"You want me to take time off." It wasn't a question. She'd seen it in my face before I even opened my mouth. "You're asking me to hide."
"I'm not hiding, Shane."
"It's not hiding. It's being smart?—"
"It’s still hiding."
"It's hiding." She stood up from the couch, arms crossed over her chest. "You want me to stay home, lock the doors, wait for someone else to fix this."
"I want you alive."
"Shane, those kids need me. And I need them." She shook her head. "I can't just hide and wait for this to be over. I've been surviving without anyone protecting me for thirty years, Shane.”
"Maya—"
"No." Her voice was sharp. Final. "You don't get to make this decision for me. I've been surviving without protection for thirty years, Shane. I don't need you to rescue me."
The words hit harder than she probably intended. I flinched, and she saw it.
"That's not what I meant," she said, softer now.
"I know." But it still stung. "I'm not trying to control you. I'm not trying to sideline you. I just—" I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. "I just found you, Maya. I can't lose you. Not to some fire. Not to some kid with a grudge. Not to anything."
"Then trust me." She took my hands. "Trust that I know what I'm doing. Trust that I can handle this."
"I do trust you. It's Tommy I don't trust."
"Then let's catch him. Together," she said, squeezing her hands through my fingers. "I'll cooperate with the investigation. I'll stay aware. I won't take stupid risks. But I'm not going to hide. I can't. Those kids need me."
I wanted to argue. Wanted to throw her over my shoulder and lock her somewhere safe until this was over.
But that wasn't who she was. And I'd fallen in love with her—all of her, including the stubborn, fierce, refuses-to-back-down parts.
"Okay," I said finally. "Okay. We do this together."
"Together."
Neither of us was happy. But we weren't fighting anymore.
It was the best I was going to get.
Rodriguez came through.
I got assigned to Maya's school as part of the protective detail. FDNY coordinated with NYPD, rotating shifts, eyes on every entrance. Unmarked cars in the parking lot. Plainclothes officers walking the perimeter.
The captain pulled me aside before my first shift.
"You asked for this," he said. "I gave it to you. But if you can't keep your head straight, you're off. Understood?"
"Understood."
"I mean it, Briggs. The second your judgment gets compromised, you're done. I don't care how much you care about her."
"I understand, Cap."
He studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Go. Keep her safe."
I had every intention of keeping my head straight. I had every intention of keeping my head straight. I also had every intention of never letting Maya out of my sight.
