Page 225 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

Not that he’ll ever get the chance when I shove him into a cell. That thought has a smile pulling to my lips, and I don’t bother to hide it. His day is coming.

I just have to figure out how I’m going to bring him down to his knees. He has to slip up. Maybe he is back for a personal reason like he alluded to, but if that’s so, I’m smart enough to know it’s not good for me.

“Give your brother the message,” he orders, and then leaves my office.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

BRIANNA

The rest of the week went by relatively smoothly and rather fast. Mona has been a lifesaver this week.

She’s wonderful with Gabe, she treats him as if he’s the most important baby in the world. In some ways, she reminds me of my former neighbor, Ms. Lincoln. She was good with him too.

I miss her. Not just for how well she cared for Gabriel, but I miss checking on her, doing small things for her, talking to her. She was sweet, and I miss that motherly touch she brought to every conversation.

I can’t complain though, the last three evenings I’ve gotten to know more about Mona over dinner. She’s a pistol, and I’m not sure that anything or anyone can scare her. She’s warm and kind, but snappy.

Like last night, she prepared this lavish seafood soup with fresh Italian bread and it was to die for. Drago snatched up the last piece without so much as asking if anyone else wanted it and when Mona saw him bring it to his lips, she popped the top of his hand so fast he dropped it and it landed in CC’s bowl.

Apparently, she didn’t mind. Smiling, she picked it up and made a show of eating it in front of D. Mona scolded him for bad manners.

My laughs die, being interrupted by the tell-tale sound of a text message. I’ve just parked in the driveway behind Luca’s SUV, so after I turn off my car, I pull my cell phone from where it was sitting in the cupholder.

Unknown Caller

Be careful who you crawl in bed with. Do you really think the apple falls that far from the tree, sweet tits?

Houston.

He’s the only person that’s ever been that lewd to me and other women.

Me

So says the cop that was in bed with a criminal this whole time.

Unknown Caller

The only thing I’m guilty of is protecting my own ass. Maybe you need to take a play out of my book and do the same.

That’ll be the day. He doesn’t know me very well if he thinks I would risk my badge or even my freedom to do dirty work for the same people I took an oath to stop.

Me

You must be confusing me with someone else.

Unknown Caller

I’m just offering friendly advice. If you were smart, you’d take it.

Me

Don’t pretend to care.

He doesn’t care about me, he just wants to play some fucked-up mind game, and one I don’t have the energy to engage.

Being back at work is something I’ve looked forward to every morning, but I’m dragging by the time I punch out for the day. I’ve been so tired that I haven’t made true on my words to Drago earlier this week about Gabriel and me sleeping at my condo.

Drago’s house is more convenient and definitely more comfortable for Mona. I didn’t even consider asking her to watch him at my place. I know I should have, but I already get up an hour earlier so that I can get a workout in.

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