Love and Law Read Online Free PDF Page A

Miguel asks. He’s leaning up against the wall in the hallway with his arms folded.
    I nod my head and pull on the backpack full of clothes and a few toiletries. I’ve just spent half an hour with Greta at the station picking through street clothes. She had a little too much fun dressing me to play the part. What is it with people treating me like I’m a freaking Barbie doll?
    “Yeah. Ready as I’ll ever be,” I tell him, stopping in front of where he’s standing.
    He frowns and drops his folded arms. “Come here,” he says gruffly.
    I allow myself to be gathered in his embrace and bite my lip to keep from crying. Even though the guys will be watching at all times, I hate the idea of going in alone. Miguel has always been by my side.
    His strong arms keep me locked in their grip, but the hug he gives me isn’t a sexual, needy one—it’s one of comfort. I snake my arms around his waist, relishing in the moment. When he starts rubbing my back, I sigh. Pretty soon, I feel his erection between us and I’m doused with a cold bucket of reality. Miguel and I will never be on the same page. Quickly, I pull myself from his grip and walk toward the parking garage.
    “Maya, wait!” he calls after me. I’m nearly to the door when he grasps my upper arm, stopping me. “I’m sorry. I need my best friend back, so I’ll keep my feelings in check,” he remarks sadly.
    I just nod and pull away from him, making haste to the car we borrowed from the police inventory. He hops in the driver’s seat and I take the passenger’s seat—just like always. We’re out of the garage in minutes, cruising down the street again before either of us speaks.
    “Be careful out there,” he grumbles.
    I absolutely hate the place we’re in right now. Last night was a huge fucking mistake. That’s the last time I let my hormones dictate my actions.
    “I always am,” I clip out.
    We pull up to an alleyway not far from where Jane Doe was found last night.
    “I’ll let you out here. I’m sure when you round that corner their scouts will be looking. Play it cool, Maya. Don’t fly off the handle and go batshit crazy like you have a tendency to do. Remember, we’re trying to get to the head honcho, not these small-time drug pushers. The drugs flowing through this city have always been a huge problem, and that’s because we’ve never been able to successfully locate the main source. I’ll be watching you even when you think I’m not,” he says.
    I look over at him one last time with my hand on the door handle. Miguel really is sexy as hell, but it would just be physical. I don’t feel the butterflies in my stomach like I should.
    “I’ll be careful. You know I will play my part well. Being a tough bitch is sort of my trademark. I will report back when I can,” I assure him. We locked up my badge, gun, and ID at the station. It’s just me and the clothes on my back.
    I climb out of the car and begin walking down the alleyway when he calls after me.
    “Let’s get these fuckers!”
    With a wink and a smug grin, I remind him, “We always do.”

 
     

     
     
    “HEY, LADIES. YOU SELLING?” CJ flirtatiously asks the two teenagers standing at the corner.
    I told him before we reached them that they didn’t seem like good prospects, but he didn’t fucking listen. The girls’ eyes widen at first because CJ isn’t a bad-looking guy. I think they’re stunned that he’s actually talking to them. He stands well over six foot and has a pretty face. Women usually fall all over themselves for him.
    “What? No!” one of them shrieks.
    I roll my eyes and keep strolling past them. CJ chats for a couple more minutes, probably getting their fucking numbers, before catching back up to me.
    “Dead end,” he huffs after his short jog.
    No shit, Sherlock. I don’t reward him with a response as we keep walking.
    Some guys are hanging out on a porch a few houses ahead and get quiet as we approach. I know they’re probably going to try