Betrayal of Trust (2/?)

Author's Note: Thank you SO much to everyone who's reviewed chapter one, hope I can live up to your expectations, and to those who haven't... well, I'm not angry. Not yet. You've got a chance to do it now. *lol* I think you can call this a transition chapter, it's short and there's not much action in it but I needed to set things up. Enjoy!

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Chapter two – Falling Down

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"Bosco? You alright over there?" Maritza Cruz asked as she looked at him from the passenger's seat.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He muttered, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

"What was that all about?"

He gave her a half laugh. "You heard?"

"Well, everyone in the precinct heard you." She stated. "Why do you let her? She treats you like a damned kid!"

"She's..." he started, then paused for a second. "I thought she was my friend..."

"Well, obviously she's not so get over it. You don't need her." She reached out and ran a hand through his hair. "...Not as long as you got me."

He turned his head to look at her. "Yeah. Not as long as I've got you." He repeated. "I'm sorry, it's just that... I mean Faith's been part of my life for nine years..." he shook his head, searching for what he wanted to say next "...it's not easy to... you know."

Cruz gave his shoulder a light squeeze. "I know, but it's no use dwelling on it. You can't change it. The best thing you can do right now is focus on your job... and on me." She added, giving him a small smile.

"That I can do." He nodded, his voice still tinged with sadness. "So what's our next move?" he asked, trying to get his mind off the argument he'd just had.

"1013 Montgomery Street. Remember?" she quickly replied,a glint of excitement in her eyes.

"Oh yeah, the drug house. How could I forget?"

She'd been talking about it for days, still determined to find the men responsible of her sister's death. A personal revenge, fueled by a consuming rage acting like a lever.

She was willing to give up everything to achieve her goal, ready to embrace vengeance and call it justice, no matter what damage she caused or whom she destroyed in the process.

"So who's this guy again?" Bosco asked as he pressed on the gas pedal.

"Ray Diaz. He's back in business after spending two years in jail. I've been watching him long before you joined anti-crime and believe me, I'm gonna nail the lid on the son of a bitch's coffin very soon. I have to."

"I'm sure you will." He absently replied, his mind still on Faith and how her words still hurt like a slap to the face. "If the jag-off that ratted him out is telling the truth we'll get him and..."

"Over there!" she called out before he had a chance to say more.

Bosco slowed the car down and looked at the old apartment building.

"Wait, leave the car around here. I don't want to stick out."

He pulled along the curb and put the gear into park. He switched off the engine and rested his hands on the steering wheel. "Should I call for backup?"

"Not yet." She reached for the door handle, then stopped and looked at him. "Bosco, I'm gonna need you in there." She said in a serious tone, her fingers tracing the badge hanging around his neck. "This is important."

He shook his head and locked his gaze on her. Cruz's hand touched his chin. "You mess up with this he walks away, and I can't let that happen. You hear me? Forget about Faith Yokas and focus on the job, will ya?"

"Sure. I'm ready."

She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before clicking the door open. "Let's go."

Bosco followed her out of the car and they crossed the street.

The building was at least 40 years old, the windows either cracked or broken, with multi-coloured graffiti decorating the walls. Bosco stepped inside and took a quick glance around, Cruz following close behind.

They were greeted by an eerie silence.

"Creepy." Bosco whispered as he pulled out his gun and turned the safety off. Cruz motioned for him to go ahead, her weapon already drawn.

He pointed to a flight of stairs. "I'll check the first floor." He mouthed as he moved forward, the old wooden stairs creacking under his feet as he made his way up.

He held his breath, straining to hear even the smallest sound, and tightened the grip on his gun. Something wasn't right. It was all too quiet, and he wished she'd called for help.

On the first floor, he passed unlighted rooms and closed doors as his heart pounded faster and louder in his chest. Suddenly at the end of the hallway, from behind a half-open door came a muffled noise, and he instinctively turned around, cocking the barrel.

He walked back toward the stairs, nervously looking around as he neared the room. He peered around the doorframe. Silence.

"Police!" he yelled, trying to get a better look inside. Nothing.

Then before he had a chance to move, a shadow emerged from the darkness, lunging after him. Bosco staggered backwards, unable to maintain his balance, and they both fell to the ground. "Damn!" he cursed as the gun fell from his hand and landed a few feet behind.

He swung, his fist catching the man he figured was Ray Diaz square in the face. They struggled for what seemed to be a small eternity, arms and legs tangled in a dangerous web.

Bosco managed to deliver a few more blows and tried to stand up, but didn't see Diaz reaching for a pipe until it was too late. A sharp pain shot through him as it collided with his head and he went down, fear for the woman he loved the last thought on his mind before he hit the ground unconscious.

Diaz got up, breathing heavily, and clutched his injured side. The hit he'd taken a few hours before was still clouding his judgement so he didn't reach for the gun that was laying on the ground, half hidden by a stack of boxes.

He looked down at the now harmless cop. "Serves you right, asshole." He sneered before running out of the room.

TBC...

Author's Note II: Don't worry guys, nothing serious, I just needed him unconscious for a while. Trust me... ;) And YES, the idea of him being in love with Cruz gives me the creeps too!