I sigh. “Because harboring the chief’s teenage stepdaughter would turn out well for you? I’m eighteen, so Daniel can’t have you arrested, but I have a feeling he’d fire you without hesitating.”

Roman snorts and gives me a I dare him to try look. “I’m one of two officers in that department who isn’t white. He won’t fire me without a legit cause—just like he hasn’t tried to kick me for being his wife’s ex. He can’t even have the other guys give me shit, given how much of it Martinez and I already put up with every shift.”

Another reason to hate it here. But I’m so fucking close, and despite what he says, we both know it could get worse for him. They’d probably target Martinez, too, for being his partner. So incredibly convenient the only Latino man on the force was partnered with the only Black man.

“It would make sense for me to move in if we finally got married.” One side of my mouth curves, and I sink into the seat. “I asked you to marry me years ago, so…”

He smirks, but it turns soft. “I’m going to steal you away more then, and you’re going to text me more.”

Once I nod, he blows out a defeated breath. His gaze sweeps over me one last time, then he turns off the light and drives.

I adjust the arm warmers once we’re close. This time less to hide anything but because I’ll need them in a second. Roman eases to a stop by the curb a few blocks from the step-house. My throat’s actually tight as I climb out, and his jaw’s clenched again.

“You’re too pretty to not smile, officer,” I say.

He gives me one. “Same goes for you, pretty girl.”

I give him one, too. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Anytime.” His brow furrows. “Do you want to maybe⁠—”

A flash of headlights has his eyes darting to the side mirror. Without another word, I quickly shut the door, heading to the sidewalk while he drives away.

I don’t recognize the car that passes, and my muscles relax, even though I’m freezing within thirty seconds. Thank God it only takes a few minutes before I’m rounding the corner to the house. But all that tension returns with a vengeance when I see the chief’s unmarked car in the driveway.

The trellis it is, then.

Except, the front door opens, and Daniel charges out in uniform. His head jerks up, destroying any hope I have of him not noticing me. He halts by the hood of the sleek BMW—better known as most of last year’s department budget.

I have every intention of ignoring him on my way inside, but he has other plans.

“You went out looking like that?” he spits at me.