Cops 02 - Love on the Run Read Free

use it to replace what we lost today.”
    “And,” Dimitryi continued, “I want Tate and Parker dead before it arrives.”

Chapter Two
    Bianca found an available table inside Clarke’s Café and watched her friend Clarke as she served customers in the busy restaurant she co-owned with her father. She’d been there a while before Clarke finally made her way over to her table.
    “Hey, kiddo.” Clarke plopped down in a seat across from her and blew out a tired breath.
    “Long day?” Bianca gave her a sympathetic look. She worked too hard. Always had.
    “You have no idea. It’s been so busy today I feel as if it were the weekend. It’s a good thing I’m still only working part-time.” She chuckled softly. “I don’t think I’d survive seven days in a row like this one.”
    “Well, I say the packed house is a testament to just how great the food is here,” Bianca told her.
    Clarke’s chuckle turned to laughter. “Flattery like that will get you a free meal.”
    “That’s what I was counting on.” Bianca winked, her laughter joining Clarke’s.
    “Speaking of weekends, how are you spending yours?”
    Bianca glanced quickly at the table in the far corner of the restaurant where Tony and Jack always sat. She’d planned to approach Tony tonight and ask him to help her. She was just waiting for Clarke and Jack to leave first. Still recuperating from her injuries, Clarke only worked a few days a week, and never later than seven o’clock in the evening. And Jack always took her home.
    Bianca looked back at Clarke, hoping her glance at Tony hadn’t been too obvious. Her friend’s physical scars were gone, and her golden brown skin looked as flawless and beautiful as ever. But Bianca had known her long enough to recognize the strain in her hazel eyes, and she knew that Clarke still had a ways to go before all of the emotional scars completely disappeared.
    “I don’t have any specific plans,” she finally responded. “Why?”
    “I’m going for my first fitting of my wedding dress, and I could use a second opinion.”
    Bianca smiled. “Only three more months left until the big day. Are you nervous yet?”
    “Please.” Clarke groaned. “Don’t remind me. I’ve got so many things to do between now and then that I don’t have time to be nervous.”
    “Well, I’d love to help. Just let me know when and where, and I’ll be there. And if you need me to help you out with anything else, just say the word.”
    “Thanks.” Clarke looked relieved. “What would I do without you?”
    Bianca looked at the woman who was more than just a friend. Clarke was a sister, and the only real family Bianca had left. “Luckily, you’ll never have to find out.”
    They shared a smile before Clarke glanced at her watch. Bianca knew that Clarke needed to wrap things up. Jack was going to walk her out the door very soon.
    “So, what are you eating tonight?” Clarke asked as she stood up from the table.
    Bianca shrugged. “Since it’s on the house, you choose.”
    “Cool.” Clarke grinned. “Be right back.” Bianca watched her until she disappeared into the kitchen.
    As soon as Clarke disappeared from sight, Bianca’s gaze drifted across the room to where Tony sat talking to Jack. She studied the two men. Jack stood well over six feet, with a muscular physique, jet black hair, and the most piercing blue eyes Bianca had ever seen.
    Unquestionably gorgeous. When Bianca first met him, she thought he was the best-looking man she’d ever seen. Until she met Tony.
    It was as if someone had read her mind, seen her innermost secrets, her deepest fantasies, and used them to create Tony. He stood slightly shorter than Jack but was no less impressive, with a well-developed and powerfully built body. And his face — positively breathtaking. He was nothing short of perfection; he was everything she could have dreamed of and wished for in a man.
    Even dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a sweater, he looked incredible.