Page 242 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

“Just this one.” He nods, a smirk forming on his sexy mouth.

Since I found out I’m pregnant again, I’ve been horny as fuck. I want it daily—morning, noon, and night, and a lot of times during the middle of the night too. I don’t know what’s up with my body and hormones, but I’ve never been like this.

My eyes follow D, looking down at Gabe. His eyes are half-mast, and he has that drunk on formula look on his little face. Drago must have fed him recently, so it probably won’t be much trouble getting him to go to sleep while his dad and I have our own little playtime. And preferably somewhere in this house that isn’t Drago’s bed or shower. I need some variety to spice this up.

Drago leans over, capturing my lips with his and kisses me. Smiling against my mouth, he asks, “Are you hungry for my dick or my mouth?”

“Most certainly that fine, very talented piece of meat between your legs,” I answer. I pull my lower lip into my mouth, biting down.

My phone rings from where I left my purse in the kitchen, interrupting our moment, and we both groan.

“Someone has horrible timing.”

“Then don’t answer it,” he simply says, then stands, adjusting Gabriel in his arms.

“I have to. It could be work or my family.” I never not answer my phone on purpose. I figure if someone is calling then there must be a good reason.

I answer, even though the number isn’t one from my contacts. “Hello,” I greet.

“Hi, Detective. It’s Judy Hearn calling from downtown at CPS. How are you today?” Her voice is coated in a thick coat of syrup that I’ve never experienced from her.

“I’m fine.” Maybe she has an opening for a home study sooner than she originally told me and that’s why she is calling. I hope that’s the case. I want that part of the adoption said and done so we can move forward to finalize Gabriel’s placement with me as his legal guardian—his mother whom I so badly want to be.

“Oh, good,” she sings, and I have to shake my head because the wrong vibe is coming across the line. I’m just overthinking it, I silently tell myself. “I wanted to give you a heads up. I have dispatched two social workers from my department. They are en route to pick up the Acerbi baby from your care.”

“Excuse me!” I can’t help but holler.

“The grandfather of the little boy is seeking custody. I’m sure you understand these things happen sometimes.”

No. No, I do not understand. What the hell...

“Detective, are you there? Did you hear me?” Her voice turns to concern.

“I-I,” I stutter, unable to form a sentence.

“Bri, what’s wrong?” Drago’s brows furrow with concern as he nears me with Gabriel in his arms.

“Yes, I heard you, Judy. But I don’t understand. Can you please help me understand what you mean by the child’s grandfather requesting custody?”

What grandfather? Chasity’s father? No, her parents are dead. She only has her uncle and aunt. Vincent? Oh, fuck no. Surely not, but there is noothergrandfather that I can think of. And no recollection of any great-grandparents on Chasity’s side. No one showed up for her other than Dylan in court last week. Her aunt wasn’t even there.

“I’m sorry. What?” Drago demands, but I wave him off, giving the CPS director my full attention.

This can’t be happening. Surely it isn’t... It has to be someone else and not the worst possible scenario in the world.

“The judge’s office contacted me an hour ago. Mr. Vincent Acerbi has requested custody in lieu of the baby’s father signing over his rights, and since his mother was sentenced last week...” She trails off, and I’m left to think, but a man that’s done far worse than Chasity Carlisle ever will is fit? I don’t fucking think so. Not in this life, not in another.

“I’m not even home,” I say for the lack of not knowing what else to say. They can’t take him if I’m not home.

Drago’s doorbell rings and dread washes over both our faces.

“That’s okay. We were given the location by the judge.”

* * *

Drago hadto forcibly remove Gabriel from my arms when not just two social workers entered his house, but three uniformed officers as well. The order was legit, but I still refused to hand him over. How the hell she knew we were here, I don’t know, and right now that’s the last thing on my mind.

I want my baby back, but I’m at a loss. I don’t know what to do, and I don’t know what not to do. Everything inside is screaming at me to go get him. Even I know that would result in getting arrested. But at the moment, I’m not so sure I care about the consequences.

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