Page 156 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

“Here.” I bite out, challenging her.

I’m sick of people thinking I’ve gotten too close to a child that isn’t mine.

Okay! So I did.

I know this, and now everyone else does too. Doesn’t change one damn thing. I want him home, with me, or with Drago.

I just want him safe and loved.

Is that so wrong?

“Jesus fucking Christ.”

* * *

The following morning,I’m on my way to meet Eric. At about four o’clock this morning, he sent a vague text message with an address that isn’t far from my condo, so I’m guessing it’s the address for the field office he works out of.

Since it’s Saturday, he obviously isn’t opposed to working weekends. It’s a relief too, because while I’m out on leave, I don’t have any other resources other than Eric to contact for leads on Diaz.

Connie hasn’t returned a single call or text message. She’s been my partner for two years. Hell, I considered her a friend and thought she felt the same way. So, one would think a simple text asking if I’m okay is the least she could do.

Mike, on the other hand, is another story.

He called me last night, but I didn’t answer, letting it roll over to voicemail, which he didn’t leave a message. I almost called him back, questioning if it could have been about Gabriel, but I knew that wasn’t it. At this point, I’m not sure if he would even tell me if there was an update.

Eric phoned late last night, telling me he put in a request to his SAIC to get Tom to release Gabriel’s kidnapping case to one of his fellow undercover DEA agents. His partner I’m assuming, since he’s keeping his mouth shut on who is going to be searching for Gabe while we search for Diaz.

To me, it’s all one and the same, but the DEA has a special task force that handles certain things alongside other federal agencies.

Apparently, because Sebastian Diaz isn’t American, Gabriel’s case is considered human trafficking. Just the thought of that makes my stomach roll. He can’t be lost forever. He can’t, and I don’t think that’s Diaz’s goal. He’s just using Gabe as leverage to get D to concede and do what he wants.

My cell rings.

Grabbing it from the cupholder, I do a quick glance at the screen, seeing my brother’s name.

“Hey.”

“You know, it didn’t go unnoticed that you didn’t show up for Thanksgiving, nor did you bother to call. So, what gives, little sister?”

Is he serious? He sounds nonchalant like Alana hasn’t told him anything that we discussed yesterday, and we talked a lot and late into the night. She kept texting on her cell phone, so I assumed she was talking to my brother.

It was nice having her here. Actually, it was a relief getting everything off my chest. A small part of me felt it was wrong to unload so much on her. Drago crosses my mind for a brief second before I respond to Jackson.

“Do you and your wife not talk?”

“I haven’t seen Alana today. I think she’s still in New York. What does that have to do with this?”

“New York,” I blurt out. “I dropped her off this morning at the airport. She showed up here yesterday.”

How does my brother not know that? He thinks his wife was in New York?

The same worry I had a couple of months ago creeps into my head.Are Jackson and Alana okay?Their marriage has always been solid. I don’t understand this. Suddenly it feels like I don’t know what’s going on in my own family. Then again, I’ve kept them in the dark about what’s been going on with me, so even though it doesn’t feel fair, maybe it is.

“What the fuck was she doing in LA?” His anger cuts through my thoughts.

“She mentioned she had a business meeting, so I’m guessing that.” He’s silent for a long beat, then he whispers something I can’t quite make out. “I’m sorry, what? Jack, I’m driving, so speak up.”

“Kincaid and Declan,” he whispers. “It’s nothing, Bri. So, why no call to say you were working?”

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