Home > Life Changer (Chicago First Responders #2)

Life Changer (Chicago First Responders #2)
Author: B.J. Harvey

 


Chapter 1

 

 

Rhodes


I have a problem. I’m dreaming about a woman I’ve never even met before. I know who she is. I know where she is. It would just be creepy to meet her—or even initiate contact. But if I don’t get this little fixation of mine under control soon, I’m going to end up doing something stupid—more stupid than not paying attention as I turn the corner, about to walk past the object of my obsession’s restaurant.

But thank god I am, because one minute I’m frozen mid-step as Dee Duncan stops on the sidewalk outside Delish—she’s talking animatedly into her phone before hanging up and sliding it into her purse—the next, a tall, lanky guy in a black hoodie and jeans launches into a run straight at her. At first it looks like she’s just going to be knocked over, not that the piece of crap is going to yank her purse off her shoulder and sprint away with it in a middle-of-the-day mugging.

I’ve closed half the distance between us before I realize I’m moving. When she falls to the ground, grabbing her arm with a cry as she hits the pavement, I’m torn between going to her aid or hunting down the SOB and beating him to a pulp—and I’m not a violent man.

My body decides for me, and I’m bending down beside her, the world grinding to a halt the moment her crystal-green wide eyes meet mine.

“Are you okay?”

“Ye . . . yeah. My purse! It’s got my keys and everything in it.”

I hand her my phone. My fingers brush hers as I dump the device in her hand, but I don’t let myself dwell on how smooth her skin feels—later I will, but right now, I’m on a mission. “Code to unlock it is one, nine, eight, one. Call the cops. I’ll be back,” I say before I’m on my feet and running after the mugger.

“Wait. No!” Dee yells from behind me, but I don’t stop. I round the corner I saw the mugger take and spot his hooded head already halfway down the block. He probably thought he was home and free. Have I got news for him?

I’m almost close enough to ambush him, but he glances over his shoulder, his eyes widening before he darts down an alley and takes off. But being a city firefighter means I’m no slouch in the speed department, and lucky for me, I’m a shit-ton faster than he is. And by the time he’s halfway along, I’m close enough to swing my arm out and hook my hand in the strap of Dee’s purse, jerking the kid to a stop.

I grab his shirt and pull him around to face me. I’m ready to teach him a lesson.

“What the hell, man?” he spits out, his voice full of hot air and bluster that doesn’t match the wariness I see in his eyes. His gaze roams my face and perhaps wisely reading my angry expression, he changes tack. “Look, man, no harm, no foul, right? I’m just . . .” He lets out a big sigh, and for the first time, I really take him in. Old worn clothes, a smell not worth mentioning, and a downtrodden demeanor that hints he’s more resigned and tired than scared. It occurs to me that he’s probably around the same age as my sixteen-year-old son, Jake.

“Right,” I say, letting him go and standing to my full six-foot-three height. “This can go one of two ways. You going to drop the macho bullshit and listen to someone willing to give you a break?”

The boy living in a man’s world far too soon tilts his chin, but when his shoulders slump, it’s clear he’s a product of circumstance.

“You stay around here?”

He grunts and averts his eyes. “All around,” he mumbles. “You going to call the cops?”

I don’t miss the edge to his voice. “Depends if you plan on stealing a hardworking woman’s purse again?”

“I—”

I spear him a scathing look, and he crumbles under it. I actually feel sorry for him.

“Nah. I saw her standing there and figured she wouldn’t miss it.”

“Do you miss having a bed to sleep in?”

“Every fucking day, man.”

“It doesn’t matter what it is—whether it’s a bed, a roof, a hot home-cooked meal, or even a purse, usually, they all mean something to someone.”

“I’m just so damn hungry and desperate, and—”

“Over the hard life?”

“Yes!” he spits out, and his anger clearly isn’t at me.

“Right. So, how about this.” I reach into my pocket and grab my wallet before unfolding a couple of twenties and holding them out for him. He goes to snatch them off me, but my fingers hold firm until his gaze jerks to mine. “You use this to get some food into you, and you let me make a call for you so you have a warm, safe bed to sleep in for a few days.”

His eyes jump wide. “Whoa. You’d do that?”

“Wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it, bud.”

Skepticism hardens his expression, and he arches a brow. “Why should I believe you?”

“Honestly, you’re right to question me. But I’m legit. My name is Rhodes, and I work for the CFD. I’ve got nothing to gain from lying, dude. I’ve got a son your age, and you’re far too young to be living on the street—whatever the circumstance. So instead of calling the cops, I’ll cut you some slack. ’Cause something tells me you haven’t had much of that lately. Am I right?”

He nods, the relief shining back at me tugging at my heartstrings. If I hadn’t already decided to help him, that look would’ve secured it.

“Good. So, take this.” I let go of the bills, feeling verified when he doesn’t move to snatch it this time. Instead, he’s looking at the money in his hand like it’s a lifeline.

“You sure you don’t expect anything for this?” he asks.

I shake my head, hating the fact he even has to ask that question. Kids should have time to be kids, not worrying about people’s intentions. “What’s your name?”

“Pete.”

“Well, Pete. Life may not have been good to you yet, but it will. This is me just offering you a break.”

His look of relief is all the thanks I need.

“I will ask you to do one thing though. I want you to think of a way to apologize to the woman who owns this purse, because she didn’t deserve what you just did to her at all.”

“But . . . the cops?”

“Pete, I’ll take care of that. I said I would, and I meant it. Now, you know the shelter by Grant Park?”

He bites his lip, and his eyes go up as if he’s wracking his brain. “Yep. Three-story brick building. Kinda old, but clean.”

I grin. “Yeah. Go in and tell the manager Rhodes sent you. I’ll clear it with them, as long as you turn up, Don will look after you.”

Pete looks at me with such wide-eyed wonder, I can almost see the carefree teenager he should be. God, Lily would be smiling so big if she could see me right now.

“You sure?” he asks, his voice turning defensive.

“Yeah. Don’s my dad. I’m gonna call him and he’ll be expecting you.” I lock eyes with the kid once more. “You’ll go there?”

Pete nods. “I will. I’ll go and talk to Don and say you sent me. And the lady, I’ll think of a way to say sorry. Without, like, scaring her. Okay?”

Hot Books
» House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1)
» A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
» From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1)
» A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime
» Deviant King (Royal Elite #1)
» Den of Vipers
» House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2)
» The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air #
» Sweet Temptation
» The Sweetest Oblivion (Made #1)
» Chasing Cassandra (The Ravenels #6)
» Wreck & Ruin
» Steel Princess (Royal Elite #2)
» Twisted Hate (Twisted #3)
» The Play (Briar U Book 3)