Finding Chris Evans: The 9-1-1 Edition by Erin Nicholas Page A

Chief said. “He kidnapped them from their mom two days ago. The little boy is diabetic and has been without his insulin. Dad doesn’t know how to take care of him, but he also won’t let us in there because he’s afraid he’s going to be arrested.”
    Chris swore under his breath. “Is he going to be arrested?” Chris asked.
    “Oh, yeah.”
    Britt took the bag from Chris and dropped it on the ground. She rummaged inside as the men continued to talk.
    “So it’s just the guy and his kids inside?” Chris asked.
    “Yeah, he made everyone else leave.”
    “Well, there’s that.”
    Gary nodded. “Yep, there’s that.”
    “We need to get in there,” Chris said. “Like right now.”
    “We need five minutes,” Gary said. “I’ve got guys suiting up.”
    Britt grabbed what she needed from the bag and started across the parking lot. They couldn’t go storming in there with a bunch of cops in bullet-proof vests. This was a dad. He had a sick kid and he was panicking. The best move was for her to go in alone. She didn’t look intimidating. She was a small woman in blue jeans and a T-shirt. Totally nonthreatening. She worked with kids at the Fun Zone every day. Maybe she could even project some nurturing vibe here. The guy just wanted to help his kid. He wasn’t going to shoot her. At least, she really hoped not.
    “You think he’s a danger to the kids?” she heard Chris asked.
    She didn’t hear Gary’s answer. She did, however, hear Chris bellow at her when he realized she was heading for the building.
    “Britt! Get your ass back here!”
    She started jogging, but looked over her shoulder. “I’ve got this!”
    Chris started after her, his long legs eating up the distance quickly.
    He grabbed the back of her jeans a minute later and jerked her to a stop. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
    “Someone has to get in there,” she told him, struggling against his hold. “Let me go! I’m fine!”
    “The guy has a gun, Britt! You can’t go in there until the cops are ready!” He hauled her up against his body and turned, dragging her to the nearest car and pressing her against the side.
    She knew what he said made sense. She knew this was a risk. But this was the job she’d signed up for. “Chris, dammit, we have to get in there. That kid is in trouble.”
    “I know. Just give the cops a second—”
    She pushed against him and he tightened his hold.
    “They’re going to spook him! What if he takes off out the back with the kid? What if he shoots someone out here?”
    “What if he shoots you ?” Chris asked, shaking her slightly.
    “He’s not going to shoot me, Chris. I’ve got this.”
    “Don’t do this to me.” His voice was ragged now. “Please. You have to stop this. You have to take care of yourself.”
    She shook her head, tears welling up. “I have to do my job.”
    “I can’t… I love you, Britt. I need you to be safe.”
    She stared at him, her heart thundering in her chest. It was a combination of adrenaline and anger and…shock. “You love me? This is how you tell me? Or is this just another way to get me to listen to you?”
    “No! I…” He dragged his hand through his hair. “I love you. And I can’t let you go charging into a situation where you’ll be in danger.”
    She shoved him hard. He stepped back, frowning deeply.
    “The bossy thing is in bed only,” she reminded him.
    He shook his head. “I might have lied about that.”
    Yeah. “You need to trust me to do this and to be smart.”
    He stared at her, breathing hard. “I don’t know if I can.”
    “Then, this isn’t going to work.” That broke her heart, but it was true. Chris was protective. That was nice. Being taken care of at home was wonderful. But if she couldn’t have him and the job then…she had to make a choice.
    She took a deep breath and said, “Okay. I love you too.” Then she turned and started toward the cops standing in a cluster, donning bullet-proof jackets and