Free Sworn to Protect by Jo Davis

“And when I catch them, they’ll go to jail and nobody else will be hurt by that evil drug.” Drew sniffed, nodding. He looked as beat as Shane felt. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”
    Another hot-button word, but, thankfully, Drew accepted it.
Home.
Shane had initially found it was strange that, after that first heated discussion, the boy hadn’t mentioned living at the mansion. But after he thought about it, he figured maybe Drew didn’t really want to live in the house where his father had died. With the terrible memories. It made sense.
    But the cop in him wondered.
    He didn’t like loose ends, and Brad’s death was no exception. He’d said his goodbyes at the funeral home, in his own way. But the most fitting tribute he could pay to his friend would be to find the bastards responsible for selling him a handful of death in the disguise of pretty pills.
    Since Shane and Drew had caught a ride with Shea and Tommy to the funeral home, the driver drove them to Shane’s house. It was nice of the director to arrange the transportation, but he was a big supporter of the Sugarland police. He’d insisted, and Shane didn’t resist.
    There were a bunch of cars in the driveway when they arrived, everyone already inside, since Shea had a spare key. He owed his sister for organizing the food and guests. They got out, and the limo driver pulled out with a last wave.
    “Do I have to talk to everybody again? I don’t think I can listen to one more person say how sorry they are.” Drew grimaced.
    “No, I think you’ve done your part. Why don’t you change into something comfortable and take a nap?”
    The relief on the boy’s face was palpable. “Thanks.”
    Once they went inside, he didn’t get away quite so easily, however. Guests came at him from all sides, and he nodded, responding as expected, until he was able to make a break for it.
    Shane shrugged off his jacket and ripped off his tie. He carried both to his own bedroom, unfastened the top couple of buttons on his dress shirt, then returned to the gathering. He scanned the crowd, not surprised to see Brad’s coaches and some of his best friends from the team among the guests. “There you are.”
    He turned to see Daisy standing there, and suddenly the day didn’t seem quite as gray as before. “Hey, you came.”
    “I promised, didn’t I?” Lowering her voice, she asked, “How’s Drew?”
    “Wrecked. He went to get some rest.”
    “And you?”
    “I’m holding up.” He looked around. “I’d offer you a seat, but the house is packed. Too bad it’s too cold today to sit on the deck.”
    “Yeah. A few more weeks, though, and it’ll be warm again.”
    “Maybe . . . Would you like to come over for a cookout one day when the weather is nice?” This invite was different than a simple social call, and they both knew that. It was Shane reaching out after hurting her so badly. His pulse thudded, waiting for her answer.
    Slowly, she nodded. “I think I’d like that.”
    “And maybe, since the weather doesn’t look like it’s going to cooperate anytime soon, you’d like to have dinner with me?”
    “I’d like that, too.” She smiled. “Very much.”
    He smiled back, some of the misery lifting from his soul. They’d never really dated. Months ago, during a dangerous case, their passion had exploded, taking them along for a hell of a ride. Then Shane had gotten cold feet and blown it. Big time.
    He liked to think he learned well from his mistakes.
    “Great. How about next Saturday, after Drew’s been in school a week and is settling in?”
    “Sure. Just call me.”
    “Think about where you’d like to go. The sky’s the limit.”
    “Okay. In the meantime, I’ll be checking on you guys. I worry about both of you.”
    Emotion clogged his throat. He didn’t know what to say, so he just pulled her into a hug. It lasted only a few seconds; then he let her go. Not that he cared about who might be watching, but he was mindful of the