Page 36 of Detective for the Debutante (SAFE Haven Security #3)

Charles Vanderweel has done a lot for the police department and is down-to-earth as well. In one of the few times he and I have run into each other, I found out he’s a Nashville football fan, just like me.

He chuckles.

“You’re not quite as convincing as your captain. Something tells me you’d much prefer a cold beer and a football game to this monkey-suited party.”

His response surprises a laugh from me.

“I’m not going to lie, that does sound like heaven compared to this. But I have to tell you I appreciate how much you give back to Nashville PD. I know this charity will put a lot of minds and hearts at ease given what our officers in the field deal with more and more frequently.”

The protective equipment furnished by Shield 615 will provide officers with something my dad could have used. I swallow around the lump in my throat and take a drink of the sparkling water in my glass. I didn’t trust myself with alcohol tonight.

“I’ve been fortunate enough in life I can give back to the city that has given so much to me and my family. Although if I had my way, this party wouldn’t look like this,” Vanderweel Senior says.

“Then why…” I gesture to the elegance around us.

He smiles wryly.

“Sometimes the decisions are not always in my hands. Besides, it gave my son the chance to introduce everyone to his new girlfriend. She works for the public defender’s office. Have you had the chance to meet her?”

Girlfriend? What the fuck?

Is that what Charlie Vanderweel is telling everyone?

A red cloud hazes my vision, and I tighten my grip around the glass in my hand.

But the man in front of me with silver in his temples doesn’t seem to realize the impact his statement has on me.

Taking a deep breath, I count silently to three before opening my mouth to respond.

The tinkle of silverware against crystal distracts me from my response, and Vanderweel shifts his attention to where the sound is coming from.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if you’ll please find your tables, dinner is now served.” The master of ceremonies for the night gestures toward the dining area on one side of the room.

“Detective, it’s been a pleasure, as always. If you’ll excuse me?”

He leaves without waiting for a response, and I wait while everyone rushes for their tables. Leigh is easy enough to spot, and I watch her make her way to her table with Charlie.

Does she know he’s introducing her as his girlfriend?

The question weasels its way into my brain, and I set my now-empty glass on the cocktail table. Only a few tables have empty seats, and I find mine with the other captains, tuning out their conversation to focus on Leigh. She’s not Charlie’s.

She’s mine.

And I’m not giving her up.

New job be damned.

The din of the conversation quiets, a hush falling over the crowd as everyone’s attention shifts to the microphone in the front of the room. Vanderweel Senior is at the mic, and I fidget in my chair, trying to focus on what he’s saying in respect to him.

A screen drops down as he begins to speak, and I recognize many of the fallen officers throughout the years, jolting when my dad’s service picture comes up before shifting to the next.

Fuck.

Lifting a hand, I rub it along my breastbone, trying to breathe. One of the other captains, Captain Pryce, who was seated on my right, squeezes a shoulder.

“Good man,” he says.

He was the best. And gone far too fucking soon.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you all so much for coming to the inauguration event of Shield 615. This charity is being founded to help protect so many men and women who defend us every day. I’m sure many of you might be surprised at how big a proponent I am of our police force after everything that happened with my son several years ago.

But I’d like to make it clear—I am. It was their hard work and dedication that captured the real killer of my son’s beloved fiancée.

And because of that, I want to give back to them, the men and women who put their lives on the line every day for our city. ”

My gaze flicks to Leigh who appears to be speaking quietly to Charlie who looks close to tears.

Senior continues speaking, and I shift my gaze back to him.

“I intend to make this event an annual one and I’m asking you, my friends, to support this cause just like I have.

To provide equipment for those at the front line.

To put hearts of loved ones at ease when we can.

If you would like to donate this evening, please see Monica—there she is”—he points to someone who waves from the side of the stage—“who is available to discuss any contributions you would like to make tonight. Thank you.”

There’s a round of applause as he moves back to his table, his path taking him just past the table where Leigh and Charlie are sitting.

Vanderweel stops, saying something to the two of them that makes Charlie smile and Leigh look uncomfortably between the two of them.

When Senior leaves, Leigh excuses herself, exiting the room, and I’m on my feet before I realize it.

“Excuse me.”

Leigh is not in the vestibule outside the room when I make my way through the exit, but I have a good guess as to where she is and post myself outside the bathroom to wait. It’s not long before she steps back through the door, her eyes widening in surprise when she sees me.

“What did they say to you?” I ask, lifting my hands to wrap them around her bare biceps.

My heart rate slows with her back in my arms, but it still doesn’t ease the knot in my gut.

“Who?”

“Vanderweel and his dad. I saw him say something to you that made a line form here.” I trace a finger between her brows and she rolls her eyes.

“Oh my God, you won’t believe this. Mr. Vanderweel somehow thinks I’m Charlie’s girlfriend. Even though Charlie introduced me tonight as his friend. His dad seems to get the impression we ‘look good together.’”

“Charlie hasn’t introduced you as his girlfriend?” I ask.

She laughs.

“No, of course not. I would have corrected him right away. I’m here as his friend. Only his friend. The only person whose girlfriend I want to be is…”

She trails off and I hold my breath, waiting for her to finish.

“Is who?” I prompt.

She swallows and meets my gaze with a confidence I only wish I had at her age.

“Yours.”

My mouth slams against hers as I yank her to me, tasting the word on her lips.

Mine .