“How does he not know about us? You guys have been best friends since childhood, he’s a detective, he should have known something was up.”
Sander shrugs. “I was careful.”
I run a hand through my hair and turn, pouring two shots of whiskey and hand one to Sander before tipping my head back and letting the liquid burn a path down my throat. I can’t shake the feeling that all his affections for me will scatter like dust once he finds out everything.
Chapter Twenty Five
Logan
“Hey,why’sRohere?”I ask, stopping at Milo’s desk.
Milo’s surprised gaze jerks up to mine. “You know Ro?” he asks, dropping his pen on the desk and leaning back in his chair.
I shrug. “I played some ball with him and his friends a week or so ago.”
Disbelief fills Milo’s eyes, and he glances between the two of us. “Really? You play basketball?”
“Yes. Now, why is he here and looking like someone pissed in his breakfast?”
Milo sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “He got caught shoplifting. His dad died two years ago in the line of duty. Since then, he’s been distant, angry, always getting into trouble.”
Shock rolls through me, and I tense. “How did his dad die?”
Milo shakes his head. “It was a domestic call gone wrong. Charlie had got in between two wolves on Kai Cartwright’s property, and one of them mauled him. From what I heard, a white wolf came to his rescue, but Charlie succumbed to his injuries before the ambulance arrived. Mack was his partner at the time and blamed himself for a long time. Sometimes I still think he does,” Milo says, nodding toward the older officer. My gaze then moves to Ro, who’s seated at Kallie’s desk. My pulse kicks up. Was the white wolf my wolf? What happened at Kai’s house?
“Those two girls are the first animal attacks we’ve had since Charlie. It’s an extremely rare occurrence.”
Without another word, I make my way over to Ro.
“Hey, Ro. What’s going on?”
Ro jerks at my sudden appearance and glances around, a flush covering his cheeks. He doesn’t speak, just stares at the ground.
“Want to get out of here? I can take you home?”
He looks up. A flash of anger goes through his eyes, and they narrow on me. “You’re not my dad. And I don’t need your help.”
I exhale and put my hands in my pockets. “I’m not trying to be your dad, Ro. I just understand what you’re going through.”
Ro stares at me long and hard, his gaze lingering on my scars. Finally, his shoulders drop, and he pushes his mop of brown hair from his face. “Fine,” he mumbles, looking defeated. My chest squeezes painfully at that look.
“But Detective–” Kallie starts arguing.
I step closer to her, lowering my voice, “I’m not cutting you out, Kallie. The boy isn’t leaving town, but I am taking him home.”
Kallie opens her mouth to argue, when the captain speaks from behind her. “He’s right, lieutenant. Let Ro go home.”
Kallie flushes and drops her gaze. “Fine,” she responds, sinking into her chair and turning on her computer, Ro and I forgotten.
I lead the way out of the precinct and over to my car. Ro hesitates before climbing in. The drive is silent, and I don’t push for conversation. I know from experience how much it pisses me off. Ro only speaks when telling me when to turn. He points out a house that looks in dire need of care. I pull over at the curb and he jumps out, his pace clipped as he makes his way to the house. I follow him up the path and he glares at me. “You can leave,” he snaps.
The front door swings open and a woman around my age with long brown wavy hair and green eyes stands there, worry lining her face.
“Ro, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick looking for you. You wouldn’t answer your–”
“I’m fine, mom. Geez, back off!” Ro yells, jogging up the stairs to the front door. She steps aside, letting him pass, and he disappears inside.
Her face is strained when she faces me, her olive eyes fixating on my scars. I roll my shoulders to dispel the tension building there, and she pales a little, her eyes finally flickering to mine. “Who are you?” she asks, her voice trembling.
