I Have Lived and I Have Loved - Willow Winters Page 0,207

all to myself. I love how centered he makes me feel. I never worry where his mind is. When we’re together, it’s on us.

“You should go,” I mumble against his mouth. “And be careful, those women are crazy and will try to kidnap you.”

He pulls back. “Don’t worry, we have police protection.”

“What?” I ask.

Eli shrugs. “I know you’re able to take care of yourself, but this is a new set of rules. You’re in my world now, and I’m going to do what I can to protect you.”

I’m still not understanding. What the hell does any of this have to do with police protection?

He waits a second, and it hits me.

“Oh my God! You have people here to protect me? Other cops? I am a cop, Eli. I don’t need protection.” There’s no freaking way this is going to work for me. I’m not getting other cops to shadow me. A lot of us do it part time. It’s great money when the celebrities are in town. I’ve done it, and over my dead body will I become one of those.

“You have no idea what the hell crazy fans are like, I do. We do this my way, baby. No room for discussion, at least in the beginning. I have a bunch of off duty guys who will stay with me and some will stay with you.”

My eyes narrow. There are so many damn things to say to him, but the worry in his eyes makes me swallow every single one of them. He’s truly afraid and doing what he can to ease his own fears.

“We’ll talk later. Right now, you need to go.” I table the discussion.

His brow raises, but he doesn’t say anything. We both know what this means . . . one hell of an argument followed by some fantastic sex.

We exit the room, and I see a bunch of my squad leaning against the wall.

“Hey! Look who it is, our very own celebrity officer!” Whitman laughs and looks around.

“Look, it’s my over-aged security detail.” I smile. “I’ve missed you jackasses!”

And I have. I’ve been off work since Stephanie passed away, and I’ve been itching to get back on the road. This squad is part of my family. We may give each other a hard time, but I would literally take a bullet for them. They’re my brothers, and I don’t forget how lucky I am to have these kinds of people in my life.

Whitman and Vincenzo pull me in for a hug. “It’s good to see you with a smile.”

“Yeah, it’s all thanks to this guy. Boys, this is Eli Walsh.”

“Eli, this is Whitman and Vincenzo.” I point to each in turn. “They were who responded to your fall.”

“Oh, wow.” Eli shakes their hands. “Thank you, guys. I’m really grateful.”

“We’re glad we could help.” They both brush it off. And in all honesty, it’s our job. Being praised for doing what we took an oath to do is sometimes weird. I always feel awkward because I love it. I want to help others. I like the calls where I get to make a difference, and those two did so much—for Eli and for me.

“I’m glad Heather had someone she knew there to help,” Eli says and then kisses the side of my head.

Federico coughs, and I glare at him before finishing the introductions. “You know Brody. This dumbass is Federico, that’s Jones, and—” I stare in to the eyes of one man I didn’t think I’d see here. I don’t know why I never thought it was a possibility, but it’s happening. “My lieutenant, Matt Jamerson.”

“Nice to meet you guys.” Eli shakes all their hands and then wraps his arm around my waist when he reaches out to grab Matt’s hand. “I appreciate the help with the crowd.”

I look to Brody and purse my lips, using my mind to yell at him about not warning me. In a weird way, he seems to understand my internal screaming and has enough sense to look contrite.

This is going to be so damn awkward.

“Well, we all love Heather and don’t want anyone to hurt her,” Federico says, as if I don’t know they bitched about it.

“Yes, we do,” Matt says in agreement.

Is he unhinged? Eli’s hand constricts against my side. “Good to know.”

Matt steps closer. “She’s one of us. We protect our own.”

I feel as if I’m having an out-of-body experience. I must be dreaming, because there’s no way my boyfriend and my ex-asshole are having this discussion, right?