Life Changer (Chicago First Responders Book 2) Read online

  Life Changer

  BJ Harvey

  Life Changer

  Copyright © 2021 by BJ Harvey

  Ebook ISBN: 978-0-6487638-5-7

  Print ISBN: 978-0-6451075-0-0

  Edited by Creating Ink

  Cover Designed by BJ Harvey

  Photo sourced from Shutterstock

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the above author of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chicago Rom Com World Reading Order

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  Other Books by BJ Harvey

  About BJ Harvey

  Chicago Rom Com World Reading Order

  The Bliss Series

  Temporary Bliss (Bliss #1)—Mac and Daniel

  True Bliss (Bliss #2)—Kate and Zander

  Blissful Surrender (Bliss #3)—Sean and Sam

  Permanent Bliss (Bliss #4)—Mac and Daniel Wedding Novella

  Finding Bliss (Bliss #5)—Noah and Zoe

  The Game Series (Bliss Series Spin Off)

  Game Player (Game #1)—Matt and Mia

  Game Maker (Game #2)—Zack and Danika

  Game Saver (Game #3)—Cade and Abi

  Game Ender (Game #4)—Thomas and Amy

  Game Breaker (Game #5)—Cameron and Sarah

  Game Planner (Game #6)—Jase and Natalie

  Cook Brothers Series (Game Series Spin Off)

  Work in Progress—Jamie and April

  Work Violation—Jax and Ronnie

  Working Back—Bry and Faith

  Hard Work—Cohen and Skye

  Working For It—Ezra and Gilly

  Chicago First Responders (Cook Brothers Spin Off)

  Show Stopper – Marco and Renee

  Life Changer – Rhodes and Dee

  Chapter 1

  Rhodes

  I have a problem. I’m dreaming about a woman I’ve never even met before. I know who she is. I know where she is. It would just be creepy to meet her—or even initiate contact. But if I don’t get this little fixation of mine under control soon, I’m going to end up doing something stupid—more stupid than not paying attention as I turn the corner, about to walk past the object of my obsession’s restaurant.

  But thank god I am, because one minute I’m frozen mid-step as Dee Duncan stops on the sidewalk outside Delish—she’s talking animatedly into her phone before hanging up and sliding it into her purse—the next, a tall, lanky guy in a black hoodie and jeans launches into a run straight at her. At first it looks like she’s just going to be knocked over, not that the piece of crap is going to yank her purse off her shoulder and sprint away with it in a middle-of-the-day mugging.

  I’ve closed half the distance between us before I realize I’m moving. When she falls to the ground, grabbing her arm with a cry as she hits the pavement, I’m torn between going to her aid or hunting down the SOB and beating him to a pulp—and I’m not a violent man.

  My body decides for me, and I’m bending down beside her, the world grinding to a halt the moment her crystal-green wide eyes meet mine.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Ye . . . yeah. My purse! It’s got my keys and everything in it.”

  I hand her my phone. My fingers brush hers as I dump the device in her hand, but I don’t let myself dwell on how smooth her skin feels—later I will, but right now, I’m on a mission. “Code to unlock it is one, nine, eight, one. Call the cops. I’ll be back,” I say before I’m on my feet and running after the mugger.

  “Wait. No!” Dee yells from behind me, but I don’t stop. I round the corner I saw the mugger take and spot his hooded head already halfway down the block. He probably thought he was home and free. Have I got news for him?

  I’m almost close enough to ambush him, but he glances over his shoulder, his eyes widening before he darts down an alley and takes off. But being a city firefighter means I’m no slouch in the speed department, and lucky for me, I’m a shit-ton faster than he is. And by the time he’s halfway along, I’m close enough to swing my arm out and hook my hand in the strap of Dee’s purse, jerking the kid to a stop.

  I grab his shirt and pull him around to face me. I’m ready to teach him a lesson.

  “What the hell, man?” he spits out, his voice full of hot air and bluster that doesn’t match the wariness I see in his eyes. His gaze roams my face and perhaps wisely reading my angry expression, he changes tack. “Look, man, no harm, no foul, right? I’m just . . .” He lets out a big sigh, and for the first time, I really take him in. Old worn clothes, a smell not worth mentioning, and a downtrodden demeanor that hints he’s more resigned and tired than scared. It occurs to me that he’s probably around the same age as my sixteen-year-old son, Jake.

  “Right,” I say, letting him go and standing to my full six-foot-three height. “This can go one of two ways. You going to drop the macho bullshit and listen to someone willing to give you a break?”

  The boy living in a man’s world far too soon tilts his chin, but when his shoulders slump, it’s clear he’s a product of circumstance.

  “You stay around here?”

  He grunts and averts his eyes. “All around,” he mumbles. “You going to call the cops?”

  I don’t miss the edge to his voice. “Depends if you plan on stealing a hardworking woman’s purse again?”

  “I—”

  I spear him a scathing look, and he crumbles under it. I actually feel sorry for him.

  “Nah. I saw her standing there and figured she wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Do you miss having a bed to sleep in?”

  “Every fucking day, man.”

  “It doesn’t matter what it is—whether it’s a bed, a roof, a hot home-cooked meal, or even a purse, usually, they all mean something to someone.”

  “I’m just so damn hungry and desperate, and—”

  “Over the hard life?”

  “Yes!” he spits out, and his anger clearly isn’t at me.

  “Right. So, how about this.” I reach into my pocket and grab my wallet before unfolding a couple of twenties and holding them out for him. He goes to snatch them off me, but my fingers hold firm until his gaze jerks to mine. “You use this to get some food into you, and you let me make a call for you so you have a warm, safe bed to sleep in for a few days.”

  His eyes jump wide. “Whoa. You’d do that?”

  “Wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it, bud.”

  Skepticism hardens his expressio
n, and he arches a brow. “Why should I believe you?”

  “Honestly, you’re right to question me. But I’m legit. My name is Rhodes, and I work for the CFD. I’ve got nothing to gain from lying, dude. I’ve got a son your age, and you’re far too young to be living on the street—whatever the circumstance. So instead of calling the cops, I’ll cut you some slack. ’Cause something tells me you haven’t had much of that lately. Am I right?”

  He nods, the relief shining back at me tugging at my heartstrings. If I hadn’t already decided to help him, that look would’ve secured it.

  “Good. So, take this.” I let go of the bills, feeling verified when he doesn’t move to snatch it this time. Instead, he’s looking at the money in his hand like it’s a lifeline.

  “You sure you don’t expect anything for this?” he asks.

  I shake my head, hating the fact he even has to ask that question. Kids should have time to be kids, not worrying about people’s intentions. “What’s your name?”

  “Pete.”

  “Well, Pete. Life may not have been good to you yet, but it will. This is me just offering you a break.”

  His look of relief is all the thanks I need.

  “I will ask you to do one thing though. I want you to think of a way to apologize to the woman who owns this purse, because she didn’t deserve what you just did to her at all.”

  “But . . . the cops?”

  “Pete, I’ll take care of that. I said I would, and I meant it. Now, you know the shelter by Grant Park?”

  He bites his lip, and his eyes go up as if he’s wracking his brain. “Yep. Three-story brick building. Kinda old, but clean.”

  I grin. “Yeah. Go in and tell the manager Rhodes sent you. I’ll clear it with them, as long as you turn up, Don will look after you.”

  Pete looks at me with such wide-eyed wonder, I can almost see the carefree teenager he should be. God, Lily would be smiling so big if she could see me right now.

  “You sure?” he asks, his voice turning defensive.

  “Yeah. Don’s my dad. I’m gonna call him and he’ll be expecting you.” I lock eyes with the kid once more. “You’ll go there?”

  Pete nods. “I will. I’ll go and talk to Don and say you sent me. And the lady, I’ll think of a way to say sorry. Without, like, scaring her. Okay?”

  “See that you do,” I say, putting my dad hat back on. Pete waves and walks backward before turning around and hurrying away. “And don’t eat crap. Get a salad or something!” I yell out to him.

  When he disappears from sight, I shake my head, hoping my gut feeling was right.

  It hits me that I’m standing alone in a dirty alley, in the middle of the Loop, holding a handbag. Shit, Dee!

  I make quick work of retracing my steps, and I’m soon rounding the corner near Delish.

  “There he is!” Dee says, pointing me out to the cop standing next to her—a cop who looks right at me. His eyes widen before he shakes his head and smirks at me while Dee runs toward me.

  “Oh my god, you got it back,” she hurries out, taking her purse from my outstretched hand.

  “Are you okay? ’Cause that’s more important.”

  She freezes and blinks as if I’ve surprised her. It’s cute as hell. I may be a big man, but that doesn’t make me a Neanderthal.

  “Yeah, thanks. Officer Rossi wanted me to go get checked out at the ER, but I’m fine.”

  I arch a brow, and her eyes widen.

  She holds her hand in the air as if to give me a scout’s honor salute. “I promise. I’m okay. My arm is a bit tender, but otherwise, I’m more embarrassed than anything. I should’ve been paying attention instead of talking on the phone.”

  I rest my hand on her forearm. “You did nothing wrong . . .” Dee, I just manage to stop myself from saying.

  She blushes, and I think that may be my favorite look on her. Then I mentally kick myself, because it’s way too weird to have a favorite anything about this woman I’ve just met in person but already feel like I know after watching her videos. Am I a stalker now?

  We stand there staring at each other, her purse now hanging over her shoulder, my fingers still on her arm, and if I’m not mistaken, it’s almost as if we’re having a moment. God, I’ve been out of the game so long I can’t even be sure anymore.

  “Miss Duncan?” Gio Rossi calls out, walking toward us. I jerk my hand away like I’ve been caught breaking the law. He nods my way. “Rhodes,” he says, his lips twitching.

  “G.”

  “Wait, you know each other?” Dee says, her head shifting between us. “I know Chicago can be a small world sometimes, but what are the odds?”

  “Indeed.” Gio muses. “Your vigilante here is our family’s best friend—well, my brothers and I, anyway.”

  I open my mouth to explain further, but Dee beats me to it. “Oh, wow. So, it’s serendipity, of sorts.”

  “Something like that,” Gio replies. I give him a death glare that thankfully he reads before changing the subject. He looks down at Dee’s purse. “I take it you caught up with the offender?”

  “I recovered the bag and came straight back to return it to its rightful owner. How about we leave it at that.”

  Gio arches a brow, his expression full of understanding. It’s not the first time I’ve stepped in to try and change the direction of a delinquent teen’s life. “You send him to your dad?”

  I nod. “Yeah. Whether he turns up there or not is another question.”

  “Wait,” Dee says, speaking up. “You let the mugger go?” Her tone isn’t angry. It’s . . . curious.

  “Yeah. I’m sorry if that’s not what you expected. I kind of threw my phone at you, barked out orders, then took off like a bat out of hell. But when I caught up to him, he was just a desperate kid living on a wish and a prayer. He just needed someone to give him a chance.”

  “Oh wow,” she whispers. While in the alley with Pete, I hadn’t really thought about how Dee might react to me letting him go, but I didn’t expect her to be looking at me with wonder.

  “I’ll check in with Don and keep my finger on the pulse. Ms. Duncan—”

  “Dee, Officer. Call me Dee.”

  Gio smiles. “Okay, Dee. Are you wanting to press charges?”

  “Oh god, no. I’m just grateful Rhodes, here, was able to get it back for me. My keys and phone are in there. It would’ve been a pain in the butt to get the locks changed at the restaurant and home.”

  “And is everything still in there?” Gio asks.

  “Damn, I didn’t even check. I was too busy thanking my Good Samaritan here.” Dee opens her purse and rummages through the contents inside.

  “Rhodes is good like that,” Gio murmurs, and I narrow my eyes at him, which just makes his smirk deepen.

  Dee lets out a sigh of relief. “Phew. It’s all here.”

  “Okay, Ms.—Dee.” Gio catches himself. “If that’s everything, I’ll leave you both to it.”

  I don’t miss his intimation but choose to ignore it. Because Lord knows the Rossi brothers won’t let me live this situation down anytime soon.

  “Thank you, Officer. Sorry to waste your time,” Dee says, holding out her hand to Gio and shaking his. “And I meant what I said. Make sure you come down for a meal. I know I can’t give it to you on the house, but that doesn’t mean I can’t give a heavy discount,” she adds with a wink.

  “I might just do that, Dee.” He turns to me. “Later, hero,” he says. I’m tempted to flip him the bird, but since Dee is standing next to me, I’m thankfully able to refrain.

  Gio and his partner get into their patrol car and soon drive away.

  “I should let you—” I say, as Dee holds out her hand, “Here’s your phone back.”

  Both our eyes widen before she blushes, and a wry grin curves her plush, pink lips. She pulls my cell out from her back pocket.

  “Thanks. I’d kind of forgotten about that in all the drama.”

  “I am truly grateful, Rhodes. Not many
people would jump in to help a stranger like that.”

  I’m suddenly struck with a bit of guilt. Probably not the best time to admit I know who she is, right? “I’m a firefighter. Helping people is my job.”

  Her eyes grow soft and warm. “Oh. Well then, I guess I was lucky that one of the CFD’s finest was walking by in my time of need then.” Wait. Is she flirting with me now?

  “It’s no trouble, honestly.”

  “Handsome, honest, and humble. That’s a dangerous combination, Rhodes.”

  Yep. Definitely flirting. “Not sure about the humble part.”

  Her hazel eyes crinkle at the sides. “Ah, gotta be impressed by a man who knows his best attributes.”

  My cheeks burn hot. What the hell, Rhodes? Man up already. “I’m just glad it turned out for the best.”

  “Definitely. Well, I’ll let you go, but you have to come back for a meal on the house. I can’t be seen to be bribing police officers, but since you’re not on duty, I can show my gratitude without getting you in trouble.”

  “It’s not necessary—”

  “Nope,” she says, shooting me a beaming smile. “Bring the family. Make it a big night out.”

  “That’d be me and my son, Jake. He’d probably eat you out of house and home.” I tilt my head toward the building. “Or your restaurant, as the case may be.”

  “Oh, bring it on. My ten-year-old hasn’t managed to do that, and I swear he was born with hollow legs.”

  I chuckle. “Boys. They keep us on our toes.”

  “And at the grocery store, it seems,” she says with a laugh.

  “That too. I’ll let you go. I’m sure you’re busy.”