Off Limits (Protect and Serve Book 1) Read online

  OFF LIMITS

  PROTECT AND SERVE SERIES

  BOOK 1

  BY: NADINE HUDSON

  Copyright © 2020 Nadine Hudson

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Description

  Veronica

  I have finally proven myself to everyone at the academy, but now there’s just one more person I needed to prove myself to. The chief of police...good old Dad. I came into this job with all the confidence in the world only to be weakened at the knees by my new partner.

  The outrageously sexy and secretive Finn Carter. That’s a BIG no no V. Not only is he your partner, but he’s also one of your dad’s best friends. Eyes on the prize. You still have to prove yourself, but I suppose some harmless flirting wouldn’t hurt, right?

  Finn

  Is she flirting with me? I knew this partnership was going to be a problem the moment I’d laid eyes on her. There’s not even a trace of the younger girl I remember-but before me stands a full grown woman with curves everywhere a man likes to see them.

  Snap out of it Finn!

  This is Henry’s daughter I’m fantasizing about. I have to get a grip on myself! I can do this. At least until I grow tired of that smart mouth of hers. Then I might have to see how she handles it when I stop ignoring her advances and return fire instead.

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  Table of Contents

  Description

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  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  What Happens Next?

  Follow Me!

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  Chapter One

  Veronica

  I couldn’t believe how good I looked.

  My uniform suited me perfectly and surprisingly emphasized my curves. I tapped a finger against the badge on my left breast before flicking a finger against the cuffs hanging from my waist. I’ve worked so hard for this day, and it’s finally here.

  I was finally a cop.

  I ran my hand down my red hair and even though not a hair was out of place, I fussed over my low bun anyway. I needed today to go well. I needed my fellow cops to look at me and not see a sweet, soft woman but a strong one, capable of doing her job.

  I’d had to deal with a lot of crap during my days at the police academy. Every day, someone pointed out how delicate I looked, saying that being a cop might not be the job for me. I’m completely aware that my baby face is hard to take seriously, but that might work to my advantage in the field. No one would expect me to have the strength that I do.

  I had no doubt I'll encounter the same judgment on the job, but I'd prove it to them not to underestimate me. My classmates had eventually learned not to.

  I smiled as my car stopped at a red light. I inhaled deeply, my heart hammering inside my chest, growing louder and louder the closer I got to the precinct. I began tapping my finger against the steering wheel as I tried to relax.

  What’s worse than a new job in a field that didn’t used to be open to women like me was that I’d be meeting my partner today. That could go one of two ways, really well or really bad, depending on the relationship they’d had with their previous partner and why that person isn’t their partner anymore.

  A car pulled up to my right, music echoing loudly from inside it. I looked over to see two boys, no more than eighteen years old, bobbing their heads to the music while chatting. The one in the passenger seat looked over and his brown eyes widened with panic as he saw me.

  I pointed downwards, signalling to him to turn his music down. He did so instantly, a nervous look on his face. I smiled and nodded to him as the light turned green for me and I pulled away.

  I turned into the precinct's parking lot and sat there for two minutes before getting out of the car.

  This is it.

  After calming myself a little, I made my way inside the already noisy building. I was completely overlooked as cops walked back and forth, everyone too busy to realize a new person was casually standing among them.

  “Veronica, you’re early.”

  I turned around to find my father walking towards me, a huge smile on his face as his voice echoed through the precinct. That’s when some of the cops noticed me. My dad’s the captain at this precinct, so no doubt news had spread that his daughter had joined the force.

  “Hey Dad,” I said as I hugged him quickly then pulled away. “Oh sorry, I can’t call you that here.”

  He nodded but the smile on his face remained, his hazel eyes twinkling. “Right, I can’t have anyone thinking you’ll be getting special treatment or anything.”

  “She better not,” a woman said as she joined us. She held her hand out to me, a pleasant smile on her face. “So you’re Veronica. I’m Officer Elizabeth Marshal but you can call me Elizabeth.”

  “Oh, thank you, nice to meet you." I shook her hand firmly.

  “Alright,” my dad interjected. “I need to give you a tour of the place and get you up to speed with how things work here.”

  An hour and a half passed before my tour was through and I had been introduced to everyone. As expected, a lot of focus went to the fact that I’m Captain Henry’s daughter. I didn’t mind that, I just hoped I wouldn’t be treated differently because of it.

  “So, how are you feeling?” my dad asked as he closed his office door behind him and I sat down. “Are you ready for this?”

  “I am, and I feel great. I just can’t believe this is finally happening.”

  He nodded as he sat down as well. "This won't be easy. I can tell you that but I'm glad you're here. I'm proud of you."

  "Thanks, Dad," I replied and the corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled.

  Considering that I never met my mother, my father has always been my rock. He’s done so much to provide for me, and making him proud was all I wanted. He’s supported all my decisions and helped me become the woman I am today.

  I smiled as I recalled the time I wanted to take a trip to the Caribbean alone at 18 years old to get over my social anxiety and he allowed it. Some might call that careless parenting but I wasn’t exactly a child. Don’t get me wrong, he has his moments of being overprotective, but no one knows what I’m capable of like he does. Because of him my social anxiety was no more and I learned to be confident.

  I remember being taught how to protect myself since I was old enough to go paintballing at 10, which had been great practice until I was old enough to go to the gun range with him. It had been the perfect way for him to teach me how to fire a gun while having fun.

  There was someone else who used to mean everything to me, even if I can’t see him anymore…but I owe everything to my dad.

  “Veronica?”

  I looked up to find him looking at me with concern. I smiled, not realizing I had zoned out for a minute there. “I’m okay,” I looked around his office. “I’m just processing you know. So anyway, when do I meet my partner?”

  Loud clapping echoed from outside the office and I turned in my chair to stare at the door. I glanced back at my dad as he combed his salt and pepper hair back and stood up. We both walked to the door where four cops surrounded another one. They were all patting him on the shoulder and othe
r people were shouting. I couldn’t make out what they were saying since it was all blended together, but it was clear they were complimenting him on a job well done.

  Or maybe I was just in shock at the sight of him.

  Finn Carter, my father’s best friend, looked so different from the last time I’d seen him. I had met him during my final year in high school and the last time I saw him was before I left for college. The gorgeous man he’d been back then seemed to have tripled over time.

  Yes, I was that girl, the one with an earth shattering crush on my dad’s best friend.

  It was wrong back then and it’s still wrong now. But I bit down on my lip and continued to stare. The way his lips slowly curved with a devilish smile made my stomach clench.

  How had I forgotten about this man?

  I started frowning the longer I stared at him, confused about how the crush I’d had on him wasn’t gone.

  His piercing grey eyes suddenly found mine and for a moment I stopped breathing. I clenched my jaws as he walked away from the people surrounding him and made his way towards me.

  Is it normal for him to be this hot?

  My heart was hammering so hard inside my body I feared someone would hear it. The smile on his face was long gone as he combed his hair backward, ruffling the black strands further.

  “Veronica?”

  I was speechless as his bass voice rolled over my body. “Ah, hi, Finn right?”

  He nodded, his face still expressionless. “Congrats on becoming a cop. I don’t know how you convinced this one to be okay with it.”

  My dad turned to go back into his office and I followed behind him, needing a minute to collect myself.

  Why had my name rolled off his tongue like that?

  “There was no stopping her,” my dad answered as he sat behind his desk. I took my seat and while I sat down before his desk Finn leaned against the wall. “Whatever Veronica sets her mind to, she doesn’t stop until she gets it.”

  All I could do was chuckle a little, words still failing me. I was beyond thankful that Finn hadn’t sat down in the chair beside me. My reaction was ridiculous, but seeing those eyes, chiselled jaw and broad shoulders after all these years was a little too much for me.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll show you the ropes. There are things they don’t teach you guys at the academy,” Finn said, as he crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t look as intimidating as before with the small smile that was curving his lips.

  I nodded. “Thank you, I appreciate that.”

  “I heard you graduated at the top of your class as well,” he added. “That’s impressive.”

  I shrugged as I felt heat crawling up my cheeks. “Thanks, I wasn’t about to let my old man down."

  I glanced at my dad, who grinned. "The deal was I had to graduate at the top of my class and join this precinct. But what was that I heard in the hallway just now?”

  “This guy just pulled off a successful drug bust,” my dad said proudly. “The largest in a few years, he’s one of the best here.” Finn waved his hand dismissively and my dad continued. “And that’s why you’re his new partner.”

  My face dropped, as did my heart.

  No…

  “I’m sorry?” I asked as I leaned forward.

  “Um, Henry, you know I work alone? I’ll look out for Veronica but…I work alone,” Finn said.

  “You’re one of the best here,” my dad said as he interlocked his fingers under his chin and rested his elbows on the desk.

  “I wouldn’t trust anyone else more to watch out for any of our rookies, not just my daughter. Being her partner will let you do that.

  “Now, Veronica, don’t think I’m giving you a babysitter. I don’t doubt your abilities but you’re new and there’s a lot left to be learned. Finn is the perfect person to teach you.”

  Silence filled the small room and I tried not to look Finn’s way. This arrangement wasn’t to his liking either, and I didn’t want to see the look on his face.

  I looked Finn’s way, my fists clenched at my sides, but his face was expressionless. His eyes showed no trances of anger either. That was something I’d have a hard time dealing with.

  “Well, all I can say is I have no intention of being trouble and I’m a fast learner.” I inhaled deeply and his brows knitted for a second. “But if you’re the best and I want to become the best, there’s no better partner.”

  “Good, because I won’t go easy on you.” He pushed himself off the wall as his arms fell away from his chest, then nodded to my father and left.

  My dad chuckled after Finn closed the door behind him. “He’s an acquired taste. He’s a little rough around the edges but he’s a good man.” He grew serious. “Stay by his side, V, and learn what you can. The only reason I was okay with you becoming a cop was if you came to this precinct, you know that. And now you’re here.”

  “Yeah, I know,” I grumbled. “Besides, I need to stay close to my old man. You’re going to kick the bucket soon and I’m going to take over this precinct.”

  His face fell. “Get out of my office before I fire you.”

  “Alright then,” I stood up. “Let’s get this ball rolling.”

  Chapter Two

  Finn

  This wasn’t what I wanted. I’d known Veronica would be working at the precinct, but being her partner wasn’t what I wanted.

  I don’t dislike her, it’s the opposite actually and that’s the problem. I’ve known this girl since she was a teen and back then she’d been nothing but a child to me.

  Looking at her now, that child is long gone.

  I told her I’d buy us lunch but she insisted on coming here, a hotdog stand on the side of the road. The old man who owns it has three daughters in college, plus he always gives her an extra hotdog.

  I shook my head as she laughed and chatted with the old man casually and even pulled another customer into their conversation. People have always gravitated to her. Maybe that has to do with her soft eyes. Maybe it’s her smile.

  I gritted my teeth and looked away.

  After Henry told me she’d be joining the force, I looked her up to see how well she’d done at the academy. Her results were staggering, but seeing her photo had been an unexpected blow to the gut.

  “Hey.” I looked up to see her walking slowly towards me, three hotdogs balanced in her hands. “Do you still eat like a beast? I got you an extra.”

  I paused as I walked around the car to open the door for her. “Excuse me? I’ll have you know I eat like any man my size. Keeping these muscles isn’t easy.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Sure, keep telling yourself that. I haven’t forgotten that Christmas you ate four plates of food.”

  I slammed her door shut and could hear her laughing as I rounded the car to the driver’s seat. “You really need to forget that,” I grumbled as I got in and she gave both hotdogs to me.

  “So, what are some of the things I need to know, Teacher?” she asked before biting into her hotdog, her bright eyes darting back and forth as she watched the people outside our car.

  “Don’t call me that. You’ll learn them over time. Telling you now would be the same as being taught things at the academy. There are some things you just have to experience.”

  She nodded and took another bite of her hotdog. “Sure Teacher, fair enough.”

  I narrowed my eyes at her. “I thought you said you weren’t going to be annoying?”

  She shrugged. “I changed my mind.” She inhaled deeply as she crumbled her hotdog wrapper. “A little laughter won’t hurt.”

  “This isn’t an easy job,” I grumbled. “More often than not we won’t have time for laughing.”

  She ate the last of her hot dog, her mouth moving slowly as she chewed and then swallowed. I watched as she started to look different, a hardness on her face that I didn’t think she was capable of.

  “I’m aware of that,” she answered, her voice low. “I know the risk of wearing this uniform.” She turned to l
ook at me and I saw raw determination in her eyes. “But that won’t deter me. Thank you for your concern Finn, but I know what I’m getting into.”

  I nodded firmly as I took the last bite of my second hotdog. The soft girl I had once known was still there, but she was a woman now, a determined one.

  “I last saw you at your high school graduation, right?”

  She nodded. “That’s right. It was nice of you to come, thank you. You had left before the end so I never got to say that.”

  “Sorry about that, duty called.”

  “Thinking back, it was pretty crazy that I had a crush on you,” she said lightly.

  Luckily, I had swallowed my food before she said that, I’m certain I would have choked otherwise. I did my best not to react to the statement as I took a sip of my coffee.

  “Oh really?” I grumbled as I watched a mother and her daughter buy from the same vendor.

  “Mm hmm, really. But it was years ago.”

  I glanced her way and found her watching the woman and her daughter as well, but her cheeks were slowly turning from pink to red. I looked away.

  “I know saying that now is a little weird,” she added, and I nodded as I cleared my throat.

  “It is, a little. Henry would lose his mind if he heard you say that.”

  She tilted her head to look at me as she chuckled. “He would have a stroke, I’m sure.”

  The radio in our car crackled to life, reporting a burglary five streets away. Someone quickly responded that they were close just as I was about to take it. I needed the distraction, sitting in this car with Veronica and nothing to do was taking a bad turn. Was she just flirting with me?

  No, she was merely saying she had a crush on me back then.

  She cleared her throat. “So, what happened with your first partner, if you don’t mind me asking?”