I had filled up on our way back, so we were able to ride with no stops the few hours back to her place. Once we were getting closer to the city the bar from the other night was in, I asked her at a red light where her place was.
It only took a little explanation from her and a few points in the right direction and we pulled into her complex. The sun was going down, but it hadn’t gone completely dark yet.
The complex was nice, but it wasn’t gated, not that it mattered. If someone wanted in somewhere badly enough, they’d find a way. As she pointed to her building, I kept my eyes peeled.
Parking where she instructed, I killed the engine, then helped her off.
“That was a much nicer ride than when we headed north,” she said as she pulled the helmet off.
Climbing off, I agreed, “It was.” I took the helmet from her and secured it in the saddlebag after I pulled her phone and keys out. “Lead the way.”
She took the keys, but her brows pinched. “Why am I so nervous?”
Tucking my hand under her hair, cupping her neck, I looked into those hazel eyes. “I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She nodded, but said, “I don’t know if I’m nervous about what we’ll find, or you being in my apartment.”
My jaw clenched. I’d told her how I felt, but I knew she’d need some time. Which was totally fair. I may have done the right thing for her, but it wasn’t the right thingbyher. She deserved to be angry with me, and it would take time to trust me. But I’d never stop trying. I let her go once, but I wouldn’t do it again.
“Let’s just go check it out, then go from there,” I said before placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
She turned to walk, but stuck her hand out. Grasping itin mine, I followed her lead until we were close to the building. “Hand me your keys,” I said.
She held them up. “It’s this one over here,” she said, pointing to the door.
I walked ahead and inspected the door. Kneeling down, I looked near the clasp. Markings. Standing, I pulled out my pistol and she gasped behind me. “Hang back for a minute.”
She nodded but her eyes were wide as she watched me check the door. It was locked and I couldn’t turn the knob, but with a little push, it opened. Someone fucked up the door and tried to make it look untouched.
Stepping inside, I flipped the light switch and looked around. Standing near the door, I listened for any movement. Besides a few faint sounds from outside, I heard nothing, so I crept around the apartment, checking any corners or closed doors, then looked under the bed. The faint smell of citrus that always clung to her lingered in the air, stronger in her bathroom and bedroom.
Once I confirmed it was clear, I called her inside. “Anything seem out of place?”
She came inside, closed the door, and looked around. The door opened to the living room that held a sofa, and a chair that was decorative more than functional. The kitchen was on the other side of a wall, but had a cutout that overlooked the living room. A small table was tucked against the wall with two chairs.
She slowly walked around, not touching anything but hovering her hand over what she was inspecting. She stepped into the kitchen and stopped. “Shit.”
Taking quick strides to her, entering the galley-style kitchen I asked, “What is it?” I didn’t notice anything.
“My badge is gone.”
“For work?”
She pushed her hand through her hair and blew out an exasperated breath. “Well, it was. I was fired a few days ago.”
“Oh, shit.” I had a lot of questions, but I didn’t want to add insult to injury. “Did you have any friends there? Anyone that you’d want to tip off?”
Her voice was shaky. “Um, my boss was fired, too but I’m not sure if they asked her to stay until an announcement was made. Very high-up positions were handled differently. She sent me my separation notice but didn’t say anything except a copy and paste statement. I could text her to check in. I didn’t really get close with anyone, but I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her, or anyone else.”
Cupping her shoulders, I tried to reassure her. “If you were let go, they probably disabled your badge. But touch base with her. Be vague but mention you lost it just in case. You don’t want that coming back to you.”
She trembled under my hands, so I pulled her close. “We’ll figure it out. And I got you.” I pulled away slightly so I could see her face. “Let’s check the rest of the place.”
Nodding, she released her grasp from me and stepped around me to go to the bedroom. I followed her to the only bedroom. I hadn’t really paid attention when I was doing my sweep before, but it was cozy. A queen bed was in the middle of one wall with wooden nightstands on either side and a fluffycomforter with a small floral pattern of pink and blue. Plush pillows were piled on neatly.
She opened the closet and looked briefly before she moved on to the desk that sat across from her bed. She ran her hand over the desk, then opened the drawers. “Someone’s been in here, too.”
“Anything missing? Credit cards? Checks?”
