14. Bronson

brONSON

Over the next few days,the routine stayed the same.

But it was all about to change and dread was hitting me like a sledgehammer.

That morning after we shared pancakes, another kiss, and I had showered, I'd come back to explain everything that had transpired through the night, as well as early morning in regard to the phone call Lake had received.

Once Lake had gone to bed I wasted no time at all and had not only called my people at the precinct but also Lyric. Things moved fast and I had the police out to check her house and Lyric met them out there. I trusted the men I worked with at the station and at one time Lyric had been one of them until he left to work for No Surrender full time. I completely trusted him with my life, especially since he saved it once.

Lyric had taken a bullet for me during a domestic violence call one night and I would be forever in his debt even if he got pissed when I said that. If things had gone differently, I may not have had the chance to redeem myself to my best friend, to tell Lake I was sorry, or realize that I was in love with her and needed her to know.

So I'd do anything for Lyric and also would do everything I could to have a life with Lake. The bonus was, Stormi came with her.

Telling Lake that someone had definitely invaded her home was not easy. While she already knew that by what the man had said, it was different when I had validated it as well as having to tell her that the individual hadn't just walked in, then left, but had gone through drawers, touching her personal items. The shit part was they didn't find any fingerprints, only one set of footprints leading to the lake where we assumed the person had a boat since they disappeared at the dock on her property.

There was also nothing to track the call that had come into Lake as it looked like a burner phone. Someone was seriously fucking with her and my hackles were up, my mind telling me that whatever was going on was not only very personal but was far from over.

Whoever the hell it happened to be was messing with the wrong lady and for sure didn't realize the group of people she had standing at her back.

With everything going on, Lyric and the guys got to work on her cameras and security system. It was all installed and while that should have made me feel better, the thought of her or Stormi going back home at any time of the day or night, left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I'd been with the girls during the day, then Stormi at night, but it was time to go back to work. My shift pattern changed including a combination of morning, daytime, and evening shifts. Some of us did this, while other police officers had a more set schedule. For me I never had anyone counting on me or waiting for me at home so I did whatever was needed.

I was rethinking all that now that I had two girls to consider.

Not only had I been working my regular job, I also moonlighted on some gigs doing security or other things to help the guys at No Surrender lately. It kept me busy.

What else did I have to do or worry about, so why not?

"Why can't you stay with me?" Stormi asked, pulling on my hand.

That dread increased and the sledgehammer slammed down on me a few more times.

I was waiting by the door so I could drop the girls off where they needed to go and then head to work. It was Friday night and I was working a night shift so I couldn't keep Stormi with me. She was none too happy about it and neither was I.

How the child had wiggled her way into my life, along with my heart so easily and quickly in such a short time was perplexing since I didn't let people in that often, but she had. When she was upset, so was I, and I loved taking care of her.

Dropping to a crouch position, I looked her in the eyes. "I'm sorry munchkin, I have to work but I promise I will see you in the morning, okay?"

Oh shit, are those tears?

A trickle of liquid pooled in both of her big brown eyes, settling at the edge about ready to spill over. She was killing me. I wasn't sure why she liked me so much or had latched on to me the way she had. It felt good but when I disappointed her, it was torture at its finest.

Reaching out, I swept her tears away with the pads of my thumbs. "You're going to have so much fun at Jurnee and Braxton's house tonight. And I promise I will call you before you go to sleep and pick you up in the morning, okay?"

I heard Lake come into the room and looked at her over Stormi's shoulder. We had talked about the plan and she agreed to it, even though she thought they were expecting too much of me and putting me out.

She couldn't be more wrong.

I was doing exactly what I wanted to do.

Even with the security up at their place, with both of us working at night, Lake still didn't feel right about leaving her young college-age babysitter at her house at night alone with Stormi. So Stormi got to pick any of our friends" houses to spend the night at. Being summer made it a lot easier too.

They would eventually be staying there in just a few days when Lake was off work, but I didn't want to think about that quite yet.

"And you will bring mommy with you when you pick me up and we can go to Capri's to get a cinnamon roll for breakfast, right?"

I glanced back at the sweet girl and nodded. When she got upset, we set up a plan that seemed to help. "You betcha. I already told Capri to be ready for us."

That got a small smile out of her. Everyone loved Capri's pastries and they could always put a little pep in their step.

"Do you think we should let your mom get one too?" I whispered, but loud enough so Lake could hear me.

All of a sudden something hit me square in the forehead and bounced off. Stunned, I glanced up to see Lake laughing and then noticed a small rubber ball bouncing across the room. Where she'd grabbed that from I didn't know. I'd also forgotten she had an arm on her and good aim. She had since she was little and could put most of my friends to shame when playing baseball with us.

"You better be buying me one of Capri's amazing treats," she scolded, her hands planted on her curvy hips.

I pointed toward Lake but addressed Stormi. "Your momma likes sweet things, so it's another good reason why her nickname fits her so well. Right, Cupcake?"

Looking back toward Lake, I gave her a wink and both she and Stormi started to giggle in unison, the sound making my heart thump with happiness.

Then it plummeted when I thought about having to take Lake to work again and not having Stormi with me. It was going to be a long night without both of them. Over the last couple of days, we'd taken Lake to her job, I stayed with Stormi, and then we'd pick her mom up in the morning. It had been restless nights wondering if anything would happen or she'd get another call.

The only saving grace was that she checked in with me when she could and that the guys she worked with knew what was going on. Her co-worker she rode with, Dave, and Huntley the fireman, along with others would watch out for her when on calls together.

It gave me some peace of mind, but not enough.

Sensing my mood change, Lake walked over and rested her hand on my shoulder where I still squatted in front of Stormi. The feel of her touch was enough to slightly soothe me.

"I'll be okay," she said softly.

Stormi looked from me to her picking up on something, but confused on just what it was. We had kept her shielded from the danger lurking. Part of me wasn't sure we shouldn't tell her something even as young as she was. She was a smart girl and knowing may keep her vigilant but Lake made the call. I would obviously honor her wishes.

"Of course you will," I said as I moved to stand, taking Stormi with me as I went.

Not able to help myself, I leaned over and gave Lake a quick kiss.

"Oh, I am so telling everyone about this," Stormi chanted dramatically.

Lake blushed, Stormi giggled as I tickled her, and for a few seconds everything felt right in the world.