Silverware tapping against ceramic plates is the only sound filling the room for a solid minute before Quinn speaks. "I'm taggin' along." He pauses and looks across the table at Jake. "You cool with that, Prez?"
Jake runs his palm down his beard. "Wouldn't hurt to have an extra set of eyes keeping watch over a member of our family."
I don't question or refuse the offer of added security, especially since Cat will be accompanying me. "Thanks," I tell them.
"No thanks needed, brother. We take care of our own," Jake states.
An hour later, we hit the road with Quinn traveling, without my sister, close behind us. Most of the ride is spent in comfortable silence, with Cat's hand in mine. The simplicity of her touch, along with the music drifting from the radio, make the short trip perfect.
Quinn walks up to the truck once we finally find a place to park. "I'm gonna hang outside."
"It shouldn't be long. I'll need to swing by my apartment before heading to Miles' place to grab a few things." I give him the heads up.
"Alright, brother." Quinn nods and walks back toward his bike.
I take Cat by the hand, help her from the truck, and we stroll across the street into the police precinct. After we walk through metal detectors, the clerk sitting behind the protective glass greets us. "How can I help you?" The female cop looks up from her computer screen.
"I'm here to see Detective Wilkerson."
"Name?" the officer asks.
"Easton Evans," I say, and her eyes widen.
"TheEaston Evans, frontman for East of Addiction?"
"That would be me." I give her a smile, and her eyes cut to Cat.
"Umm." She looks around. "Could I have your autograph? My daughter is a huge fan."
"Sure." The officer passes me a blank police department letterhead. "What's your daughter's name?" I ask.
"Harper. Her sixteenth birthday is next week," she tells me, and I start signing. "She's going to lose her mind."
Happy Sweet 16, Harper!
Easton Evans.
"Thank you. Oh, and please sign in." She slides me a clipboard. "Wilkerson's office is on the second floor at the end of the hall on your right." She smiles again then Cat and I walk away and head for the elevator.
"Sorry about that," I say as we step inside, and the door closes.
"Why?" Cat pushes the number two button on the control panel.
"I don't want you to be uncomfortable."
"I'm not. I understand what you do for a living. Even though I've never been involved with the lifestyle, I'm going into this relationship with eyes wide open, Easton," Cat says.
"Come here." I pull her to me. "How'd I get so lucky?" I gaze upon her face and run the pad of my thumb across the freckles on her skin.
"Kiss me already," Cat orders.
"You don't have to tell me twice." My lips press firmly against hers.
The dinging of the elevator door pulls us apart, and we step into the hallway and head right toward the door at the end. Iknock twice. "It's open." Wilkerson looks up from the pile of papers on his desk. "You Evans?"
"Yes, sir." Cat and I walk in, and Wilkerson stands. He isn't your cookie-cutter detective. His appearance gives me Jake vibes with the thick beard. The guy is built like a brick house, and has tattoos covering both arms. The guy looks like he could bench press a squad car.
"And the young lady?" His attention shifts to Cat, and I get a bit heated with him looking at her.
