Victoria by Laura Marie Henion Page B

his head. “I hate to even think it, Uncle Pat, never mind say the words."
    Patrick placed his hand on his nephew's shoulder. “Neither can I, son ... neither can I."
    They headed toward the parking lot and returned to the police department.
* * * *
    "Victoria, what's wrong? Talk to me, will you?” Bret asked as the waitress finished clearing the table.
    "I'm sorry, Bret, I guess lunch wasn't such a great idea.” She sighed and hoped she wasn't overdoing it.
    Bret held her hand, and she could feel the gazes on them and knew the gossip would be flying. That's exactly why she picked this place and Bret appeared to be falling for it.
    "Let's get out of here. We can go for a walk, and you can tell me what's bothering you. I have some more time before I need to get back.” Bret then paid the bill.
    They rose from their seats and headed toward the door when Victoria's cousin, Tom, a fireman, and some of his friends arrived. Tom looked shocked as he eyed her holding hands with Bret Collins.
    "Hey, Tom, long time no see,” she said sarcastically, and Tom didn't hide his annoyance.
    "I'll meet you guys at the bar,” he told his friends as he stood next to his cousin.
    "Tom, this is Bret. Bret, my cousin Tom,” Victoria introduced them and Bret held out his hand, but Tom ignored it.
    "Tom!” Victoria said to her cousin, but he ignored her too as he gave Bret a dirty look and glanced back at Victoria. He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
    "I gotta go, see ya later,” he told her, then walked away.
    Her heart felt as if it sunk to her gut. Things couldn't have gone any more smoothly if she had planned the chance meeting with her cousin ahead of time.
    Absorbing the feeling and allowing her emotions to surface, she rushed out the door and down the block to where she parked her blue jeep by the corner. There was no one around as the tears escaped her eyes.
    "Victoria ... Victoria!” Bret was there, and instantly, he embraced her.
    He gently rubbed her hair, caressed her back, and spoke softly into her ear.
    "It's all right darling. They'll get over it. They love you and are just being protective. I'll prove to them that I won't hurt you.” He held her close.
    "I'm so sorry about Tom and about my reaction. You have no idea about what happened this morning. I've had it, Bret. I've just had it.” She drew him in deeper, hopefully convincing him that she needed him.
    "Tell me about it. I care about you.” He gently brushed the tears from her cheeks. As she explained about the new information on her father and about her family's disapproval of their relationship, she found herself becoming more emotional and convincing.
    "I don't want you to be sad. If this relationship is going to be too hard for you, I'll understand if you want to stop it right now.” He held her hands in both of his own.
    For a moment, Victoria worried he may actually be serious.
    She took a deep breath then lifted her teary, red eyes up toward him.
    "I don't think I can stop it, Bret. I don't want it to stop.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and fought the hurling feeling she had inside for pretending affection to her father's killer.
    "Neither do I,” he whispered huskily, before covering her lips with his own.
* * * *
    It was nearly noontime the following day and everyone gathered inside the conference center at SWAT team headquarters.
    "So you have no idea who this guy is, Peter?” his cousin, Brian, asked.
    "No, I told you guys a thousand times only the big shots know. Now, let's sit down. They're about to get started.” Peter took a seat and Brian joined him.
    It was a casual meeting, a discussion about improving the department as well as new training methods. They talked about the military and some special training the new commander would be responsible for teaching them.
    "Well, without further adieu, I'd like to introduce you to an old friend of many of you, a great serviceman to our country, and now, the SWAT team department ... Commander Steven