“WELCOMEto theNews at Sixwith me, Marie Jennings. This week the good guys checked a mark in the win column by convicting the leaders of the notorious cult, the Path to Unity. Earlier today I was granted this exclusive interview with two key members of the task force who accomplished this feat. Discover how a joint operation between the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office and the seventy-fourth precinct made our streets safer as we roll tape.”
Camden swallowed, then patted a dry handkerchief across his brow as he listened to Marie Jennings shoot the interview promo. In a few seconds, they’d be filming again, and it would be time for him and Heart to put his plan into motion.
“Executive Assistant District Attorney Camden Warren and Captain Heart Searlington. The two of you were directly responsible for the capture and conviction of the now defunct Path to Unity, and their leader, Lee Edwards. How did you two accomplish that?”
Camden cleared his throat before he spoke. He’d called his mother and Evelyn shortly before they filmed to make certain his father and Elijah were watching this interview when it broadcast. Hewantedhis father to see this broadcast, but heneededElijah to see it. “It was definitely a joint venture. After the Path bombed my car, Captain Searlington did her best to impress upon me how important it was for me to allow the NYPD to protect me. I understood her, and she was absolutely right, but I wasn’t willing to walk away from this trial and let the Path win. So, I refused to go into protective custody.”
“It sounds like he wasn’t easy to convince, Captain Searlington.”
Heart gave a barely there smile, which made Camden’s lips curve into a full-on grin. “ADA Warren was difficult to convince. No matter what I told him, how I tried to scare him, he didn’t listen. So I brought in my lieutenant, Stephenson, to talk some sense into him.”
“Why was Lieutenant Stephenson successful where the captain wasn’t, ADA Warren?”
Because he kisses me breathless and fucks me stupid.That was certainly the truth, but Camden was sure getting the show censured by the FCC was probably not a good thing if his plan would work. “Well—” Camden held the breath sitting inside his chest. This was the moment of truth, and if he botched it up, he’d have so much more to lose than a career. “—he’s the man I love, so his words weighed a bit more than Captain Searlington’s.”
“Wait, the man you love? You’re romantically involved with the lieutenant?”
“Yes.” Camden looked directly into the camera as he spoke. “I’ve loved him since our first date five years ago, and no matter how much time has passed, that feeling has never waned. It’s powerful, it’s mutual, and the love we share gets through my stubborn defenses when nothing else will. He told me he was scared for me. That was enough to make me listen to the captain with one caveat. I still refused to allow her to put me in protective custody, but I agreed to get out of the city with Elijah while she and her team worked the bombing case. I strongly believed no one else would protect me the way he would.”
The reporter placed her hand over her heart, giving Camden the sweetest fake smile he’d ever seen. “You apparently were right. Can you share with us how he did that?”
Heart placed a hand on Camden’s arm to let him know she would take the lead on the last question. “The NYPD obviously can’t reveal all of its tactical secrets, but Lieutenant Stephenson is a fourteen-year decorated officer who has always had a gift for strategic takedowns of suspects and criminal organizations. As his captain, I am proud that he represents the best of what NYPD offers.”
“Wow, that is remarkable,” the reporter responded. “Who would’ve thought love would literally save your life when you met and fell in love with a cop?”
Camden smiled. “I’ve known from that first moment that Elijah would breathe life into my world. I didn’t think he’d have to actually draw his service weapon to protect me, but I’ve always known I was safe with him.”
“Now that the case is closed, and you have put away the leaders of the Path for their crimes, what comes next for you, ADA Warren? Will there be wedding bells, or maybe a promotion?”
Camden’s heart swelled with the reporter’s question. “If I’m lucky, both,” Camden answered quickly. “Although Elijah and I have made nothing official at this moment, I do believe we’re headed in that direction. Marriage, family, and building ties within the community are things our parents modeled for us. The Stephensons are probably the only family I know of who believes in truth, justice, and taking care of your community as strongly as my family does.”
“That’s saying a lot, considering your father is the chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals.”
“I know.” Camden laughed. “But it’s true. I don’t know who got away with less as a kid, me as the judge’s son, or Elijah as the cop’s. Service, it’s part of who we are at our core.”
“Judge Warren must be thrilled to know his son has made such a solid choice in a love interest.”
Camden thought of the rage that might nearly choke his father when this interview aired. “I’m not sure happy is a strong enough word to describe what my father feels about Elijah and me. But you know how dads are when it comes to their sons.”
“So, you’ve given us a little peek into your personal future. What about your professional one? What does a win like this mean for you? Are you next in line for the position of district attorney of the borough of Brooklyn?”
Camden turned again to the camera. “Well, I hadn’t planned to announce anything, but since you’re putting me on the spot, I may as well. I am throwing my hat into the political arena and running as a candidate for the office of the district attorney of Kings County.”
“You heard the exclusive here on theNews at Six. Not only is ADA Warren in love with a man who loves justice as much as he does, but he’s also campaigning to be the next DA of Brooklyn. Nothing is impossible when you’re fighting on the side of justice both on and off the battlefield. Thank you, ADA Warren. Thank you, Captain Searlington. And thank you, Lieutenant Stephenson, wherever you are tonight.”
ELIJAHsat still, frozen by the affection he’d just witnessed from both Captain Searlington and the man he loved. “You all right, son?”
Elijah looked down at his mother, unsure of how to answer her, so he nodded. His father leaned forward to catch his gaze. “What the hell was that all about?”
Elijah’s lips trembled before he spoke. “That was Camden saving my career, this family, and our relationship all at the same time. That was also my captain making it almost impossible for IA to come for me over that bullshit complaint by the judge.” Not to mention embellishing his involvement in the case. Elijah hadn’t been part of the investigation. He’d simply hidden Camden, and even that he hadn’t done all that well. He’d have to thank her for that later.
“It sorta made it seem like you two have been dating for five years, and that the judge knew about it?”
Elijah smiled at his sister-in-law’s comment. “It does, Viv, doesn’t it?” He shook his head as he replayed the interview over in his head. It was brilliant. In a few moments he’d matched the Stephenson family’s integrity right up there with the Warrens’. If the judge came for Elijah’s family now, he’d be painting an ugly mark on the Warren name too. Damn, Camden was smart.
Elijah stood up quickly, checking his pocket for his wallet and keys. “I’m gonna head out.” Elijah gave a nod to his family and noticed the large grins the four of them were wearing. They all knew exactly where Elijah was going. To find his man.
He made it to the driver’s side of his car before he heard a familiar voice call from behind him on the other side of the street.
