Page 51 of Tracking Down the Lawman's Son

“I’ll use my phone to record him,” Joelle said, taking up the cause, “and if he lies, you get the warrant. Slater and I will detain him so he can’t leave the room and toss the ring. If he admits he has the ring, then I’ll ask him to let me take it into evidence for processing. If he refuses, get the warrant. This can work,” she insisted.

Luca looked as if he wanted to curse a blue streak. Probably because he knew it could work as well. But he was also aware of something else.

“Yes, it’s a risk,” Bree admitted. “We could be attacked going to or from Nathan’s house, but we could be attacked anywhere. Including here.” Mercy, it twisted at her to voice that last part, but it was true.

“Maternity leave hasn’t made me forget how to be a cop,” Joelle pointed out to Duncan. “And I’m a good cop. I’ll keep my eyes on Nathan the entire time, and if he tries to pull a gun, he’ll have three people pulling theirs.” She shifted to Luca. “I’m not going to let that scumbag lay one finger on Bree.”

The silence came again, and the moments crawled by before Duncan sighed. Bree could tell from his expression that they had convinced him, but he turned to Luca, no doubt to get his take on the plan.

“I could go in with Bree and Joelle,” Luca said, but then he immediately waved that off. “No, because Nathan would justget defensive. But I’m going to his house,” he insisted. “I’ll wait outside in the cruiser.”

Bree would feel safer with Luca that close, but that left them with a big problem. “The babies have to be protected,” she stated, though she was certain no one had forgotten that.

“I’ll stay here,” Duncan said, taking out his phone again. “And I’ll have Woodrow and Sonya come and stay as backup. I’ll have them drive by Nathan’s place on the way here to make sure he’s actually home.” He made the call to get that started.

“You’re okay with this plan?” Joelle asked, glancing first at Slater and then Luca before her attention settled on Bree.

Slater shrugged. “This could definitely shake things up. Maybe it’ll shake in the right direction.”

Luca settled for a nod, and Bree could practically see the nerves tightening in every part of his body. “Give us a minute,” Bree said, taking hold of Luca’s hand, and she led him out of the living room.

Since Sandra, the nannies and babies were using the family room and adjoining kitchen, she didn’t head there. Instead, she took Luca to Duncan’s home office, a room that had once been her father’s. Yes, there were memories of him here, but at least it was private. She stepped inside with Luca and shut the door.

Then, she kissed him.

Bree hadn’t actually intended to do that, but her body was calling the shots here so she kissed him long and deep. Kissed him until she felt some of those nerves start to settle. It worked for her, too, though she knew there’d be a price to pay for this. She could end up with a broken heart since she was falling for Luca all over again. For now, she just enjoyed the moment. The heat.

And Luca.

Definitely an enjoyment, and her body went a little slack in places. The man certainly had a calming effect on her. A surprisesince at the same time, he could make her want him more than her next breath.

It had been like this that last time when they’d ended up in bed. The night she’d gotten pregnant with Gabriel. And it stunned her to consider they could easily end up in bed again. Things certainly seemed to be moving that way, and even though she’d been the one to initiate the kiss, Bree didn’t think she was ready for that big of a step.

Especially now.

When their son was possibly still in danger.

She eased back, immediately feeling the loss of the heat, and she stared into his eyes. “I can apologize since I shouldn’t have done that.”

“No apology needed or wanted,” Luca let her know. “Did you kiss me to distract me from this plan?” he asked.

“No. But maybe I did it to try to level myself out. I want to do this,” she was quick to add. “I need to do this, but I know things can go wrong.” He groaned, but she cut him off. “Trust me when I say I’ll do everything to stay safe. So will Joelle and Slater.”

Luca stared at her for a couple of seconds and then let out a slow breath. “I do know it, but that doesn’t stop me from worrying.”

She nodded. “And I’ll be worrying about you since you’ll be parked outside Nathan’s house. We’ll both be worried about Gabriel,” she added before she stepped back. “I need to go upstairs and get my gun.” She’d put it on the top shelf of the closet when Slater had brought it over for her with some clothes and her toiletries.

“I’ll check with Duncan to see if he wants to put any more security measures in place, and then I’ll meet you in the cruiser,” Luca said, and they headed off in different directions.

After Bree had gotten the gun and headed back downstairs, she saw Woodrow and Sonya pull to a stop in front of the house.It was showtime, and just as Sonya and Woodrow came inside, Joelle gave Duncan a quick kiss before Slater, Bree and she headed out to Duncan’s cruiser. Bree took the back seat, and Slater got behind the wheel. Joelle was shotgun.

“Does Luca know you’re in love with him?” Joelle asked.

Bree frowned at her sister. “Who says I am?”

“Me,” Joelle and Slater said in unison.

Bree extended the frown to her brother, though he probably couldn’t see her face since his focus was on keeping watch around them. “It’s my guess you kissed Luca when you carted him off like that,” Slater went on. “And it’s also my guess that the two of you enjoyed that kiss way too much.”

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