Chapter 24

"True friends are like diamonds—bright, beautiful, valuable, and always in style."

–Nicole Richie

Rayne

There were a lot of really good reasons why I enjoyed Jameson staying with me at my place. The best reason was the sex we managed to slip in during a shower once we got home from work.

I'd never had sex that made my legs wobble and honestly fear that I'd fall on the slick tile and hurt myself. Thankfully, Jameson was there to hold me up.

We'd just managed to get dressed when there was a knock on my door.

"I'll get it," I told Jameson, who was trying to find a clean shirt in the boxes of his things a few other agents had delivered.

I held in a groan after opening the door to Sabrina.

"What in the living hell, Rayne," she said, her arms crossed over her chest.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not answering any—" I started as I tried to shut the door.

Sabrina pushed the door open and rushed to hug me. "I just heard everything," she said into my hair. "Are you okay?"

I tensed for a second and then relaxed. "Off the record?"

She jerked slightly. "For this, yes. I know you and Randy are trying to keep it from getting back to Edith." She leaned back and looked me in the eyes. "I promise you right now that I won't print a word of what happened inside the bullpen."

I saw the truth in her eyes and nodded. "Come on in. We have some time before we need to head over there for dinner."

"We?" Sabrina's eyes arched.

Just then, Jameson stepped into the room, thankfully fully dressed.

"Sabrina, meet DEA Narcotics Investigator Special Agent Caleb Jameson Morales. Jameson, Reporter for the Gemsville Herald, Sabrina DeRouen, an old friend who has agreed that what we say next is off the record."

"You were in the Reapers." Sabrina pointed at Jameson, who smiled and nodded.

"Undercover," he said smoothly.

Sabrina's eyes moved between us as Jameson stepped up and wrapped his arm around me.

"You two are a thing?" she asked.

"Yes," we both answered at the same time.

Sabrina walked over and sat down on one of my chairs, and we followed and sat on the sofa together. "Did Quincy really hold you at gunpoint and then kill himself?"

I nodded, feeling the tight knot in my gut.

"How did you hear?" I asked.

"I have my resources," she countered. "The DEA"—she motioned towards Jameson—"you really think that he was in charge of the Reapers? The head of some drug ring?" Jameson shrugged. Sabrina turned to me. "And you think he killed Sharon, Bobby, and Earl?" I shrugged. "What about Evelyn?" she asked.

I shrugged again. "We're still working the case. Looking for proof."

Sabrina remained quiet for a moment. "Quincy and Evelyn did have some history. Not any that might cause him to run her down in the alley though."

"They did?" I asked with a slight frown.

Sabrina's eyes turned to me. "Sure. I mean, he dated a lot. Went through more than a handful of women before and after you."

I shrugged. "I didn't pay too much attention. I suppose I've had my share of flings around town too."

"I'd wager none of them held a gun to your temple," Sabrina said softly. "Are you okay?"

I nodded as I swallowed. "I'm… dealing. The station is making me see a counselor, standard procedure and all. I start next week.

"What now? The entire Reaper gang is locked up for how long?" she asked.

"Until they are each individually charged," Jameson answered. "In a federal court."

Sabrina nodded. "And Wyatt Taylor too?" Jameson nodded. "I heard you had Declan in custody as well?"

"These facts you can report on. My father will be making a statement tomorrow morning," I added.

"I know, he's doing a press release at six tomorrow. I'm scheduled to be there, along with half the reporters in the country." She sighed and leaned back. "That just means no one will pay attention to a small-town reporter."

"What if I could get you a one-on-one with the arresting officer?" Jameson said.

Both Sabrina and I looked at him.

"Jameson," I warned him, and he turned his eyes toward me.

"It's my call. Tomorrow's press release has vague details. I can give more. In time."

Sabrina sat forward. "Seriously?"

Jameson nodded and stood up. "Tomorrow. I'll meet you at the bakery under my apartment in town around eleven. For now"—he took my hand and helped me stand up—"we have dinner plans we don't want to be late for."

As we pulled up to my parents' house, I couldn't help but feel a mix of eagerness and apprehension swirling in my stomach. Dinner with my family was always special, but tonight felt different because this was the first time Jameson was with me. My entire body tingled with an undercurrent of excitement and tension.

Randy greeted us at the door with a warm smile, his eyes tired but welcoming as he ushered us inside. The familiar scent of home-cooked food wafted through the air, mingling with the soft murmur of conversation as we settled around the dining room table.

"Evening." Randy shook Jameson's hand and came in for a hug.

"Dad." I smiled and hugged him back.

"It's taken you twenty-three years to call me that and really mean it," he said over my head. "She called us Mom and Dad for a few years when she was younger, then watched a movie where an adopted daughter called her parents by their first names and started doing that." He rolled his eyes. "We just sort of went with it. Calls me Dad or Daddy every now and then, but I could always tell it didn't come from here." He touched his heart. "Now…" he smiled.

In my head they would always be Mom and Dad, even if I called them Randy and Edith.

"It helps to keep things professional when we work together," I added as I laughed. "How's Mom?" I asked, looking around.

"Tired. Her last chemo session is tomorrow," he added with a smile. "Then we get to heal and see how things went before her next surgery."

"She'll have a follow-up, reconstruction from her double mastectomy, once she's strong enough," I told Jameson, who nodded.

We stepped into the dining room where Edith was propped up in a chair. The silver wig that Aria had given her could have fooled anyone. Even I almost forgot it wasn't her own hair as I leaned in and brushed a kiss on her cheek.

"Mom, this is Jameson," I said and stood back as Jameson shook my mother's hand.

"Mrs. Cordova, it's a pleasure," Jameson said smoothly.

"Please, call me Edith." My mother motioned for us to sit. "Randy will set the table while we chat."

We were halfway through the pot roast meal when Randy finally broached the topic of his retirement. I felt a surge of mixed emotions wash over me.

"I've been thinking about retiring," he said, his voice tinged with weariness. "And I think you'd be the perfect person to take over as chief of police. I've already broached the subject with your SSA." He chuckled. "She was surprisingly optimistic about the move."

The words hung in the air between us, heavy with implication. I glanced at Jameson, a flicker of surprise and pride dancing in my chest as I realized the magnitude of the offer my father was extending to him.

"I... I don't know what to say," Jameson said, his eyes searching mine. "I'd be honored, but I haven't quite figured out what's going to happen after I close this case. Can we take a while to figure things out?" He took my hand in his.

I squeezed his hand reassuringly, offering him a supportive smile. "Take your time and think about it," Dad said with a smile. "But know that whatever decision you make, we will support you both."

"Thanks, Dad," I said, feeling my heart swell with love.

As we continued our meal, the conversation turned to lighter topics, and soon we found ourselves reminiscing about my parents' past. Dad chuckled as he recounted the story of how he and Mom had first met at a local diner, their eyes meeting over a spilled cup of coffee.

"It was love at first sight," Dad said, his voice tinged with affection as he glanced at my mother. "I knew from the moment I saw her that she was the one."

Mom blushed at his words, her eyes sparkling with fondness as she reached for his hand with her frail one. "Oh, Randy, you're too sweet," she said, her voice soft with emotion. "I knew from that first moment that you were the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with too."

As I listened to all of my parents' stories, which I knew by heart, I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and nostalgia wash over me. Despite the challenges they had faced over the years, my parents' love for each other had only grown stronger with time, a testament to the enduring power of true love.

Even after they'd found out they couldn't have any more children after their one and only child had died as a baby, they'd claimed they'd never given up hope. Shortly after little Randy Jr's death, Randy had found me, and their lives had gained a new purpose.

As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the backyard, we all fell into a comfortable silence, content to bask in the peacefulness of the moment. And as I looked around at my family, bathed in the soft light of the setting sun, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude wash over me.

In that moment, surrounded by the people I loved most in the world, I knew that no matter what the future held, we would face it together, with love, laughter, and unwavering support. We watched the stars begin to twinkle like diamonds in the darkening sky and I hoped there would be many more nights like this to come. My eyes moved to my mom and her frail state, and I sent up a silent prayer.

Please, if there is a god somewhere up in that star-filled sky, please don't take my mother.

The next morning, before the sun even rose, there was a pounding on my door.

Jameson groaned and then jerked awake, instantly on guard.

"I know you're in there, Rayne." Aria's angry voice echoed in the darkness. "Jameson, I know you're in there. The two of you get your naked butts up and come tell me why in the hell I'm just finding out what happened on the news."

"Shit," we both said at the same time.

"She was out of town. I should have texted or called her." I groaned, pulling on a bathrobe.

"Hurry up," Aria called out. "I don't give a damn if you're naked. I'm still going to kick both of your?—"

I swung the door open to a very angry-looking Aria, who after one look at me and Jameson, narrowed her eyes and stormed past us into the house.

"I just drove over eight hours. Eight fucking hours." She turned towards us as her voice rose. "Why did I have to hear what happened, what really happened to you in the bullpen, from Sabrina? Sabrina!" She practically screamed it as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Instead of answering her, I walked into her arms and held her stiff body.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "Everything has been so… crazy." When Aria didn't budge, I sighed. "Fine," I leaned back and looked my best friend in the eyes. "I'm officially using my do-over card."

Aria's eyes narrowed slightly, then she held out her hand. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the kitchen junk drawer. After a few moments of looking around for it, I pulled out the tattered card and placed it in Aria's hand.

"Done." Aria took the card and shoved it in her pocket, then she balled her fist and gave me a Charlie horse on my arm. "Do-over transaction is complete." She glanced over at Jameson with a frown. "You, unfortunately, don't have a do-over card. You're DEA?"

Jameson nodded. "Deep undercover," Jameson added firmly. "Need-to-know basis."

"I'm her best friend." She pointed towards me. "Trust me when I say it was a need-to-know basis."

"Duly noted. I'll keep that in mind for the future," Jameson said with a grin. "We good?"

Aria ran her eyes up and down. "Is your real name Jameson?"

"Caleb Jameson Morales. I'm originally from the Chicago area. Only kid of Boris and Molly Morales. Joined the DEA fresh out of a tour in the marines. Took my first undercover assignment when I was a baby at twenty-two. Took down one of the largest drug lords in LA within my first year. I just turned thirty…" He glanced at his watch. "Well, actually, I will turn thirty in two days." He smiled.

"Seriously?" I asked, then I turned to Aria. "You've gotten more out of him in five minutes that I have since I met him," I joked.

Aria smiled and then nodded. "Okay, good. One last very important question."

"Shoot," Jameson said.

"Do you love my best friend?" Aria asked with all sincerity.

"With all my being," Jameson responded, causing Aria to squeal.

"Good." She rushed towards us and hugged us both. "Now, I'm going to make us all some pancakes. After the two of you shower. You smell like hot steamy sex." She laughed as she disappeared into my kitchen. "Breakfast is in ten minutes everyone," she called out. "So no shower sex."

I laughed and took Jameson's hand and pulled him into the bedroom. "Sorry, we're sort of a package deal."

"It's okay. I like her. Remember, we spent our first unofficial date together?" He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine.

"Right." I sighed and melted against him.

"A lot can happen in ten minutes," he said as he walked me backwards towards the bathroom.

As we walked into the kitchen, the smell of pancakes greeted us, and my stomach rumbled with anticipation. Aria stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with practiced ease, a look of concentration on her face. I couldn't help but smile as I watched her, grateful for her presence after her long drive home.

"Just in time," she greeted us, her voice cheerful despite the early hour. "Coffee?" she said, holding up a mug. "I didn't know how Jameson liked his, so it's black." She motioned towards the other cup.

I walked over and took the mug from her.

"Jameson likes it black," he said from behind me. "Thanks." He walked over and took the cup and took a sip.

"Sit, I'm almost done," Aria said. We sat down and soon Aria joined us, carrying a plate piled high with pancakes, syrup dripping down the sides. "Breakfast is served," she announced, setting the plate down on the table before flopping into a seat beside me.

We dug into the pancakes eagerly, savoring the delicious meal and the comfort of each other's company. As we ate, Jameson filled Aria in on the latest developments in the case, detailing the arrests of the Reaper gang members and the shocking death of Quincy.

"It's been a crazy few days," he admitted, running a hand through his hair before taking my hand in his. "But we're all okay and, better yet, we're making progress. Hopefully, we'll have everything wrapped up soon."

"Everything?" Aria frowned. "As in, you're leaving?"

"No, I'm sticking," Jameson assured her.

"For how long?" Aria asked.

He glanced at me and smiled. "For as long as Rayne wants me."

I nodded. I wanted to say forever, but I didn't want to spook him or myself.

For now, I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the warmth of the sun streaming through the window and the laughter of my friends as we enjoyed our breakfast together. On this moment, surrounded by love and friendship.

Halfway through the day, after I'd spilled my third cup of coffee down my shirt, I was ready to call it quits. I had stubbed my toes on Quincy's desk earlier and had closed a door on my little finger at one point.

Today was shaping up to be jinxed. I'd had a handful of days like this before and knew it was better for me to call it quits early.

I knocked on Randy's door, and when he glanced up I told him I was heading out to visit mom

"Everything all right?" he asked.

"It's a jinx day."

He smiled. "You used to have those when you were young. I didn't know they followed you into adulthood."

"Neither did I. I'm going to bring her some lunch."

He nodded. "She'd like the visit. She just got home from her chemo session. It sounds like everything went well."

I stopped by Mom's favorite diner and ordered food to go. While I was waiting, I watched a young family eating at a table and couldn't help but smile.

I'd never thought that I wanted kids, never even imagined being lucky enough to find someone to have them with. Jameson made me dream about things I'd never wanted before.

I was too busy daydreaming to see Isabella Sinclair leaning against my Jeep waiting for me as I stepped outside. When she saw me heading her way, she stood up straight and stormed towards me.

"You bitch," she said before trying to slap me.

"Easy," I said, setting the food down in my Jeep as I easily dodged the blow. "I'd hate to have to arrest you for striking an officer."

"Bullshit," Izzy said. "You did this. You locked them all up."

"I didn't do anything," I said calmly, releasing Izzy's arm. "I'm sure you've heard by now it was the DEA that did all the arresting."

Izzy's eyes narrowed. "What about Nadia? Did you lock her up too?"

I frowned. "No, she wasn't on the arrest list."

"She's missing," Izzy threw back at me. "I haven't seen her since the night everyone else got hauled in. If I ever see that no-good, lying son of a bitch Jameson again, I'll?—"

"Careful. Remember, I am a police officer," I warned.

"Scratch his eyes out," Izzy finished. "No wonder he wasn't interested in me. The two of you were made for each other," she spat. "Stay out of my way." She stormed down the sidewalk.

All things considered, I figured I got off easy. Still, knowing that Nadia was MIA unsettled me. I drove by her place and knocked on the door. Her car was parked in front of the one-car garage. When she didn't answer, I glanced in the window. Seconds later, I busted the door in and dialed 911, then started CPR on Nadia.