Page 83 of Donovan's Men

“And you’re willing to risk your career over him?”

I expected derision, but she offered a level tone.

“I could’ve tried to keep it a secret.”

Another eyebrow arch.

“But I’m not ashamed of my relationship. He might never want to go public with it—that’ll be up to him. But I want to be able to go over to his house and not feel like I’m doing something illicit. Like I have to sneak around. Like my job will be on the line if I get caught.”

“Make no mistake, your job is on the line.”

My breath caught and held—she had the power to fire me. I could grieve it with the union…but her word would carry a lot of sway.

She sat back down at her desk. “Two weeks’ suspension and you have a visit with the department psychologist. She clears you, then I’ll consider reinstatement. Fight me on this, and I’ll take harsher measures.”

Firing.

“Those are fair conditions.”

“I’m writing you up, Detective. This goes on your record.” She picked up a pen. “You still have time to reconsider. But once you’re out the door—”

“I won’t.” I almost used her first name, but that didn’t feel right.

“He must be a very special man for you to risk your career.”

“Frankly, he is. I’d give it up and more—”

She held up her hand. “Good detectives are hard to find, and despite my questioning of your judgment yet again, I think you’re good at your job. Two weeks.”

Seeing the dismissal for what it was, I nodded and headed out. I uttered, “Thank you,” before exiting and closing the door behind me. Barely breathing, I headed back to my desk.

Mariah was scrolling on her phone but looked up when I grabbed my coat. She gaped. “You shit.”

“Two weeks suspension and a visit to the department psychologist before being returned to active duty.”

She whistled. “You got off easy.”

“I know. I really do.”

“What’re you going to do for two entire weeks? You don’t have…anyone to care for.”

She had known about my father—had even sympathized. I’d burned through a lot of vacation and sick days while caring for him. I was only just starting to rebuild them.

“I’ll keep my ear to the ground and keep researching a couple of our cases—”

She waved me off. “Take a fucking vacation. Spend some time with the man you were willing to risk everything for.”

“It’s complicated.”Like the fact I want Hamish as much and, most importantly, want the three of us together.I hadn’t mentioned that to Wendy. Likely wouldn’t have gone over well.

“Well, do some grand gesture or something. Like, if you’re willing to risk everything, maybe you should make certain he knows that.”

She had a point. To now, I hadn’t done anything really big.

Except almost lose your job.

Yeah. That was also a good point.

Would I have given up everything for him? For a relationship that was barely a couple of weeks old and involved just a few heart-stopping kisses?