Page 151 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

“But he doesn’t believe Gabriel is his.”

I sit up, suddenly ready to be out of this coffeehouse and away from the man sitting across from me.

“So this is a moot point, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know, Bri. Because I can tell you if it were me and it was my son that sick psycho motherfucker had, I’d put a bullet in his head.”

And something tells me D would do the same.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

My eyes grow heavy as I listen to the last audio file from Lance’s cellular device.

I’ve listened to all of his calls, and I’ve gone through all of his text messages since Alders gave me access two days ago. Yet, nothing has stuck out. I wonder if Eric had any luck with his email or getting approval to access the chief’s device.

Eric said he could get it, but it would take a little longer and a couple of chains higher to get a sign-off.

The thought of Tom being dirty doesn’t settle in my stomach right. Sure, he’s hell-bent on getting any scrap of dirt on Drago, but I can’t see him being the one to bow down to Diaz and do his dirty work.

I shake my head, grabbing the corner of my laptop, I move it off my lap, placing it on the coffee table.

Since Detective Summers hasn’t completed his report, I’m still on administrative leave, which is getting on my nerves more and more as each day passes. Being stuck at home, these walls seem to be closing in on me. To say I’m restless is an understatement.

Eric, on the other hand, would rather me work from home though. I’m sick of this resting bullshit. I’d rather be framed into a tiny cubicle at his field office than here, lounging on my couch. At least then I’d feel like I was doing something productive. His field office is only a five-minute drive from my condo. I could probably walk there and get the much-needed exercise I’ve been missing.

My phone chimes with an incoming text, so I swing my bare legs off the couch while snatching my smartphone off the end table and pulling it from the charging cord.

Nikki

What gives? I haven’t seen you in 2 weeks. You’re making me think you really aren’t okay.

Me

Just because I’m out of commission for a few weeks doesn’t mean I’m not okay. I am, really. I have a case that I’m working on though, so I’m busier than usual.

Nikki

Anything to do with that missing kid that’s been all over the news?

Before I can reply, there is a knock on the door. Hopping up, I toss my phone behind me, letting it fall to the couch.

Pulling the door open, I gasp involuntarily. Not because I’m seeing him for the first time in far too long, but because everything hits me all at once.

His beautiful, sexy face that now has more than a five o’clock shadow gracing it.

The scent that is Drago—salt water and dust. He must have been pulling long hours at his warehouse today. The smell surrounds me even though I just opened the door.

And those fucking eyes. Why do I love staring up at them so much?

Who knew a set of brown irises would be my undoing. Gabriel shares the same dark gaze as his father. I realized that not long before he was stolen from me.

Maybe that’s why I fell so hard and so fast for Drago. Maybe it had to do with his son already owning a piece of my heart.

Seeing Drago hurts on too many home fronts. The longing to reach out and touch him is almost unbearable. We have this pull that I still don’t understand. It’s been there from the beginning, and it’s only gotten stronger the closer we get.

“You said you were fine,” he barks, making me take a step back. “You aren’t fine, Bri.” His brows furrow together. “You lied to me.”

I let out a frustrated sigh, dropping my hand from the doorknob and crossing my arms. It’s a protection barrier I feel I need.

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