Page 21 of Crossing Lines

“Did you just threaten a federal agent?” he challenged me.

“Not at all. I simply stated a fact to a genuine asshole. You see, when pencil dicks like you get involved in shit that’s way above your head, it gets innocent people hurt. If your team had actually been prepared for their raid the other day, none of that cluster fuck would have happened. Not only was your surveillance shitty, at best, your CI was a no-show! If we would have had the right information, we could have gone in a different way, and no one would have been injured.”

“There was enough information! You failed, not my team.”

“If you had enough information, why did you use the bail bonds as a way to justify the transfer of custody, which you still haven’t signed. I’d say it’s all a bit tacky. We’ve got a bounty on this capture, and I expect a check or cash in this office from you by this afternoon.”

Gabe waved a hand in the air and drew my attention away from the suit. “You two are good. Go clean up, and Trace, get some rest. We’ll get this all sorted later. I’d like to have a chat with Special Agent Monroe.” I nodded at Gabe and got myself out of the chair. Chip helped me out into the main room, and my eyes landed on a mostly empty space.

Anna was at her desk. As I approached, I asked, “Where’s my girl?”

“She went to the center with Dani Lynn. She’s in good hands. You go home and get some rest.” I grimaced. “I’ll call and let her know y’all are done.”

“Thanks, Anna.”

“Anytime.” Chip and I left out the main doors, and a weight I hadn’t known I’d been carrying fell away. I guess I was waiting for Stel to freak out or throw a fit. Guess I’d lucked out today; for now at least.

I was dozing on and off on the couch, too tired and hurting too bad to try and get up the stairs to our bedroom. When Stel came in a few hours later and frowned at me, I braced myself for what was coming.

“Come on, get up. We’re going to Daddy’s. It’s not a request; it’s an order. His orders, not mine.” She shook her head as she sat on the cushion just in front of me. “You’re all bruised and banged up. I should have been there…”

“No, you’d have been hurt too. I’d rather be hurt a thousand times over than see you hurting once.” I kissed her softly, wrapping my arm around her, pulling her down against me. “Why are we going to Wayne’s?” I hedged.

She let out a long, drawn-out sigh. “Because our house isn’t fit for someone on crutches. I may need help with helping you because I only have one good hand. Shelby checked it this morning, and there are a few spots that may be infected. She took stitches out, cleaned it up, and re-stitched it. I can’t say it didn’t totally suck ass, but even though it hurts, it feels better.”

“I’m sorry, love.” I kissed her forehead as I rubbed my hand over her side. I closed my eyes. “Maybe Wayne’s right. A little extra help might be a good thing.”

“Plus, the spare room is a downstairs room. We’ll have privacy and a bathroom close by.”

“Sounds like a good plan. AJ is coming to town in a bit. If we’re going to Wayne’s, I need to tell her so she doesn’t freakout. Apparently letting Chip tell her I was hurt wasn’t my best of ideas.”

Stel sat up and glared at me. “You left it to someone else to tell her that! You’re fucking nuts. If she smacks you, don’t come to me for sympathy.”

I chuckled. “She won’t smack me, but yes, I see the error of my ways in this matter. Let me text her that we’re going to Wayne’s.”

“I’ll go grab us some clothes. Anything in particular you need?” she asked from the hallway.

“No, my go-bag is in the truck already, so I’m good.”

I heard her mumbling something, but it faded out as she stomped up the stairs. I shook my head. God help me. She was going to be a lot more to handle right now.

I picked up my phone from the end table and sent a text to AJ. When she replied, I nodded. In an hour I’d have two grouchy women beside me.

I needed a drink.

“Let me get that for you,” Wayne said, taking the plates to the table. I had been heading that way, but he was quicker. Stel was determined to do what she wanted, her injuries aside. Even if she couldn’t.

“Daddy, I can carry plates. I’m pregnant, not dying.” She huffed.

I shook my head. “Baby, you have one hand and that stack of plates was rather big. Calm yourself and try to relax. Everything’s going to be okay and back to normal in a few days.”

“I know…” She sighed and leaned into my side. I wrapped an arm around her and kissed her head.

“Is it time for you to tell me all about what we walked into at the station this morning?”

She’d been avoiding this conversation, but I didn’t know why. Something was up, but she just wasn’t talking it out.

“Some two-bit, funky ass?—”

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