Bounded By The Badge

r again, the cloth growing damp with the effort, but her mind was far from the task at hand. She kept glancing toward the door, half-expecting

ng on the tall figure of Cole Lawson as he stepped inside. His presence filled the room in a way no one else's did. Even though his back wa

r just a regular cop who occasionally dropped in for coffee. He was wrapped in the kind

e counter, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the empty diner. He moved

ained than she intended. She was still shaken by what she'd witnes

e was no warmth, no reassurance. Just the same cold intensity th

a whisper. A chill ran down her spine as she w

abruptly, his voice clippe

etely thrown off. "I'm not

was terrifying in the way he said it, something that left her with no room to

The fight in her rose, but the stark, undeniable reality of the situation pressed against her chest

no idea what any of it meant, but she knew it wasn't good. And Cole... Cole wasn't just protect

uttered, but she could hear the uncer

yes hardening. "You don't

. He wasn't just trying to protect her. He was claiming her, making it clear she had no say in the matt

She reached for her apron, tying it around her waist, trying to

low, almost a growl. "I'm

that-like she had no say in her own life. The thought of leaving her job, leaving everyth

What had happened earlier wasn't just a random altercation-it was a warning. A sign that th

anger and resignation. "I'll go with you. But thi

lied, his tone sharp. "I'm here to keep yo

mething he could just take over. But there was no time to argue further. She grabbed her

ously outside, casting long shadows that made the familiar place feel suddenly alien. She wasn't sure wha

xpression unreadable. The cold wind bit at her skin as she walked toward him, her heart racing in her che

er seat. The engine roared to life, and they drove off

ed mess of confusion and fear. What had she just agreed to? Where was he taking her? An

nough to tell her that whatever was coming next, she was no longer in