Hunter's Way by Gerri Hill

trust that you’ll take care of them.”
    Tori allowed a smile to touch her face and Sam grinned in response.
    “Okay. You can go. But… change clothes. Jeans. We need to start about ten.”
    “Okay. Meet you back here?”
    Tori nodded and watched her walk away. She wondered what Sam would tell Robert.
    “Gay bars?”
    “Yes, Robert,” Samantha said. She cradled the phone as she pulled on her jeans. “I’m sure it’ll be after midnight before we’re done. I’ll call you tomorrow sometime.”
    “Why don’t you just come over here when you’re done?”
    “Because it’ll be late, Robert.”
    “I could wait up. It’s Friday night, Samantha.”
    She bent her head back and stared at the ceiling. Why was he being difficult?
    “Robert, please. I’m too tired to argue about this. When we’re done, I’m coming home and going to bed. I’m not coming to your apartment. Now, we’ll talk tomorrow.”
    “How will I know if you’re okay?”
    “Why wouldn’t I be okay? We’re going to some bars, asking questions. That’s all.”
    “Samantha, anything could happen. I think you should at least call me when you get home.”
    “Why are you doing this?” she asked quietly.
    “I just… worry about you. You’ve had this job barely a month and we’ve hardly seen each other. When we do, you’re always tired. I just don’t like what it’s doing to us.”
    “You really want to have this conversation now?” She sat down on her bed and crossed her legs. “This is my job, Robert. Not eight to five. Just like yours is not eight to five. It’s not like I’m going out for a night of fun. I’m working,” she said.
    “I know. I’m sorry. I know this is important to you. But… I want to be important to you, too.”
    She sighed. It shouldn’t be like this. It was getting much too complicated. He was acting like she was going out on a date, for Christ’s sake.
    “Robert, you’re blowing this out of proportion. I’m just working late. That’s all. Now, I’ve got to go. I’m going to get a quick dinner, then head out. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    “Okay. I’m sorry. I love you, Samantha. Please be careful.”
    She squeezed her eyes shut. “I love you, too,” she murmured.
    She tossed her phone on the bed, staring at it. She was actually surprised by his reaction. When she was still with Assault, she’d had to go out nights on numerous occasions. She never recalled him being this upset by it. Of course, she’d never willingly gone out. She’d always wished she could stay home. With him. This time, it was her choice to go out. In fact, she’d had to practically beg to go out with Tori.

Chapter Sixteen
    Samantha walked into the squad room, finding Tori exactly where she thought she’d be. Sitting at her desk, staring at the computer.
    Tori looked up, her eyes moving over Sam. Faded jeans, boots, tight T-shirt tucked inside, black belt. No bra? Well, she certainly looked the part.
    “Do I pass?”
    “Better than me.”
    Sam’s eyes flicked over Tori. She had changed into black jeans and a dark shirt. She looked as powerful as always.
    “I don’t think so,” she said. “You look nice.” She sat down at her desk and opened the bag she carried. She pulled out containers of Chinese food and tossed Tori a fork. “I took a chance that you hadn’t eaten.” She shoved one of the boxes at her. “Shrimp and chicken, both. I wasn’t sure what you’d like.”
    “Anything,” Tori said as she took a bite. “Mmm. Thanks.”
    Sam smiled and opened her own. She knew Tori would not take the time for dinner. She wondered how she survived at all.
    “I assume you didn’t do laundry,” she said. “Did you break down and go to your apartment?”
    Tori nodded, still chewing.
    “Where is it, anyway?”
    “South.”
    “South of here? South of Dallas? South of the interstate?”
    “What? You want an address?”
    Sam shrugged. “I just would like to know where you live.”
    “Here, mostly.”
    Sam shook