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feel the strong beat under her fingers. She tried to make herself heard over the noise. “This man needs help right now.”
    A grim-faced officer worked feverishly, pressing a handful of fancy dinner napkins to the bleeding wound.
    She barely heard the shouts and commotion of the other officers taking the shooter down and dragging him from the reception area.
    Major Greene groaned and tried to sit up. “Hell, I’m only winged, Carmen. Don’t look so worried.” He laughed and clutched his arm. “Looks like he ruined my best jacket.”
    Hearing him joke about it, she breathed normally and patted his shoulder. “You can always get a new coat.” He was in pain, no matter how he tried to hide it. “Relax, Major. The EMT’s are here.”
    “There’s plenty of party time left, Carmen. Go dance with one of these men.” He coughed and winced. “They haven’t sense enough to ask you.”
    “I just want to make sure you’re taken care of.”
    Strong hands pulled her to her feet.
    “Carmen, are you all right?” It was Don, his complexion pasty, worry etching lines on his face.
    Anger forgotten, she leaned against him. “Why couldn’t I have gotten here sooner? I should have gotten here in time.”
    He laid his arm across her shoulders. “Two hundred officers are asking themselves the same question. Just like me.”
    They moved aside to let the EMTs do their job. They stayed put until the Major was carried to a waiting ambulance.
    She put her weapon back in her purse. “I’m going home.”
    “I’ll take you.”
    “I’m a cop, Genonese.” Brushing at her ruined dress, she tried to sound calm. “I’ll get there on my own. Take care of the woman you brought.”
    “I take that as a no.”
    He gazed at her for a moment then nodded as if he’d been dismissed by a witch. She couldn’t leave things in the mess they were in.
    “Don, wait a minute.” He turned to look at her, his dark eyes shadowed by his lashes. “This should teach us something.”
    “And, what would that be?”
    “We can never be more than partners.” She glanced down, not wanting him to see the pain in her eyes. “From now on, I’ll keep my hands to myself, and you’ll see me as just another cop.”
    “Sure.” His deep voice stirred memories of sexy things he’d said to her in bed. “I got you loud and clear, Sergeant Redstone.”
    “Don’t get hot under the collar, Genonese.” Now she could speak her mind. He was pissing her off. “It might save us a lot of trouble in the future.”
    He loosened the knot in his tie. “I said I got your message. Shit.”
    Before she could do more damage to the situation, he turned around and headed back to the redhead in the green dress.
    Carmen was too angry to let hurt feelings make her change her decision. He’d made it clear he wasn’t going to attempt a decent explanation or make her reconsider.
    She bit her lip to stop the rush of devastation twisting her heart.
    Your damn level head and foolish rules have cost you everything
.

    Chapter Five
    The next day started out like most, domestic disturbances and grocery store robberies. Carmen took a long drink of the Coke she’d left in the cruiser before making a stop at an apartment complex where a fight had broken out. The collar of her blouse hung in shreds with the top two buttons missing.
    Don sat beside her, working his shoulders as if he were in pain. Maybe she should inquire about it. No, he’d just criticize her method of handling a drunk.
    “Want a drink, Genoese?” She remembered he’d dropped his when they got to the family riot.
    He took the cup and drank thirstily. “Thanks. Let’s stop somewhere for another. I’m dry as dust.”
    “Okay.” Damn her craven hide. She made sure to place her lips on the spot he’d had his. She’d always done that, and couldn’t break the habit. The dash computer lit up, and she nodded in its direction. “Take that, will you? I have to find a pin for my blouse.”
    Don put down his