Chapter Twenty-One

Cameron

As soon as I pulled into the designated area for officers, I could tell something was up. There were way too many official government cars behind the locked gate. I walked into the station and saw it was buzzing with activity. There were a lot of DEA jackets milling about.

I found Noah right away.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Noah let out a long whistle, shaking his head. “The shit is going to hit the fan.”

“Why? What’s with the DEA?”

“That meth cooker I told you about. They think they know where he is. Well, they’ve narrowed it down to three locations,” he said.

“Wow. So are they going in with our narcotics unit?”

“I’m not sure. We’re on the list for the special briefing,” he said in a voice filled with hesitation.

“We’re what? Who put us on that?” I growled. “I’m not a detective or SWAT.”

I hated these operations. Technically, I loved the adrenaline rush and I loved doing something new and exciting, but I hated the risk that went along with the excitement. I couldn’t put my life at any more risk than it already was when I put on the uniform. I took a few deep breaths. I would do the job I was asked to do. I would never let my brothers in blue down. I had a will in place and knew that if something were to happen to me, my parents would make sure Ella was taken care of. I just hated the thought of her losing another parent.

“It’s going to be fine, man.” Noah clapped me on the shoulder. “I’m about ready to ditch this uniform anyway. Don’t you want to get into the narc unit? That’s what you used to say.”

I shrugged. “That was before.”

“You can’t let all that keep you from living your life. Shit happens every single day. You could be driving home or sitting in your backyard and something drops out of the sky. You have to trust fate. I, for one, am tired of seeing your ugly mug in that ugly uniform. I know it’s a real panty-dropper and the ladies love the sexy cop thing, but it’s time to move on from street patrol,” he said.

It wasn’t anything new. He had said it before. My parents had as well. Hell, even I was always thinking about it.

“Let’s just get through this op and we’ll see.”

We headed into the briefing room that was packed full of street cops, narc cops, DEA, and members of the SWAT team. I wasn’t going to lie; my heart was racing with excitement.

Noah and I were put on different teams. We wished each other luck and safety and headed out. I must have checked my vest a dozen times, making sure it was in place. I slapped on the SWAT-issued hard hat and made sure the chinstrap was on tight. It gave me flashbacks to heading out on patrol in the desert on the other side of the world.

“This is it!” the team leader hollered out to those of us lined up on the benches in the back of the van. “Stay alert! This guy isn’t going to make this easy! Head out!”

We climbed out of the van, took our positions surrounding the house, and watched as another small team tried to make contact. In a flurry of motion, things escalated. There was a lot of shouting and demands for the occupant of the home to exit. He refused.

The team leader came over the com. “Sit tight, everyone. We’ve got ourselves a standoff.”

The first hour stretched on with nothing happening. The guy on the loudspeaker demanded the guy in the house come out. The dude wasn’t budging. By the end of the fourth hour, I was ready to go in, guns blazing, just to bring an end to the damn thing.

“We’ve got movement!” someone called out over the com.

My finger hovered over the trigger of my rifle as my heart kicked up and then slowed with the training the Marines had given me. I took a few deep breaths and prepared for things to get crazy.

The man came out, his hands raised. In a flash, four agents were on him, taking him to the ground. Another team searched the house, declared it was empty, and just like that, it was all over. I was relieved and disappointed. It hadn’t exactly been the action I was anticipating.

When I got back to the station, Noah was already there.

“What a day,” I said on a sigh.

“No kidding. At least you guys got a guy. We sat outside a house for hours only to find out it was vacant. The only criminals inside were the family of mice. It was disgusting,” he complained.

“We sat outside for five hours, guns trained on a house, only to find out the dude holed up inside was just one of the minions. The Cooker outsmarted us again. The DEA guys were pissed. I think they need to scrape together better intel. This is getting old.”

Noah chuckled. “Don’t let them hear you criticize their operation. They’ve got this idea they are gods in the law enforcement world.”

“I thought that was the Feebees?” I joked.

Noah laughed again. “We measly beat cops are just along for the ride.”

I shrugged a shoulder. “I’m cool with that. The chief said I was done for the day. What about you?”

Noah nodded. “Yep. Easy day. I’m going home, opening a cold beer, and watching whatever I can find on TV.”

“I get to be home in time to eat dinner with Ella. Hopefully my mom made one of those casseroles for us.” I grinned.

“You’re such a mama’s boy.”

“Don’t be jealous.”

We grabbed our stuff and headed for the parking lot.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I told him, waving before climbing into my truck.

When I pulled into my driveway, my gaze automatically drifted over to Scarlett’s house, checking to see if she was home. I saw her car in the driveway and thought about knocking on the door to check on her. I knew I had offended her yesterday when I brushed her off. She was a smart girl and had quickly picked up on it.

I walked into the house and heard her voice. What the hell?

“Mom?” I called out.

“In here!” she replied.

Scarlett was sitting at the breakfast bar, Ella beside her, watching my mother make dinner.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“You’re home early. Everything okay?” my mom asked, as if it were completely normal for Scarlett to be in my kitchen.

“I should get going,” Scarlett mumbled, clearly uncomfortable with my presence.

“Are you going to come?” my mother asked her.

“Come where?” I asked, wondering what the hell was happening.

“I’ve invited Scarlett to dinner at the house tomorrow night,” my mother replied casually.

“Oh.”

Scarlett looked as uncomfortable as I felt. Things were a little tense between us.

“She’s promised to bring a bottle of wine from her parents’ winery!” my mother said with a great deal of excitement.

“Are you sure I can’t bring anything else?” Scarlett asked timidly.

“No, dear. You just come along with Cam and Ella,” my mom assured her.

I looked at Scarlett again. This time, she met my eyes. I was immediately reminded of how beautiful she was. Her hair was pulled up in a loose knot on top of her head, exposing her face. Her pretty green eyes looked more remarkable with her hair pulled back. She looked casual in a pair of skinny jeans and a flowing shirt. The woman could have been a model. Well, maybe not one of the tall, super-thin kind of models, but she was stunning nonetheless.

“Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Scarlett said and stepped around me to head toward the door.

“I’ll walk you out,” I murmured, ignoring the look my mother gave me.

She was playing matchmaker. I didn’t think it was my place to explain Scarlett’s story and why a relationship with her could be dangerous for Ella. However, if she kept pushing the issue, I was going to have to explain why it wasn’t a good idea.

“I’m sorry,” Scarlett mumbled at the door. “I didn’t mean for her to invite me, and then she did. I tried to come up with an excuse, but your mother is a persistent woman.”

I grinned and shook my head. “You have no idea.”

“I could tell her I have to go home,” she said, looking at her hands.

“No. It’s fine. Look, Scarlett, about yesterday—”

“You don’t have to explain. I understand.”

I gave a brief nod. “Have you heard from him? Any flowers or phone calls?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

“That’s good.”

“Yes, it is. I hope he got it out of his system, and now that he’s seen you, and me with you, he’ll back off. Thanks again. I really do appreciate you being there.”

“Scarlett, I wanted to be. I’m still here if you need anything,” I said, reaching out to grab her shoulder. “Please, don’t take any of this the wrong way. I like hanging out with you.”

The moment the words crossed my lips, I knew I had fucked up. It was the classic “it’s me, not you” line. I hadn’t meant for it to come out like that.

“Thanks,” she said, and I could practically feel the daggers jabbing into my chest.

She walked out the door before I got another chance to try to explain what I meant. It was probably for the best. I had already inserted my foot into my mouth. Trying to explain it would only make me look like more of an asshole.

I watched her walk across the lawn and waited for her to go inside. I stood outside a few more seconds to make sure she didn’t come out of the house screaming because Isaac had ransacked it again while she was out. I wouldn’t put anything past the psycho.

I went back into the kitchen to find my mother smiling like the cat that ate the canary.

“What?” I grumbled.

“Oh, nothing. She is such a pretty woman.”

I shrugged. “I suppose.”

She smirked. “You can admit when you’re attracted to someone.”

“Mo-o-o-m,” I said, making wide eyes at the back of Ella’s head.

My daughter was way too smart and turned to look at me. “I know you like her, Dad. Remember, we already talked about this,” she said as if she were my mother.

My mom smiled and raised an eyebrow. “Which is exactly why we invited Scarlett to dinner. Ella enjoys her company, I think she is great, and I’d like to get to know the people in your life a little better.”

“She’s not in my life, Mom.”

She waved a hand at me as she slid the lasagna she had made into the oven. “You can say that, but Ella tells me she’s been here for dinner and a very early breakfast.”

She shut the oven and turned to look at me with one hand on her hip.

Busted!

I ignored the suggested accusation and quickly changed the subject. “We’ll be there tomorrow. Since Scarlett is bringing wine, does that mean I’m supposed to dress up?”

“Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable,” she said in a nonchalant tone, which translated to don’t you dare embarrass me by looking like a ragamuffin.

“Got it. Thanks for the dinner.” I kissed her on the cheek before she grabbed her purse to leave.

I headed for my room to change, and once again my thoughts turned to Scarlett. If Isaac was really out of the picture, there was no reason Scarlett and I couldn’t date. I liked her, and it felt right. Other women had never truly attracted me to them beyond the bed. I actually enjoyed spending time with Scarlett, and Ella liked her as well.

Maybe, just maybe, it was time to move on.