Chosen (Partners in Crime Book 1)

Chapter 1

Dominic Wagner sat around the table with his family, one crisp fall afternoon.

"Shall I say grace?" His father, Judge Chad Wagner, asked.

His sister Grace chuckled, "Sure Dad."

Cole, his brother, rolled his eyes, "Funny."

Chad shook his head, "Every time we eat, this conversation goes on. Come on now, let's pray."

Dominic listened along to his father's prayer, but also said one of his own. He thanked God for the delicious lunch his mother, Amber Wagner, had prepared. He thanked him for his family, his job, and his purpose in life. He lived a full life.

When the prayer was over, everyone dug into the delicious food.

"Nicole, what's the status of the new ambulances the hospital ordered?" Amber asked. Nicole was a paramedic at the St. Francis Medical Center in Colorado Springs. She also was Cole's twin.

"I can't wait to work in one of them." Nicole answered. "But they haven't arrived yet."

"Pity." Grace snickered. Nicole glared but smirked at her.

Dominic cleared his throat.

"Yes Dom?" Amber asked.

"I have an announcement to make."

"He finally found himself a wife." Cole joked.

Chad dropped his fork with a clatter, "Really?"

Dominic rolled his eyes. "No."

"Darn." said Olivia, his other sister.

He brushed her off. "I am going to buy a house."

Nicole gaped at him, "Where did you find the money for that?"

Amber gave her a nasty look, "Nicole!" She turned to Dominic, "That's wonderful honey. It's about time you moved out of your apartment."

"Yeah, he'll get a huge house, then find himself a family." Cole grinned.

Dominic glared at Cole through fiery eyes. Cole gave him an innocent shrug.

A phone rang and everyone looked at their pockets.

It was Grace's phone, "Yes?...Wow...Oh boy...Yes, on my way." She stood. "Sorry. I have to go. I'm on call. There is a domestic violence problem downtown."

Amber nodded and stood to give her daughter a hug, "Stay safe sweetie."

Grace nodded, "Always." The hostage negotiator turned and sped out the door.

Olivia shook her head, "She needs a vacation. It's one call after another."

"Agreed."

"You shouldn't be talking, Dominic." Nicole pointed a finger at him, "Of all the Wagners,

you are the one I see most at the hospital."

Dominic held his hands up in surrender, "Just doing my job."

Cole punched his bicep. "Sure. I bet you just want to see all the pretty nurses at the

hospital." He winked at Nicole.

Dominic punched him back, "There aren't any pretty nurses at the hospital."

"Hey!" Nicole put her hands on her hips.

Olivia wagged a finger at her, "You are a paramedic, not a nurse. He wasn't referring to

you. Besides, you're gorgeous."

"Olivia, I thought Mom and Dad taught you to not tell lies."

"Cole!" Amber raised her voice a bit.

He simply laughed.

Dominic checked his phone then stood, "Sorry. I have a house showing I need to go to. Save me some dessert."

Chad stood and gave him a hug, "How do you know there's dessert?"

Dominic laughed, "There's always dessert."

He waved at his family, then stepped outside and made his way to his car. Before starting his car, he checked his text messages. One from his realtor, Chloe Sinclair. He was to meet her at the directed address in half an hour.

On the road, he thought about his family. It was perfect. Three sisters and a brother. Being the oldest wasn't easy, but it was fun. They were all single, and he was okay with that. Well, okay that his siblings were single. It was weird thinking about his sisters getting married. He had no doubt Cole would get hitched soon. Wherever he went, women turned to watch him.

A phone call from his partner, Jack Murray interrupted his thoughts.

"What's up?" Dominic asked when he answered the call.

"Are you still at your family dinner?" Jack asked.

"No. I had a house showing. Remember?"

"Oh yeah. Was your whole family at lunch?"

Dominic knew what was coming. "Yes."

"Olivia too?" Jack's voice was hopeful.

"Jack-"

"Sorry. Just wondering." A pause. "Is she going to be at church tomorrow?"

Dominic rolled his eyes, "Who knows? She's on call. So maybe, maybe not."

"Oh."

Dominic knew his partner had eyes for his sister. But who wouldn't? She was beautiful. Like every other member in his family, she had beautiful auburn/brown hair and gorgeous hazel eyes. Her figure was also model ready as well. The only reason she wasn't dating was because of her job. A crime scene investigator. She saw some pretty gruesome things. Men thought that was weird and that she shouldn't have that job. Jack didn't. He praised her for it. Although Olivia had no interest in Jack.

"Listen, Jack I got to go. I'm at my house showing."

"Oh yeah. Sorry. See ya. I'll be at church tomorrow though."

Dominic laughed, "Same. See you then."

"Bye." 

Click.