Page 22 of Rectify

She heard someone swearing, but it was as though they were far off in the distance. Someone pushed her head down between her knees.

“Breathe, Natalya,” Rogan ordered.

She didn’t know that she wanted to, even though she found it hard to fight the command in his voice.

If Mateo was truly gone . . . a low moan of distress erupted from her. Suddenly, she was swept up against a firm chest. A familiar, masculine scent filled her senses.

Aedan.

“Shh, Lovely,” he told her in a calm voice. “Mateo is fine. There’s no reason to believe he’s dead. Calm down. We’ll find him. I promise you.”

“She needs to hold it together, or she’ll be no use to anyone.” Stanton’s voice was calm.

“So you told her that her son might be dead as a test?” Rogan asked sharply. “Your social skills have grown worse over the years.”

“Just breathe,” Aedan told her as he held her against his chest. His arm was under her bottom as he cradled her against him. “Breathe for me.”

She took a deep breath, the scent of him surrounding her.

“You okay?” Aedan asked.

“I’m fine. Sorry, I wigged out. You can put me back down.” Although she felt a whole lot safer in his arms. As though this was where she was meant to be.

Aedan placed her down. He scowled at Stanton, who just stared back at him calmly.

“Like I said, she needs to stay strong.” Stanton examined her. “Can you do that? Can you keep your shit together?”

Natalya glared at him. “You didn’t have to do that. You think I haven’t imagined the worst? Do you do this with all your clients?” It was a wonder he was still in business.

Stanton shrugged. “Tanner usually deals with the clients.”

“Where is your partner? Why didn’t you send him?” Rogan asked.

“Because you called me at two in the morning and told me to get here immediately. Tanner is on his way along with some other members of my team.”

The costs kept mounting up.

“I’ll pay your fee,” Aedan said stiffly. “We don’t want to be indebted to you.”

Stanton took a sip of coffee. “Save your money. There’s no debt. As I said, this is on us.” He moved his gaze back to Natalya. “I might be an asshole, but my team is the best. Wewillfind your son.”

Relief hit her hard enough to bring tears to her eyes. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“I don’t know what to say. I can never repay you.”

“That’s the point of pro bono. You don’t have to.” Stanton quickly devoured the rest of his food, then pulled a tablet from his bag. “So, from what I’ve discovered, Diego Mota is a real fine catch.”

Natalya took a deep breath.Remember that he’s helping you. So he didn’t have much in the way of people skills . . . as long as he got the job done, she could take whatever he hurled her way.

“He’s a criminal,” she admitted.

“Oh, he’s much more than that, sweetheart,” Carter’s voice dripped with condescension. “He’s scum. He’s one of the cartel’s main lieutenants. It’s rumored that he’s ordered dozens of hits. The only place he seems to draw the line at is rape. But maybe we just haven’t uncovered that yet.”

Mouth dry, she just stared at Stanton. “I know he’s not a decent person?—”

“Understatement,” Stanton retorted. “So why did you stay with him? Or is that what you’re into? Bad boys?”

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