Lifeline

“Hold up!” I grab a shirt from the drawer and run after him. “Put this on. I don’t need my sister seeing you half-naked.”

He takes the shirt and shrugs it on. “You jealous, JJ?”

Not even trying to hide it, I nod. “Yes. I don’t share what’s mine.”

Heat simmers in his eyes, then he turns around, and taking the stairs down, he mutters, “Can’t fuck her with Lindsay on the way.”

Walking into the office on Monday, I don’t even get time to put down my bag when Chief Archer calls out, “Everyone in the meeting room.”

I glance at O’Brien, but he just shrugs.

We all file inside and grab a seat at the table.

Chief Archer’s lips curve up. “First things first, O’Brien and JJ got engaged over the weekend.”

Rossi lets out a happy shriek and instantly grabs hold of my left hand. “Not bad, O’Brien.”

Everyone takes turns to congratulate us, then the chief says, “Dobroshi was apprehended at a roadblock in New Mexico.”

Holy shit!

My eyes dart to O’Brien, but his face remains blank.

“Dobroshi has agreed to turn state’s evidence in exchange for witness protection for his family and himself.”

That means he won’t be prosecuted, and after the trial’s over, he and his family will disappear with new identities.

The chief shakes his head. “He’s already delivered known contacts, the routes they used for smuggling, and a shipment of women that was en route.”

My mouth drops open. “Wow.”

“Yes. Wow,” Chief agrees. “We’ve hit the jackpot with Dobroshi. The hearing starts on March twenty-fourth. I want you all going over every single piece of evidence with a fine-tooth comb.”

Chief runs through a couple of details with us, and when the meeting’s over, I follow O’Brien out of the office to the kitchen. My eyes keep darting to his face while he fixes us each a cup of coffee. Handing me a cup, he mutters, “You’re staring, JJ.”

We head out the side door so O’Brien can smoke, and when I’m sure we’re alone, I ask, “How do you feel about Dobroshi turning state’s evidence?”

With his eyes on me, he takes a sip of his coffee, then says, “I think it’s the best thing for his wife and kids. This way, he gets out of that life. They’ll be safe.”

I let out a relieved breath, and when I notice he’s not going to smoke, I ask, “You quitting cigarettes?”

He nods, then a sexy smirk forms on his face. “Yeah, I have a new addiction.”

Instantly, I smile. “What?”

Heat flashes in his eyes, making me hot under the collar. “You know what.”

I pull a disgruntled face. “Really want to kiss you right now.”

He shakes his head. “Not at work.” A playful smile tugs at his mouth. “But once we get home, it’s a whole different story.”

Home.

“We’re going to be busy this week,” I mention. “Thanks for arranging a moving company to pack everything.”

Taking out his phone, he checks the time. “Lindsay will be okay handling everything, right?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry.”

“I’ll always worry,” he mumbles before drinking the last of his coffee. “Come, Jefferson. Time to get to work.”

“Yes, sir.”

O’Brien

I smile as I reach a hand out to Warden Geary. “It’s been a while. How’s Bethany and the twins?”

“They’re good. The twins are almost taller than me,” he grins. “What brings you by?”

When we’re both seated, I get right to the point, “Can you tell me who controls the pipeline for getting cigarettes and weed into the prison?”

“Why?” Warden Geary’s lips curve up.

“I need a favor. It’s personal.”

“Is this about what happened to your partner?” he gets right to the point.

“Agent Jefferson is now my fiancée.”

The warden’s eyebrows lift, then he nods. “Burt Stern is in charge of the pipeline. He’s neo-Nazi.”

Perfect.

“Can I meet with him? In private.”

The warden makes the call for Stern to be brought to me, then asks, “Should I prepare myself for a mountain of paperwork.”

“I’ll owe you a favor.”

He lets out a chuckle then stands up. “By the way, congratulations on your engagement, Daniel.”

“Thank you.” I get up and watch as he leaves the office. I wait close to ten minutes before Stern is brought in, cuffs in place around his ankles and wrists. He looks at the guard as the door is shut, leaving him alone with me, then he turns his attention to me and waits.

“I hear you’re in control of the pipeline in and out of the prison.”

He shrugs.

“You’ll receive a new cellmate. I want you to make him your bitch.”

Stern doesn’t look affected by my request. “That’s it?”

“When he stops screaming, silence him for good.”

He nods. “What’s in it for me?”

“Your pipeline remains open.” I walk to the door, but before I open it, I say, “By the way, he’s Albanian. Highly trained.”

Stern nods. “It will be fun.”

I open the door, and stepping out, I wait for the guards to bring Stern out before looking at Warden Geary. “Move Zef Rama to Stern’s cell.”