The Hearts Series

  I felt about two inches tall when Tony looked at me with such sincerity and trust. He had no idea what a crappy excuse for a police officer I was, or just how deeply familiar Lee and I truly were.

  “Sure,” I replied stiffly. “Anything I can do to help.”

  Tony nodded and motioned for me to follow him to the interview room, which consisted of bare magnolia walls and a table with three chairs, one of which Lee was currently occupying. The constable who’d brought him there was standing by the door, while Tony and I took the seats across from Lee. I glanced at him, unable to prevent the pang of concern in my gut at seeing him beat up. My first instinct was to reach across the table and inspect his injuries, make sure he was okay. His cuffed hands were behind his back, and I desperately wanted to take them off, massage his wrists to ease the strain.

  I tried to push those perplexing instincts aside and harden my resolve. Lee had instigated a dangerous gang fight. He deserved to be suffering. I hadn’t even known he was part of a gang, or maybe Tony just presumed he was. After all, he was a boss, an under-boss, but a boss nonetheless, and he obviously had a lot of young men working for him, stealing for him.

  I kept reminding myself of these facts, my expression sullen.

  Lee’s gaze fixed on me as the muscles in his jaw twitched.

  “I’ve forgotten something. I’ll be right back,” said Tony, after rifling through the file he’d carried in. Once he was gone, I was alone at the table with Lee. The other constable still stood by the door, so I couldn’t speak openly. We found ourselves in something of a staring contest. I didn’t look away, nor did I let my expression falter. He needed to know I wasn’t happy with any of this.

  Lee smiled vaguely and leaned his body forward as much as he could, studying me as he cocked his head. “Why so blue, blue eyes?”

  “I didn’t give you permission to speak, so be quiet,” I replied firmly, irritated by how his lips curved around the edges at my hot-tempered response, hating how it made my insides flutter.

  “Such a pretty blue,” he went on, goading me.

  “I told you to shut it. That’s your final warning.”

  “You know, I kinda like it when you boss me around, Constable.”

  Deciding he was enjoying himself far too much, I gave him the silent treatment, staring at the wall as we waited for Tony to return. It only took a minute, and his chair scraped against the floor as he pulled it back. Once he was seated, he cautioned Lee before starting the interview.

  “So,” Tony began, flipping through a new folder, “do you want to tell me what started all this, son?”

  “My solicitor’s on his way. I’m not talking to you until he gets here. End of.”

  “An eyewitness claims you were the instigator in the disturbance, says you walked right up to Carl Finley and attacked him, completely out of nowhere.”

  “Bit dramatic,” said Lee.

  “So tell me your version of events.”

  “You got a hearing problem? I said I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

  Tony raised his hands in the air. “That’s fine by me. I’ll just keep talking, then, shall I?”

  Lee shrugged, his eyes flicking to me for a second and then back to Tony. I’d never felt more tense in my life. He could’ve outed us right then and there. He could’ve said anything, and there was nothing I could do to stop him.

  “Our witness maintains you were shouting at Carl, saying he disrespected something that belonged to you. It sounds like maybe he had it coming, and you know, I’ve got to wonder what he disrespected. It must be something pretty special,” Tony went on, and my entire body turned cold as my eyes rose to Lee’s. He stared back at me, completely expressionless, but in that moment I knew. I knew he’d started the fight with the neck tattoo guy, or Carl Finley, because of what he did to me. It was unbelievable. Inexcusable. I dealt with aggressive individuals on a daily basis. I was used to it. And the fact of the matter was, Lee had no business starting fights over me. We weren’t even together, and in spite of what he’d tricked me into saying during sex, I certainly didn’t belong to him.

  Lee levelled me with his gaze as he replied to Tony, “You have no idea.”

  My pores tightened, my tummy fluttering in response to the intensity in his words. The reaction pissed me off.

  “You don’t seem very remorseful for your actions,” I put in, unable to keep quiet.

  “I don’t have any regrets, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

  I grabbed for Tony’s folder, which contained details of those who’d been taken to hospital. “One of the men involved in the fight has a busted jaw, and another has a smashed kneecap. It’d take a fairly cold-hearted individual not to feel concern over such serious injuries.”

  “If Mugabe got his jaw broke, would you shed a tear?” Lee asked with derision.

  “That’s not the same thing.”

  “Oh, it’s not? Do you have any idea the kind of disgusting shit Carl and his boys get up to? Gang rapes, violent attacks, muggings, intimidation, you name it. You heard about those drugs that’ve been going around? The ones that teenagers were overdosing on?” He paused to eye me pointedly. “He’s threatened people at gunpoint. He’s beaten people half to death, and he still gets to walk the streets like he’s king of his own little empire. I think you’ll find it’s exactly the same thing.”

  “So, you started the fight as what, some kind of vigilante form of justice?” Tony put in cynically, and I suddenly remembered we weren’t alone. I also felt awful, because Carl had threatened me and I’d let him away with it. If I’d arrested him that day, then maybe I could’ve saved a few of the people Lee had spoken about. The thought made me wither with guilt. I hated to admit it, but what he’d told me was true. The world wasn’t all black and white, and I was starting to realise that a lot of my beliefs could be turned upside down when I took in another person’s perspective.

  “Did I say I started a fight?” Lee asked. “Because I’m fairly sure I didn’t.”

  “All right, well, let’s talk about the drugs, then. Can you give us any more details?” said Tony. “If you have information, we can work together to have him charged.”

  Lee shook his head as he let out a derisive chuckle. “Do I look like a fucking mug to you? Jesus Christ, pull the other one.”

  “You offered up the information. I was just curious to know more,” Tony replied. He was being nice, playing good cop. Did that mean I was bad cop? No, I didn’t think so, not with the amount of feelings that were swirling around inside me for the criminal on the other side of the table.

  The radio of the officer standing by the door went off, calling him away on an errand. He told Tony he’d be back as quick as he could before leaving the room. With him gone, the place felt oddly smaller. I sensed movement under table as Lee stretched out his leg, his shoe knocking against mine.

  Immediately withdrawing my foot, I narrowed my eyes at him and willed him not to do anything that might make Tony suspicious. I wanted to ask him if he’d started the fight only for me, or if he’d done it because of the other things Carl was guilty of. I wanted to tell him that I was sorry for ending things between us, but that it couldn’t be helped. But most of all I wanted to take him in my arms and tell him violence wasn’t ever a solution. I wanted to show him what the world could be like without it.

  In reality, I’d never get to do any of that, because there would always be a divide. The thin blue line would always lie between us, with me on the side of order and him on the side of chaos.

  “Have you seen a nurse for your injuries?” I asked, the tenderness in my voice unexpected. Tony shot me a curious look while Lee shook his head.

  “My health doesn’t factor very high on the list of priorities where the old bill are concerned, but thanks for asking.”

  “Well, how do you feel? Are you hurt anywhere we can’t see?”

  Lee’s chin rose as his eyes twinkled mischievously. “Why don’t you come a little closer and take
a look, Constable?”

  “Don’t be cute.” On the outside I sounded stern, while on the inside I was pleading with him to let me know he was okay. I remembered back to the time when Steve beat him up. He’d tried to hide his injuries from me then, too. I continued staring at him until his expression softened.

  “I’m fine. Nothing a hot bath and a few beers won’t fix.”

  His answer relieved me. Tony cleared his throat and addressed me formally. “Constable, can I speak with you outside for a moment?”

  I glanced at him and nodded. “Sure.” Rising from my seat, I frantically wondered if I’d done anything to give myself away. Had I shown too much affection when talking to Lee? I couldn’t tell.

  As soon as we were outside and the door was closed, Tony eyed me speculatively. “Are you feeling okay?”

  I shrugged. “Yeah. No different from usual.”

  “You’re acting strangely. Why all the questions in there? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say there was something you’re not telling me.”

  Every muscle in my body coiled tight, and I suddenly realised how transparent I was being. I never expressed concern over a suspect’s health, not in the way I had with Lee. I also never lost my cool in interviews, or acted like I had a personal investment in the crime being investigated. Tony knew me well enough to know something was fishy.

  “Well, now that I think of it, I am having a bit of an off day. I didn’t get much sleep last night,” I lied in an effort to explain my behaviour.

  Tony let out a slow breath. “You’re sure that’s all it is?”

  “Very sure.”

  “Right, well, it doesn’t look like young Mr Cross is going to give us anything we can work with. Can you escort him to a holding cell until his solicitor gets here? I’m going to bring another of the men in for questioning.”

  “Of course, I’ll do that right away,” I said, turning to go back inside the interview room.

  Sixteen

  Sixteen

  * * *

  Lee looked up as soon as I entered, glancing behind me to see if I was alone. He seemed different now that Tony was gone, less cocky and more concerned. Even his voice was different when he spoke, softer.

  “Everything all right?”

  “Yes,” I answered shortly. “Your interview is over. I’m bringing you to a holding cell until your legal advisor arrives.”

  “Hey,” said Lee, his tone gentle as I motioned for him to get up from his seat. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”

  “I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean. Now move. We haven’t got all day.”

  He stood, towering over me by a couple of inches, his eyes tracing my features. “What’s up with you?”

  I glared at him, incredulous, as I whisper-hissed, “Are you shitting me? You started this fight because of me, and now you expect me to act normal. This behaviour is inexcusable.”

  Lee bit his lip as though to keep from smiling at my attempt to scold him. “It is inexcusable — you’re right. But it wasn’t all for you. You know how I feel about drugs. Something had to be done.” He paused and took a step closer until there was hardly any space between us. “And if it meant I got to teach him a lesson for so much as even thinking about laying his hands on you, then all the better.” His voice was a low, husky murmur, and I felt my throat tighten with opposing emotions. I wanted to kiss him and slap him all at the same time.

  “I don’t know why you’re acting so casual right now. If Carl decides to press charges, you could get six months for aggravated assault, more if it turns out that anybody was seriously injured,” I told him.

  Lee levelled his eyes on me. “Finley won’t be pressing charges. That’s not how we do things.”

  “Oh, it’s a ‘we,’ is it? So you consider yourself the same sort of person as him? How reassuring.”

  “Not what I meant.”

  I shook my head and opened the door, gripping his upper arm to move him forward. “This conversation is over. Now start walking,” I ordered him.

  He stepped out into the corridor, and I heard loud voices up ahead.

  “Fucking hell,” Lee swore, looking to his right.

  I stepped past him just in time to see Carl Finley head-butt one of the two constables who’d been trying to escort him to an interview room. Lee positioned his body in front of mine, as though to shield me from getting caught in the crossfire. My heart clenched momentarily at the protective move, but then the officers got the upper hand, restraining Carl to the floor. The one he’d head-butted kicked him hard in the lower abdomen, and Carl grunted in pain. Seeing that they had things under control, I began to guide Lee farther down the corridor.

  He chuckled quietly as we passed by Carl, who twisted his head to look up at Lee, venom in his eyes. Lee glanced at the constable who’d kicked him, still laughing.

  “That’s bang out of order, mate.”

  “Shut it or you’ll be next,” the constable spat.

  “Just try it,” said Lee, baring his teeth.

  The constable took a step forward, but I narrowed my gaze at him and intervened just in time.

  “A little bit of professionalism wouldn’t go amiss, Connors,” I said sternly before continuing to guide Lee away.

  “You’re too good for this shit,” Lee said once we were alone again, his statement surprising me. He walked ahead of me, so all I could see was his back. I still held his upper arm, whether to keep him from running off or to appease my need to touch him, I wasn’t sure.

  When I didn’t respond, he kept talking. “I hate thinking of you being hurt, Karla, hate imagining you in all the dangerous situations you have to walk into every day.”

  His words stirred a pang of emotion in my gut, but I tried to bat it down and keep my voice steady as I whispered, “And you think that doesn’t go both ways? I hate thinking of your life just as much as you hate thinking of mine.”

  Lee didn’t breathe a word after that, and when I locked him into the cell, he stared at his hands, clearly deep in thought.

  It was four days after seeing him at the station that I decided to visit Lee’s garage. I drove over in my own car, hoping he’d be around. It was only when I arrived that I remembered they didn’t open on weekends. Engaging the handbrake, I sat there for a moment, wondering what the hell I was doing.

  The radio silence on his end worried me, and I desperately wanted to know if he was doing anything to remove himself from McGregor’s inner circle. I knew the only way he was going to be able to do it peacefully was to buy himself out, but how much would that even cost?

  I had no idea.

  Finally deciding I was being an idiot for trying to see him, I determined to go home and quit wasting my time worrying over a man who wasn’t even my partner. In the grand scale of things, very little had happened between us. We’d had sex a few times; that was it. I needed to give myself a good firm reality check.

  It was evening, and the sky was just beginning to darken when I took one last look at the doors to Lee’s garage. I furrowed my brow when I noticed something on the ground, and on closer inspection I realised it was actually someone.

  Without thinking I got out of the car, hurrying over to help the crumpled body lying in a heap. He wore a peaked cap, but when I gently pushed it up with my fingers, I saw it was Liam. Half his face was bashed in, and blood stained his clothing. Feeling for a pulse, I let out a relieved breath to find he was alive and still breathing, albeit raggedly. It took me only a few minutes to look him over and determine his injuries. His body was badly bruised and he had several painful-looking cuts, but there were no bullets or fatal wounds as far as I could tell.

  Pulling my phone from my pocket, I began dialling the number for emergency services when a hand suddenly shot out, plucking the phone from my grasp. Liam was awake.

  “Don’t,” he croaked. “Just bring me home. Find Lee.”

  “You’re hurt,” I said. “You need an ambulance.”

  “No,” he went on
fervently. “No ambulance, please.”

  The fierce look in his eyes gave me pause, and entirely on instinct I ran to my car, opening the back door before returning to Liam and helping him to stand. It was a good thing I was strong, because anyone else might have had a hard time getting the muscular twenty-year-old into the back of their car. Once I had him situated, I slid into the front and started the engine, heading in the direction of Lee’s house. Glancing through the overhead mirror I saw that Liam had passed out again.

  I was already there, rushing to the front door and knocking frantically, when I wondered why I hadn’t gone to the hospital, or called the station to make a report. It was a sobering thought, and not for the first time I questioned just how much of an influence my feelings for Lee were having on my actions.

  Trevor answered the door, the smile instantly dropping from his face when he saw my panicked expression. Without saying a word, I grabbed his hand and yanked him outside, pulling him to my car and opening the back door. He swore profusely when he saw the state Liam was in, then ran back inside the house. Before I knew it, Stu and Lee were there, their entire forms twisting with rage when they saw their youngest brother. Sophie came out of the house, too, her hand going to her mouth in shock.

  I watched silently as they worked together to get him inside. They all laid him carefully down on the couch, while Sophie ran upstairs to grab a first aid kit. Once Liam was settled, Lee came to me, his hands going to my face as he looked me directly in the eyes. There was a strain in his voice, his rage barely concealed. My breathing was still frantic, my heartbeat racing.

  “Tell me what happened, Karla, and start from the beginning.”

  I quickly relayed how I’d gone to his garage to speak with him and found Liam on the ground. Trevor and Stu were mere feet away, listening to me as I spoke.

  “This has Finley written all over it,” Stu growled, his hands clenched tightly into fists.