Breaking and Entering of the Heart Read online

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Glossary

  About the Author

  For years, they had traveled, moving from place to place, looking for a city where their team would fit in, where humans could accept them. Then, they stumbled upon the town of Elyria. Not only had they been welcomed, but at once, they had been accepted as a new law in their city, working the beat, cops, or, what they called themselves, the Shadow Bobbies.

  But what Finch and his team didn’t realize was that the existing police force had no idea they had been brought on. Not only was the chief of police corrupt, but he was also one of the lowest forms of human Finch hated, a dealer in human trafficking.

  The mayor of Elyria, Skylar Nighturn, had her share of grief, and sometimes there was a pocket of it hidden inside of her ready to explode, ready to erupt at any given time. She might seem like the fierce little woman, as these new Shadow Buddies had called her, but they didn’t see her own shadow that lurked, waiting to strike.

  She needed their help, and maybe even for herself, too. These cops, shadows, ghosts, or walkers, men that can move between the worlds when they’re needed or wanted had made this city safer and hopefully could heal the mayor’s soul.

  Breaking and Entering of the Heart

  © 2019 by Trinity Blacio

  Cover design by Insatiable Designs

  All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Contact info

  Published by http://trinityblacio.com

  Breaking and Entering of the Heart

  Shadow Bobbies: 1

  By

  Trinity Blacio

  Dedication

  This series was started right after I lost my husband. I needed to work on something fresh, and I wanted the first story to be dedicated to him. Twenty-five years this July we would have been together. I miss him, but I know he isn’t in pain anymore, that he is watching our kids and me.

  Did you know there is an epidemic with the older generation? People are taken off meds, not given enough to control the pain. Doctors too afraid of being accused of helping a person to become addicted to pain killers that they aren’t prescribing the right doses, hence people living in pain. There is so much a person can take before they give up.

  My husband is one of those statics now. Could I have done more for my husband? I ask myself that question every day. Suicide sucks, but there is help. Please, reach out, don’t leave your family hanging and hurting.

  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  1-800-273-8255

  We can all help prevent suicide. The lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

  Chapter One

  Finch Clayton stood to the side of one of the trailers that was serving food. His partner of the day and best friend, Cooper Soto, who observed everything around them, not missing one detail, was standing beside him. Yesterday and today, the town square had been packed for their local event. Now, everything was quiet.

  Apple Festival was one of the main events the city held each year, but this was the first since Finch and his men picked this town to settle down in. Finch did have to admit—the smell of the food, the music, and activities were impressive for their new home.

  Cooper faded back into the shadows a little, both of them watching a group of teenagers, who kept observing an elderly couple sitting down eating. Don’t do it, move on, Finch whispered, hoping to send the need to turn each of the group members around.

  His whole team knew this city had a drug problem, and Finch had a feeling the group in front of them was a big part of it. But what he wasn’t expecting was Skylar Nighturn to move up to the group, blocking his view of the youngsters, once more putting herself in harm’s way.

  One thing was for sure, the mayor was a spitfire for such a small thing, for a human. She was one of the most unconventional mayor’s Finch had seen in a long time, but then again, it didn’t help she was beautiful inside and out. Yes, there was something there between the two of them, he finally admitted to himself.

  His partner nudged him, startling him, not even seeing him come back to his side. “You’re staring again,” Cooper said, drawing him back to reality. “You have it bad. Do you think she is the one to pass the test?”

  “Don’t even speak of it,” Finch hissed. “I hate that our bonded ones have to do this. It’s barbaric.”

  The women who were brave enough to fall for one of their kind must not only love their man with all their heart, but must also be willing to step into the shadow world. If she passed through the veil, she was meant to be with them. If not, their lives were supposed to go separate ways. She forgot all about the one she had claimed to love. But the sad part, the male never forgot the ones that they had believed would be their partner for life.

  It wouldn’t happen to him. No, he was keeping the mayor and screw the test. Finch stepped out into the open and moved to block Mayor Skylar’s way. Even though she was special, Skylar needed to stop putting herself in danger, making herself a target or he would.

  “Mayor, may we have a word with you, please,” Finch said, looking down into those big brown eyes. Standing at six foot four above her smaller body of five feet, she had to look up at him.

  “Finch, glad to see you here. Are you and your men having a good time?” she asked, smiling up at him.

  “We are on duty, but your city’s event is a nice one. I must insist that you quit putting yourself in danger. You do know those kids you were speaking with are up to no good, right?”

  She waved her hand and glanced back over her shoulder at where they had been. “I know each of the six of them. Believe me, they don’t even want me to go to their parents.” She reached over and put her hand on his arm. “But thank you for thinking of me, that is so kind. Now, if you will excuse me, I see one of my employees waving at me.” She tilted her head to the side. “Hope to see you here tonight for the dance when you are off. I’ll even save a dance for you.”

  With those words, Finch watched Skylar move around him, going to another group of people. “That woman does not know the danger she is in,” he mumbled.

  “That woman is all over the place. I’ve never seen someone with so much energy, and she is always smiling. I bet by the time she gets home her jaw is sore,” Cooper said, following Finch down the sidewalk. “Forgot to tell you, Gilbert sent word down that the human chief of police is not happy we are here. It would seem the mayor went over his head and hired us.”

  “What?” Finch stopped and glanced at Cooper. “Are you certain? Why are we just learning about this? The mayor knows what the good chief is up to, that is the only reason I can see why she would do
this. We don’t need the hostility between these men and ours, but we’ll deal with it. It would seem I will be going to the dance after all. Ms. Skylar Nighturn has a lot to answer for, and I’ll get answers. This time, she will not run away.”

  “Want my extra pair of handcuffs?” Cooper teased, glancing back at the mayor. “Because I have a feeling whatever man who even attempts to corral that lady is going to need a big pair of balls and lots of rope, handcuffs, or whatever you prefer to use to keep her tied down.”

  Finch’s cock hardened at the thought of Skylar stretched out, hands cuffed, and lifted while he explored. “Cooper, you did that on purpose, and you know no other will be touching her!” he snarled, trying to get his body back under control.

  Cooper slapped him on the back. “You need to catch her before someone else does because if I’m not mistaken, that chief of police has his eye on her, too.” Cooper nodded to said man. The chief made his way to Skylar, wrapping an arm around her waist, but she slid out of his grasp.

  For the first time, Skylar wasn’t smiling anymore. Finch, for one, wanted to send the man to one of the realms where no one would find him or feed him to one of the creatures that fed on flesh. Skylar should be smiling, not glaring at the man. He took two steps toward them when Cooper grabbed onto his arm.

  “Not here with so many around.” Cooper reminded Finch where they were, and he nodded.

  “Thank you, make sure Gilbert keeps a closer eye on the chief for us. One, we don’t want any surprises when it comes to this man. Two, my senses are going off the chart with him, and when that happens, something is not what it appears.”

  * * *

  Skylar bit her tongue and glared at the chief of police, Pete Orchard. Her skin was still crawling after his touch. There was something about him she just didn’t trust or want anything to do with. Skylar knew he and his gang were the reason she had lost her fiancé, but it was something more, also.

  It was also one of the reasons she had enlisted the council’s help with hiring the men she did. Something was not right, and she would find out what it was. But was it wrong that Skylar was also attracted to their captain-leader, Finch?

  Skylar still had moments where she couldn’t stop crying, her bad days she called them. It had been one year since Trevor had killed himself, taking his service revolver and shooting himself in the head. At the age of thirty-two, Trevor had everything to live for. Their life together, a wedding, and a family that loved him so much.

  She took a deep breath and glanced over her shoulder. Sure enough, said man—Finch, the head of his Shadow Bobbies, they called themselves—was staring at her, and if she wasn’t mistaken, he wasn’t happy at all. The glare he was giving the chief was not good.

  “I don’t know why you hired them, but you will be mine, Skylar,” Chief Orchard said, leaning over and whispering in her ear.

  “In your dreams,” she hissed, stepping back another step away from the man. “Stay the hell away from me, and watch your toes because you won’t be here long,” Skylar told him right before she spun around and walked away from him. “Let him try and figure out what I meant by that,” she snarled to herself, hating the man.

  Her cheeks hurt from smiling as she nodded and smiled to everyone she passed, but inside, Skylar felt the hole in her heart. The bag of grief that hid inside her started to open up as she swallowed, trying to keep it at bay until she got somewhere Skylar could release it.

  They had said the pain would ease up, and on some days, she would be fine, but on others, it felt as if her soul was being ripped apart and the hole in her soul was getting bigger, not smaller. She headed to her office where she could, once again, close the door and try to compose herself.

  Maybe Pete was right, that the people just felt sorry for her and that was why she had gotten elected, but Skylar would take it.

  Three years, eight months to go, and she’d make sure this town was clear of its problems—the chief and his goons. Even if it meant setting herself up as bait. Skylar stepped into the elevator and turned to see Finch and his partner joining her in the elevator.

  She reached over and pushed the button for the fourth floor. “Now is not a good time, Finch,” she said, trying to control her emotions.

  “I think it is. What did the chief say? You’re upset. Did he threaten you? Hurt you?” Finch asked, not backing down as the elevator opened up to her floor.

  She stepped out, going to turn to tell them they’d talk later, but both men stepped out, one on each side of her.

  “We’re not leaving, Mayor. You’re going to explain why we were hired since it’s obvious the chief does not want us here.”

  Skylar made her way to her office. Maybe it was time, they were now settled and the city people all knew about them. Taking her key out, she pushed into her office. “Have a seat, gentleman,” she said, moving around her desk, going right to her safe.

  Kicking off her shoes, Skylar knelt down and worked the combination of the safe. “One year ago, my fiancé shot himself in the head while in his patrol car.” She opened the safe and pulled out the file she had compiled, along with his note.

  She stood and handed the file and note to Finch. “As you know, I’m also new at this job. Maybe I got elected because people felt sorry for me, but I don’t care. I want this bastard taken down, this town cleaned, and I’m hoping you’ll help.”

  Not even wanting to see them read the note, she moved to the window and looked down at the square. Sure enough, Chief Pete was standing across the street, talking to two of his men while staring up at the building.

  “Oh, I had the place swept for bugs before I left here earlier. I do it every day, and yes, I know I might be overreacting, but I won’t have that creep hearing anything I say. He already had my home bugged,” she said and trembled as a cold chill seemed to settle over her.

  “One other thing, the chief knows I want him gone and plan to do everything I can to get him out of office.” She looked over her shoulder. “Please, tell your men to be careful.” She glanced back outside.

  “There is something else going on between you and the chief?” Finch asked.

  “No!” she growled and moved to her chair. “He’s telling everyone that we are dating, but it’s a lie. I told him he’ll never have me. I can’t stand him touching me.” She looked up at Finch. “I haven’t been with anyone since Trevor if you are wondering.” She glanced at Finch’s partner. “I guess I owe all of you an apology. I should have told you up front what was going on, and I’m sorry I put you in the middle of this, but I needed your help. Our town needs your help.”

  Finch held her stare for a minute. “You have set yourself up, haven’t you? That’s why he watches your every move.”

  Skylar smiled. “Yep, and those gang of kids you were watching. They are good kids, and I know most of them. Yes, they have a reputation for the drugs, but that is all it is, a rumor. They too were friends of Trevor’s and know it was the chief who set up Trevor.” She looked down and tried to hold back the tears.

  “Sorry, it’s still hard sometimes. Anyway...” She took a deep breath and looked up. “Now you know. Any questions?”

  “You will stop putting yourself at risk, right,” Finch stated.

  “No,” she said, and the hot man actually flickered right there in her office, like that of a light turning off and on.

  Chapter Two

  Finch was furious, and he knew his body was fading in and out, but right then, he didn’t care. He stood and leaned over the desk. His face inches from her beautiful one. “That wasn’t a question. I was being nice. We are staying, but you will not be putting yourself in harm’s way. Cooper, have Mac placed on the mayor. He is in charge of her safety ‘til we get this mess cleaned up. Let’s go.” Finch turned to leave as Cooper exited with the file.

  “Wait! I want that note!” she yelled. It was the last thing Trevor had written her.

  Finch looked at her and nodded. “Cooper.” He hel
d out his hand and took the note. “Do not let the chief see this note, you have already placed yourself in enough danger.” Finch crossed over the room and handed her the note, but before he turned to leave, he ran his finger down her cheek.

  “He won’t touch you, Skylar, that I promise.” Finch spun around, leaving the office, closing the door behind him.

  Out in the hall, Mac leaned against the wall. “You called,” he asked.

  Finch snorted. “Your assignment has changed. You are on the mayor. Be warned, the chief wants her, and she’s set herself up as bait. Cooper, call the men, we’ll meet after the festival is over,” he said but turned back to the mayor’s door, hearing something he hated, a female crying, but her crying was three times worse.

  Without thought, Finch moved back to her office door. “Cooper, brief Mac about what you have, I’ll be out in a few minutes.” He stepped inside of her office, silently shutting the door behind him.

  Skylar was curled up on her couch, a blanket wrapped around her as she stared at the letter. She turned and looked up at him. “I thought you left.” Skylar wiped at her tears as he moved to the couch, lifting her up in his arms and sitting in her place.

  “Cry, Skylar; let it out,” he said, holding her tight, wrapping the blanket tighter around her. The mayor was so small, delicate, and seeing her hurt ripped him apart inside. Somehow this beautiful little bundle had broken in and stolen his heart.

  He rubbed his cheek on the top of her head and smiled. Later, he would have to arrest her for breaking and entering, not to mention the stealing part.

  “What are you smiling at?” Skylar asked a few minutes later, shaking him out of his thoughts.

  “Nothing to go into right now. Are you feeling better?” he asked as she got up, walking back to her big window overlooking the town square.