Page 4 of Hooked on Trouble

“Come,” he says finally. “I’ll help you at my desk.”

He has us sign a logbook and hands us visitor badges, then he leads the way, and I’m faced with that ass in those pants, his broad back filling out his shirt, the muscles below flexing as he swings his arms. I’m also faced with the uncomfortable vulnerability that plagued me after Aspen.

Goddamn Nico.

Two

Nico

Raven’s been in Vancouver a month, and I’d lost hope we’d have a chance meeting. I’ve been relying on intel from Sawyer and Kolton, asking them regularly what they’re up to and who they’re going out with, never getting the answer I want. If I’d kept it up, they’d have stopped answering and started grilling. I can handle a persistent Kolton, but Sawyer’s immaturity is grating as fuck. But I don’t have to suffer their obnoxiousness.

Not when Raven’s right behind me.

I keep my eyes facing forward. One more look at that tattooed skin and those sandals laced up her calves, and the guys at the station will know exactly who I’ve been fantasizing about for sixteen months. Just wish she wasn’t here because of a stolen wallet.

I push through the doors into the office area and hold my breath as I pass Mary Santos and her usual plate of curry stinking up the room.

Alessi hollers, “Message on our desk,” as he heads for lunch. Then my partner’s gaze lands on the girls. He smirks his porn-star smirk, and I grind my molars.

I’ve seen that look enough times to know the deviant thoughts running through his mind. Normally I dig the entertainment. Picking up random chicks may not be my thing, but Alessi makes a sport of it: the wide stance, the folded arms, the sly grin that has women biting their lips and getting their ditz on. It’s better than hockey highlights.

Except Shay is like a sister to me, and Raven is…way off limits.

By the time we get to the desk I share with Alessi, he has redirected his trajectory and strikes his player pose in front of the girls. “I’m Tony Alessi, Nico’s partner. Anything I can help you ladies with?”

There’s that smirk again.

Shay smiles politely. “Thanks, but Nico’s got us covered.”

“Speak for yourself.” Raven rolls her shoulders back, lifting her cleavage. She flicks her long black hair over her shoulder. “I could use some help.”

Alessi tilts his head, eyes traveling places they shouldn’t go. “Happy to oblige.”

I flex my hands.

Last time I saw Raven, she was in town visiting Shay. She ignored me the entire night, picked a guy up at the bar, and left with him. I pounded back two beers too many and spent the next morning at the gym, doing squats and bench presses until my thighs screamed and chest ached. It didn’t kill the unwanted images flipping through my mind, and I have no intention of going through that again. She has every right to be pissed at me, every right to harbor a grudge. But I caught how her lips opened when she saw me, practically felt the heat radiating from her. I’d bet a month’s pay she hasn’t forgotten our night together, either.

Alessi slaps his hand on my shoulder. “Why don’t you break for lunch? I can take care of this.”

I crack my knuckles. It’s either that or torch his gelled hair. “Not necessary. This is Shay, Kolton’s girlfriend, and her friend, Raven.”

The second I say her name, Alessi’s hand stiffens. He peels his eyes off Raven’s breasts. “Sure. Right. Sorry, bro. I’ll see you girls around.”

He pounds my back and slinks away, but not before he winks at me. I’ve mentioned Raven to him once, recently. He’d been on my ass about spending all my time stressing over my brother and not having a life. With the hours we clock in the patrol car, there’s no escaping Alessi; the dude likes the sound of his own voice. If I didn’t give him an inch, tell him the only woman I cared to date was moving to Vancouver, he’d have had one of his twenty cousins at my doorstep, condoms in hand.

“He seems nice.” Raven licks her lips as she watches him walk away.

I should really torch his hair.

I nod for the girls to take a seat as I search drawers for the Property Report Form. Documenting every detail of every daily interaction wasn’t exactly what I’d imagined when joining the force, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Bury me under a waterfall of paperwork, and I’d still sign up. First in line. First day eligible. It was never a choice, really.

When I find the document, I squeeze into my too-small chair and lean on my desk. “You’ll have to fill this out. Be as detailed as you can about what he looked like. The more we know, the better our chances of catching him and recovering your wallet. You’ll still need to cancel your credit cards, to be safe.”

Raven closes her eyes and mumbles, “Shit.”

Shay puts a hand on her arm. “I’ll lend you money until you get it sorted out.”

Raven swallows, vulnerability softening her often hard features. She has sharp cheekbones, full lips, and exotic eyes framed with thick bangs. She’s tall and strong, not muscular but fit, always wearing tight black clothes, always displaying her ink, always scowling if she looks at me. Except when we were in Aspen. Her face right now—sad and unsure—is the same as it was that night. Then I screwed everything up.