Page 59 of Merciless Attraction

“I have your girl, doc. You and that Ronan asshole need to come to the address we’ll send you. Bring Frankie too, since we know you stashed him. Tell Frankie to make sure he as every dollar he stole from Verducci. That’s all.”

The call ends, and I put my phone in my pocket, looking to Bash.

Bash huddles close to me as we both stare at the screen. “One of the pins stopped moving, but this one is heading toward Trips. Let’s go get Gem, kill some more assholes, and then we’ll have Casper do a sweep of Gemma’s stuff to make sure no more of these tags are hanging around.”

With that, we make our way to Trips without waiting for a text to come through from Morningside. We have the element of surprise because they likely believe that ditching Gemma’s phone has stopped us from being able to track them. We’re able to park the car, grab some weapons, and scope the place out.

“We should stop them before they take Gemma inside,” Bash says.

That makes me laugh.

“What’s so funny?” he asks.

“Gemma says there are bullet holes in one of the walls inside. I don’t think adding a few more will take away from its value.”

“Shut up,” Bash laughs.

“But, you’re right,” I tell him, “We should stop them before they get inside. How do you feel about taking down some corrupt cops?”

He shrugs. “Whatever happens to them is on them. They shouldn’t play in this game if they’re not willing to win one of its prizes. Prison or an early grave, that’s the only place fucking with the mob gets anyone.”

I nod solemnly, but our conversation is cut short as we see a black car pull up. It’s only the two of them with Gemma giving them hell every step of the way. The last thing I want is for them to turn on her the way they turned on me.

“I’ll circle around behind their car and cause a distraction. When I do that, you take them out and I’ll grab Gem," I tell Bash.

He nods as I set our plan into motion. My heart’s racing as Gemma berates them while trying to pry herself out of Detective Oliver’s grasp. That boulder of a human looks even bigger standing behind Gemma.

“GEMMA, DROP!” I shout, causing the two detectives to turn around. Once they do, Bash takes a shot at Morningside. He shoots a bullet in Morningside’s knee, and then another in the detective’s hand. As Gemma drops to the ground, I run around the back of the car.

“Come this way,” I shout to her.

As Detective Oliver moves to grab her, Bash puts a bullet in his shoulder, his knee, and then his hand. With the two officers out of commission, Gemma’s safe in my arms. I let out a sigh of relief as she sobs into my chest.

“Did they hurt you?” I ask her.

She sniffs and shakes her head, “I’m fine. We’re fine.”

I pull her away from me to look into her eyes. I’m confused. “We?”

Gemma pushes onto her tiptoes to kiss me and says, “Nine weeks and counting.”

I can’t think of the implications of those words as I pull her closer. “Thank God you’re safe.”

Morningside squirms in pain as he shouts at us. “You two think you’re going to get away with this? Wait until Verducci—”

Bash cuts him off, “I think Verducci has bigger problems. You see, the FBI got a tip from Don Vito Dacosta. He gave them Verducci’s sources in law enforcement and I have a feeling your names are somewhere at the top of that list. Good luck boys.”

Once we’re safely away from Trips, Bash drives me and Gemma to my place. We agree to meet up later, but for now, he leaves us to head upstairs alone. Inside the condo, Gemma smiles when she steps inside.

“You have a living room again.” She grins.

“I have you again, and I never want to let you go. But I know this has been a lot for you, for us and I’m willing to take as much time as you need. If you want our relationship to end, I understand.”

“And our baby?” she asks.

“I’ll support whatever decision you make, but if you choose us,” I take her hands into mine, locking eyes with her so she can’t deny my sincerity. I let one hand drop to rub her belly as I say, “If you choose us, I’ll choose you,and you,every single day.”

Chapter 29: Gemma

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