stop the slight shake. “It’s not the precinct, or any of my superiors, or fellow cops for that matter. It’s personal.”