Page 5 of The Sinner’s Son (Sawyer and Royce: Felonies and Fatherhood #2)

“And I will deal with them severely,” Mendoza stated. “I don’t think anyone in this precinct will make a crass remark to any of you, but if so, it won’t happen more than once.”

“We’ll obviously have to discuss maternity and paternity leave and address any shortages that could incur in your absences,” Audra said.

“And when it’s time, I’ll assist you with all the paperwork to add your little one to your health insurance policies and file the claims to receive your paternity leave benefits. ”

“Sweet,” Royce said. “Nothing we need to do until then?”

“No, sir.” Then Audra released a big sigh.

“This is much better than I imagined when I saw Royce sitting outside the chief’s office.

” She smiled at both men. “Congratulations.” She reached over and squeezed Kelsey’s hand before standing up.

“And bless you. What a beautiful gift you’re giving your friends. ”

They thanked Audra and basked in the good vibes until Mendoza cleared his throat, reminding them they were taking up his space and time.

“Sorry, Chief,” Royce said. “We find ourselves just getting carried away.”

“Becoming a father was the happiest moment in my life,” Mendoza said. “Enjoy every second. The anticipation, the fear, and all the doubts. It will be worth it.”

“Amen,” Kelsey agreed as she stood up. “Thank you for your time, Chief.”

Royce waited for her to pass by and fell in behind her. Sawyer moved to follow them, but Mendoza called out his name.

“I need a word with you first. Alone,” Mendoza said when Royce stopped too. He made shooing motions until Royce and Kelsey were gone. “Close the door.”

“Yes, Chief.”

Mendoza crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “Why the hell was Alec Bishop ringing every damn line in this precinct to find you?”

Sawyer bit back a groan and flopped into an empty seat. “Because I didn’t return his messages fast enough.”

Mendoza’s dark eyes held a menacing gleam. “You realize what a problem that creates for everyone.”

“Yes, sir. And I’m very sorry. I talked to him when I returned to my office. I told him his behavior was unprofessional, and we’ve reached an understanding.” Maybe if Sawyer repeated it often enough, he could manifest it into existence.

“I’m glad you’ve resolved the situation,” Mendoza said.

Sawyer felt a but coming in three, two, one…

“But I can’t help but think today’s fiasco is just the tip of the iceberg.

I don’t like this guy, and I especially don’t like him working with my police department.

” He held up his hands as if he thought Sawyer would protest. Spoiler alert: he wouldn’t.

“I know the potential for good. It just goes against my instincts. Maybe I’m too old-school sometimes. ”

“I hear you, Chief. I will do my best to keep Alec in line and his chaos to a minimum.”

“That’s all I ask.” Mendoza smirked. “And keep your damn cell phone on you at all times.”

“Yes, Chief.” Sawyer cocked his head to the side. “How’d you know what we were going to tell you?”

Mendoza rolled his eyes and sighed. “I’m a veteran law enforcement officer skilled in the art of deduction.

” He cracked a smile before adding, “And the two of you make moon eyes at every baby or grandbaby who comes in here, so it was only a matter of time. When you both started floating through the precinct with stars shooting from your eyes, I knew the moment had arrived. Kelsey is a remarkable woman, but you already know that.”

“I do, sir.”

“You and Locke will make wonderful fathers.” The compliment, though spoken gruffly, was the spirit boost Sawyer needed after the confrontation with Alec.

“Thank you.”

Mendoza gestured to the door before pulling the tin of cookies closer. Sawyer recognized a dismissal when he saw one and got out of there as fast as he could. Royce was waiting for him, sitting in the same chair he’d vacated earlier. He quirked a brow, and Sawyer rolled his eyes.

“Walk with me and I’ll catch you up.”

There wasn’t much to tell him, so they hadn’t gotten far before Royce stopped suddenly and turned to face Sawyer. “What do you mean Alec called your cell phone? You didn’t give him the number yet.”

“I was getting to that part,” Sawyer said, gesturing for them to keep walking before they drew attention to themselves. This time, Royce didn’t interrupt. He said nothing, which was worse. “I’m handling it,” Sawyer told him as they waited for the elevator.

Royce didn’t speak until they were enclosed in the cabin. “I don’t like it. Not one damn bit. Bishop’s entitled behavior is obnoxious.”

“I’m handling it,” Sawyer repeated.

“I heard you the first time.” Royce turned and leaned against the paneled wall. “You’re not the problem.” While his voice was softer, the storm raged on in his gray eyes. “Alec Bishop is the problem, and I can’t shake the feeling that you’re going to regret getting involved in his project.”

“Not if it solves one of these cold cases.” Sawyer’s tone was sharper than he’d intended, and he felt an immediate twinge of guilt.

Royce stepped closer but didn’t touch him, at least not with his hands or body. Those eyes though. They caressed every intimate part of Sawyer’s soul and left him wishing they were alone. “But at what cost?”

“Alec’s project has already funded nearly forty thousand dollars of DNA testing. I’d say the costs are going to be high.”

Royce cocked a brow. “You know damn well I’m talking about the personal stakes. What if this backfires and blows up in your face?”

“It won’t.”

“You don’t sound very convincing,” Royce told him. “And I’m concerned about you maintaining your objectivity.”

“I have things under control.” Sawyer sounded defensive, which was the first clue that Royce could be right.

His thoughts about the cases, especially the Jane Does, had turned personal.

Seeing his Lil Plum on the ultrasound intensified his desire to make the world a better place, but he had to keep his objectivity to do that.

Compartmentalizing had been the hardest skill Sawyer learned in his early days in law enforcement.

It often felt cold or cruel to even want to sweep things into a box and close the lid, but it was necessary if he wanted a successful personal life and career.

Sawyer exhaled slowly and relaxed his tensed jaw and shoulders. “I’ll get things under control.”

Royce stepped forward again, stopping a few inches away.

Though their bodies still didn’t touch, the warmth in Royce’s gaze wrapped Sawyer in a tender embrace.

“Your tenacity to get justice for the forgotten is just a small reason I love you so damn much. But every warrior needs to rest. It makes them better fighters.”

Ding.

The elevator car stopped at the basement level, and the doors swished open.

Neither Sawyer nor Royce made the first step to get off.

When the doors started to close again, Royce held the button to keep them open.

He cupped Sawyer’s face and said, “Alec Bishop wants to charge in here like a hero who saves the day, but he’s an agitator who stirs the shit.

No one who respects you would’ve acted the way he did today. Keep that in mind.”

“I will.” Sawyer tilted his head toward the open door. “Want to finish this conversation in my office?”

By conversation, he meant a make-out session behind his closed door to chase away any lingering tension between them.

Royce winked and gestured for him to exit first. Sawyer stepped off the elevator and nearly collided with Royce’s co-director at the academy.

Tara South was usually the epitome of calm, cool, and collected, so her mussed hair and wild-eyed expression caught Sawyer off guard.

“I was just heading to your office to see if lover boy was hiding there,” Tara said.

Royce hopped off the elevator with a ta-da flourish and started singing a song from the band Lover Boy. He’d almost made it to the chorus before he took in Tara’s disheveled appearance and frustrated expression. “Uh-oh. What happened?”

“Everything.” Tara snapped off a list of things that had malfunctioned or gone wrong, including the appetizers they’d ordered from a caterer. “What makes them think an event for teenagers would serve artichoke and lobster dip or mini Wellington beef bites?”

Royce looked at Sawyer. “This sounds like some bougie shit you’d serve at poker night.”

Sawyer snorted. “Not to teenagers. I can run to the store and buy a ton of bagel bites and buffalo popcorn chicken. You can send those caterers directly to my office.”

Tara pointed at him. “You know what, I might just take you up on that offer if the caterer can’t come up with a decent solution.” She turned her attention to Royce. “Say goodbye to your husband. We have fires to extinguish.”

Royce turned somber eyes to him. “Goodbye, husband.”

Sawyer placed a hand over his heart. “Never goodbye. Only so long.”

“Christ,” Tara snarled as she strode away.

Royce walked backward a few steps. “Wish me luck.”

“Break a leg.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Royce said. “That sounds preferable to the current shit show.”

“Everything is going to be great. You’ll see.”

“Your husband just jinxed us,” Tara called out.

“No such thing,” Royce and Sawyer said together.

“Great,” Tara yelled. “A double jinx. We’re fucked.”