Page 38 of The Devil's Price

"Is that what you told him? You're undercover?" He is greedy, squeezing my ass even though we're still surrounded by folks. The elevator doors slide open and we walk in, but even here, we're not alone.

"I had to say something. Liam was leaning on me. I think he knows we've been involved." Remembering how horrible Liam was to me makes me shudder. To think those sick bastards watched me fucking Finn right there in my living room on more than one occasion… I shake my head. He almost got me to screw him too.

"I'd like to get under the covers with you," Finn whispers in my ear, and I push him playfully.

"Stop it," I hiss and snicker. "I guess I'll have to get a new job. If I'm not with the prosecutors, that means I'll have to go into defense. I wonder if this is how it happens for all the prosecutors who go solo."

The doors slide open and the people begin pouring out. Finn's hand grips my ass again as I lead the way, and he follows. "You mean they all find a sexy criminal to get into bed with and leave the straight and narrow to follow their hearts?"

I can't believe he's being so cheeky with me. I turn and walk backward, prying his hands from my body. "I mean, they get ousted for being unethical."

"I could use a good defense attorney. You can put me in the witness box tonight. I'll testify to how incredible you are." Finn pulls me in again, cupping both cheeks and forcing my lips to his. After this show, there's no way I'll be able to convince anyone I'm just undercover. But I'm not sure I'd want to, anyway. Finn makes my heart come alive, and I want my heart to stay alive with him.

"Finn," I breathe when he gives me a chance.

"What?" he asks, pulling back. He looks into my eyes and searches me, and all I can do is smile at him.

"I haven't said anything because I was afraid you were going to force me to recuse myself or something but…" I nip his lower lip and kiss him again. I'm ready for this. I can't see any other future for myself than one with him, even if I have to go private and not be a prosecutor. I love him. I know I can still pursue justice for my cousin even if I'm not a prosecutor. The idea of taking down the underworld is more terrifying than I imagined. I'm not sure I'll ever be ready for that.

"What is it?" he asks again, this time not allowing me to kiss him, though that's what I'd like to do.

"I'm going to have a baby. Our baby."

The news slips off my tongue, drawing a smile from his lips. "You're what?"

I nod. "I found out a few weeks ago, and?—"

"Wahoooo!" His loud squeal is coupled with a crushing hug as he lifts me and spins me in a circle then sets me down and kisses me hard. His stubble scrapes over my face, and I try my best to hold on for the ride as he devours me in his glee.

"Feck, I can't believe this. I'm gonna be a dad?" He barely gives me space to breathe, but I don't want space. Not at all, not anymore.

"Yes. And I can't wait to be a mom."

Our celebration draws more attention than I'd like, and I take Finn's hand and start down the stairs in the front of the courthouse before stopping short. My briefcase is on the table upstairs. I've been so emotional, I haven't been paying attention. Maybe pregnancy brain really is a thing.

"My briefcase," I blurt out, and he sighs.

"I'll get it. You wait here."

"No…" I say, stopping him. "I'll get it. You pull your car up." It's silly for me to stand here waiting on him when I'm the one who made the mistake and forgot my things.

Finn scrunches his nose but nods at me as I dash back up the steps. My heart is light, my shoulders loose and relaxed after months of stress. I fight the stream of people filing out of the building and opt for the stairs to the second floor this time, rather than waiting on the lift.

When I get to the second floor courtroom, the hall is empty. Everyone has left already, and my case still sits open on the table with my things splayed around it. My shoes click on the marble floor as I waltz up to pick everything up, and I never hear anyone in the room with me at all until I feel the cold steel of a gun pressed into my side.

"Ms. Gallagher, that was an awesome show you put on for us." I don't recognize the man's voice, but I'm not surprised that someone is here. The judge wasn't working alone. Liam's arrest was only part of that. He had at least one juror, maybe a court official too. Whoever this is may only be a pawn too. The Doyles are behind it all.

"Who are you?" I ask, trying to turn around, but the gun bounces off my head hard and I wince, covering my head with my hand.

"You like to play hardball, but I'm just not a player, Ms. Gallagher. Callahan was easy. Kearney was like taking candy from a baby, but let me tell you, if you don't do what we require, we're not afraid to get our hands dirty." The gun returns to my side, pushing in hard, and I whimper.

A quick glance over my shoulder reveals exactly whom I'm dealing with. Hagen Doyle has his weapon set to kill me, eyes of steel burrowing into the back of my skull. He's already got one murder charge. What's another to add to his laundry list?

"You're not going to get away with this," I tell him, my hand slipping around the handle of my briefcase.

"Oh, but I am, and you're going to help me." His sinister laugh makes my chest ache. I can't let him hurt me or take me away from here.

Thinking quickly, I grip the handle of my open briefcase and spin hard, swinging it with me. It slams into his head, forcing him to lurch to one side, giving me time to run. And run I do. I take off, losing one heel, breaking the heel off my other shoe, and dart toward the door. The man chases me into the hallway where I slip and fall, and he's on me, pinning me to the ground, gun to my head.

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