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My heartbeat intensifies and I feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins, telling me I need to run because it’s clearly unsafe. But it feels as though in this city, nothing is.
We all stand up as the service finishes. I watch through teary eyes as the coffin disappears behind the curtain. Multiple footsteps begin shuffling towards the church's main door, but I take a moment to watch the curtain fully close before turning away.
Bhodi stands at the end of the pew as I turn to face him, holding out his hand. I take mine in his as he begins to lead me from the church. An undeniable sadness begins to consume me when it dawns on me: I’ll never see my dad again.
“Are you ready? I can stay if you need a minute.” Bhodi asks.
“Would you mind if I sat here for a moment alone?”
He gives me a half smile; his eyes quickly dart towards the exit of the church. I follow his eyesight as most attendees have left or are leaving. A few familiar faces seem to hang by the door, hoping to catch me on my way out, but I just need a moment.
“I’ll be right by the door, ok?”
I nod as Bhodi moves towards the door. As he turns away, I can’t help but admire his dark suit. The way it hugs his perfect body, how it’s fitted so perfectly to each muscle, as he walks away, I can’t help but let out a low breath. I know we’ll have to part ways soon, because as of now, I have no reason to be in New York. There are no friends, no family, and no work for me, and with that, I feel my heart hurt.
“Excuse me, Miss Harper. Is everything ok?”
I move my focus towards the gentle voice. I throw my hand over my heart. I take a deep breath and shake my head.
“I’m so sorry Father Dudley, I…”
“Oh no, please, I apologize. I didn’t mean to startle you.” I can’t help but smile at the worn denim blue eyes that are kindly looking at me right now.
“It was a lovely service, thank you, I know it would have made my dad happy.” I feel my voice break as I fight to finish the sentence.
The priest gestures for me to sit. As I sit down, he sits beside me, looking towards the altar. As his shoulders sag, he bows his head slightly.
“Your father was a very good man, Miss Harper. I hope one day you’ll be able to understand just how good he was.”
I turn my head to face him, his comment causes my eyes to narrow slightly. I gently nod my head before looking back to the altar.
“I know how good he was, I just wish we could spend more time together.”
“I’m sure you’ll see him again.” He offers me a kind smile before rising from the pew. “The ashes will be ready for collection in a few days. James gave me your number, but I’m happy to call him if you prefer?”
I blink a couple of times as I take in his question. Turning to the priest I nod.
“Thank you, please call me. I’ll be here.”
Standing from the pew, I take one final look at the altar before exiting the church. Walking past the empty pews, the short walk feels like a lifetime before I reach the door. Stepping back into the afternoon air, I glance up at the dark grey clouds that threaten to pour down.
I feel Bhodi’s presence at my side. As I look towards him, he smiles, but the angry snap of his name soon pulls our focus to the angry balding man approaching us.
“Fuck sake.” Bhodi mutters as I quickly shoot him a questioning look.
Once the man is in front of us, his angry features soften slightly when he sees me.
“Detective Grey, you aren’t meant to be working today? I thought we agreed it was best you took a couple of days off.” His tone is clipped, and I can tell he’s pissed off.
Looking between the two men, I step away. I didn’t know Bhodi wasn’t working at the moment. It makes sense after Detective Strode was hurt that a few days away from the precinct could help.
After a couple minutes, I catch the man out of the corner of my eye heading back down the concrete steps and heading for a waiting car on the sidewalk. Turning to Bhodi, I quirk a brow.
“In trouble?”
He smirks, before sliding his arm around my shoulder and pulling me close. Placing a gentle kiss on my forehead, his lips linger against my skin when he speaks quietly.
“It’s worth it for you.”
