Free SEIZED Part 4: A Steamy New Adult Romantic Suspense Thriller (Seize Me Romance Fiction Series) by JC Coulton Page A

of who I am now. I don’t think I can bear it if Jacob takes that away.
    Jacob is a hard boss. Her standards are often impossible to adhere to. It means she gets the best out of her officers. Sadly, it also means there are few second chances. I’ve already been extended one of those. I’m aware that my status as an alcoholic works against me, in her eyes. I’m also aware that the media debacle that Neon caused a while back could and probably should have been the last straw for me. In fact, it seems every time I have something to do with Neon, it ends badly. I should take it as a sign to stay away for good. The day goes by slowly. I’m nervous about the meeting with Jacob. There’s nothing I can do, but wait for it to play out.
    George is a sweetheart. Brenda cleans up around the house. Despite my angst about the axe that’s about to drop, I enjoy myself. Being with family is the best thing I can do to take my mind off it all, but I still wonder what Carrie’s doing. She’s constantly on my mind.
    Finally, it’s time to leave the apartment and find out my fate. When I pull into the parking lot, the good spots are all taken. I do my best to maneuver into another, tighter spot near the fence, and I’m already grinding my teeth. It’s not a good sign, but I can’t afford to complain.
    I make my way up the ramp, through the front doors and past processing. There are a few tattooed thugs and city boys waiting to be interviewed. I don’t spare them a second glance.
                  The desk sergeant greets me with a mock salute. He’s on the phone. I don’t stop and chat. I know Lieutenant Jacob is waiting for me and if I don’t want my ass in a sling, I’d better get in there. I pass the cage and the mock jeers of my fellow detectives. Now is not the time for joking around. They obviously don’t know what today is about. I just want this over with.
                  I knock on her door and wait. She signals to me that she needs another five minutes. I feel like a schoolboy outside the principal’s office. It’s not unusual for me to be in trouble, but I can already tell from the look she gives me through the glass. This is going to be worse than ever. If my friendship with Neon or my romance with Carrie has been outed, I’ll have no excuses.
                  Jacob invites me in finally. I take a seat in front of her without being asked. Hell, what more can she do? Discipline me for sitting without permission? I look across her desk and meet her eyes. I have nothing to be ashamed of, but I have disappointed her.
    “Detective Anderson, I received a call last night from the FBI. They say you intervened during a critical surveillance operation. Would you like to explain to me what the hell you were doing in New Jersey, and why you were associating with known criminals?”
    “Honestly, I thought Neon Lips might have some ideas about April. I went to check it out. She owes me one. That’s all it was.”
    “You’re not even on this case anymore, Blake!” Her tone is sharp. She must have taken some heat from above to be so worried.
    “Agent Cooper also tells me you have history with Neon Lips. You may have forgotten I started this assignment after some issue you had that made it to the papers. Is all of this true?”
    “Well, not all of it, but yes. I’ve known her since she was fifteen…”
    “Save me the history lesson. What I want to know is if she’s already caused you such public grief, why are you still in contact?”
    “The last time we spoke it was before the media got hold of the Senator story. Someone did me in to the press. I’m sure it was Neon, but I had nothing to do with any of her business dealings. I got hold of her last night because of the information she might have on April Lee.”
    “Detective Anderson, I need you to confirm that you are not in a romantic relationship with Neon Lips before we go any further.”
    “No. I am not in a relationship with