“Yes, Sir.”
She glanced out the window of her office door and couldn’t help but lock eyes with the detective whom much of this conversation revolved around. Detective Rachel Malone sat alone at her desk, no doubt finishing the inconsequential reports she had been given. Her long blond hair was pulled back again today, revealing an inviting neckline.
“…distribution of assignment. Do I make myself clear, Captain?”
Finn nodded. “Crystal.”
“I don’t want to make this call again.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Captain Finn hung up the phone and remained in her seat, contemplating her options. While she hated being pressured to run her precinct other than how she wanted, she valued her job too much not to comply with the head brass. Picking up the phone again, she slowly dialed a number she knew by heart.
“I can play hardball too,” she whispered.
%nbsp
“Rae, I brought you back a mini supreme.”
Detective Jack Ash waltzed up to Rachel’s desk carrying a pizza that smelled like heaven. “I know how much you love meat,” he snickered.
Malone rolled her eyes. “It’s Rachel.” Only my friends are allowed to call me Rae. “Thanks but no thanks on the pizza. Woo Hoo’s bringing me something.”
Just as Ash bent down to whisper a snide comment about her partner, Detectives Wu and Monroe trickled through the door, still laughing and enjoying the last minutes of their lunch before getting back to business.
“Malone!”
All eyes turned to the captain’s door as she glared out, breaking up the comfortable atmosphere of the squad room. “My office. Now.”
Detective Wu approached her and placed a bag quietly on her desk. “What’d I miss?”
Malone shrugged. “Not much. She’s been on the phone since you left.”
“Looks like someone’s been a naughty girl,” Ash chuckled.
Monroe smacked the back of Ash’s head. “Shut it, Jackass.”
Rachel stood and prepared herself, pressing the wrinkles out of her blouse. “Wish me luck, boys. I’m going in.”
Malone was about to knock on the door but was greeted with a commanding “Come” before her fist even let her side.
“Something I can help you with, Captain?”
Finn began pulling the blinds down so no one could see in. “Shut the door and take a seat.”
A moment later Finn took the seat across from her and carefully folded her hands on the desk.
“Let’s cut to the chase. I have an undercover assignment for you.”
Rachel’s eyes lit up in excitement. It was a rare occasion she had been given an assignment other than desk duty, and the mere thought of working undercover was unheard of.
“Don’t get too excited, Malone. I need a female for this job and I can’t find anyone else so you’re up.”
Rachel’s sudden excitement had been extinguished like a bucked of ice water on a flame. “Oh.”
“I won’t go into details now. Take the rest of the afternoon off and meet me at my house tonight at eight. I’ll give you the specifics then.”
Rachel nodded her understanding and waited patiently for more instruction.
Finn raised her brow in surprise. “You’re done.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Malone stood to leave and barely reached the door when Finn stopped her again.
“Remember, you’re undercover on this case. No one, and I mean NO ONE, is to know about this. Understand?”
Rachel nodded. “Of course.”
Christine glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and downed the remnants of her whiskey.
“It’s not too late,” she reminded herself. As the whiskey made its way into her blood, newfound courage replaced any doubts she had. You deserve this.
She was about to indulge in another when the doorbell rang. “This is it.”
Opening the door and stepping aside, she acknowledged Malone with her standard greeting. “Come.”
Rachel entered and was immediately taken back. With Finn’s cold personality at work she expected a sterile environment in the home. Rather, what she found was a home, welcoming and friendly. She only wished her host shared some of that.
Finn closed the door and offered her a seat in the living room. “I trust you haven’t mentioned this assignment to anyone.”
Rachel shook her head. “Of course not.”
“Then let’s get down to business.”
Finn took the lounge chair across from Malone and leaned back for drama.
“Have you heard of a club called Tassels?”
“You mean that strip club on Auburn Blvd?”
Finn nodded. “You have heard of it then.”
“Yes, but I’ve never been there.”
“Well that’s about to change.”
Malone’s quizzical expression was hard to hide. “Isn’t that club a little out of our district?”
“That’s not your concern.”
“I’m not sure I follow,” Malone confessed.
“There’s been a string of attacks and brass thinks it’s a cop. I’ve been informed I need to get someone undercover and solve this before another attack happens, which means you start work tomorrow night. Any questions?”
Malone sat frozen for a moment, taking in all this new information. “And what exactly is my job?”
Finn leaned in. “It’s a strip club. What do you think?”
“You want me to be a stripper?!”
Finn grinned.
“But I don’t know anything about stripping and pole dancing. What am I supposed to do?”
“—Don’t forget the lap dancing.” Finn continued chuckling.
Malone gave Finn the filthiest of looks.
“Well if you don’t want the assignment I can try to find someone else, but that could take a while. Do you really want another attack on your shoulders?”
Rachel didn’t need to think about it. “I’ll do it, but how am I going to learn how to do all this in less than 24 hours?”
Finn suppressed another grin and handed her a DVD.
Malone couldn’t believe her eyes when she read the title. “You want me to watch this? It looks like porn!”
“Think of it as instructional video.”
Rachel pursed her lips in frustration. “And who am I supposed to practice with?”
“Did you forget that no one else knows about this assignment?”
Malone’s eyes bulged out when she realized what the captain was implying. “You!”
“Who else did you think would help?”
Suddenly, she was wishing she had never complained to her father about not getting decent assignments. If only her father was anything else other than the Police Commissioner her life would be easier.
Two hours later and the movie had finished but the night was just beginning.
“I can’t believe you can’t get me a job as a bartender or something else.”
“No. It’s only when the girls go into the private rooms that the attacks are happening.”
Malone’s eyes bulged out again. “I have to give private performances too?”
Finn stood and approached the mini bar. “You better have a drink before you start. It’ll calm you down.”
She poured Malone a whiskey and soda and herself a whiskey double. Offering the glass to the younger woman, she noticed Malone’s hands were trembling.
“If you’re having second thoughts let me know—”
“—No. Give me that.”
Malone grabbed the drink and downed it in one shot. It was stronger than she thought, she normally didn’t drink alcohol, and its effects settled almost instantly.
“Care for another?” Finn asked, smirking as she watched Malone’s reaction.
“Not just yet,” Malone replied, her head a tad fuzzier than it was mere seconds ago.
Finn placed her empty glass on the tiny side table and leaned back, enjoying this moment for all it was worth. Somewhere in her head she knew she was going to regret this evening, but that place was buried deep and currently out of reach from any sense.
“You best get to it. I haven’t got all night,” Finn reminded her. “Some of us still have to show up for work in the morning.”
Malone rose from the chair and stood still for a moment, unsure exactly where to begin. She glanced around the room, not noticing anything she could even use for a pole, and before she could move the tiny coffee table out of her way Finn had remotely turned on the stereo.
“It’s easier with music,” Finn said, answering Malone’s annoyed look. The radio commercial had just ended and a familiar tune began blaring from the speakers.
Malone recognized it immediately. “You can’t be serious!”
Her voice huskier due to the whiskey, Finn laughed as she recognized the Divynls’ I Touch Myself as well. “It must be fate.”
Malone sighed loudly and shoved the table aside with her leg. The first verse was over by the time she was into the song, and she gave in just to get this over with. She realized she would practice more at home, learn the moves and get it right enough to pass as a stripper for this assignment. She was nervous and embarrassed, but she was too determined to let her captain get the upper hand. All the complaining she had done about not getting assignments would appear as nothing more than winging if she passed up this case.
Placing a hand on her stomach and the other in the air, she began to move her midsection in a sexy swirl of motion while her hands began freely roaming her body, touching places she normally reserved for showers or romantic encounters.
Finn’s insides began heating up as the young woman gyrated before her, spinning and stroking and making this novice appear well seasoned.
Malone definitely had talent she hadn’t known. She was oozing sex.
“No, no, no. That’s not right.” Finn stood and approached Malone from behind. “You’re supposed to strip.”
Malone paused a moment while Finn positioned herself behind her, pressing her compact body against Malone’s slightly taller form. They fit together well, Finn’s groin hard-pressed into Malone’s buttocks, breasts squishing into her back.
Malone had several inches on Finn, and the older woman was forced to tiptoe to whisper into her ear.
“Listen to the music,” she said, her breath hot on Malone’s ear.
Suddenly, Malone began having difficulty concentrating. Finn’s body began directing them to the beat. Their hips moved together like synchronized swimmers.
“Feel it when you move,” Finn added.
Malone had become lost in the moment. Somewhere between hips and breasts and warm breaths she failed to notice Finn’s hands unbuttoning her blouse.
“Slowly. It’s all about the act.”
Finn continued guiding their bodies to the rhythm. The song wasn’t very fast so she knew it wasn’t the workout that heated her up, but she found the way Malone pressed back into her to be very sensual. Sexual. Was she doing it intentionally or did she simply not realize the amount of arousal she was causing? “You have to make them want more.”
Lost in the moment as well, Finn was caught off guard as Malone quickly forced herself away from their dance, spinning around and taking a full step backwards.
“I think I’m going to practice more at home,” Malone said. Her face was blushed and she was breathing hard. “Do you mind if I borrow this DVD?”
Finn was an expert at reading people and Malone’s arousal wasn’t hard to detect. It gave her a cheap thrill to know she could stimulate someone as young and beautiful as the cool headed and very composed Rachel Malone.
“How are you going to know you got it down? You need to practice with someone.”
“I feel a little embarrassed. I mean you’re my boss,” Rachel confessed.
“Come off it already. We have a job to do.” Finn walked to the bar and poured them both another round with a little less soda and more whiskey. “Here, drink this.”
Malone downed the liquid just as quickly as the first and waited for it to kick in. Like before, it barely took a moment for her to feel its effects, whether that was due to her low tolerance or the drinks high alcohol content, she wasn’t sure. “I suppose you’re right, Captain.”
Finn placed a hand on Malone’s shoulders. “I think it’s time we practice the lap dance.”
“Lap dance?” Malone gulped as her eyes bulged.
“Yeah. If nothing else you need to have that one down because that’s what you’ll be doing in the private rooms.”
Finn smirked and returned to the bar, pouring herself another double before she rejoined Malone. “To make it more realistic for tomorrow night you should strip down to your undies.”
Finn sat down again and was about to take a swig when Malone took the glass from her hand and downed the warm liquid herself.
“It’s alright, Malone,” Finn laughed. “We’ve got the same parts…unless you have something I don’t.”
Malone began undressing. Whether it was the whiskey or the condescending laugh she wasn’t sure, but determination to show the captain won out. In a slow, sensual dance, Malone began peeling off her clothing, layer by layer, until there were only two barely concealed breasts and a g-string covering her.
Finn sat in awe as Malone moved towards her, swaying her hips and shaking her breasts, her nipples swollen, revealing that Malone was more aroused than she originally led on.
“Captain, isthiss what you meant?” Malone slurred as she straddled Finn’s lap, brushing her breasts across her captain’s face.
Finn gulped.
Malone began circling her buttocks on Finn’s lap, grinding her flesh as Finn rose her hips to meet Malone’s center. A small moan escaped her lips as she felt Malone’s wetness seeping through the thin barrier.
Hearing Finn moan, Malone looked to her captain in time to catch her licking her lips. Smiling devilishly, she grabbed the back of Finn’s head and leaned in to meet her with a searing kiss.
For long moments, lips nibbled and teased, eventually parting for tongues to tangle, an exotic dance of passion and perfection. Hands roamed and stroked, touching and tickling, gliding over mounds of firm, sweaty flesh.
“I see you paid close attention to the video,” Finn joked, but Malone ignored her. Instead, she brought her hands around to Finn’s collar, fiddling with the top button and moving down the row without further interruption.
Finn gulped again, fearing they were about to enter a new game, one that would severely change the nature of their relationship. Concern setting in, Finn reached up and grabbed Malone’s hands.
“You’re not supposed to touch the customers like this,” she reminded Malone, desperate to return to that safe place of professional colleagues.
“I think we’ve moved past that, don’t you, Christine?”
As Malone fixed her eyes on Finn’s and awaited her reaction, Finn studied her. Obviously the alcohol was playing a factor, she noticed it with Malone’s slight slur only moments ago, but was she drunk and incapable of making a rational decision? She didn’t think so.
“What is it you want?” she asked.
Malone grinned again. Leaning in, she whispered teasingly into Finn’s ear, sending tingles down the captain’s spine. “I think you know what I want.”
Finn’s hormones went into overdrive. She knew what she wanted, had wanted it for eighteen months, and now it sounded like Malone wanted it too.
“You want me to fuck you, don’t you?”
Malone slowly bit her lower lip, and that was all the answer Finn needed. In one swift move, she jumped up and flipped Malone onto her back in the couch, positioning her face between the young woman’s legs. The scent of Malone’s arousal was impossible to ignore.
“Say it. Tell me you want me to fuck you.”
Malone went silent but Finn refused to touch her further until she heard those words from Malone’s mouth. Mischievously, she ran her hands up the young woman’s body, stopping them short of encasing the voluptuous breasts. “Tell me.”
Malone shook her head, refusing to give in to this sweet torture. Finn then lowered her head back to Malone’s center and gently blew a long, slow breath over her soaked g-string, Malone couldn’t resist any longer.
“God, yes!” she begged. “Fuck me. Please.”
Hearing Malone finally give in to her desires, Finn pushed aside the thin barrier that stood in her way, claiming the swollen clit between her lips and encircling it with her hot, warm tongue.
“More! OH GOD! More!”
Finn lightly bit down on the clit, nearly causing Malone to explode right there. Sensing Malone’s heightened arousal, Finn pulled back. “Oh no, not yet. I’m not finished with you yet.”
Finn slowly started kissing the inside of Rachel’s right thigh, trailing the tip of her tongue in circles every few inches. The sensation sent shivers of pleasure rippling up Rachel’s back, causing the ache between her legs to worsen.
Moving her mouth up slowly, Finn teased along the side of Rachel’s hips, then to her navel where she gently thrust her tongue in and out with a promise of what would soon come.
Unsure how much more she could take, Rachel grabbed Finn and pulled her into another searing kiss. On contact, Rachel’s lips parted, allowing Finn access to her mouth. Their tongues met and danced and swirled together like two lovers waltzing on the dance floor.
Moments of glorious pleasure passed before Finn pulled away, searching Rachel’s eyes to make certain that this was what she truly wanted.
A twinkle…no, a glimmer…ice blue eyes now ablaze with passion confirmed what she had been looking for and she lowered her mouth to claim Rachel’s left nipple, sucking and nibbling, flicking her tongue over the hardened pebble as she thrust two fingers into Rachel’s warm center.
With every thrust, Malone moved her hips to match the rhythm of Finn’s penetrating fingers. Her walls began tightening, giving in to the overwhelming pleasure, and Finn felt her orgasm coming and pulled out.
“Why did you stop?” Rachel panted.
Lifting her head from the breast she had been pleasuring, Finn gave a cheeky grin before she began her decent, kissing and licking her way down the beautiful and curvaceous body until she reached the place she wanted.
With one final look into Rachel’s eyes, she thrust her tongue into the hot and wet center, slowly at first, then faster as Rachel’s moans grew louder and her hips bucked.
Malone didn’t know how much more she could take. Sensing her inevitable climax, Finn removed her tongue and thrust two fingers in again. “Let it go.”
As if on command, Rachel’s body stiffened and she let out a loud cry of pleasure, succumbing to the most intense orgasm she ever had.
Looking on lovingly at what she had just witnessed was enough to send Finn over the edge with her own wave of pleasure. It was a moment of pure bliss as she lay there holding on to Malone, exposed and fragile, and she didn’t want this moment to end.
As her senses slowly returned and she realized where she was again, she began hearing the gentle sound of soft sobbing, and when she looked to Malone she saw the young woman was crying. Reaching up, she took Rachel into her arms and held her tight, soothing and comforting her.
Holding Rachel, Finn’s guilt began to surface and she knew she had to put an end to this. Tomorrow. I will tell her tomorrow.
Very early the next morning as the alarm blasted her awake, Finn moaned and rolled over to ignore it. She ran her hands over the side of the bed that she knew Malone had slept the night before, but it was cold and empty now. Abruptly sitting up, she glanced the room for any signs of Malone but there were none. Rachel was gone.
Malone’s cell phone rang for the tenth time in four hours. Without looking at the Caller ID, she knew exactly who it was. How am I ever going to look her in the eyes again after last night?
She couldn’t believe what had transpired between her and the captain. “It had to be the whiskey,” she mumbled halfheartedly to herself. “There’s no other reason.”
You know perfectly well you wanted her for so long you could taste it. Why else would you get so pissed off at her for not giving you better assignments? You only wanted them in the first place so you could impress her.
“Damn!” Finn yelled. Is she ever going to answer her phone? She stormed out of her office, unsure where she was headed, and completely ignored everyone else in the room.
“Looks like someone upset our number one,” smirked Ash.
“Well, just be glad it’s not you again this time, Jack,” Monroe said, slapping him on the back.
“She loves me,” Ash replied. “Why else would she be on my case all the time? She wants me bad and she can’t have me.”
Woo Hoo laughed. “A man in denial. You certainly live up to your name, Jackass.”
“Well at least I’m a man, not some fairy,” Ash shot back, obviously annoyed by his nickname that had stuck since the fifth grade.
Monroe put his arm around his buddy in support as they walked away. “Anything you say, Jack.”
The parking lot wasn’t nearly as full as the spaces allowed, which Finn was grateful for because she was able to pull right up to the main entrance. The club music was blasting, rattling her car and causing the dashboard to vibrate. She could only imagine what it was like inside.
“What can I get for you?” the bartender asked as she walked through the front door.
Finn quickly scanned the room. No sign of Malone or the club’s owner, who usually sat at the back table for the early shows, scoping customer reactions to the girls.
“I’m here to see your boss,” she said.
“He’s in the back…should be out here in a minute if you want to wait.”
Finn took a seat at the end of the bar and ordered her usual drink. She had been digging in her pockets for a bill when a thick Irish accent interrupted her.
“This one’s on the house,” the older man said.
Finn turned around and was swooped into a giant bear hug.
“James, how have you been?”
“Good, Chrissie.” The older man released his grip and joined Finn at the bar for a drink and a chat.
“You look like hell,” James joked. “You’re too thin, your hair’s too long, and I bet it’s been months since you’ve been out.”
“Hey, I’m here now. Doesn’t that account for anything?”
James offered a crooked smile. “Only because you’re father was my old partner. Otherwise I’d put you over my knee for not stopping by sooner.”
“I’ve been busy,” Finn explained in her defense. “You worked the business. You know what it’s like.”
“Yeah, I do” he shot back. “But it’s not business that’s got your panties in a bunch.”
Before he could elaborate, the song changed and the club lights began swirling as if the whole room had become a dance floor. On stage, Malone had made her entrance.
James leaned closer and whispered, “So what did she do to merit this punishment?”
Finn blushed as a flood of memories from last night came rushing back. Her senses were still heightened after a night of such passion that she could still feel Malone, still taste her, still hear her cries of ecstasy as she climaxed again and again.
Finn’s guilt over how she handled this situation with the top brass had been weighing heavily with her, bringing her to her breaking point now. “I think I made a mistake.”
“She’s not bad,” James assured her, assuming she was referring to Malone’s ability. “We even had one of the regulars asking all kinds of questions about her…her schedule, stuff like that. I think she’s going to be a hit.”
As Finn continued watching, her sense of protection set in and she wanted to somehow force the lights to blow out and hide Malone from the rest of the club, shield her from filthy habits and dirty old men in waiting. “I need to see her.”
“Calm down, Chrissie,” he said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Go wait in the back, room two, and I’ll send her in when she’s done.”
Finn nodded and made her way through the slough of tables occupied by men with too much time on their hands. The cheesy music was enough to make her shudder, but the overwhelming stink of alcohol and stale cigarettes made her pick up the pace before she vomited. Once past the main curtain she followed the narrow hall past the other strippers chatting or smoking between gigs, to room two.
It wasn’t much, just a single chair in a room with only a ceiling light for decoration, but it served its purpose. Finn hesitated, questioning what really happened in this room and how clean the chair was before she gave in and sat down. She’d been to the club dozens of times in the past, had known James since she was a kid and always thought of him as a father figure. She wasn’t keen on the club but respected him enough to support his idea that his sole purpose for opening the club was to get the girls off the street. Still, she was sure some questionable things happened in here and she forced it out of her mind and waited for Malone as the song ended.
Malone was so nervous. Her third shift of the night and the routine hadn’t gotten easier. Each time she came out, the mere thought of taking her clothes off in front of these strangers scared her. Any one of those men she danced before could be the one. She made mental notes and tried to remember faces, but the lights were so blinding that she couldn’t see past the first row of tables.
She also used Finn as her support system, closing her eyes and remembering last night, allowing Finn to guide her moves tonight the way she carefully orchestrated only twenty-four hours ago. The warmth of Finn’s body pressed against hers…breasts rubbing seductively into her back…Rachel began swaying her hips to the memory, slowly unbuttoning her shirt with shaky fingers, eventually relaxing as she continued. Twirling her shirt in the air, her chest heaved, her nipples hardened as the colder air hit them. A man in the front row reached out to grab her and she casually backed away, sensually gyrating her hips as she unfastened her pants and ripped them from her body. As the song came to and end, she gave one last jiggle and moved off stage to the howls of horny men hungry for more.
“Another fine routine,” James said, congratulating her backstage. He offered a sincere smile, reluctant to see her go, and nodded down the hall. “Room two. Someone’s waiting for you.”
Malone nodded and pulled a robe around her body as she carefully made her way down the hall to the tiny room. She couldn’t believe she had to do a private performance already. She was hoping to at least escape this part of the job her first night, but as Finn had told her last night it was in the private rooms the attacks occurred. Standing outside room two, she braced herself for anything that awaited her and was greatly relieved, although a tad nervous, when she saw Finn sitting inside.
“Oh, it’s you.”
“You sound disappointed,” Finn said, somewhat saddened.
Malone shut the door to give them a bit more privacy. “No. I just thought I’d have a bit more information before I had to give you a report.”
“I’m not here for a report,” Finn admitted. Her mind raced for a way to tell Malone everything but came up short. She wasn’t sure how to tell a woman you’ve been lying to her and expect it to go well. She rose to her feet and offered Malone the chair. “It’s not much, but have a seat. You may want to sit down for this one.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve had a break in the case. I really wanted to nab this guy,” Malone stated. “Have you seen all the sleezeballs out there?”
Finn lowered her head. “More than you know.”
Malone had been avoiding Finn all day, uncomfortable with her lack of control last night and terribly ashamed for how the night ended, despite it being the most memorable for her in ages. But it wasn’t until now that she realized Finn must be having regrets.
“Look, I’m sorry about last night,” she began with hands raised in defense. “I was drunk and I regret it. It meant nothing.”
The words stung like a hundred bees attacking at once. Meant nothing?
“Please, don’t take me off this case—”
“—There is no case,” Finn blurted. “I sent you here to teach you a lesson.”
Malone jumped up. “Lesson? What lesson?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Finn lowered her head again. No words could explain her actions, and the hurt look on Malone’s face would be with her always. There was nothing she could say or do now that could reverse the damage she caused.
Malone’s eyes reddened and she did all she could to hold back her tears.
“I’m sorry,” Finn uttered. “Please accept my apology.”
“You’re sorry? No, I’m the one who’s sorry,” Malone spat as she ran past Finn, nearly knocking her over as they collided, and raced down the hall. I can’t believe I fell for her lies!
Detective Ash entered the squad room carrying a boom box and walked straight to the desks occupied by Malone and Wu.
“Where’s your partner?” he asked, disrupting Wu from his work. “I’ve got a surprise for everyone this morning.”
Woo Hoo looked up from his papers and studied the troublesome man suspiciously, noting that any surprise Ash had couldn’t be a good one.
“She’s not in yet. What’s the radio for?”
Jackass patted the box. “Not just yet. Just watch your partner when she gets here.”
Monroe joined them carrying two coffees and offered one to Wu. “What’s up, Jackass?”
Ash smirked. “Ah, you fairies think you’re so funny all the time, but it’s me who’s gonna get the laugh today.”
Just then, Malone walked in and approached the desk, oblivious to anything out of the ordinary morning banter until Ash pressed the radio button and a blaring sound of striptease music began blasting from the speakers.
“Shake it for us, Malone,” Ash shouted. With all eyes looking at them now, he pointed to her and continued shouting.
“She strips at night! She’s been working as Tassels!” He leaned in and whispered “Come on, baby. Show them what you showed me last night.”
“What the hell is going on out here?”
Everyone turned to look at the captain’s office and saw a very pissed off woman storming across the room and heading straight for the boom box. Finn slammed her fist on the radio, knocking the cheap speakers off their hinge as she stopped the music.
“It looks like our little lady here likes shaking her ta ta’s after hours, Captain,” Ash tried explaining.
Finn looked to Malone for her reaction and the young woman appeared more fragile than she had last night. Her nightmare was growing by the minute.
“Malone, in my office now,” Finn demanded.
The room remained silent as Malone went into the office and shut the door. Finn then turned to Jackass and pointed her finger into his chest several times. “You’re done. Get out.”
Monroe and Wu just smirked, trying hard to refrain from laughing.
“You mean like, paid leave of absence?”
“No, you jackass. You’re off this unit. Get out now before I have you removed by force.”
Finn turned and walked back to her office. She wanted to slug the man, punch him where he stood, but it wouldn’t do her career any good to physically assault another officer.
After Finn had shut her office door and people began talking amongst themselves again, Monroe leaned in to Ash and whispered cockily, “Yeah Jack, she wants you bad.”
“I’m sorry about that,” Finn said, moving around to her desk. She was about to sit when she saw the single envelope awaiting her. “What’s this?”
Malone hadn’t moved since Finn came in. She remained perfectly still with hands firmly clasped behind her back, barely acknowledging the older woman’s presence. “It’s self explanatory. I want a transfer.”
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
Finn shook her head. “I can’t do that.”
Before Finn could elaborate, Malone abruptly turned and left, bypassing her desk, her partner, Monroe, and silently giving thanks Ash was gone. She walked straight for the stairs and took them two at a time, reaching the parking lot in record time. Jumping inside her car, she revved the vehicle and sped away, nearly running over Ash in the process, who was busy loading a box and that damn radio in the trunk of his car.
Ash looked up just in time to se the car speeding carelessly towards him. Stupid bitch.
A moment later Finn came running out the building and ran to her own car which was parked next to his.
“Last chance, Captain,” he offered. “Don’t let this one get away.”
Finn took a moment and came up to his side, looking him squarely in the eye as she took off her badge and tossed it to the ground. He thought for sure this was it, his moment to shine. She was going to take him back and all would be forgiven.
Instead, he misread the signs as usual and didn’t see the fist until it had hit him square in the left eye. A right hook out of nowhere, and a damn good one at that, he had to admit.
“Thanks for the advice, Jackass. I didn’t let that one get away,” Finn said with such relief that she actually smiled at how good it felt. Realizing that she was wasting precious moments, she ran to her car, jumped in and sped off in the direction Malone had just gone.
Finn arrived at Malone’s home only a minute or two after the young woman had. Before she had even knocked, Malone answered the door.
“I’m not interested,” she spat and attempted to slam the door but was stopped by Finn.
“You didn’t let me finish,” Finn began. “I can’t accept your transfer request because I had put my own request in this morning.”
“Why?”
“Why what?” Finn asked, puzzled by the question.
“Why did you pretend there was a case?”
It was the million dollar question at hand. All cards were on the table now and Finn was forced to fess up.
“I did it because I talked to your father. He chewed my ass out about not giving you any decent work. I wanted to teach you a lesson about going behind your captain’s back.”
Malone thought it over and it made sense. If she had been on the receiving end, knowing how her father handled things, she could definitely understand why Finn would feel the need for revenge.
“That conversation was between a father and daughter, not between two officers in a command structure. I apologize for his reaction, but I don’t understand why you never gave me any major cases.”
“When you were first transferred under my command your father gave me instructions not to place you in any danger. I gave you easy assignments for weeks because that’s what he wanted,” Finn confessed.
“It was then that I started getting used to having you around and realized that I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you.”
“Why did you put in for a transfer this morning?” Malone asked.
Finn hesitated briefly. “Because…I love you.”
“Yeah, we’re a tight bunch, but that’s no reason to—”
“—I’m in love with you.”
Malone was stunned. The woman who was so cold so often now stood here pouring her heart out.
As the silence grew, Finn slowly released her hand on the door and allowed Malone to shut the door if she wanted. There were no more words, nothing left to say. She took a step back, giving Malone room to shut the door properly, and was stopped as Malone grabbed her arm and pulled their bodies together, capturing her lips in a searing kiss.
Lips locked, hands roamed, and several moments had passed before they parted.
“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” Finn asked, a devilish grin on her lips.
Malone pulled her inside and flashed her own devilish grin.
“Not even close. You’re about to experience some punishment of your own,” she joked, taking Finn by the hand and guiding her upstairs for what would be a lesson her captain wouldn’t soon forget.
The End