Page 90 of Feel Me

“Iker Escobar, he’s been apprehended and in route to county.” He frowns when I don’t move. “The press is already assembled outside the courthouse. We need you back at the office.”

I drag my hand over my face, my head still reeling from my encounter with Mel. This isn’t happening. Not now. I have to go after her.

“Declan,” the chief says. “I need you to do your job.”

CHAPTER 24

Declan

I sit at my new desk, in my new office, in the same fucking chair Miles sat in for years. My new secretary asked me if she should order a new one. But getting rid of it, I don’t know, as bizarre as it sounds, it’s like getting rid of Miles.

He’s taken another turn for the worse. Evan has come forward with new technology his company developed to try and help, and is using his clout to push through the red tape and allow Miles a trial run. I’m not sure if it’s too little too late. But if it is, I want to hang onto any part of Miles that remains and do the best job I can as long as I sit in this chair.

I met with the press about Iker Escobar’s apprehension like a good D.A., said all the right things, and left the podium to rousing applause. The court dates are set and my prep for this case is going smoothly. But nothing feels right. Rosana is still gone. I can’t bring her back.

Just like I can’t bring back Melissa.

I walked into Mel’s office the day after all the shit went down. She was already long gone, nothing of her left in that office except maybe the lingering scent of her perfume.

Her replacement was getting comfortable at her desk like she planned to stay. “Hi, D.A. O’Brien,” the leggy blonde said to me. Julia, I think that’s her name. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”

That made one of us.

I’ve called Mel several times, each time I’m sent through to her voicemail. She hasn’t returned my calls or texts. The only good thing I can say is that she hasn’t blocked me, yet. But she’s made it clear she doesn’t want to talk to me. I tried stopping by her place a few times, but she’s never there when I swing by. As sick as Miles is, I can’t show up there if it’s going to lead to us fighting again.

You might say I’ve given up. That doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten her, and it as sure as hell doesn’t mean I’ve stopped loving her. Nothing is the same without her. Nothing. Just like it was the last time we were apart.

I hit the speaker when my office phone rings. “Yes?”

“District Attorney O’Brien, there’s a young man here to see you, claiming to be your brother.”

A familiar laugh echoes through the speaker. “I’m not claiming, I just am, lady. Although you should let him know which one. Can I borrow that a sec? Thanks.” Finn’s voice amplifies and there’s some rustling. I can almost picture him lifting the phone out of poor Tasha’s hand, his grin probably the only thing keeping her from screaming for help. “Hey, Deck. It’s your little brother—the good-looking one, the one with the ginger hair you wish you had and a set of abs his woman can’t stop touching.” He pauses. “You know, Finn.”

Despite my mood, I can’t help my chuckle. “Give Tasha back her phone and come in, Finnie.”

I lean back in my chair, resting my hands behind my head. Finn opens the door and steps in. He looks around. “Nice,” he says.

I don’t have to tell him to take a seat, he just does, plopping down in front of me. “What are you doing here?” I ask.

“Oh, Aileen let me in,” he says, motioning to the closed door. “You know, the receptionist out front.”

“I know who she is.” I frown, letting my hands drop. “How does she know who you are?” Hell, even the people who work here can’t get past Aileen without the proper I.D.

“She knows me on account of all those times I’ve stopped in to see Melissa.” He shrugs. “She told me Melissa is out on leave. I figured since I was already here, I’d see you instead.”

“You come here to see Melissa?” I ask. He nods. “Since when?”

“Since I got in trouble that last time. She’s nice. Sometimes though I just call and check in.”

Why did I not know this? “You’ve been calling my girlfriend?”

“Don’t you mean ex?” he asks. He rolls his eyes. “Yeah, you fucked that one up, didn’t you?”

“Shut up,” I tell him, flatly. “You don’t know a damn thing.”

“I know she’s easy to talk to. I know you were happier when you were with her, and I sure as shit know you cared about her.”

Care. Yeah. That’s putting it mildly.

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