She was trailed by the others. They were her devoted followers. She led the pack. It was clear she didn’t give a damn about the cleaning bill. But then again, it wouldn’t be her credit card held behind the bar and if it was, Daddy Dearest would pick up the tab. Or that’s what he’d always used to do. Pay for stuff and not much else.

  “Seriously,” Rex said, plucking a long blonde hair from his dark uniform. “Do I look like a stripper?”

  Griff laughed, enjoying the release of energy that had built up inside him. “You really want me to answer that?”

  Rex huffed. “Yeah, well, you do, those damn muscles filling out your uniform.”

  “These muscles are for the job.” Griff clasped Rex’s shoulder and tore his gaze from the doorway Ava had just disappeared through. “Come on, let’s make sure they get in cabs.”

  Chapter 2

  “Rex is what?” Griff frowned at Phil, the station desk sergeant.

  “He’s in the hospital, appendix, will be out of action for at least six weeks.”

  “Bloody hell, he was fine last night. We did the whole shift together, not one mention of pain or fever or whatever else a gammy appendix does to you.”

  Phil shrugged. “It’s a bastard the way it sneaks up on you, got my sister a few years ago. Just came on out of the blue.”

  Griff sighed and stared at the large black clock. It was nine p.m. and the start of his shift. “So who am I getting paired with?”

  “Between you and me, I think you’re on your own. Staff shortages and all that.”

  “Guess I’ll have to go and check in with the boss then.”

  “Yeah, you do that. And if you speak to Rex, tell him we’re thinking of him.”

  “Yeah, I will.” Griff frowned and stomped toward the staircase. He probably should do a whip-round, get Rex a fruit basket or something. Poor bugger.

  An hour later, after wrapping up some paperwork, Griff pulled out of the station in his blue and white patrol car.

  Alone.

  He was okay with that. It was easier than getting to know a new partner. He didn’t mean to be antisocial, it had just happened over the last few years. He liked who he liked, and that was it.

  His boss had told him to carry on as normal, checking out the usual city trouble spots, but had told him to stay car based. Beat cops believed in safety in numbers.

  Griff listened to the control room chatter. It was a Sunday night, so not much was happening. The weekend had worn itself out.

  He cruised through Redlands, keeping his eyes peeled for known troublemakers.

  The streets were quiet.

  He swung around the one-way system, coming to a halt when a homeless man pushed his loaded trolley into the road.

  “Hey, mate.” Griff climbed out of the car. “You okay?”

  The man coughed, a deep chesty rattle. “Evening, Officer.”

  “Where you off to?” Griff recognized the man. He’d been on the streets of Bristol for years.

  “The hostel. See if they’ve got space.”

  “They’re charging a fiver, you got that?”

  “Nah.” He dug into a grubby carrier bag and plucked out a sandwich wrapper. “I chose food. My stomach thought me throat had been cut.” He coughed again.

  Griff dug into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He plucked out a five-pound note. “Here, take this.”

  The man’s eyes widened, his brow creasing. “That’s mighty kind of ya.”

  “Don’t want that cough turning to pneumonia, do we? See if they can get a doctor to listen to your chest in the morning.”

  The man gave the money a kiss, making a loud lip-smacking noise. “I’d kiss you, Officer, but I’m guessing you wouldn’t like that.”

  “You’re not my type.” Griff laughed. “So you guessed right.”

  He grinned. “God bless you, Officer, I really appreciate it.”

  “Well, it’s just this once, but be careful, okay, get yourself straight there.”

  He did a mock salute, then gripped the handle of his trolley and rattled up the curb.

  Griff climbed back into his car and started the engine.

  He left the city center and slow-wheeled in the direction of St George’s Park. After circumnavigating it, he found himself pulling up on Sloane Street.

  He killed the lights and was glad his parking space wasn’t under the spotlight of a lamppost.

  It was then his attention settled on a terraced house. Number eighteen.

  Four concrete steps led up to the entrance and the three windows facing the street were all lit but with curtains closed.

  Who has every light on in their house?

  Ava Sontag, that’s who.

  He probably shouldn’t have used the database to look up her address. Had resisted for years finding out her whereabouts. But seeing her the night before had given him an excuse to dig into his ex. Find out where she was living now and what she’d been up to since he’d last seen her.

  Which didn’t appear to be much. She didn’t have a record, which was good, but her employment status was sketchy. No doubt Bank of Daddy was still dishing out cash on a monthly basis.

  He folded his arms and settled back in the driver’s seat. At college she’d been studying art and design. It had seemed to him she’d picked it because it was easy with no real right and wrong. But what did he know? He’d been into math because he was good at it, but it hadn’t led to a career in numbers. His career had come about after chatting to a police officer at a college recruitment day. Griff had been curious to see if he’d be up for the challenge of protecting the streets and fighting crime. It had been one of the most important conversations of his life, and undoubtedly his best decision to date.

  A light went out in an upstairs bedroom. He waited to see if another would. It didn’t.

  A disturbance was reported from the control room but it was on the opposite side of the town center and quickly picked up by another patrol.

  Good.

  Movement in his wing mirror caught his attention. A man walking toward him through the shadows, head stooped, hood up, hands shoved into jeans pockets.

  Griff wished he was in a plain car. He was standing out like a sore bloody thumb in this one with its neon orange stripe down the side.

  He shifted lower, trying to be as inconspicuous inside the vehicle as possible.

  It seemed he had some level of success and the man strode past then crossed the road.

  He went to Ava’s house and knocked. He poked at something on the ground with his shoe while he waited for the door to be answered.

  Griff’s breathing was shallow when the door pulled open and a spill of amber light fell onto the steps.

  Ava stood there in pink sweats and a white t-shirt with a love heart on the front. Her hair was messy hanging around her face, her feet were bare, and smoke from the cigarette she was holding plumed into the night air.

  She glanced up and down the street, didn’t appear to notice the cop car, then motioned for the man to enter the house.

  “What the hell?” Griff muttered.

  His cop instinct bristled. This man wasn’t Ava’s type. He was small, thin, and gave off a bad vibe. He was there for another reason. The question was what reason was that?

  Ava spotted the cop car the moment she opened her front door. What she struggled to see through the darkness was if there was someone inside it or not.

  She tried not to let her heart skip out of control as she puffed on her cigarette and let Knobby in.

  “Here,” he said, pulling his hand from his pocket.

  “Stop,” she hissed. “Wait.”

  She shut the door. “Didn’t you see the cop car in the road?”

  He stared at her, his mouth hanging open in that gormless way he favored. “What? No.” He went to open the door again.

  “Stop it.” She slapped her palm on it. “You can leave the back way.”

  “Yeah, I will, don’t need the attention of the pigs.” He shoved a small package into her hand. “Here’s the stuff you ordered.”

  Ava quickly tucked it into a vase on the hallway table. It was only enough for a couple of lines next weekend. Not a big order. “Here.” She opened a drawer and pulled out fifty quid. “Now go, through there.”

  Knobby dashed through the hallway and into the kitchen.

  She stabbed out her cigarette and followed, but by the time she’d reached the kitchen he’d gone and the back door was wide open to the cool evening.

  She closed it, then poured wine into a mug and knocked it back. Hair of the dog, the best cure for a hangover and it had done her proud all day, staving off the nausea.

  She took another slug, then went up the stairs. Once in the spare bedroom, the smallest one she used as a junk room, she flicked off the light and sneaked to the window. Feeling hunted, a fugitive, she peeked through the curtain and out into the street.

  Damn it. The cop car was still there. And yes, there was a policeman in it. Still as a rock, his wide outline was just visible.

  She swallowed. What was he doing? Was she on their radar now? Fuck it. She’d only ever had Knobby drop off a couple of packages. Hardly big time drug deals. She was small fry. Surely cops had serious crimes to go and solve—hardened criminals and serial killers that demanded attention.

  “Oh, shut up,” she muttered, flicking the curtain back into place. “He’s not interested in you, Ava.” The idea of someone not being interested in her went against her usual line of thinking.

  Ava had breezed through life being effortlessly popular. Maintaining the position of center of attention hadn’t been difficult. She had a rich father whose idea of affection was to fill her bank account. Her mother had left him many years previously. Likely because her father’s idea of being a good husband was to lavish presents on his wife in the hope she’d turn a blind eye to his constant cheating. Trouble was, Ava’s mother had given up custody when she’d given up on her marriage. Ava hadn’t seen her since she was six years old.

  Not that Ava cared; she had a host of female friends. There was never a lack of girly company if she wanted it. They were her family—family who liked to party… hard.

  She wiped her nose, a habit she’d developed, and took another mouthful of wine before wandering out of the spare bedroom.

  When she left the room, thoughts of the cop outside slipped from her mind. Netflix, that was next on her agenda, along with more wine.

  Her phone trilled and she flopped onto her bed, clasping it to her ear. “Hey, Mel, how are you today?” She crossed one leg over the other, foot bobbing. Mel was one of her oldest friends. They’d known each other since college. If Ava could say she loved anyone, it was Mel.

  “Fucked up. Don’t know what that was we took last night but my brain is trying to get out of my head.”

  Ava laughed. “Ah, man up, it was good stuff.”

  “Maybe for you, only the second time I’ve taken it. Think I’ll stick to the wine.”

  “Yeah, you do that.” Ava took a drink.

  “I can hear you slurping. Don’t tell me you have a glass on the go?”

  “Of course, it was an early night, all things considered. We’re the party girls, remember.”

  “You’re hard core, Ava.”

  Ava laughed. “Just get yourself into gear for tomorrow evening, I have plans for us.”

  “Why? What’s happening tomorrow? It’s a Monday, for heaven’s sake.”

  “It’s the opening of that new bar, Ruby’s, down by Stable. I’ve got three VIP tickets. Sandy is coming too, said she wants all the nights out she can before she’s tied to the kitchen sink.”

  “Ah… well…” Mel hesitated.

  “Oh, Mel, please, it won’t be the same without you.”

  “Okay, and I’ll be right as rain by then, don’t you worry.”

  “Good.” Ava crossed and uncrossed her legs. “I’ll swing by in a cab about nine and pick you up. Dress to impress, you sexy chick.”

  Mel laughed. “I’ll do my best, but whatever I wear you’ll outshine me.”

  “Nonsense, you’re gorgeous. See you tomorrow.” She hung up and a visual of her dresses winged through her mind. She had a new purple, off the shoulder Cavalli that was crying out to be worn. Teamed with silver heels to show off her tanned legs, it would be quite the statement. Worth the VIP tickets Bradley the owner’s son had sent her.

  Finishing the wine, she flicked the bedroom TV on. Monday mornings always meant a good long lie in. She thanked her lucky stars she didn’t have to work like all of her friends did. That would be such a bore.

  With Mel and Sandy at her side, Ava strode along the quayside with her heels clicking on the pavement. The evening air wrapped around her bare legs like a silken caress. She had a nice buzz going on already and the taste for another gin and tonic.

  “Wow, it’s busy for a Monday,” Sandy said, taking a few paces at a run to keep up.

  “Yeah, I told you it would be.” Ava grinned. “I’m so glad you could both make it.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” Mel said, linking her arm with Ava’s.

  Ava gave her hand a squeeze.

  “I don’t know how you got the tickets,” Sandy said.

  “Bradley Ruby fancies her.” Mel laughed.

  “Do you fancy him?” Sandy asked.

  Ava huffed. “He’s too young, only twenty-two or twenty-three, I forget which.”

  “Cute though, I heard he’s got a modeling contract.”

  “Mmm, I heard that too. But no, he’s not for me.”

  “Why not?” Mel asked.

  The truth was Ava didn’t really know why not. Bradley ticked all the boxes. He was handsome in a surfer dude kind of a way, came from a well-off family, and he always lavished her with attention.

  “She’d chew him up and spit him out, wouldn’t you, Ava.” Sandy laughed. “Poor little Bradley wouldn’t know what had hit him.”

  “Would be fun though,” Mel said with a giggle, “chewing him up, that is. I bet he’d taste nice.”

  They all laughed as they walked past a queue leading to the entrance of Ruby’s, the new bar.

  “Hey, David,” Ava said, recognizing the bouncer from another club. “How are you?”

  “Ava.” He grinned. “Saw your name, in you go.”

  “Thanks.” Stepping past him, she blew a kiss his way.

  Her phone beeped and she glanced at the screen. A message from her father. She opened it.

  Sorry, it’s a no-go this weekend, honey. Hitting Dubai for a friend’s wedding. Will try and catch up next month if I’m in the UK. Dad x

  Her breath hitched. This was the fourth time he’d let her down in as many months. She’d only seen him once all year. And he didn’t even have the decency to call and explain. Brushed aside as though she meant nothing… which was obviously the case.

  Her eyes misted and her throat tightened. She pushed the bitter taste of disappointment away. It would rise later, slap her about, twist her guts, but for now she was out with her friends.

  So she pasted on a smile and hoped no one spotted the sadness in her eyes—sadness that she meant nothing to the one man she was supposed to mean everything to.

  The club was loud and hot, the throbbing music seeming to vibrate right to her heart.

  They made their way to the bar, and while the barman made up three Hendersons they threw back complimentary flutes of cava.

  “Hey, Ava, you made it.”

  She turned and came face to face with Bradley. “Hi, B, thanks for the invite.” She kissed first his left, then his right cheek. “Place looks awesome. Love the gothic décor.”

  He grinned and his eyes sparkled. “Glad you like it. Want a tour?”

  “Maybe later.” She nodded at the bar. “I’m having a catch up with my girls first.”

  His mouth flattened, just for a split second, then he grinned again. “Okay, I’ll find you.”

  Chapter 3

  Just after one a.m. Griff parked his patrol car by the quayside and climbed out. He stretched, his limbs stiff after driving around for the last few hours.

  But there was a new club with the license extended one hour after midnight for the opening party. He reckoned he’d check it out, make sure they were complying and everyone was heading home. The walk would do his muscles good.

  He wandered over a pedestrian bridge covered in padlocks—symbols of unbreakable love. He liked it, but for Griff a padlock had another meaning—ownership as well as unbreakable love. If he were to click a padlock it would be on the collar of the woman he wanted to be with… forever.

  Ruby’s was lit in scarlet, the music still blasting. Huge stone gargoyles flanked the entrance and fake smoke puffed from their open mouths.

  He sighed, knowing he’d have to wander in and remind them of the law. But at least there was a small flow of people out of the door. The place was winding down.

  For a moment he paused in the shadows. Two women he recognized were leaving together. They were Ava’s friends from Saturday night. Brunette and Bride-to-be.

  And if they’re here…

  He watched them head in the direction of the taxi rank. Had they left Ava in there alone? Would they do that? From what he knew that was against girl code.

  A surge of protectiveness came over him. He didn’t know why. Ava had been perfectly capable of looking after herself since college. She hadn’t needed him acting as a burly bodyguard overseeing her every move. Yet now he felt a duty to her, a compulsion to ensure her wellbeing. It was strong, a real tug in his heart, a physical reaction.

  He walked to the entrance and straight up to the bouncer. Dave. A decent sort who could be relied upon if things got dicey. “How’s it going?”

  Dave, who was holding the door open, grinned, showing that he’d lost a front tooth since Griff had last seen him. “All good, no problems. Just kicking out now.”

  “Needs to be a bit quicker. The license is up. Don’t want to lose it so soon.” Griff tapped his watch.

 

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