Page 35 of Champagne & Handcuffs

“Hey, Kel,” I called before she could walk away.

“Yeah?”

“I need you to cancel all my appointments tomorrow and Monday.”

“Sure. Everything okay?”

I stood and reached for my white coat. “Yeah. Something’s come up.”

“Okay. Sure. I’ll let the girls know up at the front to reschedule everything.”

“Thanks.”

As I made my way to start my day, a thought occurred to me …

Was Seth going to be there too?

9

Seth

Never,and I meanneverhad I ever thought I’d be working as a john.

When a cop works undercover, they do a lot of things: drug buyer, hitman, gang member—whatever it takes to bust someone. Of course, I knew people went undercover as prostitutes. I just never imagined I’d be working on the other end and buying them. In fact, most cops never get the chance to go undercover. Not everyone is cut out for the job. You have to forget who you are to become who you need to be.

For the past week, I’d been training with Paul, and I had to admit, he knew how to shoot. When I found out he used to be in the Army, I had a little bit more respect for him. I still wasn’t convinced that he was right for Joss, though I didn’t think any man would be. This was my best friend—practically my sister—and given what she’d been through, she deserved someone who wouldn’t give her shit. I knew she could handle herself. She was FBI after all, but real life was different from working a case. If I ever got wind that Paul was stepping out on her, or just plain out being stupid, he was going to have to answer to me. So far, though, I got the feeling he was a good guy.

I’d also met his friend Gabe.

“Joss said you teach shooting classes?”

Paul put his Jeep in park. “Yeah. It all stemmed from when Gabe’s fiancé was married to our old Major. He wasn’t a great guy and treated her like shit. After she left him and shit went down, Gabe and I wanted to help women out. The Army shaped us to make this country better and helping civilians is what we want to do now. It just so happens that we have a drive to help abused women because Auttie was abused by Major Dick.”

“Man, that’s crazy.”

“It’s all good. Gabe and Auttie are getting married after their baby is born, and look at Joss and me. They say everything happens for a reason.”

“That they do,” I agreed, and we both opened our doors to exit.

“I think Gabe is here now for a session. You can meet him.”

“Perfect.”

We made our way inside. After we’d checked-in, Paul and I walked into the next room where the firing line was. A bald dude stood behind a woman, watching her shoot.

“Cap,” Paul yelled over the gun shots.

The guy turned his head. “Hey. Didn’t know you were coming today.”

“It’s all good now. I got my girl back, we’re engaged—”

“What?” I wasn’t the only one shocked at the engagement apparently.

“It’s a long story. I’ll have to tell you about it some other time.”

“Paul Jackson is finally settling down with one woman? You’re out of the game?”

“Yep. Quit that shit, bought a ring, and now Joss’s best friend, Seth—”