The Cop. Cara Summers

Mayor Riley’s daughter. That certainly explained her habit of ordering people around.

      Parker muttered under his breath, “An explanation, Angelis.”

      Before Nik could reply, J.C. answered, “He fastened me to the radiator to keep me safe while he concentrated on the crime scene. He said he didn’t want me mucking it up. He was only doing his job.”

      “Oh.” Galvin turned his attention back to J.C. “But that still doesn’t explain what you’re doing here.”

      Nik simply stared at her. She’d just done her best to save his skin. He couldn’t identify the emotions surging through him as he watched her straighten her shoulders and lift her chin.

      “I’m the caterer. I’ve been running my own business for almost a year now, Uncle Chad.”

      “Your father has never mentioned it,” Galvin said.

      “No—”

      “Wait,” Galvin interrupted and turned to Nik. “Are you telling me this is the caterer who can identify the man who shot the priest?”

      “The one and only,” Nik said.

      “She’ll need protection,” Galvin instructed Parker. “I want you to put your best man on her twenty-four-seven. That’s what her father will demand when I talk to him.”

      “You’re looking at my best man.” Parker jerked his head toward Nik.

      “Him?” Galvin and J.C. spoke in unison.

      “The one and only,” Parker replied.

      Galvin looked Nik up and down. Then he slowly smiled. “Well, I guess if he managed to handcuff her to a radiator, he can handle her.”

      Nik met Parker’s eyes. “Sir, this is my case. And you want me to babysit her?”

      “You’ve got your assignment, Angelis. I’ll handle the case personally. Your job is to stick to Ms. Riley like glue until we can wrap this up.”

      Shit, Nike thought as he looked at J.C. And if he read her expression right, she was thinking the same thing. This was not only the case of the century, it was one that involved someone close to his family—and he had to babysit the mayor’s daughter.