Page 82 of Under the Radar

“Wasn’t that sweet of him,” he spat. “He didn’t let his girlfriend fight his battles.”

“I love him,” I said. “So, you come after him, you come after me.”

He gaped at me. “You love him? That—that degenerate? Are you crazy?”

“That degenerate, as you call him, is warm and kind. Treats me like a queen. Respects me. He is someone you should strive to be, not someone you should try to destroy.”

He stood, shutting his takeout container. “If you’re done with your lecture, I’m leaving.”

I laid a hand on his arm to stop him from leaving. “Dan. Please. For the sake of our working relationship and the friendship we had, stop this.”

He looked down at my hand and shook it off. “There is no friendship. You made your choice.”

His cruiser shook with the force of his slamming the door. Dust and gravel were kicked up as he tore out of the parking lot and disappeared around the corner.

I blew out a long breath. I thought I could appeal to the good side of Dan. The one I thought he had. Appeal to him person-to-person—even cop-to-cop. That blew up in my face.

I had a feeling I’d just made it worse.

* * *

Chase looked thoughtful when I told him later what had transpired between Dan and me. “I shouldn’t have done it. I thought I could reason with him.” I met Chase’s understanding gaze. “I had no idea he felt so strongly for me.” I sighed. “Or his level of contempt. We’re taught that everyone can turn over a new leaf. Ex-cons deserve our respect as much as someone with a clean record, unless they prove themselves to be unchanged. A repeat offender.” I ran a hand through my hair. “And you have changed. I know it. I know the man you are. I don’t understand him.”

“He’s angry. Angrier than I expected. You might not have seen it, Hannah, but he obviously had feelings for you. What you thought of as a coworker and friendship, he put more significance on. He’s furious you didn’t return his affection and that you chose someone he feels isn’t worthy of you.”

“And he is?”

Chase shrugged. “In his mind, yes.”

I sighed, and Chase pulled me into the crook of his arm. I nestled against him, resting my head on his shoulder. It amazed me how right it always felt to be close to him, how natural and at home I was. “When did you get so smart?” I asked.

He chuckled, pressing a kiss to my head. “Charly taught me.”

I laughed. “She is clever.”

He nodded, his voice becoming serious. “Be careful around him, Hannah, okay? I don’t want him to turn his anger on you.”

“I will.”

He pressed a kiss to my head. “Good. Just avoid him. Maybe now you’ve told him we’re serious, he’ll back off.”

“I hope so.” I yawned.

Chase smiled. “Tired, baby?”

“I am.”

“You go back to patrol next week?”

“Yes. With holidays, the shifts have changed. I’m on two to ten.”

He frowned. “I’ll hardly see you.”

“It’s not for long.”

He shifted. “I don’t like the thought of you working at night.”

“I’ll be fine, Chase. Trust me, it’s fairly boring. Even more so than days. The occasional call, but not much. And if it’s a serious call, two cars are dispatched. I have backup.”