Chapter 2

Ray’s eyes flared with awareness ever so slightly. If he hadn’t been staring so hard at the man, Nick might not have even seen the subtle awareness.

He’s attracted to me.

“What I meant is the alleged beating by officers of the LAPD. I realize your brother was beaten and I sincerely hope he is doing well.”

Ray’s brother, Devon, had been driving in South Central Los Angeles in the early hours one summer morning when he’d been pulled over by a patrol car. Devon ended up severely beaten and in the hospital.

“The incident was videotaped, Nick,” Ray said softly. “There is nothing alleged about it. There is nothing to be investigated. I want to know what the police department is going to do about it.”

“The officers have been suspended.”

Ray snorted derisively. “With pay.”

“That’s not my decision. Ray, I sympathize with you and your family, but the investigation is not complete.”

“Bullshit.”

“Excuse me?”

Ray closed the laptop, his lips thinned. “You don’t sympathize with my family. Your sympathies are with the corrupt police department. All cops are alike. All dirty. Every one of you.”

Anger flashed through Nick, but he tried to push it away. He’d learned the hard way anger didn’t solve anything.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, but I can assure you that I’m doing a thorough investigation into this matter. If you would like to have someone else assigned to the case, I’m sure I can have my captain call you.”

There was a hesitant tap on the door just before it opened a fraction.

“Sorry to interrupt, Nick,” Jessica said. “I just need a moment of your time.”

“Be right there.” He glanced at Ray. “Sorry, I’ll be just a minute.”

Ray waved his hand but did not respond. With a shrug, Nick left to see what the crisis was.

* * * *

He should notbe checking out the man’s ass. But damn, Nick Sorenson was a fine looking man. Not that he was Ray’s type.

Ray had dated white guys before. Generally they looked like stock brokers or models for GQ.They definitely did notwear faded ass-hugging jeans, Led Zeppelin T-shirts with coffee stains, and a five o’clock shadow. Not to mention a tattoo peeking out from the short sleeve of that same T-shirt and a gold hoop earring.

Usual type or not, Ray found the sandy-haired, blue-eyed detective absurdly attractive. He did not normally find muscle-men sexy, yet the defined biceps of Nick’s arms had drawn his attention several times during their brief conversation.

He’s probably not even gay.

True he saw no wedding ring and he had the hoop, but that didn’t mean he was gay. Lots of straight guys had earrings. Hell, hewas gay and he wore no such adornment. Even still, he couldn’t stop picturing Nick naked. He shifted in the seat to relieve the pressure of his hardening cock. It would be a fine thing for Sorenson to come in and see his boner. He snatched up a file he’d brought with him and covered his lap. Probably too obvious that’s what he was doing.

Ray tried to remind himself the man was a cop and therefore the enemy. Cops beat his younger brother nearly to death just for being black. Devon was no criminal. Their father, before his retirement, had been a minister and their mother an executive at a bank. They’d been raised in a hard working middle-class family with values. Ray had worked his way through medical school to become a well-respected neurologist. Devon owned his own restaurant. Yet the color of their skin made them automatically suspects in the corrupt LAPD.

Even now Nick Sorenson tried to deny the culpability of the cops who’d beaten Devon. Next he supposed they’d claim Devon beat himself. No way. He would hire the best lawyers in Los Angeles if necessary. With his intent to run in the upcoming city council elections, Ray had wanted to handle the matter himself. He might have to change his mind.

The door opened and Nick entered again. He ran his long fingers through his wild, somewhat spiky sandy hair. Ray’s gaze went to the man’s full sensuous lips that boasted a slightly twisted smile.

“Sorry about that, Dr. Carmichael.”

So now they were back to formality, Ray noted. He tapped his fingers on the conference table. Earlier he thought he’d detected a hint of interest in those cerulean blue eyes. Now, however, Nick looked like he was back to business. A pity.

Nick sat down. “Look, like I said before, I can’t really give any details, but I assure you we’ll be in touch with your family very soon.”

Trying to push aside overwhelming disappointment at being so thoroughly dismissed, Ray shook his head and picked up his laptop and papers he’d brought with him. He didn’t know what he’d expected. The cops would always cover for each other.