Bound By The Badge

ation, the flickering neon light outside, the smell of coffee an

eyes locked on hers. Maybe it was the way her stomach churned at his

rm. She stood next to his booth, arms crossed, not caring that her shif

took a slow sip, then set it down again. Every move was del

, Mia," he said, vo

d. "That's n

rough his nose. "Becau

stratio

ust step into my life, tell me I'm in danger, and then e

ed, his grip tighte

to decide tha

ke, his voice was low, edge

it keeps

s hit li

iv

h caught in

t faded. It was just her and him now, sitting in this booth, lo

d. "You think the

it. But he didn'

at was

her spine. They weren't done

want with me

g, a slow, measured beat. He was thi

was something underneath it. Something cold. "They saw the way I loo

omach

a

ing. "You think they're comi

ms on the table. His presence was already imposi

hey are,"

against her ribs. Thi

she argued, shaking her

efore she could talk herself into denial. "These aren't sm

ked in

e asked, voice bare

on didn't chang

help

e way his gaze wouldn't leave her, t

were customers. Two truckers hunched over their plates, a tired-looking

f them knew that something da

he was

ly, exhaling through hi

n tone made her st

nyone. Lock your doors. If anyone kno

You hear how insane

hers. "Not as insane as what'

wled throug

ust some para

was

w it wa

e wors

eliev

. "How do you even know

t. Then, finally, he muttered, "

allowe

shifted, thick with

n never happened. She could go home, lock her doors, and tr

r

accept t

hing bigger than herself. That Cole Lawson wasn't just some broodin

mething d

d

was par

y and reached for

he asked, forcing her

ched-not quite a

you'd n

etending she didn't feel

g she was

down, s

wasn'

ven c