Finding Home in Redemption

Chapter Twenty-Seven

 Brennan

The morning after talking to Bentley, I left the hotel I was staying at in the city and headed for Cooper's. By the time I arrived, I had chastised myself for not telling someone what I was doing that day because if there was one person I was concerned about killing me, it was Isaac Cooper.

I climbed out of my cruiser and walked into the building. Isaac was standing in the lobby watching my every move, and when I was close enough, recognition hit him.

"Hello, Mr. Cooper. Can I have a word with you in private?" I asked. I felt the sweat collecting on my palms and could feel every single beat of my heart.

"Without a single word, he turned and walked to his office, leaving the door open.

I haven't been punched yet, so that has to count for something. I thought.

I entered the office and sat in the chair in front of his desk. He was looking at me like he wanted to take me out back and bury me, but I was here because I loved this man's daughter. I didn't want to be a coward. I wanted to be what she deserved.

"I'm going to get straight to the point. My name is Brennan Murphy." I touched on everything I'd already told Bentley. It didn't matter how carefully I watched his expression; he didn't twitch. Even when I said the part I was most afraid to tell him, he didn't budge. It was almost like talking to a brick wall, except this brick wall had brick arms and could knock me out.

"So, I went undercover, and I was there almost two years when Bentley came along. I didn't have any idea who she was or how our pasts were connected, I swear on my life. I would have never let things progress with her. I didn't know my cover was so close to being blown," I said finishing my explanation.

Isaac continued to stare at me for nearly a minute. Finally, his eyes narrowed, and he sat forward, resting his arms on his desk.

"How long have you been in law enforcement?" he asked.

"Ten years."

"In your ten years of police work, did you always string along girls that made their way into your life?"

"No, Sir. Absolutely not. To tell you the truth, I haven't dated since my early twenties. I was too focused on my career."

"How am I supposed to believe that's true? You've been Aaron for nearly a year to my daughter and my team here. How do I trust anything you say from here on out?"

He didn't sound or look like he wanted to hit me anymore. It was almost like he was asking me my opinion on how I could regain his trust.

"I'm not sure at this point."

"Here's the thing; I can't blame you for what happened when you were younger. I can't even blame you for leaving when you figured out who she was and worried about your case being blown. I understand why you did what you did, but I had to watch my kid hurt. One day, you're probably going to have a daughter and the first guy that comes along and breaks her heart is going to be on your list. Right now, you're on my list, and that's a dangerous place to be, son. The problem I'm having is understanding why you allowed yourself to begin a relationship with someone when you were on an assignment. You got involved with someone when you should have been entirely focused on your work."

He was saying everything that had run through my head a million times.

"I know it makes me look weak, but I was beginning to struggle when Bentley showed up. I was going on two years of no human contact except dealing, and it was messing with my head. I was craving something, and I didn't even know what it was until this quirky, full of life woman just inserted herself in my life." I smiled, remembering the very first time she brought me breakfast. She'd checked my pulse that morning, and I forced the laugh down until she left. "Sir, I didn't mean to fall in love with your daughter. I did though, and now I just want to fix everything. I can't go back and change my job or how I met her. All I can do is beg for your forgiveness and try to gain her trust, as well as yours."

"So, what is it you plan on doing to get that trust back?"

"I've asked Bentley for my old job. She said if you approved of it then she would, too. I figured just being here is as good of a start as any. I just want her to know I'm not going anywhere unless she doesn't want me to be here. In that case, I'd go back home. I've spoken to my Chief, and for now, I'm going to go on leave and see what happens here."

"Bentley spent a lot of time out in the shop after you left. Well, when I finally got her to come back to work, that is. For days, I couldn't figure out why she was out there until it dawned on me; She was waiting for you. Finally, after she started school she was spending every free minute studying, but there were times she'd just stare off into space. She looked so sad for a while then she'd snap out of it and get back to work."

Hearing this was tearing my heart into pieces. I focused on my breathing, trying to keep in under control when all I wanted to do was smash my fists into a wall. Listening to someone recount your loved ones pain that was caused by you is pure torture.

"I'm giving you another chance," he continued. "I know she cares about you and even if she's upset, I know she'd want me to say yes. But let me make you a promise, Brennan. If I ever see tears in her eyes that are caused by you again, breaking your legs wouldn't be enough to satisfy my anger."

"Understood, Sir."

"I guess I'll see you bright and early in the morning then." He stood and walked to open his office door. I said goodbye and made my way to my car. I purposely avoided making eye contact with the other employees. I wasn't ready to tell anyone else what had been going on. Most of them probably hated me on Bentley's behalf anyway.

I didn't realize how draining this would be. I knew I wasn't a young kid anymore, but talking about all of these feelings and failures was pulling the energy out of me.

After I shut my car door, I called the number I'd found for an apartment to rent across the street from Cooper's. I agreed to sign a contract and wouldn't be moving in until tomorrow, but that was okay. Building up to this moment had kept me up most nights, and I needed sleep. Even if it was in my car.

I sent a text to Bentley saying her father agreed and I'd see her Tuesday. I received her Okay reply an hour later. Texting and phone calls were going to be on her terms, so I placed my phone on the night stand and went to bed long before nightfall.