PROLOGUE: NYX
It’s my first week at the department officially; I am no longer the probie. I just graduated from the police academy last month. It’s been a transition getting used to civilian life again, but here we are. The police department allows me to still have the structure I am used to. Spending 4 years in the Army will make anyone crave a schedule once they are back home.
It’s been a long day; I’ve been out on patrol with Jack Williams. He is a pretty okay guy. Sitting in his car for hours at a time isn’t uncomfortable, and his taste in music isn’t horrible. We just spent the day making idle chit chat, listening to music and driving around Detroit. Keeping the community safe. Occasionally he will make a comment that kind of makes my skin crawl, but we just laugh it off.
Once we get back to the station, I change back into my comfy clothes; a pair of black leggings and an oversized t-shirt to head home in. Excited to slip my perfect engagement ring back on my finger. A silicone ring, currently in its place, I wear for work, but this ring is absolutely gorgeous, and I hate having to take it off. It is a small and dainty design, one big cushion cut diamond in the middle surrounded by a bunch of small halo diamonds. It feels very classic. I place the silicone ring back in the dish on the topshelf of my locker and switch it out for my proper engagement ring.
“Hey, Officer Bennett.” Captain Montgomery calls out before I leave the building.
“Hello, Cap.” I greet him with a smile.
Captain Montgomery was my father's best friend before my dad’s death a couple of years ago. Since then, Bill has taken over the role of father figure in my life. He is an older man, still with a full salt and pepper head of hair. His wife Cathy absolutely means the world to me. Both of them treat me just like their family; the daughter they never had.
”I just want to see how your first week has gone?” He pulls me in for a quick hug. Everyone here knows that my dad was his best friend, but we try not to throw it in anyone’s face. We always try to keep things professional, but the precinct is pretty empty this evening.
“It’s been good, pretty chill. Jack is super nice and easy to patrol with.”
“Okay, well, have a good night, Nyx. I think Cathy is going to invite you guys to dinner soon.” He says as he walks back into his office to grab his things before heading out for the night.
Walking out of the station and climbing into my black BMW, which my fiancé had gotten me as an engagement gift. His family is the majority owners of a large bank throughout the state of Michigan. To say I’m marrying into old money would be an understatement. I’m the oddball working as a police officer and a veteran. His mother made sure that as soon as he proposed, I started having tea and lunch with the family to prepare me for a life of galas and red carpets. There have been my fair share of etiquette classes, learning what forks to use, how to make sure I don’t offend anyone with my backwoods ways, according to her.
At first they were very unsure about me, but I have won them over with my efforts to not be a “heathen”, as they like to tell me.They also know I have zero interest in Nick’s money. I fought him at every turn regarding his spending money on me. There was a prenup written up despite my efforts to convince them otherwise.
The ring, for example, is the third one he bought. The first two were ostentatious and massive. Neither was something I would ever feel comfortable wearing out of the house. They all weighed my hand down so much I was afraid of being robbed. Finally, his mother showed me his grandmother's ring, and I fell in love. It was gorgeous but understated.
The apartment building looms over the street, modern glass and steel glowing in the setting sun over 3rd Avenue. Pulling into the parking garage below our apartment building, I see Julia‘s, one of my friends, car in visitor parking. Her cherry red Camaro is impossible to miss.That’s weird.I wonder if Nick has some sort of surprise for finishing my first week of work, but I don’t see Kyra’s jeep.
Walking over to the elevator and hitting the button to head up to our penthouse, entering the four-digit code that allows the elevator to travel to our floor. The metal doors slide open to our entryway. The space feels cold and uninviting, but the designer said this is what everyone wants. Slipping off my black and white Nike tennis shoes and slipping them in the closet. Setting my work bag on the floor, I hear weird noises coming from the back of the apartment.
Pulling my sidearm out of the holster built into the front of my leggings, just in case there is an intruder in the apartment. Slowly, I head towards the hallway that leads to the two bedrooms and Nick’s office. My socks are silent on the vinyl flooring, allowing me to hear the grunting and squeaking echoing down the hall.
“Oh, fuck Nick, right there.” Julia’s high pitch valley girl voice calls out and my stomach drops, and my eyes fill with tears.
There is no need to go further; I know exactly what is happening in that bed. Thank God, I have a gym bag in my car for when I want to workout at the station. Deciding I am not giving them the chance to see me break down, I walk back the way I came and leave the penthouse for the last time.
I could rage and scream, but it won’t solve anything. It doesn’t change that a girl in my friend group is fucking my fiancé. I pull my phone out and hit the only name that I can trust now.
“Hey, beautiful! What’s up?” At Kyra’s cheeriness, I burst into tears.
CHAPTER 1
NYX
4years later
“Hello.” My voice is rough from sleep. The ringing phone startled me awake. It was supposed to be my day off, and I was planning on sleeping in and maybe picking up my apartment a little. It was going to be a chill day spent with the only men in the world who can’t break my heart, my cat and one of the fictional varieties.
“Bennett, I need you at the station ASAP.” Montgomery’s voice is commanding and a little startling.
“Good morning to you, too.” I tried to make a joke.
His chuckle echoed through the phone. “Just get your ass to the station, Nyx.” I can tell he wants to joke around with me, but he must already be there and preparing for whatever is going on.
Fuck, it isn’t super early, but early enough I don’t want to hear Captain Montgomery’s voice this early.
“Yes, Sir. What should I expect when I get in?” I wanted to make sure I was ready for whatever we were meeting about. In Detroit, it could be anything.
“The Tigers won their game last night, and they are going to be bringing postseason baseball back to the city of Detroit ina few days. Time to plan for the chaos.” His tone seems more excited than normal for him. He is just as excited as anyone that we won, but he is still trying to remain the stern captain he is.
