Pierced: Pierced Trilogy Boxed Set (71 page)

When I come out, I can smell the aroma of coffee and cinnamon. Hmm? Once I’m dressed, I venture out to the kitchen where Sam has a steaming cup of black coffee and a plate of French toast waiting for me, and I smile as I take a seat at the kitchen table.

“You are magic, woman! How did you find the ingredients for French toast in my empty kitchen?”

“I wouldn’t get too excited if I were you,” she answers, smiling at me. “I used the last of your eggs, and your milk has definitely seen better days.”

I chuckle as I take a bite. “I guess I’ll have to stop at the market on my way home from work.”

“No, I’ll do it,” Sam says brightly as she grabs a fork from the kitchen drawer and comes to sit beside me at the table. “I think I’ll call Megan. See if she can come get me and take me to my apartment to get my car.”

“Well I can take you before I head to work if you want to just throw something on,” I say, taking another bite as I look her over. She’s wearing my flannel shirt from yesterday and nothing else.

“No, that’s okay,” she answers, taking a bite of my French toast with her fork. And I smile at her as she eats off of my plate. “I want to spend some girl time with Meg before her big day.”

I nod at her as I take a sip of coffee. We finish sharing our French toast and I lean in and kiss her tenderly, licking the syrup off her lips as I do. Then I stand to leave, checking my gun and placing it into my shoulder holster as Sam clears the table. Before I put on my jacket, I fish my keys out of my pants pocket.

“If you’re going to venture out today, you’ll need this,” I say, handing her a key, and she looks at me in surprise. “Key to the house. I’ll have to remember to get a spare one made later but, for now … just use mine.”

She looks at me for a long moment and then she smiles shyly as she takes the key from my hand. “I can have a copy made while I’m out today if you’d like.” Her voice sounds timid and unsure.

“Yeah. That’d be good,” I tell her. We stare at each other a little nervously for a beat and then I caress her face. I kiss her tenderly for a long moment. “I’ll see you this evening,” I say softly, looking into her eyes, and she nods.

I leave the house and slide behind the wheel of my truck, thinking about Sam and wondering if there’s any news on when Echols will be arraigned. And I think about how Lieutenant Marcos ordered me to stay away from Sam until then. If he had any clue she was at my house right now he’d probably go ballistic. And if that son of a bitch, Echols, has the gall to plead not guilty and this thing ends up going to trial, I don’t know what that will mean for Samantha and me. I don’t know what we would do if the attorneys tried to keep us apart during that process. I don’t even want to think of the possibility.

I get to the station just in time for roll call, and afterwards Conner and I put our heads together over the new case we caught this morning – two male college students, badly beaten after leaving a bar downtown. We go to the hospital to speak to the two victims, then head over to the bar to see if anybody saw anything. We get back to the station at about 10 am and we’re heading for the detective’s bull pen when we spot Claude Manning coming down the hall toward us.

“Aha, just the two gentlemen I was looking for,” he says, looking us both in the eye, and I feel a frisson of anxiety in my gut. “Thought you’d like to know that Echols is being arraigned in about an hour.”

“Really?” My voice sounds relieved, even to my own ears. “I was just thinking of giving your office a call; thanks for seeking us out.”

“No problem. I wanted to let you know what we worked out,” he continues. “I met with the Colby’s criminal lawyers and with Echols’ court appointed attorney yesterday. The family is ready to go to war if they have to; they’re not fucking around. The public defender knows Echols has no choice but to play ball so, he’s advised him to take the deal we’re offering.”

“What kind of deal?” I say guardedly, an unmistakable scowl on my face. I don’t want Echols getting a major reduction in jail time in exchange for cooperation.

“We’ll drop the kidnapping charge, assaulting an officer, theft and auto theft. Echols will plead guilty to everything else and get some reduced time.”

“How much reduced time?” I growl, and I know my voice sounds harsher than I mean for it to.

“Don’t worry, not much,” Manning assures me. “With all the other charges and his history, he’s still looking at 10-15 here before he’s handed over to Oregon and California. Is that all right with you?”

I appreciate the fact that he’s asking. It’s a courtesy that not all prosecutors extend to the arresting officers. It shows a certain decency and a mutual respect. I take a deep breath and think about his words, and I glance at Conner, who raises his eyebrows at me in a silent question. “Yeah, that sounds fair,” I nod.

“How do you think the victim will feel?” Claude asks, looking at me pointedly, and I wonder if maybe word has already spread throughout the PD about my involvement with Samantha. Knowing how the rumor mill works in this place, I wouldn’t doubt it. I frown slightly at that thought and focus on his question.

“Ten to fifteen years here before he does time in two other states, and she won’t have to go through a trial,” I reply with a shrug. “I think she’ll be happy with that.”

“All right,” Manning nods, and pats me on the arm. “It’s over then, Guy.”

“Hey, thanks a lot for everything, Claude,” I tell him, shaking his hand.

“No problem. You guys did the hard part; you make me look good,” he smiles, and walks away.

“Well you have to be relieved right about now,” Conner says, eyeing me with smile.

“Yeah,” I mutter distractedly. It’s over. “Hey … can you cover for me for about half an hour?” I look at him expectantly and he doesn’t even have to ask what I’ve got on my mind. He easily guesses what I’m up to. He chuckles and rolls his eyes slightly.

“Get out of here.”

“I’ll be right back,” I tell him. Then I turn and sprint back down the hall, out the door and over to my truck. I know I could just call her but, I don’t want to tell her over the phone. And I don’t want her to hear on the news that Echols got a deal because, even though he did, in reality it’s not that great of a deal and I want to be able to explain that to her if she’s upset.

I race through traffic to get home, my mind already imagining the way Samantha’s eyes are going to light up and sparkle at me when I tell her the good news.
You are such a fucking goner, Pierce!
I smirk at myself at the thought. I was a goner the moment I stepped into her hospital room three weeks ago. God, has it really only been about three weeks? I can’t believe how she has shaken up my life so much in such a short amount of time. She is so … incredible!

I turn onto my street and, as I drive toward my house I notice a bright red car sitting in my driveway. But it’s not just any red. It’s the unmistakably vibrant shade of Ferrari red. And as I get closer, and the 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia comes into better view, all my thoughts of Sam’s incredibleness go flying momentarily out the window. There is a fucking $300,000 car sitting in my driveway, looking shiny and pristine like she just came off the showroom floor. I pull into my driveway behind it and park. Getting out of the truck, I walk slowly past the car, eyeing every inch of it as I do. By the time I get to my front door, I think I’m drooling. Who the fuck does she belong to?

My question is answered as soon as I open the front door and step inside. Samantha’s cousin Megan looks up at me from her position on my couch and I stand stunned for a second. That’s a whole lot of car for such a little girl.

“Hi,” I say a bit nervously, and I think I’m frowning at her.

“Hi, Josh,” she says brightly, as if we’re old friends and it’s the most normal thing in the world for her to be sitting on my couch flipping through a Guitar Player magazine.

“Uh … where’s Sam?”

“I’m right here,” Sam says, coming down the hall, looking gorgeous in a pair of form-fitting jeans and a dark green blouse. She’s carrying a pair of green flats and her purse in her hands. “What are you doing home?” She stands in front of me, dropping her shoes to the floor and stepping into them, as she gives me a puzzled smile.

“I just got some news from the prosecutor and I wanted to tell you in person,” I say quietly. Her expression immediately changes to one of frightened concern and Megan stands up and walks over to us. I clearly have their undivided attention, and I can tell that Sam is holding her breath. “Echols is pleading guilty to all the charges. There won’t be a trial. It’s over, baby.”

The joy on her face is evident and she practically leaps into my arms, laughing softly as she sheds tears of relief. I hold her tightly to me for a long moment, kissing the top of her head, and I can see Megan watching us with a goofy smile on her face.

“It’s really over?” Sam asks, looking up at me, and her magical green eyes are sparkling like emeralds.

“It’s really over,” I answer, still holding her.

Megan squeals. “Oh, this is such wonderful news; I am so relieved for you, Sam!” She is bouncing up and down like a five year old and I can suddenly see the family resemblance. I bet these two were a pair growing up. “Oh, my God, and this means now you can come to my wedding!” Her eyes are darting between me and Samantha and she is looking at us as if she expects us to bounce with her. I look down at Sam, still wrapped snugly in my arms and she is grinning indulgently at her cousin. When she looks back up at me, her expression changes. She’s nervous now.

“Would you go with me to the wedding, Josh?” she asks timidly.

Wedding? I don’t want to go a fucking wedding. “Um … sure, if you want me to.” My voice is small and guarded, but Samantha’s face brightens and her eyes light up like the Vegas strip. She throws her arms around my neck, prompting me to tighten my hold around her waist.

“This is so awesome,” Megan squeals again. “Lobster or steak?”

What?
She really is a bubbly little force of nature. Sort of cute … in an annoying kind of way. Thank God Samantha is much more laid back than Megan obviously is. “Lobster or steak?” I repeat in total confusion.

“At the reception,” she says, as if I should just know what the hell she’s talking about. Only I still don’t know what the hell she’s talking about, and the look on my face must reflect that.

“For dinner at the reception. Would you prefer lobster or filet mignon,” Sam explains, and I can tell from her expression that I must answer this question correctly before Megan will allow us to move on. I frown at her and she turns her cousin and answers for me. “He’ll have the steak, Meg.”

“Great. I’ll make a note of it,” Megan says, walking away and I shake my head slightly as I turn back to Samantha.

“It’s really over,” she says, hugging me again, and I can hear the smile in her voice.

I kiss her temple and release my hold on her. “I have to go, baby. I need to get back to work. I just didn’t want you to hear about Echols on the news.”

“Thank you for coming home to tell me, Josh. That was a really sweet thing to do.”

I reach out and caress her face with my hand. “You’re most welcome, baby,” I say softly, looking into her eyes. “I’ll see you tonight.” I lean down and kiss her quickly, aware that we have an audience. Then I open the front door and suddenly remember the Ferrari in my driveway.

“Hey, Megan,” I say turning back toward them. “Nice car.”

“Thanks, it was a birthday gift from Daddy a few months ago,” she says brightly.

I smile slightly and nod at her. “You ladies be careful,” I tell them. Then I wink at Sam and I leave. I admire the Ferrari again as I walk down the driveway. A birthday gift.
Must be nice!
Then I slip behind the wheel of my truck and head back to work.

When I get back to the station I am immediately summoned into Lieutenant Marcos’ office. I give Conner a questioning look and he shrugs at me. I head into his office wondering what the hell this is about. And I’m slightly startled to see Captain Skinner there too.

“You wanted to see me, Lieu?” I ask as I close the door behind me.

“Yeah, have a seat, Guy,” he says motioning to one of the chairs in front of his desk. I swallow anxiously as I take a seat next to Skinner, but I relax slightly as I note that the air in the room feels calm and easy. I don’t think I’m about to get ripped to shreds over disobeying his orders to stay away from Samantha.

“I just got a call from Claude Manning,” Marcos says, getting right to the point. “Echols’ arraignment went as planned; his sentencing is scheduled for next month.”

“Yes, sir. I spoke with Manning a little while ago.”

“Well then I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that the moratorium on your relationship with Miss Colby is no longer in effect,” he says looking at me pointedly. And I think I can see a slight smile on his face.

“Yes, sir,” I respond after a beat, glancing anxiously at Captain Skinner, who is shooting me a small, knowing smile. Shit. Is the whole department aware of my relationship status?

Marcos eyes me speculatively for a moment, and then he says, “Also, I’m sure you’re aware there’s a Sergeant’s exam coming up next month.” It’s more of a question than a statement of fact, and I frown slightly at him.

“Yes, sir?”

“Just making sure you knew,” he says, his eyes never leaving mine. And I get the feeling there’s a distinct message in this exchange. He wants me to take this exam. Has he been talking to Lee? My frown gets deeper and I swallow anxiously as Marcos continues. “It’s the reason I’ve called this meeting,” he tells me.

“You are being encouraged to take the exam, Guy,” Skinner says, looking me in the eye. “You have a stellar record, Pierce. You are extraordinarily self-motivated. You’re a highly decorated, exemplary officer; you have been your entire career, and we want to promote you. Get you into a supervisory position.”

I am stunned, and I say nothing for a few seconds as I let his words sink in. It’s one thing to have Lee tell me that I’d make a good supervisor but, to have my Captain and my Lieutenant come at me this way … I’m not sure what to make of it.