Gabe

The cold air nips at my ears. I pull the collar of my jacket up higher, hoping to keep the bitter air out. I thought New York City was cold and believe me, it is. But this shit up here is freezing. Right down to your bones.

My mind races as I walk the perimeter of the shelter, looking for anything out of the ordinary. It could be any hint of evidence from a single shoe to a secret camera stashed somewhere. So far, we have no evidence our criminal is taking these girls.

He’s getting them from somewhere, though. Using them, abusing them, and then selling them for sex. We’re pretty sure we’ve uncovered his business. Now we need to watch and wait and find out where he’s getting his product from.

I hate cases like these. Using women and children. Fucking disgusting.

Making it back around to my car, I get in, starting the engine. I turn the air down low as I wait for the car to warm up. My mind drifts back to that woman.

The sexy, brown curls in her eyes. Her soft face with a sprinkling of freckles across her cheeks. I approached her thinking she’d be nice, helpful. Instead, she bit my head off, instantly setting off a spark of anger. Forget asking her for anything.

Why did she have to be so damn sexy, though?

I run my hands through my hair and sigh. A woman should be the last thing on my mind right now.

Exhaustion runs through me. All I want is to head back to my townhouse and love on my dog. I’m waiting on a call from my cousin in hopes she has some news for me. All week she’s been lying low, saying she’s been doing detective work as much as she can without my aunt getting suspicious.

I’m so close to getting my uncle right under my thumb in hopes of nailing him once and for all. Right along with my brothers. I clench the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white. My heart pounds in my ears as the memories play in my head like a record on repeat.

I clench my teeth and will them away. I can’t clog my mind with all that shit right now. I have work to do. And plenty of it.

My phone breaks the silence, my partner’s name flashing on the screen. “Gabe here,” I answer, bracing myself for any news.

“Hey. Any luck today?” Anne’s voice comes down the line, all business and to the point.

“No, not much. I’ve been scoping out the place, went on a tour. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Shit. Not what I was hoping to hear.”

“I know, but listen, I made us an appointment for an adoption. This way we can get inside more, see what the process is like. Maybe get some clues.”

“We fucking need some.” Anne huffs. “I didn’t have much luck either.”

“No leads on anyone?”

“No, but I do want to go over something with you down at the station. There have been some reports of suspicious activity at one of the new hair salons that opened in town. It’s probably a long shot, but what else do we have?”

“I’ll be over in thirty.” I end the call and back my rental car out of its parking space. So much for heading to the townhouse now. Duty calls.

* * *

I’m greeted with a wet tongue and lots of sniffing as soon as my townhouse door opens. I hit the light switch, the rental townhouse filling with a soft glow, Luna’s cute face smiling up at me.

“Hey, girl,” I mumble, rubbing her head, her tongue finding my palm like usual. “Did you enjoy your day?”

Luna answers me with lots of kisses, her drool coating my hand. Her tail wags frantically as I search for the leash. Where in the hell did I put it?

Luna barks, her leash hanging from her mouth. This dog is something else. I ruffle her ears and chuckle. Throwing my suit on the bed, I change into my workout clothes and head out the door.

After Luna relieves herself outside, we take a fast run around the lot of townhouses, the heat of the sprint keeping the cold off. Luna keeps up the entire time, never once dragging back, her own stamina keeping mine going.

I often wonder where I’d be without this dog. She’s saved me from so many dark times, so many nights I’ve wanted to get lost in a bottle. I found her during my time on my own and we’ve been together since.

After giving Luna her water and food, I head to the gym in the common area to finish my workout. I still need at least a half hour of cardio and a full hour of lifting. Working out helps clear my head, but more importantly, keeps the demons at bay. The dark, ugly ones that keep me awake at night. Squeezing the air from my lungs and choking the life out of me.

I’ve tried to run, tried to hide, but the memories, the demons—they always find me. I’m pretty damn sure they always will.

I pound out the steps on the treadmill, my body racing for the finish line. My mind wanders to the sexy woman with those brown curls…

“Hey, boss.” Joe taps my back, pulling me from my intense workout.

I give him the eyes, the ones that say, “Not now,” but in true Joe fashion, he doesn’t get the hint.

“How was your day? Make any headway yet?”

I shake my head. Joe means well. He’s been my partner in crime since we graduated the police training academy together. When we both decided to further our learning by taking on the big guns, we became partners, but above all else, close friends.

“I know you’ll get there, boss. You always do.” Joe pats my back once more before jumping on the treadmill next to me. “We got a few calls in today, but overall, this case isn’t giving us much.”

Joe mans the phones and the computer work. He’s always been one to be behind the scenes, keeping himself out of the limelight. Sometimes I wish he’d see his potential because he’d make a badass detective out there on duty.

“I’ll find something. I’ll make sure of it.” I puff out. I lower the speed on the treadmill as I finish my miles, needing to even my pace.

“Anne told you about the hair salon, right?” Joe picks up speed as I slow down.

“Yep. I wish we had more to go on, though. Her observations are weak at best and while there could be something there, I’m not so sure. Worth a minute to check it, though.”

Joe nods. “You never know what you may find.”

After our workout and lifting, we hit the showers and then Joe joins me for some room service. I’ve checked my phone a million times, but no word from my cousin, Andrew, yet. He knows I hate waiting, and soon, I’ll be annoying the shit out of him.

I want this taken care of once and for all. It’s time to end my uncle and my brothers. Their crimes have gone on long enough, and I want to be the one to take them down.

I slide into bed, exhausted and drained, Luna’s warm furry body cuddling next to me. My eyes drift closed just as my phone beeps with a new text from Andrew. Finally.

<I haven’t got much info, but I think you’ll be happy with what I found out>

<What is it?>

<I can’t txt it. I’ll call u tmw. Gnite.>

Damn it. I can’t wait until tomorrow.

I need to know.

My future depends on it.