Page 23 of Parting Shot

“Isn’t that dangerous for you?”

“I don’t know.” He sounded thoughtful.

“You’re playing with fire with your dad being on the rampage, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” he agreed.

“Then why do it? We can hole up here,” I said suggestively, waggling my eyebrows.

His eyes searched mine. “Because you deserve to be with someone who’s proud to be with you.”

“I think my ex said something similar about himself right before he broke it off with me.”

“And now the shoe is on the other foot.” Aaron grinned.

“Yes, but neither one of us can be out. Not really.”

“Are you sure?”

I was, wasn’t I? Or was I just too scared to find out?

“Do you know any other gay policemen on the force?”

“No,” I answered, starting to feel cornered.

“But there have to be some.”

“Well, yeah, of course.”

“Is being gay something you can be fired for?”

“No, but you can be frozen where you are because of it.”

“How?”

“Just not be promoted.”

“And what is your rank now?”

“We call it a grade, civilian.”

He arched an eyebrow.

“I’m a sergeant now.”

“And you might never make it to be a lieutenant if you come out.”

“Or captain, someday.”

“All right, then,” he said.

He tried to move away from me. I held tight.

“Let me go, Duncan.”

But I didn’t.

“You don’t like ultimatums, and I started this whole thing with you, and now⁠—”