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GAVIN

"What did you just say?" I glanced back at Chloe.

She flinched like I'd slapped her. "Gavin, I—

I turned, fully facing her as I slowly asked again, "What the fuck did you say?"

"I…," Chloe looked away and closed her teary eyes briefly as her throat bobbed and swallowed, choking the words, "I… my tattoo… it's not what you think it is…"

When she glanced my way, eyes widening with what must had been the look of my face and quickly added, "I-I didn't mean to lie to you, b-but you took such high interest with the tattoo… and I knew I had to t-take the… the chance." She sniffed and continued in a pleading tone, "Gavin, please understand… Anton… he just dumped me and stopped giving me what I need. I wanted him to take me back so I-I… I got the tattoo thinking he'll change his mind. I know it was a mistake and I wasn't… Don't be angry with me, please…"

Stunned and frozen to place, I stared back at her with my mind racing and processing the words that came out of her meek voice. Of all the things that I had in my mind before I got here to get answers from her, it was no way near the worst.

It was the worst of them all.

Clenching and unclenching both fists, realizing that my hands were starting to shake, I took a deep, calming breath. I wasn't sure if it would work but I did anyway. Chloe took a step back, tears flowing with her hands twisting and gripping the front helm of her shirt.

The helpless look on her face, without a doubt, could make a man fall at her feet, promising that he would do everything. For her. But all I saw was red.

Fuck.

Damn. It. To. Hell.

How did this happen again? How could she have fooled me again? It was terrifying to admit, but she had played me in the palm of her hand—all over again.

You'll never learn, huh?

Taking a couple more deep breaths, I rubbed the back of my neck trying to think of a way to stop the anger in taking control of my mind and body. One of the things I learned after a year in SFPD, when you let it loose on duty, trust me when I say the end results were never pretty.

As much as I wanted to just say 'fuck it all' and go home to Ana, forget every fucked up thing in the world and lose myself to her, I couldn't. It was best to fix this shit with Chloe as soon as possible.

Pointing at the couch, with a clearer mind and switching to full-on cop mode, I said, "Sit. Tell me everything. No more lies or I won't just throw you to the wolves," taking a step forward and making sure she's staring right into my eyes, I added in a tone I was sure she had never heard before, "…I'll fucking feed you to them."

A couple of hours later, I sat unmoving in the leather seat of the Rover, staring straight ahead; with the car engine idling at the station's parking area. The chief and Lieutenant Jackson were waiting for me to give the full report regarding Chloe's revelation back at the safe house. Honestly, I didn't know what would happen after this meeting. Chloe's deception was pointless and could jeopardize my job— considering I was new to the department. They had given me full support and trusted my potential witness, Chloe, and had me work closely on the human trafficking case.

I screwed up.

I gripped the steering wheel tightly causing my knuckles to turn white. After turning off the ignition, I quickly searched for my phone and dialed the first person on my contact list.

"Hi, honey," Ana answered on the second ring.

"Hey."

As always, she knew if something's wrong even with that three letter word from me, "Gavin? Are you alright?"

"I'm f—," I stopped before I could say the word. It would be a big fat lie to tell her I was fine. She would know and I didn't want to lie to her. "I just want to hear your voice," I said instead.

"What's happening? You didn't answer my question." She replied with worry in her voice.

"Tonight. I'll tell you…," she started to protest so I quickly added, "I promise. Right now I just want to hear you."

"Gavin…," Ana whispered softly. I closed my eyes, trying to absorb her strength, her courage. If there was one person who could be more courageous than the soldiers risking their lives in foreign soil, it was her. I couldn't think of anyone who had that power, with only my name on her lips, to create a spark of something unexplainable—something inside of me that I never knew existed. It was like a mixture of warmth and light. Only with her. She was silent for a few seconds and then I heard her sigh. "Okay. Where are you now?"

"Back at the station. Are you finishing up for the day?" It was almost five and I should've been driving away from here to pick her up then Ted instead of just sitting in here.

"Almost done. I just need to send a couple of emails and I'm out. Are you joining us for dinner?" Or are you going to stay until late with Chloe? I knew her too well to know she wanted to ask that question too.

I was about to say yes and erase all those images of me and Chloe together in her mind but stopped myself. "I would love to but I don't know what time I would be back home."

"I see." And a short pause." Just make sure not to forget to eat if you're working late tonight, okay?"

"I won't."

And then she added, "Send me a text when you're on your way home."

"I will."

And she wasn't done, "Or rather call. I don't want you texting while driving."

"Yes ma'am." I replied, grinning like a fool.

"I'll wait for you tonight. It's a couch date, you promised." And her tone meant business.

"I did and I'll be there. I love you."

"And I love you too. Please be careful." I'd never get tired of hearing those words from her.

"Always." After hanging up, I waited for a minute to compose myself before I stepped out of the Rover. I felt somewhat lighter and braver after hearing her voice. The tension in my neck had disappeared, the uneasiness in my gut had settled. Ana did all that.

With renewed energy and determination, I headed to the chief's office ready to face whatever would happen after my report regarding Chloe. I just wanted to get things done and over. I wouldn't make my lady wait too long.

ANA

"Hi, mom. How are you?"

It wasn't a surprise to see Carla's name before I answered the phone. My mother's weekly phone call was one of things I look forward to and would never forget even with my schedule getting busier everyday.

"I feel better now after hearing your voice, baby girl." She said which was followed by a heavy sigh.

"Why? Is there something wrong, mom?"

"Nothing really," after a brief pause she continued, "it's just Bob is driving me crazy the past few days."

"What happened?" I settled on the couch after checking my sleeping Ted one last time. We had Mac 'n Cheese for dinner, at his request, and we each had a slice of Tiramisu for dessert. I had a sudden craving when I saw it on display at the bakeshop on our way home. I was considering having another slice to go with my wine while waiting for Gavin.

"He's being indecisive! He talked about extending his business and has a partner to join him and then the next day he was cursing the guy because he had a feeling it was all just a scam. And this morning he was considering it again, saying he will talk to the future partner to settle things and now he came home drunk swearing and all." She took a deep breath and continued, "I don't know what to do with him anymore… He's not even listening to what I say."

"Oh, mom. It sure sounds everything really is going crazy back there..."

"It is. I have so much stuff to do. I am getting so stressed with it all and he's not helping with whatever's happening with his extension plans." My poor mom.

"Why don't you try it again when he's up and sober? Ask him all the details and help him weigh things, make sure that it isn't a scam or anything." I said, trying my best to calm my mother down. It wasn't the first time it happened between her and Bob.

They would have misunderstandings but things would end up okay just after a day or two. Sometimes mom just wanted to let it all out and be heard before they fix things.

And I would always be all ears. Just like when she was there for me when I needed it the most.

"I will Ana… I'm so sorry for being a mess on the phone. I knew you have so much in your plate now that you have a new job. It's just frustrating and all." She sniffed, trying to calm herself.

"It's alright, mom. You know I will listen, anytime or any day of the week."

"Thank you, baby girl. I feel so much better now. Is Ted already asleep?" And just like that, the conversation went into lighter topics; Ted's day care adventures and my new job.

"Can you send more pictures of you and Ted? I want to update his baby book and your photo album." I glanced at the clock and saw it was already half past ten.

Where is Gavin? He sent a text half an hour ago saying that he was on his way home.

"Sure. I will email it you. Kate and Tiff took a lot of photos with him." I couldn't stop the smile from spreading on my lips remembering how my two best friends took turns in taking selfies with my son when Kate was visiting for a weekend. They couldn't get enough of him.

"I bet they are all wonderful! I can't wait to see them." Carla replied excitedly. Then I also mentioned about Christian's weekend plan with Ted in Aspen. "Despite of what he did to you, I'm glad that he's making more effort to have a father and son time with my sweet boy."

"I know, mom. I'm glad too." If that's the only thing he'd been trying to do. I had decided not to add that for it would only cause more stress on her.

"Oh and before I go, how are you and Gavin? Is he there with you?"

Of course she would ask. "He's not here yet. He's been working late these days…"

"And you didn't answer my first question."

I fiddled with the floating necklace that hung around my neck as I answered, "I love him and I finally told him."

She squealed in delight. "Oh my god! Ana, that is huge…" And the waterworks started.

"Mom… please your eyes would be all puffy and red tomorrow."

"I know… I'm just so happy for you." She sniffed again and added, "I love you, Ana. You deserve every good thing in the world. I'm glad you have opened up your heart again."

"Me too, mom. Me too." And a knock on the door caught my attention. "I think Gavin's here. I love you too and I can't wait to see you again. We miss you so much."

I stood up as she was saying goodbye on the other line. "I miss you two both. Give my love to Ted." I tossed my phone on the couch after hanging up and went to answer the door.

I opened it excitedly and the first thing I saw was the most beautiful flower arrangement in a wooden box.

"Hi." I looked past the flowers to the man behind, wearing dark blue v-neck shirt, ripped jeans and work boots. Holy hell. It looked like he was fresh out of the shower and his scent alone was already making my insides melt.

"Hey," I peered up at him as I took the flowers from his hold. "I wonder what must be the reason why you still bother to knock." I gestured for him to come inside.

"I always try to be a gentle sir for my beautiful lady." I caught his wink and couldn't resist rolling my eyes at him before I headed straight to the kitchen.

"Gentle sir my ass. My vote will always go for the rogue cop." Dazzling assortments of a dozen medium stem mixed colored roses were beautifully arranged on top of a small sized wooden box. It's perfect, I thought and carefully placed them in the middle of the table.

I felt him grab my ass with both hands and whispered in my neck, "My ass, you mean?"

Startled, I quickly swatted his hands away. "Hey! Aren't you getting ahead of yourself? You haven't even kissed me yet."

When I turned to face him, he didn't waste a second and captured my lips with his. It wasn't the no-holds-barred kind but a slow, sweet and gentle kiss that would leave you wanting for more.

I melted into his arms when he ended the kiss. "Hi. I'm home."

Still feeling high from the touch of his lips and tongue, I opened my eyes and found him staring intently at me. "Welcome back," I said, breathless.

"How are you feeling?" He caressed my cheek softly with his fingers.

"Better now that you're here… And you?" Snaking my arms around his waist, he went willingly when I pulled him close to nuzzle his neck. God, he smells so good. I fought the urge to lick him all over.

"Hungry," he replied and I pulled back to remind him that we have a couch date first. But before I could say the words, he quickly followed it with, "I meant for food." Amusement danced in his eyes and around his mouth.

I scowled at him and placed my hands on my hips. "You didn't eat?"

"I had a couple of slices of pepperoni pizza," he slightly scratched his light stubble as I raised an eyebrow at him, urging him to continue. "And three bottles of water."

"That's it?" I asked again.

"That's it."

We just stood there for a couple more seconds, with me biting my lips trying hard not to scold him any further. And with the small distance between us, I got a really good look at him. His eyes said it all. After the phone call with him late in the afternoon, I tried not focus on worrying what might have happened after that nice and naughty text and phone conversation we had in the morning. I didn't push because he sounded desperate to just hear my voice.

It could wait whatever it was. I had to feed him first.

I took a deep breath and reached for his hand. "Mac 'n Cheese okay?"

He gave me that boyish grin that never fails to make me smile. "It's perfect."