She was tired of being passive in so many areas of her life. Opening her heart and hoping for good things.

Maybe some action was needed in order to make a difference. She didn't want to hang around anymore like a good girl. She wanted results.

Tonight.

When the idea took root and flowered, she refused to doubt herself.

Arilyn made her decision and got back to work.

eight.

HOW'S ANGER MANAGEMENT?"

Stone shot his partner and friend a withering look. Taking a long pull of beer, he chalked up his cue stick to buy some time for his next shot. After stalking the station for the past few nights because he had nothing better to do, Chief Dick was pulling him off suspension in two more days. Sure, he might get stuck with the night shift, but it was better than nothing.

"Sucks."

"Is your teacher hot?"

His fingers jerked around the stick. Yes. Unfortunately, Arilyn Meadows was too hot for his taste, and he couldn't afford to get burned any longer. Their conversation at Kinnections had been . . . disturbing. He'd ached to walk over and kiss her, soothe away the sting of pain in her eyes and replace it with want. Dirty, lewd sex was okay.

Not tender, emotional crap. Ugh.

That's when he knew she was big trouble.

Her words haunted him last night. The way she admitted to her past and all its ugliness. He'd assumed she lived some type of enchanted life in an ashram where everyone sang "Kumbaya." Wrong on all counts. Losing both parents so tragically had to take a toll. Yet she'd fought through and not only survived but flourished. She actually gave a crap about others, too. He knew people who led charmed lives and didn't care about making anyone else's better.

Yeah. She was big trouble, all right.

He needed to complete the course, prove to his captain that he had his life together, and return to his normal routine. Normal may be a bit lonely, but it worked. The ups and downs of complicated relationships just wasn't for him. His past marriage had taught him well.

But damned if he still didn't want to have one night of dirty sex with his teacher.

"Yeah, she's hot. But a pain in the ass."

"How so?"

Stone lined up and took the shot. The six ball sank in the corner pocket. "We met her before. Arilyn Meadows. Remember the domestic abuse case with Genevieve MacKenzie and David Riscetti? She called it in."

His partner whistled. "Damn. How's that for karma? She so did not like you. Thought you ate too many donuts. Liked me a lot, though."

Stone glared. "Yeah, what woman doesn't like you, dude? She's everything I'm not."

His partner grinned, those shiny white teeth mocking his own dull ones from years of smoking and too much coffee. "Like what?"

"Vegetarian. Buddha worshipper. Believes breathing staves off criminal intent. Probably refuses to kill ants or spiders, cleanses her colon on a monthly basis, and stalks fur warehouses to vandalize for the greater cause."

Devine nodded his head. The dim lights flickered, highlighting white-blond hair and reminding Stone of a real-life Gabriel. The guy was pure Hollywood and recruited female groupies on a regular basis. He also rarely got embarrassed, backed him up in any situation, and was the best shot Stone had ever seen. When they got a chance to shoot.

Devine gave him the famous smirk that would make Pitt weep. "Maybe you need to change it up a bit. The women you usually date haven't worked out well. Try someone different."

Stone snorted. "Yeah, after one night that one would be sniffing after china patterns and picking baby names. No, thanks. I don't need that type of complication."

"Why not?" He jerked and screwed up the shot. Devine gave a snort of laughter. Bastard.

"I'm just sayin' there's nothing wrong with hooking up more than one night with a good woman. Just because the last one screwed you doesn't mean they're all like that. Maybe she'll surprise you."

"I don't like surprises," Stone said.

His friend shot him a knowing look. "You don't like the bad kind. Like walking in on your wife and finding her screwing another guy. At least this one sounds like she has character."

Yeah. She did. It was evident in every move she made. Character and good intentions. Still didn't mean he wanted to try a woman like Arilyn Meadows. She'd probably lecture him on health issues, want to engage in deep conversations regarding their relationship, be the queen of lost causes, and drive him crazy.

Total disaster.

He watched Devine study the table and crack the stick. Nice shot. "I don't like any type of surprises," Stone finally said. "And maybe this advice shouldn't be coming from a man whose future with women consists of what they want for breakfast. You're a man whore, Devine."

His friend shot him a grin. "I'm ready to settle down the minute I meet the right woman. It's not about quantity, man. It's about quality."

"Whatever. Hey, there's Dunn and McCoy." Stone lifted his beer and slapped his coworkers on the shoulder. Tim Make It Work Dunn was the only sergeant in the department, ambitious, and on track for detective. His ginger hair and pale skin got him a lot of ribbing, but he still drank anyone under the table. Jay McCoy had been on the force a long time and had settled down with the wife and three kids. He managed to balance family life with the workload, and was definitely the most chill in the department. He was also the best practical joker. When the worst pranks came out, everyone knew Jay was behind them.

McCoy bumped his shoulder and grabbed two beers from the bar. "I put this on your tab, dude. That Mentos thing got me in trouble. Spilled the damned soda all over my papers and had to redo them, you asshole. The Dick went nuts."

Stone laughed and lifted his beer in a salute. "The classics are the best. Took me long enough to rig the whole operation. Needed some revenge for the shit you put in my trunk."

Tim cocked his hip against the table and rolled his eyes. "A little soda explosion is hardly revenge. You gotta step it up if you want to play in the big leagues, Petty. Now let's play some pool."

"Fine. Rack 'em up, Devine. I'm getting a refill."

Stone walked to the bar, chatting a bit with Ray, and spotted Patrick at the far end of the bar. The older man was new but had become a regular. Stone enjoyed his conversation and friendly ribbing. He was a veteran who had kicked ass in Nam, played a mean game of pool, and could swig a Guinness like nobody's business. He lived in the senior citizen home, but he seemed fine to Stone.

"Hey, Pat, how's it going?"

The man looked up and grinned. His stately silver hair and bushy eyebrows spoke of good, solid genes. "Stone! I'm good, man. You playing with your crew? What happened to bustin' criminals in Verily?"

Stone laughed and nodded to Ray to put the drinks on his tab. "Not too much going on lately. Maybe you should go stir up some trouble at the center and get me some excitement going."

"Man, do I wish." Patrick rolled his eyes. "I'm trying to fit in there, but for God's sake, it's so lame. No interesting women. All they do is talk about their arthritis or foot problems or gas. Tried to go on that bus trip to see Mamma Mia! It was painful. Abba songs and girly stuff the whole time. It's like they're all halfway to the grave."

Stone shook his head. "That's tough. Can you live on your own? Have any family members to help you out?"

"Nah, I had to sell my house because of the diabetes. It was time. Can't drive anymore anyway. My granddaughter already does too much for me. She's a good girl."

Ray set down the beers. Stone nodded his thanks. "Good to have family who cares."

"Maybe I can set you two up? She needs a decent man."

Alarm bells rang. "Sorry, Pat, I seem to do better with the bad girls."

Patrick laughed and raised his Guinness. "I did once, too. Maybe you just need to try a good girl for a change."

"Tell you what. Devine over there knows the right way to treat a woman. Why don't you ask him?"

Patrick nodded. "Seems like a handsome guy. She picks me up here a lot, so we'll see."

"We're playing a game. You want in?"

"How much?"

Stone grinned. "How much you got, old man?"

"More than you'll ever take from me. Might as well empty your pockets now."

"You're on." They walked over to the table and Patrick greeted the other men. "You got a ride tonight from your granddaughter?"

"Nah, don't want to bother her. I'll walk."

Stone looked outside. It was getting dark earlier with the change of season. "I'll drive you later."

Patrick agreed, and they spent the next few hours playing pool and darts and trading war stories. By the time Stone dropped Patrick off at the center, he felt more relaxed. It was nice to make a new friend, especially one who seemed to get his rough sense of humor. He fit right in with the cops, being used to the blue-collar talk from his military past and having been a mechanic. Plus, he'd gone nuts over Stone's muscle car, declaring it one of the finest automobiles he'd ever seen, and the man knew his cars.

Stone turned the car toward home, then decided to stop and get some Munchkins at Dunkin'. He picked up a pumpkin spice coffee, too, and realized he was close to Bluebird. He'd mentioned the property and missing dog to Devine, who promised to do a drive-by, but they'd gotten backed up and it had fallen off the docket. Maybe he'd cruise over and see if there was any suspicious activity.

Munching on his donuts, he turned on the dead-end street and saw a familiar Fusion parked on the corner. Slowing down, he studied the sea-green color. Waited a few beats.

Son of a bitch.

Arilyn Meadows was there.

Cursing, he parked and cut the engine. His body temperature shot up to inferno range. What the hell was she doing? His heartbeat increased as he slid the flashlight from the glove compartment, praying she was okay. Darkness bathed the property. The moon was full and leaked enough light to make out the gate, doghouse, and fire pit.

Stone began foot patrol, straining his ears for any sound. A chain rattled. Holding the flashlight steady, he walked deeper into the shadows and caught a flash of black. Tall, lean. Ski hat. The person perched on top of the dilapidated gate, hunching over as if to protect something in the jacket. Senses pricked, he ducked and stood behind a large tree, waiting.

The person climbed down and jumped to the ground.

Shaking with fury, Stone desperately reached for the stupid breathing exercises before he killed her. He stepped out from behind the tree.

"Stop right there."

The person froze. Taking a few steps closer to make sure he was right, he confirmed the criminal and whipped his voice like a lash. "Take off the mask, Arilyn."

Slowly, she peeled off the knit material. Her strawberry hair was twisted up in a knot. Even with the darkness, he caught the flash of her grass-green eyes, the stubborn lines of her face. Then his gaze dropped to her prize.

The dog was more like a rat. Hardly any hair except for a few tufts on his head. Open wounds scattered over his tiny body. Batlike ears poked up from his bulletlike face. His eyes were the worst, though. Dead. Like he'd seen too many bad things out there and decided to check out. Uneasiness coursed through him, and Stone jerked his gaze away. "What the hell are you doing?" he gritted out.

She stood up from the ground. "Why are you here?" she whispered. "I didn't make any noise. Who called you?"

Red blurred before his eyes. He was gonna strangle her. "Are you kidding me right now? If I was someone else, I could've shot you! You look like a fucking burglar. You're stealing a dog from someone's house, a serious crime, and you're concerned about who tipped me off?"

Her lower lip trembled. "I had to. I came back just to check again. I swear I was careful! I found her right away, lying in the mud. She's severely traumatized, and if I didn't get her out in time, she'd die."

Stone swallowed. Dragged in another breath. Calm. He needed to be calm. "You could've called me! Or the animal shelter, or the abuse hotline, or something! You broke the law. You cannot go sneaking onto someone else's property and kidnap their dog!"

"Calm down," she hissed. "Lower your voice or someone will hear you. Besides, you're scaring Pinky."

Stone shook his head, sure he heard wrong. "You did not just fucking say that to me. I'm the police. I have to call this in and arrest you for kidnapping. Do you understand how bad this is? And what if someone else had found you? My God, does anyone else know about this crazy plan you concocted?"

"No. I'm the one who decided to take Pinky. No one else."

Pinky? He would've called it Rat Fink, the creature was so ugly. As little as the thing was, Stone still didn't want to get near it in case it broke out from its trance and bit the hell out of him. He'd heard little dogs were just as vicious as the big ones. He fought a shudder.

He would've bet she'd shrink back, apologize, and kiss his ass. Instead, she did what she did best. Annoy the crap out of him and challenge him to the teeth.

"Why are you here? You're suspended! Did you just decide to stroll the neighborhood or are you following me?"

He shot her an amazed look. "You have got to be kidding me right now! Like I have nothing better to do than follow you to your yoga classes and monitor your criminal dog activity? I was getting myself some damn donuts and figured I would do you a favor and check the place out. I told you to wait for Devine."

"Donuts at this hour? More fast food, Stone? Do you know what sugar does to your body late at night?"

"Do you think I'm an idiot? Changing the subject to foods that cause stress is not the way to calm me down right now, woman!"

"Use your breathing exercises like I taught you. Besides, I don't think you're an idiot. I think you're extremely smart."

He groaned and rubbed his face, trying to make sense out of the whole nutty situation. "Yeah, flattery will get you everywhere now." What the hell to do? He better move fast before someone else came. "Put the dog back and get in the car," he finally said. Stone knew it was a stretch, but maybe he could pretend he didn't find anyone on the property. The dog wouldn't tell. Yeah, he'd save her ass and then ream her big-time.

"No. I can't leave her." Uh-oh. Her usually serene face turned fierce, and she had the nerve to jab her finger in the air at him. "If you make me put her back, she'll die. Can you live with that?"

"Yes. Get in the car."

"No." Her jaw set. "You can arrest me, but I'm not leaving Pinky."

A vicious curse escaped his lips. The muscle in his eye ticked with fury. "Okay, now I'm pissed. If I arrest you, you'll have a record. Charges will be brought against you. You'll be written up in the Verily paper, and the dog will be returned anyway. Everyone loses. Do you understand? Now get your ass in the car!"

Then it happened.

His worst nightmare came true.

Her entire body shook and tears filled her eyes. "Please don't do this." Her voice broke. "Please let me save her. I'll do anything. I can't leave her behind."

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Even though he hadn't known her for long, Stone sensed she didn't fake tears. No, this woman didn't cry easily or use emotion for manipulation. Genuine distress and fear was written on her face, but it was for the rat fink dog rather than herself. She probably didn't care if she went to jail and lost her job. She just wanted the dog to be safe.