Page 82 of Defender
“It usually doesn’t when it comes at such a high cost.”
The words soaked in and took root in her raw heart. She’d taken this job to make a difference. Maybe she was doing that. She just hadn’t realized the toll the losses would take too.
Don’t do it for the glory. The real heroes are in it to serve others, not to prove anything.
She’d have to thank Macy for that wisdom. It sounded a lot like a memory verse from her childhood.
Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
In seeking a life of meaning, she might’ve forgotten this ancient truth.
But if it was true—and she believed it was—she could be a hero and do this job whether she was in Renegade, Colorado, doing accounting, or in Miami going undercover. She didn’t need to be so tied up by the flashy big cities and big assignments. She didn’t have to go undercover like the movies she loved so much. That wasn’t what being a federal agent was about. She was here to serve. To fight the darkness and evil in the world. Even if it was right here in her hometown. It was as important as any other place. Maybe even more so, considering how many people she loved called Renegade home.
Salvador’s office door flew open, and Kumar stepped out. Dani jumped to her feet.
“Kim, with me.” She tipped her head toward the vending machines. Once they had space, Kumar stared her down with her arms firmly crossed in front of her.
Dani braced for impact and kept quiet.
“You and Martinelli an item?”
Huh? Didn’t think that’s where this conversation was headed, but…
“We are.”
“You’ve only been here a few weeks.”
“But I’ve known him all my life. We grew up together.”
Kumar seemed to take that in. “That’s satisfactory. And he seems to be a decent cop. I actually worked with his mother before she died. I never believed the rumors about her going corrupt.”
Dani didn’t know how to respond to that, so she didn’t. Surely this wasn’t over yet.
“I should berate you for going against my orders and getting involved in cases not assigned to you.”
Should? “Yes, ma’am.”
“But Captain Salvador and Captain Ree are in there singing your praises.”
It hadn’t looked like singing, but she’d take it. “I didn’t mean to jump into a hostage negotiation. It was only because I knew Colter personally that I got roped into it. He wouldn’t talk to anyone, and I didn’t think to call you. I just reacted. I’ll work on that?—”
Kumar held up her hand. “Stop.”
Dani’s lips clamped shut.
“I gave you this assignment because it was a safe way to start you here in Renegade. You’re a rookie. I don’t trust rookies to think for themselves on ops until I know them and how they operate. Yes, you’re impulsive. I can’t say I like your methods, but”—she relaxed her shoulders—“the results have spoken for themselves. The families in that apartment building are alive because you jumped in.”
Dani choked up at her boss’s words. Kumar’s tone suggested they didn’t come lightly.
After swallowing past the tightness in her throat, Dani licked her lips. “So what happens now?”
ASAC Kumar’s grim expression didn’t change much except for a slight glint in her eyes. “You missed your shot at bringing down Norman Prince out in Baltimore. But I think you’re ready to go undercover and bring down a kingpin in Renegade. Victor Bellmont.”
Eighteen
Michael grunted and tossed the stupid bow tie on the bed. He’d have to get Dani or someone else to tie it. Right now, he needed to get ready so he could pick Dani up in time for the Save the Rhino event.
A knock sounded, and his father walked in.
