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“That bad?” she asks, tucking her hands into her back pockets.
I cross my arms, noting the empty feel of my missing gun. Sadie did her best to save my badge, but someone has to take the hit. It should be me. “I tried to take the brunt of it, but you’re up now. Wexler wants to see you.”
Worry creases the slim slope of her brow. I know her concern is not for herself, but there’s no reason to tell her I’m off the case. She’ll find out soon enough.
“I can handle it,” she says, and I have no doubt she’ll give Wexler her worst.
As she heads toward the captain, I face Avery and tick my chin in the direction of my office. I shut out the racket of the bullpen and lock the door, mentally cursing the glass walls that offer us no privacy. It’s the first time since this morning that I’ve been alone with her, and I want nothing more than to touch her.
“What’s happening, Quinn?” she asks. “I thought we had this worked out. Or, at least a starting point.”
With my back to her, I pull the shades down, giving us the illusion of privacy, at least. “Politics,” I answer as honestly as I can. When I turn toward her, the confused squint of her beautiful brown eyes pulls me to her side like a magnet.
Her scent of lavender invades my senses, searing my chest. I push out a long breath to clear my mind. “I’ve been suspended.”
Avery shakes her head. “But they can’t do that.”
I release a clipped laugh. “Oh, they can and they have.” I spear my fingers through my hair, annoyed with the fact that I can’t just crush this woman to my chest. I’ve never felt this fucking vulnerable—and I hate the weak feeling arising from needing her this instant.
I back up a step and seek a breath not laced with her scent. “Suspended or not, off the case or not…it doesn’t matter.” I head around my desk and dig out my key ring to unlock the bottom drawer. “I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
I gather copies of the documents I made and the flash drive with all my research. Wexler can have my files, but I’m taking the copies with me.
“I have to work, Quinn,” Avery says, and I look up as she wraps her arms around herself. “I need to make sure the autopsy on the second victim is done right. Those men were testing that drug on those women.” She absentmindedly touches her fingers to her mouth, her scar. “I have to find a connection to the drug and their deaths, and the second vic may have the evidence we need to make that connection.”
I shut the drawer and slam my files on the desk. Anger seizes my thoughts before I have time to filter the words leaving my mouth. “Like fucking hell, you’re working in this building. You’ve been abducted not once but twice, Avery. Right here, in the fucking ACPD building, with cops all around.” I wave my hand for emphasis.
“Please don’t patronize me.” Her shoulders deflate, and a stab of guilt slices into my gut. “Are you suggesting someone here is working for the other side?”
I shake my head, exasperation creeping in. “Simon, your own lab tech, was…so yeah. I guess I am. I don’t trust anyone here.” I eye her closely. “Especially when it comes to your safety. You’re not safe here, Avery.”
Her eyes soften as her gaze flicks over my features. “You don’t trust anyone. Not even Sadie?”
My mouth pops open, the words to counter that accusation right on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t summon the conviction. “I trust Sadie to protect you.”
Avery senses the ambiguity in that comment, but doesn’t get to question me further. As if on cue, a rap sounds at my door. Sadie stands on the other side, her features creased in distress.
Shit.
“This isn’t up for debate.” I walk toward the door and unlock it. Avery’s huff of frustration tenses my shoulders, and I’m not prepared for Sadie’s blast as she powers past me.
Sadie takes a cross-armed stance in the middle of my office. “Were you planning to tell me you were off the case?”
Jesus. I’m surrounded by pissed off women. Where’s Carson when I actually need him?
I close the door. “Nothing changes. We stick to the plan. I’ll be back on duty soon.”
The plan was for Sadie and Carson to investigate Maddox and his law firm while Avery and I work the perps and evidence. That way, I could assure Avery’s safety as we investigate her darknet connections. But since I’m no longer a welcome member of the team, or even a detective with a shield, that’s out of the question.
I’ll go fucking crazy worrying over Avery.
I face Sadie, firm in my decision. “Avery’s going to take a leave of absence.”
“No.” Avery shakes her head, hands raised. “No, I’m not. I will not let those monsters get away with—”
“It’s for the best,” Sadie cuts in, and Avery’s angry expression falls. Shock at the betrayal plainly displayed in the furrow of her brow. “Yo
u got away, Avery,” Sadie continues. “But this isn’t over. Not yet. You’re being targeted.”
