Chapter~31~Steakouts can be rough.

Nick~

She turned on her heel and twitched her ass out the door. Of course, I follow, and we soon take up what I realize is to be our semi-permanent residency across the street from the bank. Harley wanted the best view, so she had me back the car to a spot where the ATM in front was visible from all points.

A smile that could stop a clock crossed her face as I raised Harley's hand from my thigh to my face. It amazes me that all it takes to make her happy is me. I placed her hand over my cheek, turning my face into hers, kissing her palm, and nibbling on her wrist.

"So, Detective, what do you usually do during these sit-ons?"

"Not this; now we wait."

"I don't think he's coming back now."

"Honestly, neither do I."

"But if he does, I approach."

"Why you?!"

"Because you scream cop, Harley."

"I do not!" She pulls away from me.

"You do too, and I don't think you want Zeek to make an appearance; there's no telling what he might do to protect his mate."

The two-way radio on Harley's side crackles to life with Captain Howard's voice. "What's your situation, Detective?"

"We are in position, Captain, and have the target in sight."

"Keep me posted; your relief will be there at midnight."

"10-4, Captain."

Well, looks like it's going to be a long afternoon, but at least I can get my Amante out of here at midnight; until then, I guess there is no one I'd rather sit with. It felt pretty damn good to be me right about now; I never thought I'd see the day when my world lacked nothing. My chest tightened as I took a deep breath and looked over at my mate; she has deposited more into my life than I can ever repay.

'Don't get too carried away there, Loverboy. Are you writing for Hallmark now? We are in it up to our necks here, and you must keep your head in the game, Nick.'

'I got this, Zeek; nothing is going to happen to our mates. How about you watch my back so I can watch theirs and leave the poetry to me?' Zeek isn't happy but pulls back.

"Are you hungry, Amante?"

"Yeah, I guess a little. There is a great Italian place on the corner; they make a mean calzone."

Enough said, I opened the car door. "Let's go."

"You know that's not how it works; I'm fine, fine, Nick, go, I am hungry."

Honestly, I didn't know that wasn't how it worked, but I guess it only makes sense. Still, there's always time for me to steal a quick kiss, I do before heading across the street and down the sidewalk to the corner cafe. Once this is over, I am never going remotely close to a police station again!

Harley was right about this place; it smells delicious. While waiting for our food, I glanced out the shop window, and my heart visited my feet as I saw Harley jump out of the car and haul ass across the street. Zeek jumps to the front.

"I'll be back! Police business!" I said to the clerk, who was also looking at Harley.

Harley tackles a man to the ground just as I bolt from the door, and I curse under my breath as I catch another gear. There was no missing the little old lady lying on the sidewalk screaming at the top of her lungs. It would have been cop-like to stop and help her, but I kept going.

With a few more steps, I am standing over Harley. I removed her from the guy, setting her to the side and placing my knee into his back, wanting to pound him into the concrete. Harley hands me her cuffs, then calls for backup and steps back to help Granny get up.

The old lady's purse is still under him when I haul him to his feet. Rage overtakes me, and his back hits the brick wall behind us with a thud. Zeek flashes forward, and I look down to see he's just pissed his pants. Point taken! "If you move, you die!"

Harley is glaring at me with her hands on her hips when I turn around. "What the hell are you doing, Nick? I had him!"

Not having an answer that I could vocalize, I only stared at her. Harley came over, scooped the lady's purse off the ground, and returned it to her, as we heard the police siren from the approaching squad car. We hand off the purse snatcher to the beat cops and return to the vehicle. Even though Harley was mad at me, I reached out and took her hand.

"I'm sorry, Amante, I don't know what you expect from me."

"For you to do your job and follow protocol. Didn't they teach you anything at the academy? Perp collar 101: divide and conquer. We don't pass by victims, and he could have had an accomplice, and you would have never seen him because you were too busy worrying about me."

"Well, excuse the hell out of me for not liking the idea of the woman I love wrestling armed men to the ground."

"What did you just say?"

"I said that I love you, Harley, and I want nothing to happen to you."

"Nick, I love you too, and I don't want you to get hurt because you're trying to ensure nothing happens to me. It has to be an equal partnership."

"What the hell is going on down there, Detective?" Howard asked over the radio.

"We caught a 1210 in process; Agent Reins and I stopped the snatcher and handed him over to the locals."

"Keep me posted, Harley, and try not to expose yourselves further!"

Harley rolled her eyes. "We will do our best, Captain." She turns off the mic and places her hand in mine. "The point is, Nick, that you can't go charging in like a bull in a china shop every time I arrest a guy. From here on out, we watch each other's backs but do not get so consumed that we lose focus."

"I will try, Amante, but I can't make you any promises." I smile at her, and it works.

"You'd better go back to Sal's and pay our tab, or you're going to have a hot Sicilian on your heels."

"Only if you promise me you'll stay out of trouble this time."