Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, profit from this story and all creative rights to the characters belong to Richelle Mead.
The original content, ideas and intellectual property of this story are owned by Ms. Belikov. Please do not copy, reproduce, or translate without express written permission.
Previously on Cop an Attitude...
The next morning I woke up naked under the covers, with Dimitri's warm bare body wrapped around me. That was certainly a great way to start the day off.
"Dimitri…" I groaned, kissing my way up his arm. "I'm hungry."
"Go get something to eat then."
I smacked his shoulder and laughed. "Dimitri!"
He grinned and rolled over, giving me a great view of his back. Even relaxed, the graceful cords of muscle were incredible and packed with strength.
"Fine. I'll get it myself, a-hole!" I said, placing a kiss to his neck before I hopped up and pulled on some clothes.
I opened the door and closed it quietly, careful not to wake my best friend in the room across from mine. Something bumped into my back, and I yelped in surprise.
"Shhh!" Lissa said. Her hair was disheveled, mouth swollen, and she had on a fluffy pink robe and bunny slippers.
"Oh, my gosh! You got lucky last night!" I teased. "You got laidddddddd."
"So did you by the looks of it." Lissa turned bright red. "Shut up! You're going to wake him up!"
"Who is it?"
"Not telling."
"Oh, come on, Liss. I'm your best friend. Tell me."
"Nope." she said, popping the P.
"Now I have to know." I pushed passed her and opened the door.
"I know this has to be someone spec—CHRISTIAN!"
"What? What?" He bolted out of the bed, gun in hand. "What's wrong? Where's Lissa?"
"She's fine. Go back to bed." I barely contained my laughter as I shut the door. "Good choice, Liss."
She had her head in her hands, embarrassed. "I can't believe you just did that. You are so not invited to our wedding."
"Yes, I am." I told her. "Are you heading downstairs for something to eat?"
"Yeah." She jabbed a thumb in the direction of her room. "He's too lazy to get up and make me anything."
"I feel your pain, girl." I hooked my arm through hers and smiled as we headed to the kitchen. This was the most content I had felt in a very long time. I had a great career, a best friend who was more like family to me, and an amazing man that I loved in my life. It was like the missing piece to my puzzle had finally been found. I belonged here.
RPOV:
"You're not going to believe this, Rose." Lissa slammed a file down on my desk. "Avery was in the city today and spotted an old friend. Look at what she just texted me."
I blew gently on my steaming cup of coffee. "Boo. Go away. I'm dealing with booking right now." I rubbed my tired eyes, cursing when my fingers came back smudged with mascara. I hated it when I did that. "Who knew being such a badass cop would require so much paperwork."
"Just look!" Lissa threw her hands up, practically jumping up and down with barely contained excitement.
Groaning, I opened up the folder and spread the papers out. They were pictures, clearly from a cellular device because they were of such crappy quality. I squinted and blinked hard, focusing. It appeared to be a man with dark hair.
"Lissa, please tell me this is who I think it is…" I lifted my eyes, dead serious.
She slapped her hand against the desk and grinned somewhat wickedly, flashing perfect white teeth. "We nailed him."
I grabbed my jacket, coffee, and holstered my gun. "Let's hit it."
"Wait." Lissa yanked on my arm, stopping me. "Shouldn't we tell Dimitri first?"
I glanced over at his office. Pavel and Christian were there. So were two unlawful, handcuffed men being interrogated. This was a once in a life time chance. I couldn't risk losing it and letting Ambrose slip through my fingers once again. Who knew how long it would be before we got another hot tip like this.
"I'll radio him once we get there." I told Lissa. "If, in fact, this man is Ambrose. We can't be sure yet until we see him for ourselves. Let's bust a move."
"Turn left up here." Lissa said, tracking the GPS. Despite using the squad cars' sirens, it had taken us over forty minutes to reach the city. Which was complete bullshit. The chances of spotting Ambrose had dropped dramatically, if not entirely.
I pulled in to the parking lot of the convenience store and headed for the back alley. Not wanting to draw attention, I cut off the engine. We exited the car.
"What about Dimitri, Rose?" Lissa said, careful to keep her voice low.
I went over to the back wall of the building and pressed my back against it, peaking out to keep an eye on the surroundings. "I said I would radio him if something happens. We haven't even found anything yet. Besides, we can't be sure that we can trust Avery's tip. She doesn't consider us her friends anymore—holy shit. Is that Ilianna?"
The exotic, dark-haired beauty walked towards a white Sedan, carrying an arm full of groceries. She talked on her cell in a hushed, tight tone. "I told you I'd be there in fifteen. She clipped the device shut and muttered something in Spanish.
"That's odd." Lissa whispered in my ear. "Why is she here? I thought she lived in the country."
"She does. Grocery shopping perhaps?" I suggested, but I did admit it was strange. Who would drive over an hour for only a few things? But then again, maybe she had more in her trunk.
The possibilities were endless, really. The woman could be in town getting a checkup, visiting a relative, or just simply taking a drive to see the city. It wasn't any of our business or right to follow Ilianna. She hadn't given reason to raise suspicions.
Her head snapped over in our direction, as if sensing she was being watched. My breath caught, and we snapped back out of view, hoping we hadn't been spotted.
I watched Ilianna's reflection on the door of a nearby black truck. The woman glanced around for another long moment before climbing into her vehicle and driving away.
"Let's go." I said, jumping to my feet.
"We're tailing her?" Lissa questioned.
"You bet your sweet ass we are." I fastened my seatbelt and waited for her to do the same. Safety first—especially when it came to my best friend.
"I don't feel good about this." She said, unease flooding her face.
"See that's the difference between you and I. I live. You exist." I said, pulling on to the street, several cars behind Ilianna's, as to not go detected. "I take risks. A lot of the time, you're too afraid to open the door and take that first step."
"Not true." Lissa grunted. "I just don't have a death wish."
I narrowed my eyes, but kept focused on the road.
We tracked Ilianna further West, deeper inside the city, straight into the heart of ghetto. The streets were filthy here, ruined with homes with barred windows, dangerous men representing their gangs color, and graffiti covered walls. This was only the day. I couldn't imagine the warzone it transformed into at night.
Once Ilianna pulled in the driveway of a house, I parked several blocks away and cut the engine. She exited the car, grabbed the bags from the trunk, and headed inside the house.
I hopped out.
"Where in the hell are you going?" Lissa said, whisper yelling. "Are you out of your damn mind?"
"Maybe a little. But you still love me." I admitted, keeping my hand on the holster of my gun as I approached the house.
Lissa pressed her mouth against her radio, ready to give information.
"Wait." I stopped her. "Not yet."
She growled.
We went over to the house, doing our best to go unnoticed by hiding against trees and ducking under fences. Once we got near it, I hand signaled Lissa to stay put and cover me. She made a face at me, full of frustration.
I made my way over to the nearest window and tried to peak in. No use. The curtains were dark and pulled shut. The bars gave me no hope of getting inside either, at least from this entry point.
My heart jumped into my throat when a dog slammed against the backyard fence, barking ferociously. I looked at the cheaply made, weak fence, and wondered how much longer it could contain such a vicious animal, especially when it was slamming against it with as much force as it was now. I didn't want to stick around and find out.
"Sparky, shut the fuck up!" I told the Rottweiler. It merely growled in response and unleashed another round of louder, obnoxious barking. It was hard to think.
The front door flew open, and two men with rifles marched out of the house. They looked like thugs with tattoos and wife-beaters on. One of them even had gold teeth. How classy.
"Shit." I muttered, trapped. A couple of more steps and they would spot me. I looked to my right. There was no way I was going into the lions den. Going left wasn't an option either.
Lissa scooted further into her hiding space, gun pointed toward the sky but ready. She shook her head at me, like she couldn't believe I had gotten her into this.
There was a metal trashcan next to the wall. I climbed on top, then hopped on to the roof just as the thugs came around the corner. Close call, I thought, blowing out a breath I hadn't know I was holding. Beads of sweat dripped down my face.
"Killer, what the fuck is going? Why you barking, son?" One of them asked, their Spanish accent thick.
Killer. I nearly laughed. What a fitting name for such a homicidal dog. I looked down.
"Who is here?" The bald one was brave enough to pet the bloodthirsty monster. He glanced around, searching. "Tell me where they are."
One of my boots slipped. Debris slid off the roof.
Shit. I held my breath, heart pumping so loud I could hear it, and prayed I hadn't given myself away.
"Up there, cuz! Up there!"
A round of bullets rang out in my direction. I looked at the holes in the roof.
"Shit!" I climbed across the roof to the other side and jumped to the ground, injuring my ankle. I ground my teeth together as the pain exploded in my bones, got to my feet, and limped inside the house.
An old man sitting in a recliner chair yelled something in Spanish and lifted his pistol. I slammed the butt of my gun against his head before he pulled the trigger. He sagged, out cold.
I heard a gasp, and turned around. Ilianna was there, huddling in the corner, arms wrapped around herself. "That is my grandfather."
"He's alive." I told her gently. "What are you doing here?"
The stunning woman stared at me for a long moment, eyes flickering back and forth, like a trapped animal. I knew she was about to bolt.
She ran for the door and out of the house. I cursed in annoyance and limped as fast as I could after her.
I reached the threshold, and something hard jabbed against my stomach. I knew it was the rifle, and prepared for the world of pain that was going to come next. I looked into the black eyes of the man, silently pleading. But he pulled the trigger anyways.
The weapon made a clicking noise, jammed.
Oh, thank you God. I promise I'll start going to church real soon.
I clocked the sucker as hard as I could.
Shots rang out around my head as the second thug made his grand entrance, piercing the wall in what seemed like a hundred difference places. He dropped to the ground as I lifted my gun and emptied my clip. One struck him in the chest, and he stopped moving.
Shit. Had I just taken a life? I understand the rule kill or be killed. But it didn't make the situation any easier to swallow.
A heavy weight slammed against me from behind, dropping me to the ground. He turned me around. I thrashed against the man, throwing punches, elbows, and a kick or two.
"You fucking bitch!" His fist connected with my jaw, solid and powerful. I moaned in pain as black spots danced in my vision. He hit me several more times, each blow greater and angrier than the last. I tasted blood. I became numb.
I was distantly aware of him reaching into his pocket. Silver light flashed. He raised the pocket knife high, aiming for my face.
Pop.
The man froze. Then fell on me in a sloppy pile of limbs. I grunted against the heavy weight, trying to roll him over. Lissa holstered her gun and helped push him off.
My angel. "Thanks, Liss. You saved my ass. I owe you one."
"You're a frickin idiot."
"Thanks," I grumbled, standing up. The world spun slightly. For a moment, I was overcome with dizziness.
"Dimitri is on his way. So are ambulances." Lissa informed me.
"Please tell me you caught Ilianna."
"She sped off in her car. I tried to shoot her tires out, but missed. She got away."
"Damn it."
"You're a crazy son of a bitch, Rose—"
"Shhh." I cut her off. "Do you hear that?"
On instinct we both drew our guns and aimed. I heard the distant sound of police and ambulance sirens.
"Follow me." I whispered, heading cautiously down the hallway. "It came from this direction."
We bordered one of the three bedroom doors. I kicked it open and searched inside.
"Clear." Lissa said. It was the same for the other one. We investigated the third one and found nothing as well.
"Must have been your imagination, Rose." She lowered her gun. "There is nothing here."
"Wait." I squinted. "Look at that."
"Look at what?"
I gestured towards a rug. A metal handle with a lock was poking out from underneath it, poorly concealed. I went over and kicked it aside. A wooden rectangle was revealed, a door to a secret basement.
I shot off the lock and kicked that aside as well.
"Give me a hand." I said. Lissa and I lifted it together. The wooden door slammed to the ground, causing a huge noise. We looked down. Nothing would have prepared me for what was found inside there. Lissa gasped, covering her mouth.
There had to be more than two dozen women and children crammed together in the dark hole. They were covered in dirt and clearly malnourished. I couldn't understand how that many people could fit in such a small area. They were trapped like animals, helpless and terrified, and some hissed at the intruding light like they hadn't seen any in weeks.
"Holy shit." I said.
The paramedic finished wrapping my ankle in a protective brace. "That will help support some of your weight so you won't put so much strain on it." he said. "It's only a sprain. It should heal and be back to normal in a few weeks. Just make sure you apply ice and get plenty of rest."
"Thanks." I said, standing up. The FBI was here. They had cleared out the basement and given the hostages food and water. I was still stunned at the fact that half of them were under the age of four. It was heartbreaking seeing how emaciated they were. They hadn't deserved what they'd been put through, they were so young and innocent.
I saw Dimitri speaking with a detective. He was pacing back and forth like a trapped lion ready to attack. I walked up just as the detective and him parted ways.
"You're stupid." was the first thing Dimitri said to me.
"Stop with the compliments already, Comrade. I'm blushing."
"This isn't a joke."
"You don't think I know that? I was almost killed."
"It was your own fault." he chastised, infuriating me. "Not only were you stupid enough to risk your own life. You jeopardized your partners as well."
"We saved lives! I would do it all over again if I had to." I told him. "Don't lecture me right now. I'm not in the fucking mood."
He grabbed my arm when I turned around. "You only became an officer months ago. Why are you so ready to jump into any situation and get yourself killed? You're young, unprepared, and inexperienced. Remember that next time."
I jerked out of his hold. "There were women and children in there, Dimitri! Babies! What if I was trapped in there like some kind of animal with your child? Would you just stand there and do nothing about it like you're asking me to now? Huh?"
Dimitri lifted a finger, then lowered it. He chose his words carefully. "This isn't your fight, Rose. You can't save everyone."
"Yeah, but I sure as hell can try." I shot back in frustration, dismissed him with a hand, and headed for the squad car. He followed me. Lissa was in the driver's side. I went to the passenger side.
"They both lived." Lissa said, referring to the thugs. "We didn't hit any major organs or arteries."
I had to admit that was a relief. I could sleep tonight knowing there was no blood on my hands.
Dimitri leaned down, bracing those thick arms against the car. I looked into his bottomless eyes and couldn't help but melt a tiny bit in the familiarity and comfort they brought me.
"Give me your badge and gun." he said, and my veins turned to ice.
"Why?"
"Because you're suspended for two weeks. Hand them over."
"Are you serious?"
"Does it appear as if I'm joking."
I growled and shoved them against his chest. "I can't believe you right now."
"That's what happens when you break the rules and don't follow protocol."
"What about Lissa?" I asked, hating to point the finger at her. But it seemed like the blame was always put on me.
"Rose!" Lissa gave me a what-the-hell-what-that-for push.
"She was only covering her partner." Dimitri said. "You gave her no choice."
"Whatever."
"Don't pull anything like this again." he said. "Or else you won't get your badge back."
"Who are you trying to protect?" I accused. "What are you hiding?"
"This is way bigger than you, Rose. You might have pissed off some people tonight that you really shouldn't have." he told me, and if it was anyone other than Dimitri, I would have thought he sounded concerned. "Stay out of the way."
"I have no regrets." I said, then rolled up the window on him. I told Lissa to go and she drove off.