AVA
Austinand I followed Officer Jensen to his cruiser, where he placed the suspect, named Juan Collazo, in the back seat with the window rolled down. I stepped up and stared at the thief who had despair sagging on his face. His eyes held back tears, while his hunched shoulders and tight jaw illustrated a criminal that perplexed me. Austin took my hand and offered me comfort while narrowing his eyes at Juan.
Officer Jensen stood beside his cruiser, making sure Juan behaved.
“Why do you take things that don’t belong to you?” I asked.
From this close proximity, he didn’t look like the terrifying criminal that had formed in my head. He closed his eyes for a moment. Releasing a heavy sigh, he opened his eyes and met mine. Regret swam in them.
“I didn’t want to,” he said.
“That’s what all criminals say when they’re caught.” Austin squeezed my hand.
“I really didn’t want to.” Juan swallowed, pushing back tears.
What was going on?
“When did you take the bracelet from me?”
“At the candle store. It was crowded there that day. I’m sorry,” he said. “My daughter is very sick. She needs surgery, and I don’t have the money to pay for it.” He paused. “They promised me a portion of what they’d sell on the black market. I’m sorry.”
Something shifted inside me.
“Who’s ‘they’?” Officer Jensen asked.
“People I met through an acquaintance.” Juan described them to Officer Jensen. “I cleaned her house a few times.”
My stomach twisted in knots as Officer Jensen asked Juan more questions and told him he’d need to repeat everything at the precinct with his lawyer present. When my mom was sick, her health insurance didn’t pay for all the treatments. She used her savings for it. I could imagine the stress Juan was going through.
Officer Jensen rolled up the window of his cruiser and turned to us. “Sounds like his acquaintances are part of a New York gang that’s been hitting a lot of stores. We have a team investigating this. But I’ll confirm once I look into them.”
“Can you please keep me updated on this case?” I asked, trying to decipher the meaning of justice.
“Of course.” Officer Jensen saluted Austin and slid into his cruiser.
As Austin walked me to my car, I said, “You should let the cops chase after the criminal. What if he had a gun or something?”
He brushed a hand over my face. “I didn’t want him to escape. He stole something from you, so he needs to pay.”
“Don’t be reckless. I can replace the bracelet.”
“Worried about me?”
When I didn’t reply, he bent down and kissed me. His lips were warm against mine. My heart thundered, and desire scorched through me, jolting my body awake. It had been so long since my body felt this powerful reaction.
“I missed you,” he said.
I felt the wounds between us healing quietly, broke the kiss, and breathed. “I’m ready for the explanation.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
AVA
I drovemy car to Austin’s house, which was in a recent development on sought-after Salisbury Street. I parked in the spacious lot with three car garages.
“When did you buy this house?” I admired the brick exterior as I walked up the steps. He’d upgraded from his previous one.
“Six months ago.” He slid off his coat and hung it in the closet in the marble foyer. “Let me take your coat.”
