Midnight Daffodil (Poisonous Petals #1)

Chapter 2Luke

two

LUKE

P olice misconduct.

Inappropriate action taken by an officer resulting in harm and or death. It took over three court hearings to push the verdict on me and even more to ensure I didn’t get my P.O.S.T certification taken away or terminated. To add to the clusterfuckingfuck of the last twelve months, I ended up suspended for three of them, receiving only half of my pay.

Police misconduct.

Matt, piece of shit, Duquesne used every defense in the book. He tried his fucking hardest to get my rank of Sergeant and FTO status taken from me.

Why would we want him to train new officers? Is this the behavior the Seattle Police Department condones? Encourages?

I was good at what I did, and beating the shit out of him didn’t change that.

Several of the guys on the force gave testimonials on my behalf. I didn’t have a history of violence, and that’s ultimately what saved my ass.

I still didn’t understand what came over me that night. The outcome was always the same when I repeated every what if scenario in my head.

For her, I’d do it again thoughtlessly.

Olivia decided to drop the charges against Matt, standing firm on the fact that things had been misinterpreted. But I knew better. And I didn’t blame her. She was like gravity, and I was unable to leave her aura.

Nights had come and gone, but like the pages of a book that stuck together, I couldn’t move on. I pictured her gorgeous tan skin in my mind every night before sleeping. She was the first thought when I woke. Nothing could shake the feeling she stirred in me. She consumed me without even trying.

My entire suspension was uneventful save for thoughts of her. How would she feel wrapped around me, clawing my back and screaming my name?

Fuck.

In my thirty-five years, I’d never longed for a woman like I had in the past twelve months since meeting her. Least of all, one I barely knew. I couldn’t understand why Matt would want to hurt her, but I would do whatever it took to make sure she was safe. Even if it meant being featured in the news.

Aidan’s laughter ripped through my thoughts, bringing me back to reality. He cackled hysterically at his own God damn joke, spitting fast food burger all over my dash with each ear splitting shriek. Making my teeth itch.

“That’s some funny shit, ain’t it, Luke?” He gagged on his own laugh, sending more burger flying.

“It’s hilarious,” I muttered, throwing a wad of napkins into the passenger seat. “Are you getting any of that in your mouth, or are you spitting it all over the car for Rev and I to clean up?”

Rev’s head poked up at the sound of his name. Aidan and I were able to continue working together but with new instructions. We focused solely on highway and city watch. I managed to hold onto both of my titles, but damn, it felt like a demotion.

“Rev would eat this up happily.” Aidan laughed, wiping the dash and inhaling the remnants of his food.

Rev let out a huff. He was a stocky, red-nosed American Bully that the unit rescued from one of the kill shelters. Right away, he was eager to please. Easily trainable, he eventually became a member of the force. His loyalty was unmatched, and we were able to retire some of the older Shepherds. At eighty pounds of solid muscle, Rev could take down the fastest criminals and sniff out people and drugs as well as the hounds could.

Rev was remarkable, to say the least. He was the first of his breed on the force, and he was my partner. Spending his free time lounging at my home, which was his home.

“So how’s it feel being back, bossman? Back to us running the streets.” He wiped his hands on the front of his pants. “Feels good being reunited with me, doesn’t it?”

“It’s funny they placed us together again.” I was only half joking. “Figured they’d want a fresh start for us both now that you're out of training.”

He shook his head and offered a lopsided smile. “Yeah, none of the others wanted to deal with your shitty attitude day in and day out.”

“Or maybe they didn’t want to get stuck with the rookie.”

Laughter bubbled from his chest. Aidan had a good time anywhere with anyone, and damn was it annoying, but I liked him. His support meant a lot when half the public wanted me burned at the stake. The only person whose opinion mattered was Olivia’s.

I mentally kicked myself for acting on impulse. My heart beat steadily with regret; I should’ve at least waited until she wasn’t around to see me assault her boyfriend. I hated even calling him that.

I wouldn’t lie; it stroked my ego, knowing Matt had to get several reconstructive surgeries. Fake teeth, too.

Serves the motherfucker right .

I averted my gaze to the city, determined to focus on something other than her for once.

The night was young, and things were quiet. We went in for backup when needed, but other than that, downtime was plentiful. I kept a low profile since everything had been spread all over the news, with Matt fueling the proverbial fire.

Whatthefuckever.

“It’s Friday night. I wonder what we’ll get into.” Aidan wondered out loud. I grunted, fixated on the city out the window.

Midnight passed, and nightlife started to settle. The city lights lit up the sky, and the world felt momentarily calm. Something I never cared for. Calmness was false hope.

Tingles ran up my spine.

The same kind I got a year ago at that highrise. Whispers of trepidation climbed their way up each vertebrae like a ladder. My eyes darted around the cityscape, hoping to find the cause. Rev shifted and grunted in the back seat.

Could he feel it, too?

“He’s seeing something, boss,” Aidan’s voice was just above a whisper.

“Yeah, I’m waiting for us to see it too. I don’t like this feeling I’m getting. Feels too familiar.” My voice was hushed even in the secluded space.

The low rumble of Rev’s growl interrupted the silence.

At the same time, we turned our focus to two filthy men who slithered out from the shadows. Both were wearing jeans and dark sweatshirts that concealed most of their features. Their backs were to us as they wandered down the empty streets.

I waited until they got further down the block before allowing my foot to softly kiss the gas pedal, idling behind them at a slug pace. They flipped their hoods up, feet moving briskly.

I could’ve made the stop then. But I had to chase the feeling, even though they were shady enough as it was.

Following at a distance, neither of us spoke. The hum of the engine and Rev’s breathing were the only sounds I heard as my vision tunneled, focusing on them.

“They’re up to no good. You wanna make the stop?” Aidan shifted in his seat. Clapping his hands once, he rubbed them together. The sound was so dry that I was impressed he didn’t combust on the spot.

“Not quite yet,” I muttered loud enough to be heard over Rev’s growls.

“What’s stopping ya?”

“I dunno. Just gettin’ a feeling. Let’s see what they’re up to first.” The tingles ramped up, leading me like a moth to a flame.

“A feeling? What, like the food was bad?” His dumbass question was loud in the cruiser’s quiet cabin. “You got bubble guts, old man? We gotta make a special stop for ya?” He brayed.

I chuckled. “Aidan?”

“Yeah, bossman?”

“Shut the fuck up.”