The phone went quiet for a moment and Claire’s frustration grew as the seconds passed.
“Mike is the young guy on your crew? The one you were hugging the night of the accident?”
“Yes,” said Claire, her frustration reaching the breaking point. She couldn’t figure out why any of that mattered and she was getting pissed at the delay. “He’s also the one with the little boy and the pregnant wife. He’s part of my crew, Luke. I’m not going to let him deal with this alone. Can you call Mason for me or do I have to find another attorney.”
“Of course,” he said. “We’ll meet you at the station.”
“I know you’re busy. You don’t have to come,” she said, but he’d hung up the phone before she finished talking.
BY THE TIME she made it to the parking garage connected to the precinct, Luke was already there waiting for her. He was by himself, waiting at the door to the walkway connecting the garage to the station, and she worried his attorney had been tied up in court or something.
The concern must have shown on her face because he pulled her into his arms, pressing a kiss to the center of her forehead where it creased when she was worried about something.
“Mason is already in with him,” he said and she relaxed into his arms, soaking up some of the comfort he offered.
“Thanks for sending him. I’ll pay for it.”
“No you won’t. I have him on retainer,” he said, nuzzling the sensitive skin behind her ear. Worry turned to desire so fast it made her head spin. “But if you insist, I’ll let you think of other ways to make it up to me.”
“I insist,” she said, tipping back her head to offer him better access to her throat. “I definitely insist.”
She felt his laughter reverberate against her neck as he kissed his way down to the neckline of her T-shirt. As his tongue dipped below the scooped neck, they heard the sound of a car’s engine drawing nearer and pulled apart as if they realized at the same time they were making out in a parking garage.
“Come on,” said Luke as the ancient sedan rolled past. “Let’s go get a cup of coffee before we get arrested for indecent exposure.
She hesitated, not wanting to leave while Mike was still inside.
“It’s okay, Claire. They won’t let you anywhere near him and Mason will call the second they’re finished. There’s a coffee shop next door. Let’s go. The stuff in there will kill you.” He motioned with his head towards the police station and wrinkled his nose.
She couldn’t hold back her laugh, and although she didn’t like it, she knew he was right. “Okay, but I want a donut, too.”
Grinning down at her, he draped his arm over her shoulder and led her to the stairwell.
CLAIRE WAS LICKING powdered sugar from her fingers when Luke’s phone rang. He finished the last bite of his second donut before answering. He listened for a moment and then told whoever was on the line where they were.
“They’re on their way here,” he said when he’d disconnected the call.
Claire nodded then took a sip of her coffee and swallowed, her nerves ratcheting back up.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. Everything’s okay.” He took her hand, kissing the tips of her fingers, swiping at the last of the powdered sugar with the tip of his tongue. “Remind me to get some donuts to take home. I like the way they make you taste.”
Visions of she and Luke licking powdered sugar from each other’s bodies flashed in her head and she felt her face heat. Before she could respond, Mason came through the door with a relieved looking Mike following behind him.
Claire slid over in the booth to make room for them, but rather than let one of the other men have the seat, Luke stood and moved to sit next to her. He motioned for them to sit. Mike slid into the booth opposite them and Mason pulled up a chair to the end of the table.
“How did it go?” asked Luke.
Mike looked to Mason who answered for him.
“I feel fairly confident that the ATF will turn their attention to someone other than Mr. Ramirez,” he said. “His military background raised some questions.”
“I was an ammunitions specialist for the Army before I became an electrician,” said Mike.
Claire knew he’d been in the service before he’d come to work for English, but she hadn’t know what he’d done.
“They had some questions about the circumstances surrounding Mr. Ramirez’s discharge that were easily cleared up. As long as the answers he gave are backed up by his commanding officer.”
“Which they will be,” interrupted Mike.
