Sworn to protect, tempted by desire

Book One in the thrilling series: To Serve and Seduce

Chicago detective Armstrong Black follows the rules—his rules. When he’s assigned to partner with an Atlanta detective who’s hell-bent on bringing down criminals who targeted her sister, he’s determined to stay in control. But stunning Danni Winstead is all blazing temper and sweet temptation. Working with her tests Armstrong’s restraint; trusting her could put them both in fatal jeopardy...

Writing since forever, DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO can’t imagine herself doing anything else. Her first novel, Take Me to Heart, earned her a 2004 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Best New Author. In 2008, Deborah won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award for Best Series Romance for her ninth novel, Tame a Wild Stallion. Deborah received a BRAB 2015 Reading Warrior Award for Best Series for her Stallion family series. Deborah was also named the 2016 Romance Slam Jam Author of the Year. She has also received accolades from several publications, including Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and RT Book Reviews. With each new book, Deborah continues to create unique story lines and memorable characters. Born and raised in Connecticut, Deborah now considers home to be wherever the moment moves her.

Also By Deborah Fletcher Mello

To Serve and Seduce

Seduced by the Badge

Lost in a Stallion’s Arms

Promises to a Stallion

Seduced by a Stallion

Forever a Stallion

Passionate Premiere

Truly Yours

Hearts Afire

Twelve Days of Pleasure

My Stallion Heart

Stallion Magic

Tuscan Heat

A Stallion’s Touch

A Pleasing Temptation

Sweet Stallion

To Tempt a Stallion

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Seduced by the Badge

Deborah Fletcher Mello

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-07903-7

SEDUCED BY THE BADGE

© 2018 Deborah Fletcher Mello

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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Version: 2020-03-02

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“Are you okay?” Armstrong asked, his voice a loud whisper. “How is your head?”

Cradled in the curve of his arm, Danni nodded. “I’m good,” she answered. “I just needed to be near you.”

He gave her a gentle squeeze and shifted his body against her as he placed a damp kiss against her forehead. Danni eased her body up and over his. She captured his mouth, kissing him eagerly, her lips dancing easily with his lips.

Danni winced, a hint of pain shooting through her.

“Sorry! Baby, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he said as he snatched his hands from her.

She shook her head. “Just not so tight. I’m a little more banged up than I realized.”

Armstrong nodded as he resumed his ministrations. His hands gently caressed her, sliding beneath her T-shirt so that his fingers heated her skin.

“You know what you’re doing to me, right?” Armstrong whispered.

She gave him a seductive smile. “I know. I’m doing it on purpose.”

* * *

Don’t miss future installments in the To Serve and Seduce miniseries, coming soon...

Dear Reader,

SUSPENSE! Fast-paced, heart-wrenching, nail-biting SUSPENSE! I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about all of this. It has been such an amazing journey! And, it brings me much pleasure to introduce you to the family of Jerome and Judith Black. This family embraces every value I hold near and dear to my heart. I hope you’ll grow to love them as much as I do.

I had a wonderful time writing Armstrong Black and Danni Winstead’s story. These two together just make my heart sing! Detective Black is all kinds of delicious! He is flawed perfection with his serious demeanor, slight arrogance and passion for the law. When he falls head over heels for Danni, he falls hard, his heart landing on everything good about the petite beauty. Danni challenges his sensibilities, and her fierce independence and take-charge personality make them a pairing of magnanimous proportions!

I really love this story! I hope you will, too!

Thank you so much for your support. I am humbled by all the love you keep showing me, my characters and our stories. I know that none of this would be possible without you.

Until the next time, please take care and may God’s blessings be with you always.

With much love,

Deborah Fletcher Mello

www.deborahmello.blogspot.com

To Nanette Kelley

Thank you for your kindness!

Your buoyant spirit is absolutely everything!

I value your opinion and trust your intuition.

You are much loved and

It is an honor to call you my friend.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter 1

Chicago Detective Armstrong Black pulled his car into an empty parking spot behind police headquarters. It was early, the new day just getting started. The morning sun sat hidden behind a cluster of thick clouds, and the smell of rain was in the air. Shutting down the vehicle, he took a deep breath and then a second before throwing open the door and pulling his large frame out of the black-on-black Ford Expedition. He slammed the car door closed, set the alarm and headed toward the employee entrance.

Inside, the West Harrison Street building was bustling with activity. He was reporting for duty on what should have been his day off and he wasn’t happy about it. Working a case that was taking all his energy had him needing all the rest he could get to clear his head. The criminals hadn’t gotten the memo. The early-morning call commanding his presence had set the tone for his not-so-good mood, and he noticed the scowl on his face had others eyeing him warily.

Despite his disposition, the Bureau of Detectives was like his second home and a place he liked. He was comfortable there. As he moved through the narrow halls, past his own office and desk, toward the other end of the building, he felt his bad mood beginning to lighten, despite knowing that whatever had necessitated his presence couldn’t be good. A commotion at another desk stalled his steps and pulled at his attention. A young man in ill-fitting jeans that hung too low on his narrow hips and an army green military jacket had become combative, thrashing about angrily. Armstrong felt his body tense as three other officers reacted swiftly. He stood staring until he was satisfied that everything was under control, the man in handcuffs now behaving like he had some sense.

Resuming his trek, he came to a stop at the end of the hallway and the corner office with a perfect view of the I-290 highway. Armstrong knocked on the door of his lieutenant’s office. There was just a brief moment of pause before the other man’s voice beckoned him inside. Pushing the door open, Armstrong stepped through the entrance and closed it behind him. He greeted his older brother warmly.

“Good morning, Lieutenant.”

Parker Black lifted his eyes from the papers he was reviewing. He gave his brother a nod. “Detective. How goes it?”

Armstrong shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’m tired and I was supposed to sleep in. Until you called bright and early. So, what’s this emergency?”

Parker stood and moved from behind his large oak desk. He grabbed a manila folder from the desktop as he gestured for his brother to take a seat. He joined him in the leather wingback chairs that decorated his office. Armstrong knew that side by side they looked like bookends, their familial resemblance marked by chiseled features and solid frames. Both wore meticulously tailored wool suits, one in black and the other in navy blue, with bright white dress shirts and complementing neckties. Black dress shoes polished to high shines completed both their looks.

“Last night the body of a young woman was discovered in a Dumpster down by Montrose Beach. Her name was Crystal Moore. She was a student at DePaul University, and then her parents reported her missing after she didn’t show for classes. That was about six months ago. It appears she flew back from the Czech Republic just a few days ago. However, we can’t find where she exited the country. According to Interpol, she was in the company of a known Czech gang member who has ties to a European prostitution ring. We believe he also has ties to the Balducci crime family here in Chicago. We have him in custody, but it looks like he has an airtight alibi. We can only hold him for a few more hours, and then he’ll be back on a plane before the week is out.”

Armstrong nodded. “Who picked up the case?”

“The Forty-First Precinct. Every indication says it’s related to the others you’ve been investigating, so the commander dropped it on my desk for your joint task force. They want you to solve these murders and shut down this trafficking ring, and they want it done now. The press is starting to run with this story, and we’re not looking good.” He passed him the folder he’d been holding. “Do what you do best, please.”

“I appreciate the trust, big brother!” And Armstrong did. Theirs was the First Family of law enforcement in Chicago, he and his siblings following their parents into law enforcement. They had big shoes to fill and failure wasn’t an option. He had worked hard to earn his spot in the Detectives Bureau, nothing but an opportunity given to him. Most assumed his family name had made things easier, but such had hardly been the case. He and Parker both had been made to fight twice as hard for their respective positions; needing to do far more than their counterparts to prove themselves capable. This case was proving to be a thorn in both their sides and despite his best efforts, Armstrong was no closer to solving it than when the first few bodies had landed on their doorstep and he’d been tasked with the case.

Parker seemed to read his mind. “I know you won’t embarrass your parents.”

Armstrong laughed.

Parker moved back to his desk and tore the top sheet from a notepad. He passed the page, and his scribblings, to his brother as he continued. “They’re expecting you down at the Twenty-Fifth Precinct to meet up with the newest addition to your team. You’re being partnered with a Detective Daniel Winstead from Atlanta, who’s joining the task force this morning. They call him Danny or Dan. I think that’s what they said. He’s meeting you there. I’m still waiting for his paperwork to come over, so I can’t tell you anything about him. I’ll send you his file when I get my hands on it.”

“Partner?” Armstrong came to an abrupt halt. “I don’t do partners, you know that.” His gaze narrowed, his stance tensing. Even as a child Armstrong hadn’t played well with others. He was a loner by nature and didn’t trust anyone easily. His last partner, a rookie transferred from another division, had almost gotten him shot, the guy’s smart mouth pissing off the wrong person. He preferred to do things on his own and this was no exception. The look on his face expressed his displeasure but his brother wasn’t moved.

“You’ll do this one. They say this guy’s a bit of a wild card, but that’s all I know. The commander wants someone who can keep him in line. We can’t risk his becoming a casualty on these streets. You’re the best man for the job, and you know it.”

Armstrong blew a heavy sigh, warm breath blowing hotly over his lips. His first instinct was to balk at the request, but he would never challenge his brother’s authority, nor did he want to be a disappointment to him. His success or failure reflected back on his family, so he bit back the snarky comment on the tip of his tongue. He moved toward the door, shaking his head from side to side. “You owe me,” he said instead.

“Put it on my tab.”

As Armstrong made his exit, his brother called after him. He paused, turning around to look directly at his family member.

“Make us proud,” Parker said. “And keep your head down, please. Our mother will hurt me if anything happens to you. That’s an order, Detective.”

Armstrong nodded. “Yes, sir, Lieutenant!”

* * *

Danni Winstead paced the conference room floor. She’d spent the last hour studying the images pasted to the wall. Pictures of young girls and women who’d either disappeared and were still missing, or had not been found alive. One woman was one too many lost to a black-market business that traded bodies like children used to trade Pokémon cards. Blowing a soft sigh, she trailed a finger across one of the glossy images. It infuriated her and she was anxious to get to work, desperate to be busy with the case.

Her eyes darted back and forth at the flood of activity on the other side of the large glass wall. It had taken collecting on a half dozen favors and promising a dozen more to get assigned to this task force. Her superiors in Atlanta hadn’t been overly supportive, but then that was her own fault. Although great at her job, Danni was known to sometimes ignore procedure to accomplish her tasks. She knew she had a brilliant analytical mind, and people often underestimated her. She brought a skill set to the table that intimidated most men, and her brash mannerisms sometimes threw people off guard. When their expectations didn’t mesh with her actions, they were surprised more times than not. Even though her tactics most always got the criminals, they had also gotten her in trouble more times than she cared to count. When people looked at her, they saw sugar and spice, her petite frame and youthful appearance belying her strength. But she couldn’t afford to not be taken seriously. Sometimes nice wasn’t an option, so she didn’t waste her time. She was a black woman in a field dominated by white males, so she was forever proving herself worthy of the badge she’d earned.

Her commanding officer had sent her off with a lengthy lecture, reminding her of protocols and admonishing her not to embarrass the Atlanta Police Department. Now all she wanted was to get to work, to bring down the cartel that was responsible for all those pictures being posted on the wall. She paced to the other side of the room and then to the door to peer out for the umpteenth time.

A uniformed police officer tossed her a look, gesturing with his head. He moved to where she stood.

“Detective, is everything okay?” the man asked.

“I’m sorry, you are?”

“Officer Lankford.”

“Officer Lankford, do you know what’s taking so long?” she questioned, her arms crossed over her chest in frustration. An air of attitude simmered just beneath her skin, and she took a breath to stall the wave of emotion that threatened to spew.

“Your partner hasn’t gotten here yet. He’s expected any minute now.”

“Partner?”

“Yeah, they’ve partnered you with one of our senior detectives. He’ll hold your hand until you get acclimated.”

Danni felt herself bristle. “I don’t need hand-holding!” she snapped, that attitude weighing down every word. Her emotions were running slightly high. Knowing that many questioned her abilities because she was a woman had her feeling a tad sensitive. That, and a lack of serious sleep.

“He’s just going to show you the ropes until you get acclimated.”

Danni suddenly felt bad about the outburst. She apologized. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap.”

The man shrugged. “Whatever. Do you want coffee?”

She shook her head, gesturing toward the empty foam cups that littered the tabletop. She didn’t need coffee. She needed to get to work. She was just about to snap a second time when there was a rumble from the other side of the room, the noise level rising a decibel. She and the officer both turned to stare at the same time.

Across the way a new face had moved room center. Looking through the glass, Danni eyed the handsome man curiously. The stranger was clearly popular, everyone greeting him warmly. He had a dynamic presence, and it had nothing at all to do with his good looks. Because he was extremely handsome, a delectable version of tall, dark and delicious. Although he wasn’t dark, his complexion more of a coffee and cream, with much cream and barely a hint of coffee. His eyes were round and bright, expressive orbs the color of warm honey. And his mouth was sheer perfection, full lips that stretched into the most beautiful smile.

He wore a tailored suit that fit his broad shoulders and large frame nicely. His GQ styling was polished and his tastes clearly expensive. The dark blue fabric complemented his warm complexion and the hint of facial hair made him look quite distinguished. Danni had no doubt that he was a fan favorite among the women, the few in the room fawning over him. But he commanded attention that was more about how he took full and total control without any effort at all. He was tall in stature, with a very majestic air, and it was totally captivating. It was obvious from everyone’s reactions that others readily deferred to him. He was all that, the chips and the dip.

“Who is that?” Danni asked, the words slipping past her lips before she could catch them. She felt herself blush, color heating her cheeks as if she’d been caught with her hands in the cookie jar. But it was only a question, she thought to herself, purposely ignoring the smug look the other man was giving her.

“That’s Detective Black. Detective Armstrong Black. I should go see if he needs anything. I’ll be right back.”

The man left her standing there, still staring. She watched as he moved in Detective Black’s direction, his hand extended in greeting. There was a brief exchange between the two, and then both turned to look toward where she stood, the officer pointing in her direction. Her breath caught deep in her chest as she and the detective locked gazes. And then his expression dropped, a deep scowl filling his face.

Chapter 2

Armstrong knew there was no masking the shock that painted his expression. He felt surprise seep past his narrowed stare and pull the edges of his mouth into a deep frown. He dropped his gaze to the manila folder in his hand, shifted through the papers inside and then returned his eyes to hers. Danny Winstead wasn’t a Dan. Danny with a y was actually Danni with an i, short for Danielle, not Daniel. Danny was female. Very female. He couldn’t wait to call his brother to update him with that piece of information. He eyed the stunning woman from head to toe, his surprise registering in the muscles that pulled taut through his southern quadrant. He inhaled swiftly, a deep gasp of air that caught deep in his broad chest. He held it, fighting to stall the quiver of energy that shot heat through every fiber of his being.

The woman named Danni looked too soft and too pretty to be a decorated officer of any police force. Her petite frame was lean with just enough curve to capture a man’s attention. She had delicate facial features, killer cheekbones, and even from where he stood he could feel himself getting lost in her ocean-blue eyes. If he’d been made to guess, he would have said she was a kindergarten teacher, her bright smile so endearing that he found himself feeling like a kid again. The emotion was deeply disturbing.

The rookie officer intruded on his thoughts as the young man leaned close to mutter under his breath, “I’d hit that if she wasn’t such a...” he started, his tone as if the two were old college buddies.

“Show some respect, rookie. This isn’t a frat house,” Armstrong quipped, cutting him off. The comment had been inappropriate and had hit a nerve. He bristled with indignation. “Get me a cup of coffee,” he commanded, and then after a brief pause, he added, “please.”

Officer Lankford nodded. “Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. It won’t happen again, Detective.”

Armstrong cut an eye in the man’s direction as he watched him scurry off toward the break room. He paused for another quick minute to gather himself, and then he sauntered slowly in Detective Danni Winstead’s direction.

Meeting him halfway, Danni extended her hand to shake his. “Detective Black? I’m Danni Winstead. I look forward to working with you.”

“Detective Winstead, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Armstrong said as he met her palm with his own, flesh gliding like silk on silk. The handshake was quick and abrupt, both of them snatching the appendages away after the initial contact, a wave of heat surging between them. The moment suddenly turned awkward as the two stood staring at each other, neither saying a word.

Danni turned swiftly on her low heels, heading back into the conference room. Following behind her, Armstrong found himself staring at her backside. She had a lush, apple-shaped bottom nestled in slightly snug black slacks that she’d partnered with a tailored white blouse that was buttoned to the collar. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t stop himself from staring, or imagining what each cheek might feel like in the palms of his hands. He shook the sensation away, turning his focus to the business at hand.

“I’m told you’ve met most of the team?”

Danni nodded. “Yes. Briefly. Officer Lankford said you would bring me up to speed.”

He pointed to the photo gallery that decorated the wall. “All the women here have been tied to a local crime family here in Chicago.”

“The Balduccis. I’m familiar with them. We know they’re running drugs through Atlanta but haven’t been able to tie them directly to any of our big busts.”

“They have their hands in a lot of dirt.” He pointed a second time. “Maureen Winters, Priscilla Montgomery, Gina Torres and Faith Becker were all connected to the Balduccis. Maureen, Priscilla and Faith worked in one of their nightclubs. Gina was the family’s personal masseuse for a year before returning to school. All four were murdered after traveling abroad with a known Balducci associate and returning here to the United States. Bethany Brooks and Alice Mumford were known prostitutes with connections to the sex trade in Atlanta, and Jane, Erica and Felicity had ties to an escort service based in New York. Another body was found this morning. A young woman named Crystal Moore. She was a student who went missing about six months ago. We know she flew back from the Czech Republic earlier this week, but we don’t have any record of her ever leaving the country.” He shifted his weight from one side to the other, pushing his hands deep into his pants pockets as he continued.

“After we leave here you and I are headed over to talk to the man who flew back into the United States with her. He’s a low-level criminal with a long list of misdemeanors—petty theft, check fraud, shoplifting. He came on Interpol’s radar a few months ago, but they don’t have enough to charge him with anything, either. We know he’s well connected, though. His attorney’s one of the top litigators in the state. He can’t afford that kind of legal counsel without some serious backing. Bottom line, though, we can only hold him for a few more hours before we’ll have to cut him loose.”

Danni turned her eyes back to the wall to stare one last time, watching as Armstrong added Crystal Moore’s photo to the collage. She moved to get a closer look at the image. She tossed him a quick glance. The comment that came was filled with an air of awe and the sincerest appreciation. “You know all their names,” she said, her tone just a decibel above a loud whisper.

Armstrong met the look she was giving him with one of his own, contemplating her remark. He didn’t bother to tell her that he’d attended all their funerals and had made it his mission to speak to each woman’s family personally. He blew out the breath he’d been holding. “Yeah,” he said finally. “I do.”

* * *

The ride to county lockup was quiet. Armstrong made small talk about the city, the weather and the best places to grab good coffee and fresh pastry. Danni said little, responding politely as they crossed town, fighting morning traffic. When they fell into silence, enjoying the quiet and the light chatter of the police radio in the background, she was surprised by how comfortable they felt in each other’s company. Neither evidently had any need for words, focused on the tasks that lay ahead of them. When he broke the silence, his question startled her from her own thoughts.

“So why are you doing this? Why is this task force so important to you? In Atlanta, you investigate drug cases, correct?” He cut a quick eye in her direction.

She pondered his question for a split second before she answered. “Six months ago, my sister befriended a man she met while working at Emory University Hospital. She fell in love. He became someone she thought she could trust. One day he invited her to his home to meet his parents, and instead she was drugged and kidnapped. She was able to get away, to get help that saved her life. There were two other young women being held with her, but we weren’t able to find them after he realized Shannon had escaped. Long story short, the investigation led us here. Alice Mumford was one of the women held with my sister. I can’t let this rest until I find her killer and take down the monsters that are trafficking these women.”

Armstrong nodded, understanding wafting over his expression. The slightest smile pulled at his full lips. “I like your passion,” he said as Danni felt a glimmer mist her eyes.

Danni shrugged ever so slightly. She shifted her gaze to the view outside the window. She was taken aback by the current of emotion that fluttered in her midsection. It reminded her of the fear she’d felt when her sister had disappeared. Her anxiety had been corporeal. Thick and abundant, its viselike grip so intense she could barely breathe. The fright of not knowing where Shannon had disappeared to, or if she would ever be found, had been devastating.

She and her sister had been each other’s lifelines after the death of their mother. Their father, an over the road trucker, had mourned the loss in the cab of his tractor trailer, disappearing when they’d needed him most. Their paternal grandmother had taken up the slack as best she could, but her age and failing health hadn’t served them well. The wealth of their childhood had revolved around the old woman’s dementia and unruly behavior. They had found moments of solace only with each other. She couldn’t begin to explain how the prospect of losing her sister scared her, the very thought-provoking anxiety attacks that regular visits to a therapist still hadn’t healed. She closed her eyes and took two deep breaths.

After pulling into a parking space down at the county jail, Armstrong shut down the engine and exited the car. As Danni took another breath to collect her thoughts, she was suddenly surprised when he opened the door, the chivalrous gesture unexpected.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

His smile was brighter, filling his handsome face. “My mother raised me well,” he said teasingly.

Danni chuckled. “I’m sure she’d be proud.”

After passing through the security checkpoint and signing in with the officer on duty, the duo was led down a lengthy hallway to the interrogation area. They stood on one side of a two-way mirror, staring at a small wooden table and an empty chair. Minutes later the door swung open and Josef Havel was led into the room, handcuffed and in leg irons. The officer gestured for him to take a seat, then moved to stand in the corner of the small room.

Danni’s eyes widened in recognition. “That’s him!” she said, her voice rising slightly. “That’s the bastard that took my sister!”

Armstrong looked from her to their suspect and back again. “Are you sure?”

Danni narrowed her gaze. She felt the color drain from her face, and she clenched her hands in tight fists by her side. When she spoke, she bit back the emotion, her words edged in an icy chill. “I met him once when he came to pick Shannon up. It’s him.”

He nodded. “Let’s go nail him.”

“I’ll take lead,” she said as she pushed past the man and stormed out the door.

Entering the interrogation room, Danni said nothing, her gaze meeting Josef Havel’s evenly. The man eyed her with disdain, his arrogant expression meant to be dismissive.

“Why am I being held?” he sniped, his eyes shifting toward Armstrong. “I have done nothing. Where is my attorney?”

Neither responded as they took the seats on the opposite side of the table. Danni suddenly thought about Shannon and the fear that still followed her sister. The memory of what her sibling had been made to endure still haunted her. It made her angry, rage rising like morning mist on a new day. She clenched her teeth, her jaw tight as she slowly opened the manila file folder she’d been holding, scanning its contents briefly before she spoke.

“Mr. Havel, you are not obligated to speak with us without your attorney. But you are going to be arraigned on kidnapping and assault charges. It would probably be in your best interest to be as cooperative as possible. We have a few questions that you might be able to answer.”

He interrupted her, snapping sharply. “I did nothing! You have no proof. I do not know anything about that girl!”

Danni paused as he narrowed his gaze on her, his eyes thin slits in his flushed face. Gone was the air of confidence that had edged Havel’s runway-model looks. The haughtiness that her sister had once found so attractive was diminished substantially. His left brow twitched and spittle clung to his thin lips. She leaned back in her seat, her arms crossing easily over her chest. “We’re not talking about the young woman you flew into town with. That’s not your problem right now. Do you remember Shannon Winstead? Or Alice Mumford?”

The man bristled noticeably, that twitch over his eye suddenly intensifying with a vengeance. He didn’t respond, his expression hardening even more.

Danni shifted forward in her seat. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him. “Do you remember me, Mr. Havel? We met in Atlanta. When you were wining and dining my sister, and making her promises you had no intention of keeping. When you took her hostage, and held her against her will. Does that bring back any memories for you?”

The man met her stare and held it. Danni stared back, not at all intimidated. His gaze dropped to the tabletop, and then his eyes shifted back and forth between them. “I want my attorney,” he snapped.

“We’d like your attorney, too,” Danni interjected. “Because we’re really not interested in you. We want the people you work for. So why don’t you help yourself by helping us?”

The man snarled, suddenly leaping from his seat, the table between them shifting. Armstrong stood abruptly, his stance defensive. The other officer in the room took two steps forward, his hand braced against the weapon at his waistband. Danni didn’t flinch, her eyes locked tight with the suspect’s.

“Sit down!” she snapped, her tone low and even.

The quiet in the room was suddenly thick and tense, everyone waiting to see who might jump first. Havel took a breath and then slowly eased himself back into his seat. He closed and then opened his eyes, turning to stare at Armstrong.

“You’ll be sent back to Atlanta to face charges,” Danni said. “And I’ll be there personally to see that you get the maximum. This is your last chance to help yourself.”

The moment was interrupted as the door swung open, a well-dressed woman stepping into the room. She smiled sweetly, her head shaking from side to side. “Detectives, you do know this is a violation of my client’s rights. How dare you interrogate him without my being present?”

“Your client was here voluntarily, Ms. Harper,” Armstrong said. “He wanted to cooperate.”

“I’m sure he did,” she said, her eyes never leaving Armstrong’s face. “I’m sure I should be asking what you did to be so persuasive, Detective Black.”

Danni felt something like jealousy waft through her spirit, the sensation unexpected and unnerving. It was obvious Armstrong and the other woman had history, and her awareness of such suddenly made her uncomfortable. She came to her feet as she cleared her throat. “The state of Georgia is pressing charges against your client. He’ll be extradited back to Atlanta as soon as we can get him processed.”

The other woman shifted her gaze toward Danni, eyeing her from head to toe. “And what has my client been charged with doing in Atlanta?”

Danni smiled at the woman. “Didn’t he tell you? One of his victims got away. He left a witness behind.”

The man suddenly said something in his native Czech, a wave of anxiety crossing his expression. The other woman hissed back in response, her reply terse and heated. She regained her composure as quickly as she’d lost it.

Armstrong chuckled. “We’ll give you and your client some privacy. Let us know when you’re ready to talk about that deal,” he said.

Danni led them toward the exit, Armstrong on her heels. As she passed Havel, she swept his chair leg with her foot, the aggressive gesture sending the chair and the man tumbling to the floor.

“Oops! Sorry about that,” Danni said, her tone dull. “I don’t know how that happened.”

The man and his attorney both glared as Armstrong reached out to pull him to his feet, pushing him back into his seat. “Accidents happen,” he said, shrugging his broad shoulders. “It’s good to see you again, Leslie,” he said, dispensing with the formalities. He winked an eye at the woman.

“I’m filing a formal complaint against her, Armstrong,” the woman snapped as they reached the door.

Armstrong nodded. “I’m sure you will,” he responded before the door closed tightly behind them. On the other side, he shot Danni a look. “Nice work,” he said sarcastically.

Danni ignored him. “Who’s Pius?”

“Excuse me?”

“Pius. His attorney told him Pius wasn’t going to be happy. Do you know whom she might have been referring to?”

“You speak Czech?” Surprise wafted across his expression.

“I speak twelve languages.”

“I’m impressed.”

“Are you on a first-name basis with all the women around here?” she quipped, completely off topic.

Armstrong smiled. “Only the ones who matter.”

Danni turned. “I’m not impressed.”

He laughed, the wealth of it searing as Danni tried to stall the quiver of heat that suddenly surged through her feminine spirit. He pushed past her as they headed back to his car.

As he opened her door for her, he met her gaze, his own stare intense. “Leslie Harper and my sister were in law school together.”

“You don’t owe me any explanation.”

“I don’t, but I believe in full disclosure.”

Her eyes dropped to the concrete beneath her feet, unable to hold the look he was giving her a minute longer. There was something about the way he stared at her. Seeming to inhale every line of her profile as if he were casting it in memory, painting the best of her in his mind’s eye. She couldn’t remember any man looking at her so intensely. There was something seductive about his gaze and she knew if she wasn’t careful she could easily lose herself in the wealth of it. She shook her head, desperate to wave the rising emotion away. “You have a sister?”

“I have two sisters and four brothers.”

“Wow!” She stole a quick glance in his direction.

“I take it you don’t come from a big family?”

Danni thought about her family. Hers had been a happy home when her mother had been there to give them balance. Laughter had been abundant, and she had felt safe. Being a little girl had been all about tea parties and playdates and dress-up, with her and Shannon the pretty princesses of their own fairy tales. That disappeared with the aftermath of a car crash that no one had survived. It had devastated their family, their father barely able to handle his own hurt. Holidays passed without celebration, home-cooked meals were a rarity and two little girls were left to keep their crazy grandmother from running through the neighborhood naked. She shook her head.

“No. It was just me and my sister, Shannon. Our mother died when we were in grade school, and our father and grandmother raised us. He was a trucker and always on the road, and my grandmother was...well...she was special. I always thought it would be cool to have a big family like yours.”

He chuckled. “It can be interesting, but I confess there have been moments I wished I was an only child.”

“Really?”

“When you meet my family, you’ll understand.”

“I look forward to it,” she said, more out of politeness than actually thinking she would meet his family.

“Good. Then you’ll join us for Sunday dinner.”

“What? No... I can’t... I...” she suddenly stammered.

“Do you have plans?”

“No, but...”

“Then it’s a date. My mother would kill me if she found out you were new in town and I didn’t welcome you properly. Sunday dinner with my parents is mandatory for half the neighborhood. I can pick you up at your hotel at two o’clock.”

“I can drive myself...”

“I’ll pick you up,” he said, an air of finality in his tone.

Her first instinct was to balk. Arguing the point would have been second nature, Danni not accustomed to any man telling her what to do on her personal time. She was quite capable of finding her way around and more than able to decide for herself about her plans. But she held her tongue, accepting his directive in a way that was completely out of character.

Armstrong gestured for her to get into the car, then closed the door. She watched as he rounded the front of the vehicle and slid into the driver’s seat. There was a moment of hesitation before he engaged the engine.

“What?” Danni questioned.

“We need to go change our clothes. We look like cops, and where we need to go, we’ll need to blend in if we’re going to get any answers.”

“Where are we going?”

“To find a man named Pius!”

Chapter 3

Danni did not realize how exhausted she was until she stepped into the shower. The day had been longer than she’d anticipated, and it was only when Armstrong had asked her to change and be ready by the time he returned that she questioned if she had the stamina for round two. As she eased her naked body into the mist of hot water, every muscle from her head to her toes seemed to convulse, constricting and then relaxing before she felt as if a wealth of weight had suddenly been lifted off her shoulders. Taking a deep breath and then a second to steady herself, she found herself feeling lazy and tired and ready for a long nap. She had an hour before Armstrong would be back to get her, so a nap was out of the question. She needed to make the most out of the downtime that she could.

The task force had put her up at the Chicago Lake Shore Hotel. Located in the Hyde Park neighborhood, it was clean, cozy, convenient to the downtown area, and the staff was pleasant. She had six weeks before she would have to return to Atlanta or find her own place to lay her head. Six weeks was at least four weeks too long, Danni thought, determined to bring down someone named Pius and anyone else involved in their case before then.

Thoughts of Armstrong Black suddenly pitched through her thoughts, a cavalcade of energy shooting through her body. The palm of her hand trailed a soapy path from her shoulder, down her arm, to rest against her abdomen just below her belly button. A quiver of energy rippled through her midsection. The man was as intense as she was, and there was no mistaking how seriously he took his job. As he had dropped her off at her hotel, he’d given her a list of directives, his tone brusque and commanding. Clearly, he expected that she would follow orders and do what she was told. Danni had never been one to take direction well, but she was determined not to rock the boat when he could be the help she needed to finish her task.

Stepping from the flow of water, she turned off the faucet with one hand and reached for a stark white towel with the other. Moving naked into the other room, she dropped onto the corner of the bed as she dug into her luggage, looking for a jar of Cetaphil lotion, a clean pair of panties and something to wear.

Minutes late she was moisturized from head to toe, spritzed with the light scent of lavender and dressed in a pair of frayed and torn denim jeans, a cotton T-shirt and black, steel-toed work boots. Taking a quick glance at herself, she pondered whether or not to put on makeup and then decided against it. She pulled her fingers through her hair, twisting the strands up into a high knot atop her head. Satisfied with the reflection staring back at her, she moved to the window to stare out to the parking lot and wait.

* * *

She looked like a grade-schooler, Armstrong thought as Danni sauntered out of the hotel toward his car. He would have been lying if he said he hadn’t been excited to get back to her. Because he had. Overly excited, and it surprised him. He’d been thinking about her since they’d parted ways, him headed home to shower and change while she returned to her hotel room to do the same.

She’d become an irritation, a prickly thorn in his side determined to have his attention. Despite his best efforts he was finding it difficult to get her out of his head. He hadn’t expected to like her, but he did. He liked her gumption and the fire in her spirit that would probably prove to be a challenge for any man. She had managed to do what few women ever had before and that was to hold his full and undivided attention. Now she was walking toward him looking like a twelve-year-old and not the stunning woman who’d been with him most of the day. Well, maybe not twelve, but definitely younger than she had hours earlier. It was unnerving, and he didn’t mind saying so.

“How old are you?” he asked as he moved to open the car door for the woman.

Danni laughed. “Old enough. Why?”

He shook his head, a slight smile pulling at his mouth. “You look like you’re just starting puberty. It’s scary.”

“Starting puberty? Really?”

He shrugged.

Her rich laugh echoed in the early-evening air. “As long as I don’t look like a cop!” She pulled the seat belt across her lap and engaged it. “And I’m thirty-four, so puberty has surely come and gone.”

Armstrong shot her a look, surprise creasing his brow. “Thirty-four? You’re kidding, right?”

“No. I’m very serious. How old are you?”

“Thirty-six.”

“Oh.” Danni turned to stare out the window. A smile pulled gently at the corners of her mouth.

“Oh? Why did you say it like that?”

“I thought you might have been in your forties,” she answered, turning back to stare at him.

Armstrong bristled. “I do not look that old.”

She shrugged, feigning indifference. “If you say so.”

“Do I look like I’m forty?”

She laughed heartily. “You look like you’re well past puberty.”

Armstrong laughed with her. “Touché! At least I don’t look like I need my mommy’s permission to come outside and play.”

Danni rolled her eyes skyward. “So where are we going?” she asked as he pulled his car out of the hotel parking lot.

“We need to stop by a house party not far from here. No time like the present to introduce you to some of the South Side’s criminal element.”

“So does it live up to its reputation?”

“If you’re asking me whether or not the South Side of Chicago is the dregs of hell like the media has made it out to be, then the answer is no. Those of us who live here actually love it. The diverse neighborhoods that make up our side of town are one of our city’s best-kept secrets. And trust me, Lincoln Park and Wicker Park are a hell of a lot scarier between the hours of midnight and six. We also have Harold’s, and they have the best fried chicken around.”

Danni smiled. “How’s the shopping?”

“You’ll get your best deals on Eighty-Seventh and Dan Ryan. White socks and T-shirts, candy, soda pop and bootleg movies are all cheap.”

“Good to know!”

* * *

Stalled in traffic, they fell into a quiet reverie. Armstrong gave her a look as she sat staring out the window. He really liked her. Despite his best efforts not to feel anything at all for her. He found himself drawn to her spirit. She had an energy that he rarely found in the women he dealt with. She wasn’t fawning over him like he was the biggest prize at the state fair. She didn’t wear an air of desperation like some women, wanting a husband and kids before plucking the first strand of gray hair. She had a keen sense of humor, and in their line of work one was necessary. He also appreciated that she didn’t seem to be easily frazzled, her nerves seeming as steady as a rock. If he was going to have a partner, he needed to trust that she had his back, that he didn’t have to worry about a crash and burn when he least expected one. Danni seemed up to the task, and he was willing to give her a chance. Clearly, they had made significant progress since that morning and their first meeting.

Danni interrupted his thoughts. “So, tell me more about this house party.”

“It’s at the home of Miss Nanette Perry. She’s a fixture in the neighborhood, the community mother. Everybody knows and loves her. When she needs to pay her mortgage, she’ll cook, throw a party and sell plates. And the woman can cook! She’ll also feed the hungry if they come through and don’t have any money. Her home is considered neutral ground for the gangs, and at any given time you don’t know who you might run into. The lowest of the city’s downtrodden and Chicago’s most elite have dined together at her table. If there is anyone who knows who Pius is, Miss Perry will know.”

Danni nodded. “I look forward to meeting her.”

* * *

A series of turns and two traffic lights later, Armstrong pulled into an open space at the end of West Twenty-First Place. The homes were older brick row houses lining the length of the street. Parking came at a premium, and it was by the luck of the draw that the space became empty as they turned the corner.

Danni paused for a split second as he exited the driver’s side, and then she pushed open her own door and stepped out. Armstrong gave her a look, his eyebrows raised.

“In case anyone is watching,” she muttered, her head tilted toward the men gathered on the front porch a few doors down. “I assume someone may know you’re a cop, but they don’t need to know that I am.”

Armstrong nodded. As he sauntered past her, she noticed his attire for the first time. He wore denim jeans that fit him snugly through the hips, accentuating his backside. Beneath a wool and leather varsity jacket he wore a long-sleeved hooded T-shirt. The newest Jordan sneakers adorned his feet.

As he passed her, he pulled the hood up over his head and moved toward the home, where a crowd was coming and going through the front doors. Some carried foil-covered paper plates out, while others were bringing bottles in brown paper bags in. There were a few individuals who seemed to be moving with a sense of urgency. But most seemed glad to just relax in the moment.

Danni followed Armstrong, who moved swiftly up the flight of stairs to the front porch. He gave the men gathered there a nod as he pounded fists with one or two of them. Their gazes skated over her briefly, then the men returned to the conversation they were having. No one spoke, so neither did she. Danni pushed her hands into her pants pockets, painting her expression with indifference.

Inside, the noise level rose substantially, a wealth of chatter vibrating off the walls of the small home. Music played out of an old stereo, the deep bass of some old-school R&B song ringing through the air. Standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room, an older woman called out Armstrong’s name.

“Detective Black, what brings you to my neck of the woods?” Miss Nanette Perry asked.

It looked like she was floating on air as she moved toward them, Danni thought. She was tall, with a copper complexion, hazel eyes and a blond buzz cut. She brought to mind what Danni imagined an Amazonian queen might look like. She was beautiful, and there was something very romantic about the air around her. She made people smile, and her gregarious personality served to punctuate her sharp intuition and razor-sharp tongue. She reached Armstrong’s side, throwing her arms around him in a deep bear hug as she kissed his cheek.

“I heard you had some fried chicken,” he answered as he hugged her back.

“Fried chicken, collards, mac and cheese, potato salad and some candied yams, baby! You plan to eat it here, or you want it to go?”

“I actually need two plates,” he said, gesturing over his shoulder toward Danni. “And we’ll have a seat so you and I can catch up.”

“That sounds like you want something, sunshine!”

“Something,” he answered.

Miss Nanette nodded. For a brief moment it seemed as if she were sizing him up, as if such was necessary. “How is that handsome father of yours?” she suddenly asked.

Armstrong smiled. Amusement danced across his face, and Danni sensed there was something in the older woman’s question that only they understood. Armstrong finally answered. “He’s doing very well. And so is my mother. She’s good, too!”

Miss Nanette laughed heartily and winked an eye at the man. She shifted her attention toward Danni. “What have I told you about picking up strays? Whose child is this?”

Armstrong shrugged. “Don’t let her fool you, Miss Nanette. She’s not as young as she looks.”

Miss Nanette’s eyes narrowed as she studied Danni intently. Her head bobbed ever so slightly before she spoke. “She’s too skinny. We’ll need to put some weight on her. Looks like she might blow away if the wind picked up.”

* * *

Danni smiled, a slight bend to her lips that Armstrong found beguiling. “I like your music,” she said, her voice soft like spun cotton.

Miss Nanette smiled back. “You’ll like my cooking more.” She led them to the dining room, shooing three boys out of their seats. “Sit down and make yourselves comfortable. You want corn bread or a yeast roll?”

“Corn bread,” Danni said.

“Yeast roll,” Armstrong answered.

Miss Nanette chuckled. “Sweet tea, baby girl?” she asked.

Danni nodded.

“Baby girl has some Southern roots. I heard it in that accent. The tea just confirmed it for me.”

“I’ll have a glass of...” Armstrong started.

“Boy, I know what you drink. Sit on down!”

Armstrong grinned. “Yes, ma’am!”

Armstrong pulled out a seat for Danni and then took the one beside her. There was an elderly man and a couple still seated at the table with them. The old man had drifted off to sleep, leaning so far forward that he looked like he might fall face-first into his empty plate. The couple were focused on their meal and each other, barely giving Armstrong, or Danni, a look.

Armstrong spoke anyway. “How’s everyone doing this evening?”

The younger man gave him a quick stare and a nod. “Good. How about yourself?”

He nodded. “I’m good. Glad for a hot meal.”

“Miss Nanette put her foot in this here supper!” the woman exclaimed. “Best potato salad this side of town!”

“I’m a fan of her fried chicken,” Armstrong responded. “I come at least once a month to get me some.”

The man shifted his gaze from Armstrong to Danni. “Your daughter doesn’t look like she gon’ eat much,” he said teasingly.

Danni laughed as Armstrong rolled his eyes at her. Before he could respond, Miss Nanette swept back into the room with an oversize tray that held two plates loaded with food and two red plastic cups filled with drink. She placed both down in front of them, completing the setting with yellow paper napkins.

“Eat up, baby girl. There’s seconds for you if you want,” Miss Nanette said as she placed a warm hand against Danni’s shoulder. “And I have some banana pudding for dessert, too.”

“Thank you,” Danni said as she reached for the plastic fork. As the decadent aroma of the home cooking wafted up her nostrils, she suddenly realized she hadn’t eaten since breakfast and she was starved.

The first taste of macaroni and cheese was orgasmic, the creamy cheddar thick and rich and loaded with flavor. It was an explosion of flavor against her tongue, and it was only when everyone around the table burst out laughing that Danni realized she’d moaned, a low purr escaping past her lips. She blushed profusely but kept eating. The fried chicken instantly became a favorite and, Danni and Armstrong both agreed, part of a necessary food group, as they licked the seasonings from their fingers. Minutes later there wasn’t anything left on either’s plate.

* * *

Armstrong was amazed at the amount of food the petite woman had been able to consume. She had a healthy appetite and clearly had no interest in hiding it. He found himself watching her, staring in anticipation of her saying or doing something that he didn’t want to miss. His response to the nearness of her had him feeling slightly out of sorts, and he found it disturbing. He shook his head, trying to wave the sensation away, and then he realized Miss Nanette was staring at them both. He smiled as the woman narrowed her gaze then shifted her attention back toward Danni.

“You should own a restaurant,” Danni said as she finished her last spoonful of banana pudding. “This was wonderful!”

Miss Nanette smiled. “This suits me just fine. I feed folks once, maybe twice each month. I get something out of it. They get something, and everyone’s happy.” She turned to face Armstrong. “So why don’t you tell me what you came here to get.”

Armstrong looked over his shoulder. The crowd had thinned substantially. The old man was still sleeping soundly, having laid his head down onto the table, his plate pushed to the side. The couple was long gone. His voice dropped an octave. “We’re looking for someone. They call him Pius. I was hoping you might be able to give me a name or point me in his direction.”

“Pius?”

Armstrong nodded. “Do you know him?”

Miss Nanette smiled. She rose from her seat and reached for all the empty plates. “Come help me in the kitchen. Bring your friend.”

In the other room, she dropped the plates into a sink filled with soapy water. She extended a pair of rubber gloves toward Danni and pointed her index finger. “Earn your keep, baby,” she said. She spun to the other side of the room and pulled a plastic container from an upper cabinet. She moved back to the counter and filled it with what was left in a pan of banana pudding.

Danni took a deep breath, shot Armstrong a look and then moved to wash the dishes that cluttered the sink.

Armstrong laughed, stopping when Miss Nanette slapped him in the chest with a drying towel. He sputtered as the two women both giggled heartily. Minutes later, with the dishes washed and dried, Miss Nanette handed him the container of dessert. In return, he pulled a hundred-dollar bill from his wallet and pressed it into the older woman’s palm. “So, do you know this Pius?”

“Alexander Balducci has a grandson. Paul Balducci. He’s been bad news since preschool. He’s coming up fast in the family business and fancies himself to be quite the kingpin. His mother used to call him her little priest. But that was wishful thinking on her part. In her mind, he was a good Catholic kid. The truth was his grandfather bailed him out every time he got into trouble—and he got into trouble a lot.”

“Do you know who he runs with?” Armstrong asked.

Miss Nanette shrugged. “If it helps, there’s a coffee shop on California Avenue that he and his associates are known to frequent,” she concluded. “They say he’s quite the Renaissance man. You might find him there.”

“Thank you,” Armstrong said.

“We really appreciate everything,” Danni added.

Miss Nanette winked an eye at the young woman. “Be careful out there,” she said, staring directly at Danni. “Pius and his kind chew up pretty girls like you and spit them out like they’re sucking all the salt off some sunflower seeds.”

Chapter 4

Armstrong stepped into the shower, anxious for the cool spray of water that rained down from the showerhead. Nothing about his day had been what he had expected. He wasn’t accustomed to having anyone in his space as he worked a case, and Danni’s presence had been completely disquieting. There was something about the young detective that had him feeling out of sorts, and he couldn’t begin to understand it. Explaining it would have been virtually impossible, so he was grateful to keep the unsettled feelings to himself.

Despite his best efforts to put the day and the woman behind him, there were too many thoughts lingering in his head. He pressed his hands against the tiled wall and leaned his face beneath the warming flow. Water rained over his brow and down his cheeks, droplets lingering in the strands of his beard.

He needed to run by the barbershop for a trim and edge, he thought to himself. There was also laundry in the trunk of his car that he needed to drop off, the errand deterred by the impromptu dinner plans with the queen of the neighborhood watch. He smiled as he thought back to their meal with Miss Nanette.

Danni had been ready to head over to the coffee shop to search out Pius the minute they stepped back out onto the front porch. But he’d called an end to their day instead, knowing Pius would still be there when they picked back up in the morning. He had wanted to pull the career criminal’s file first, hoping to discover a lengthy rap sheet and at least two outstanding warrants for failures to appear in court. When they finally did cross paths, he wanted to ensure they’d have reason to cuff and arrest him.

Armstrong could tell by the shift in her mood and the expression on her face that Danni hadn’t liked the idea, but she didn’t say so out loud. She’d been exceptionally polite, and dismissive, when he’d returned her to her hotel. She’d wished him a good night, and then she’d stomped into the building.

Danni was fire and ice, intensely calculating with a quick fuse. She was not an easy woman to read. She intrigued him, and he found himself wanting to know more about her. Needing to understand what drove her. Unlike women he’d been known to date, she reminded him instead of his mother and his sisters, her staid demeanor marked by a piercing stare and terse tongue. There was a moment with Miss Nanette where she’d finally relaxed, her smile fueling the light in her eyes. Her laugh had been airy and her brow had smoothed, no longer furrowed with emotion. That woman had made his heart skip a beat, and he couldn’t help but hope that he’d get a chance to know that side of her better.

Stepping from the shower, he grabbed an oversize towel and tucked it around his waist. Minutes later he’d slipped on a pair of sweats and sat alone in his living room. Settling himself comfortably against the chenille sofa, he sipped on a cup of hot coffee laced with Irish whiskey. The file on the Balducci family wasn’t quite light reading to send him off to sleep, but it was necessary. He needed to learn everything he could about the kid, because he had no doubts that Junior already knew everything there was to know about him.

* * *

The coffee shop on California Avenue would have been easy to find if she hadn’t been looking for it, Danni thought as she pushed her way inside and looked around. There was a late-night crowd of regulars who all seemed to turn and stare as she entered. Her gaze swept quickly around the room as she moved swiftly to the counter to order an iced chai latte and a brownie.

“You new around here?” the young man who took her order asked.

She nodded. “Yeah, I just got into town.” She pushed her hands and the change he’d passed her into her pants pockets.

He nodded. “My name’s Carlo,” he said as he extended his hand to shake hers.

“Danielle, but my friends call me Danni.”

He smiled, flashing bright white teeth with a center gap and dimpled cheeks. His eyes were black against an ivory complexion, his hair cropped just low enough to define wavy curls.

“Do you have somewhere to stay, Danni?”

There was a moment of pause as Danni pondered her response. Carlo continued before she could respond.

“It’s not safe out here. Especially for a young girl. I don’t know what your story is, but if you need some help...”

Danni smiled sweetly. “Thanks, but I’m good. I’m staying with a cousin. She doesn’t live far from here. She works late and I just wanted to get out and do some exploring.” The lie rolled effortlessly out of her mouth.

Carlo nodded. “Okay. But if you ever need help, there’s a shelter close by and people you can turn to.”

“Why are you so nice? You don’t even know me.”

“My sister was a runaway. She didn’t make it home. I want to think that had she ever asked someone for help they would have been there for her.”

“I’m so sorry.”

Carlo shrugged. “Grab a seat and I’ll bring your coffee to the table.”

“Thank you,” Danni said, offering him one last smile.

Grabbing a table by the window, Danni positioned herself so that she could see most of the room, anyone coming through the door and the sidewalk outside. The sun had set hours earlier, and a full moon shone through the windows, illuminating the dark sky and the street outside. There were more people inside than Danni would have imagined. Most looked like college students. There was a couple out on a date and the occasional single with a laptop and headphones pretending not to be paying attention to the conversation at the next table.

But what drew her attention and held it was the table way in the back where three young women sat, silent. There was barely the hint of a conversation between them, each staring off into the distance. A man with bad skin and a too-small suit sat with them, his demeanor and presence seeming everything but protective. When one girl rose to go to the restroom, he grabbed her wrist abruptly and held it a tad too tightly for comfort as he hissed something under his breath.

Danni bristled, her hand falling to the waistband of her jeans and the small pistol tucked beneath her shirt and jacket. She clenched her fingers into a tight fist as she watched the girl continue on her way, her companion dropping back into his seat. The moment was interrupted when Carlo moved to her side, setting her drink and dessert down onto the table. He turned to see where she stared.

“Everything okay?”

Danni shifted her gaze to meet his. “Everything’s fine.”

He stole another quick glance over his shoulder. “That’s the kind of trouble you don’t need. Trust me. Nothing good can come from hanging with that crew.”

She nodded. “I was just being nosy,” she said softly.

Carlo smiled. “You ever hear about curiosity and that cat? The cat died.” His deadpan expression moved her to laugh.

“I get it,” she said.

He winked an eye at her. “I have to get back to the counter, but if you need anything else, just let me know.”

“Thanks, Carlo.”

As the man moved to help another customer, Danni shifted her attention back to the other side of the room. The girl had returned to the table, looking disinterested as she and the other two young women finished off sandwiches and mugs of drinks covered with whipped cream. The man with them studied a copy of the Chicago Tribune, ignoring what little chatter there was between his companions. And then the front door swung open, a mini storm moving into the space.

Everyone in the room turned to stare as a couple in heated conversation swept past the counter, moving directly toward the back table. He was tall and lanky with thick black locks pulled into a loose man bun at the back of his head. Dressed in a black, collarless jacket, black slacks and just the hint of a white turtleneck peeking past the jacket’s neckline, he carried himself with an air of irrefutable arrogance. The girl with him wore a gold lamé dress that dipped low in the front and even lower in the back, barely covering her assets. A white fake fur coat was slung over one shoulder, and she stomped in strappy gold high-heeled shoes. She was strikingly beautiful, with a porcelain complexion and raging red hair that fell to the middle of her back.

The young woman was angry, cursing profusely as she slammed her purse onto the table and her backside into a chair. She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted, then shouted again as a fresh irritation crossed her mind. Anger painted her companion’s expression. Infuriated by her outbursts, he slammed a flat palm down against the table, the harsh gesture silencing the entire room.

The couple on that date rose from their seats, waved a hand at the barista and hurried out the door. Everyone else went back to minding their own business, not interested in getting caught up in any fray. Danni’s eyes widened as she eavesdropped, her head hung low over her plate as she pretended to pick at her brownie.

“I’m done, Pius! Do you hear me? I’m not going back to any of those parties ever again,” she screamed before the pout returned to her heavily made-up face.

Carlo moved from behind the counter, his hands resting on his hips as he stared at the table.

Danni turned swiftly to look. The woman’s companion stood with his back to her, seeming to hover over the table. He snapped a finger, and the other man sitting with the women moved onto his feet, moving to give up his chair. As he sat down, his arm flew from his side, backhanding the woman he’d arrived with. Her head snapped back and then her hand flew to the side of her face, tears raining from her eyes.

“Shut up,” he snapped gruffly. “No one said ‘speak.’”

The woman swallowed a sob, and then she stood slowly. She hesitated when the man Danni assumed was a bodyguard took a step in her direction. The quiet in the space was eerily disconcerting.

Carlo’s voice suddenly rose above the silence. “Pie!”

The other man turned in his seat, acknowledging their familiarity with an exaggerated eye roll. “What?” he snapped back.

“You’re scaring my customers,” Carlo quipped.

The other’s man’s gaze swept around the room. He paused for a swift second as Danni met his stare briefly before dropping her eyes back to the table.

“Sorry about that. Coffee’s on me,” the man nicknamed Pie finally said. He turned back around and gestured toward his companion. The bodyguard stepped aside as the woman resumed her trek to the restrooms, still holding on to the side of her face.

“Are you having your regular, Pie?” Carlo questioned. His tone was edged, just shy of being abrasive. Frustration rounded his shoulders and tightened his jaw. He was clearly pissed and fighting not to let it show.

Pie didn’t answer, his attention shifting to a cell phone that vibrated in his breast pocket. He moved to answer the call, ignoring whatever else was happening around him.

“That’s what I thought,” Carlo muttered. He tossed Danni a look, the young woman on the edge of her seat, her body tense. He turned an about-face. “We close soon,” he said loudly, the comment meant for the entire room. “Last call for refills.”

Danni guzzled the last of her coffee, then stood up and headed to the bathroom. Inside, the space was tight, with two stalls and a single sink. The tile wore its age, and new fixtures would have been an improvement. But a fresh coat of pale yellow paint made a pleasant difference, and someone had gone to great lengths to make the space feel comfortable.

The young woman dressed in gold stood looking in the only mirror, fixing her makeup. Ire furrowed her brow as she hid the rising bruise on her cheek beneath a layer of powder foundation. She wasn’t a happy camper, and her anger seeped from her dark eyes past her lashes.

Standing beside her, Danni realized the girl wasn’t nearly as old as she’d initially thought. She stared, realizing the young lady might have been in her late teens or early twenties. She took a deep breath and one step closer. “Hey. Are you okay?” Danni asked. “I saw what your boyfriend did.”

The young woman tossed her a look, a moment of silence shifting between them before she responded. “That prick’s not my boyfriend. I just work for him.”

Danni nodded. “Do you want to call the police or anything?”

The other woman’s incredulous expression gave Danni pause. “Are you stupid?” she snapped.

“I was just trying to help.”

“I don’t need your help. And I definitely don’t need no cops.”

Danni nodded again. “Sorry.”

The girl turned to stare at her. Her gaze swept from Danni’s head to her feet and back. “How old are you?”

“Old enough.”

She laughed. “At least you lie quick. It’ll come in handy.” She extended her hand. “Everyone calls me Ginny. Short for Ginger. Because of the red hair.” She swept her hand through her thick locks.

“Danni. Short for Danielle.”

“You’re new. I’ve never seen you here before.”

“I just got into town. I got into some trouble back home in Georgia, and my folks sent me here to stay with my cousin.”

“Shouldn’t you be home or something? You look like the curfew type.”

Danni shrugged, a slight grin on her face. “My cousin’s a stripper and she works late.”

Ginny laughed. “I bet your old people don’t know that!”

“My parents think she’s going to school. I don’t tell and she lets me do what I want to do.”

The bathroom door suddenly swung open, one of the other young women in Ginny’s party of friends searching her out.

“Pie said to move your ass. He’s ready to go.”

“Are you going to be okay?” Danni asked.

Ginny nodded as she dropped a tube of bright red lipstick back into her purse and snapped the latch closed. She pushed her way past Danni. She paused at the door, turning back to face the woman. “Thanks,” she said, “maybe I’ll see you around,” and then she turned, exiting the room.

Danni suddenly realized she’d been holding her breath and her knees were shaking. She inhaled and leaned back against the tiled wall to stall the rush of adrenaline that had moved her to follow behind the girl.

Despite the occasional infraction, some of which had gotten her a solid slap on the wrist, Danni was good at what she did. But it had taken every ounce of fortitude she possessed not to throw herself across the room to slap the taste out of Pie’s mouth for putting his hands on Ginny. It infuriated her that no one else had stepped up to defend the young woman. Knowing Pius was possibly the ring leader behind everything that had happened to her sister and the women who’d lost their lives only further fueled her wrath. But blowing her cover before she could prove his guilt wouldn’t have served any of them well.

She moved to the sink and stuck her hands beneath a flow of warm water, splashing her face before reaching for a brown paper towel. When she’d counted to one hundred, she made her way back outside.

Ginger and her friends were gone. There was no one else left in the coffee shop, and Carlo was busing the last table. He smiled as she moved to grab her coat.

“Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to stay past closing. I’ll get right out of your way.”

“It’s not a problem. Do you have a way home? Because I can give you a ride.”

She nodded. “I’m good.”

“It was sweet of you to check on Ginny. She’s a nice girl. Unfortunately, my brother isn’t a very nice guy.”

Danni’s eyes widened in surprise. “That was your brother?”

Carlo nodded. “Technically, my half-brother. Pie and I have the same mother, different fathers.”

“Pie?”

“One of his many nicknames.”

“Why Pie?”

“Because he eats it all the time. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, if he could. Preferably apple, although he’s been known to devour a good chocolate pie by his lonesome!”

She laughed. “Do you have one?”

The slightest smile lifted his mouth. “Don’t we all?”

Danni shrugged, her shoulders lifting ever so slightly “Does Pie always beat up on his girlfriends?” she questioned, more emphasis on that nickname than she would have liked.

“Like I said, he’s not a very nice guy.”

“Ginny said she works for him.”

The man took a deep breath, wiping down the table before turning his attention back to her. He shifted the conversation. “I need to lock up. If you don’t need help getting home, then I need to throw you out. Sorry.”

Danni pulled her coat on, shoving her hands deep into her pockets. “Thanks again for everything,” she said.

“I hope to see you again, Danni. And next time bring that cousin of yours. I’d like to meet her.”

Danni nodded. “You never did tell me what your nickname was.”

He laughed heartily. “It’s Carlo!”

As he locked the door behind her, Danni pulled her coat tight to ward off the Chicago wind. She would definitely be back, she thought. Her new friend didn’t need to worry about that at all.

* * *

The next morning Danni couldn’t miss that Detective Armstrong Black wasn’t happy with her. Although he hadn’t, she could tell that he had wanted to yell when she’d told him of her late-night visit to the coffee shop. Instead, he had bitten back the snarky condemnation, storming out of the conference room to distance himself from her. When she’d shown up for her shift, she’d been anxious to recap her evening and her experience in the coffee shop. She’d spent most of the night believing that she had made a significant stride in their case in getting a step closer to Pius, but clearly her new partner hadn’t agreed. In fact, he was clearly pissed, she thought as she watched him storm through the space barking orders at other officers. It was a good thing she hadn’t shared her intentions to go back again, alone, she mused. Not that she cared whether he liked the idea or not, because Danni was doing it, with or without his permission.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Armstrong moved back into the room, his gaze meeting hers evenly. His jaw was still tight, and his body was tense. He closed the door behind himself, then sauntered to the other side of the room, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

“What if something had happened, Detective? You didn’t have any backup.” His tone was brusque.

“I am perfectly capable of handling myself.”

“I didn’t say you weren’t.”

“It’s what you’re implying.”

“I wasn’t implying anything. I said it wasn’t a smart move, and it wasn’t.”

“I saw an opportunity and I took it. And granted, it wasn’t the brightest thing for me to do but you would have done the same thing if the shoe had been on the other foot.”

“You don’t know that.”

Her brow lifted slightly. “You’re saying you would have waited and come back to coordinate with everyone and hope that when you went back, the door would still have been open? Because I might not know you that well, Detective, but I know enough to bet that you will always do whatever it takes to get your bad guy. Whatever it takes!”

Armstrong paused, a moment of hesitation that neither denied nor endorsed her statement. She was right, but he didn’t need to admit to it. “I’m saying that these lone-wolf antics of yours will get people hurt and that’s not what we’re here for. I told you not to go to the coffee shop and you ignored a direct order.”

Danni took a breath and held it, reflecting on his comments. She nodded her head slowly. “I’m sorry, but hopefully, it will help us find our killer and shut down this trafficking ring.”

There was a moment’s pause as he seemed to ponder her statement. When he finally responded, he surprised her. “You might be right.”

“Excuse me?” Her eyes widened.

He gave her a look that moved her to smile ever so slightly. “You got your foot in the door. We should take full advantage of that. But we need to be smart, so I can’t have you going off half-cocked on your own.”

“So, you’re going to let me go undercover?”

“I’m going to let this play out and see where it takes us.”

Danni grinned. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. There are rules, and you will follow them. Is that understood?”

“What kind of rules?”

“For one, I need to know where you are at all times. And you’re going to wear a wire.”

“No wire.”

“Then I’m shutting you down now.”

“No wire!” Her voice was raised, her hands clutching the line of her hips. “If I can get in I won’t risk blowing my cover.”

“I wasn’t asking you nicely, Detective.”

“And I meant what I said,” Danni countered.

* * *

Armstrong sighed, a deep gust of air that hinted at his wanting to rage back at her. It suddenly felt like they’d come to an impasse. He knew he needed to shift the conversation before spewing something they would both regret. He gestured for her to take a seat as he moved to the chair on the other side of the table. He slid two manila folders across the polished wood toward her.

“What’s this?” she asked as she opened one folder and found nothing inside.

“It’s the file we don’t have on Paul Balducci. Everything prior to his eighteenth birthday is sealed. We can’t get our hands on it. Not even the petty, juvenile stuff, like shoplifting, or vandalism, that we know about. The other is his father’s file. And make no mistakes, Leonard Balduccci was a career criminal.”

Danni flipped quickly through the documents inside, one piece of paper grabbing her attention. She read it once and then a second time before lifting her eyes to his. “You killed his father?”

“Ten years ago. Junior would have been a kid. Barely out of grade school. His father was running the family business. He and his crew were hijacking trailer shipments and sending the cargo overseas. We caught them after they took down a truck full of TVs and electronics. The security guard was able to signal the alarm before they killed him. There was a shootout at the docks, and Senior took a bullet. It was one of my first cases and the first time I ever had to discharge my weapon. He died three days later.”

Armstrong’s gaze suddenly shifted into thought. Despite his best efforts, he often thought about the night he’d killed Leonard Balducci. Taking fire, he’d had no other option but to shoot back. His bullet had hit its target. He’d been blessed that those meant for him had missed. The shooting had almost derailed his career in law enforcement. He’d been grounded, confined to a desk and the shuffling of papers. There had been months of scrutiny from Internal Affairs and strangers who knew nothing of him. The media had questioned his integrity and others had a field day, calling him a monster. He’d felt boxed in and had been ready to give it all up. Despite everyone’s assurances that it hadn’t been his fault, the guilt he still carried was immense.

“I’m sorry,” Danni said softly.

Armstrong shrugged. “It didn’t have to end that way, but we weren’t given a lot of choices.”

Danni nodded. “So how would you like me to play this?”

“Trust your instincts. You got yourself further than I would have anticipated, so play it how you think best. When you’re undercover I can only support you from a distance. Although Pius would have been a kid and might not know who I am, the family definitely knows me, so the best I’m going to be able to do is my good-cop or my bad-cop routine, if needed.”

“I think I made a connection with the girl Ginny. And then there’s his brother.”

“Pius’s brother?”

“Well, half-brother. His name is Carlo. He said they have the same mother but different fathers. He runs the coffee shop. I didn’t even notice the family resemblance until he said something, it’s so slight.”

Armstrong’s brow creased as he seemed to search for something in his memory. He reached for the file, flipping through it briefly before slapping it back against the table. “From everything I know, Paul was an only child. He doesn’t have any siblings.”

“Not according to Carlo. He also said something about a sister. Allegedly, she was a runaway.”

He gestured back toward the file folder. “Find out what you can about him. And before you leave, head upstairs to the tech guys.”

“The tech guys?”

“I’m putting in a request for that surveillance wire. They’ll get you hooked up.”

Danni laughed. “I told you I’m not wearing a damn wire, and I mean that.”

“Don’t try me, Detective,” Armstrong said, amusement dancing in his eyes as he stood and moved back out the door. “I’ve been a very nice guy up till now!”

* * *

Armstrong watched her as she made herself comfortable with the other members of the task force. Danni had a relaxed disposition, and people were at ease with her. For most of the morning she’d been researching the files to ensure she was up-to-date with the investigations, asking pertinent questions when needed. She seemed to enjoy engaging each person individually, her dry humor winning her a number of fans. Her likability factor was extraordinary, and he instinctively understood how she managed to integrate herself into other people’s spaces so effortlessly. She was a force to be reckoned with, a quiet storm that seemed to sneak up unnoticed before raging gallantly and then dissipating like a sweet summer rain.

He rocked back in his seat, the front legs of the wooden chair he sat in rising off the vinyl-tiled floor. His hands were folded together in his lap. His expression was reflective as he sat in quiet deliberation. The faintest smile ever pulled at his lips. She amused him as much as she infuriated him, digging her heels in when she wanted to prove a point. She challenged his intellect and seemed comfortable with testing his authority; doing her job as she ignored protocol. And she made him smile. She was not the detective he had expected, but she was one his intuition told him he was going to enjoy working with immensely.

Sitting forward in the chair, he called for her, his deep baritone voice bellowing through the space. “Detective Winstead!”

From where he sat he saw her toss him a look, her gaze narrowing. She shifted her eyes back to the conversation she was in the middle of, seeming to ignore him. He glanced to his wristwatch, taking mental notes as he continued to observe her. After six minutes passed, he debated whether to call out a second time, and then she turned, sauntering easily in his direction.

“Yes, sir?” she said as she moved into the conference room to stand before him. Her arms were crossed over her chest. “You called?” Her expression was nonchalant, barely curious. Her lips were pursed ever so slightly, and her eyes were focused on him intently. She gave him reason to pause as he stared back, suddenly wondering what it might be like to kiss the soft curve of her bottom lip.

He shook the thought away, ignoring the sensation that suddenly swept through his southern quadrant. “Is there a reason you haven’t been upstairs yet, Detective?”

“Yes, sir, there is.”

His brow shifted upward, his expression questioning.

Danni continued. “I am not wearing a wire. I won’t risk blowing my cover before I figure out if I can even infiltrate Pius’s crew. You need to trust me on this one. Sir.”

There was a moment of hesitation as they continued to stare at each other. Armstrong finally nodded. As he did, he pushed a small white box across the table in her direction and gestured for her to take it.

Danni’s eyes shifted from his face to the box and back. “What’s this?” she questioned as she took the container and lifted the lid. Inside lay a silver cross embedded with marcasite jewels and an inlay of red coral. It was about the size of a small plum and fit nicely in the palm of her hand. An extended length of silver chain was threaded through the charm’s silver loop. She lifted her eyes a second time, curiosity seeping past her lashes.

“My extremely savvy tech guys call it wearable technology. If you find yourself in a situation, you push the large jewel in the center to trigger the alarm. The device then starts recording audio and calls your emergency contacts to let them know your location. The team and I are your emergency contacts. It’s also waterproof, so once you put it on you don’t need to take it off. And if you activate the sensor by accident, you just deactivate it with your smartphone.”

Danni turned the piece of jewelry from one side to the other, eyeing the details.

He continued. “The tech guys...upstairs...can explain it to you in greater detail. Go up and talk to them,” he said, his tone commanding. “Now, wear the damn wire! And the next time I give you an order, either follow it, or take your ass back to Atlanta. Is that understood?”

Danni nodded. “Yes, sir!”

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