Page 245 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

“Anna Acerbi didn’t start off as an informant, Bri.” He looks up, pinning me with a hard, but honest stare. “She started off as my lover. We met at a charity event.” He pauses, half smiling. “She loved doing good things, helping anyone in need. She was good. And I had no idea who she was or that she was even married. Acerbi wasn’t on my radar back then. I’d only been promoted to senior detective in my unit, so when my chief at the time placed a thick file on my desk that was when I learned my lover of over a year was married to a man suspected of laundering drugs, money, and murder. I was already head over heels by that point, and then...” He trails off, his eyes losing focus in thought.

“Then what, Tom?”

I didn’t realize I’d stepped closer to him until I’m sinking down onto the couch next to him, hanging onto every word. I knew he told me a few weeks back that he’d had an affair with her, but I didn’t think it went on for years like he’s now leading me to believe. At the time, I’d thought they’d only been seeing each other around the time of her death—eleven years ago. But that doesn’t seem to be the case.

“Then she was pregnant.” He closes his eyes.

Twenty-one years ago he said.Caprice.Could she be his?

“And?” I start to lean forward, urging him on, but suddenly realize the close proximity I am to my boss. We don’t have the type of relationship that borders on friendly, let alone friendship. I scoot back before this situation turns awkward and he realizes I’m invading his personal space.

“At first she said the baby wasn’t mine. I think she even convinced herself of that for a long while. It didn’t stop us from being together. Nothing aside from death could do that. There was something about her that I couldn’t leave alone—and I didn’t want to. I loved her and would have accepted her any way I could get her. Even if that was in secret.”

Capriceishis. He’s all but confirmed it. Oh my God, this couldn’t get any worse. And he was right, he does know every worse scenario running around in my head, perhaps even a dozen I haven’t thought of yet.

“To let it be known that I am Caprice’s father would have put a target on her chest. I couldn’t take the risk, especially after Anna’s death. So, I’ve done the only thing I can do. I’ve spent the last eleven years searching for anything and everything I can dig up on the Acerbis. I have to find something. I have to put Vincent Acerbi and any of his associates behind metal bars, or my daughter’s life will always remain uncertain. It’s a wonder he never found out, really.”

“So, no one knows?”

“Not a soul.” He turns, pulling his leg onto the leather couch, bending it and facing me. “That man has to be brought to justice one way or another, Bri.” He shakes his head.

“I couldn’t agree more.”

The question is, what is it going to take? Finding evidence or someone to roll on Vincent has yet to happen. So where does that leave us? I don’t believe in dirty justice, but when that’s the only option left is that a line either of us can cross?

* * *

Tom saysno one knows that Caprice is biologically his, but I have my doubts. I bet D knows more than he shared with me. I can’t fault him though, not for doing everything within his power to protect all of us from his father.

I headed back to Drago’s after Tom told me to take the rest of the week as personal leave. I couldn’t concentrate on work right now if my life depended on it. Thank God my boss stepped in and told me I had the time to take. Even he was smart enough to know there isn’t anyone who’s going to go against a judge’s order without substantial evidence to back it up.

At least being off, I can help D and the guys work on their undercover case. There has to be something we can find. Every criminal leaves a trail, you just have to dig until you find it. And since my boy’s life depends on that, I’ll work the hardest I’ve ever worked to bring that bastard to justice. One way or another.

I can’t sit and do nothing. I really would go crazy, and on top of everything, I’ve yet to go to a doctor. I haven’t told my family about my pregnancy, and that’s starting to gnaw at my gut. I have to remember that secrecy is a necessary evil and once we move past this grim moment in time, it’ll all be worth it in the end. I have to believe that.

“Hey,” I call out, stepping out of my car and shutting the door. Eric slides out of his SUV, nodding. “What’s up?” I ask.

“Something I want to run by D,” is all he reveals to me, so I follow behind as he walks in through the open garage.

It’s colder today than it has been so far this winter, the weather matching the chill running under my skin. I didn’t bother with a coat when I left Drago’s earlier this morning, and there’s still no point. There is nothing that can warm me until my baby is back in my arms again.

When I get him back, I may never release him again.

When he gets to the door, he opens it wide but steps back to allow me to enter in front of him like the gentleman he is.

I toss my purse on the counter like I always do before stepping out of the kitchen and into the living room but come to a stop when I notice CC and Justin. Eric bumps into me from behind, but I’m too entranced to say anything.

Caprice is sitting on the edge of the couch, looking up at Justin. He’s standing, towering above her, looking down. I look up and over my shoulder and Eric and I eye each other. Then my eyes turn back. Justin has stepped away and Caprice stands up, both acting like nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

Did I see what I think I saw?

Justin and Caprice were too close to each other for it not to have been intimate. At least that’s the way I saw it. Maybe I’m just reading too much into it. Justin is older than her, still married, and has a kid. CC is young and still in college. What could they possibly have in common?

Not wanting to analyze them any longer, I ask, “Is D in his office?”

“Yeah.” Justin nods toward the hallway. “I was just about to head there now.”

Not waiting, I start walking until I reach Drago’s home office. I thought he was going to go to work and play it up like he wasn’t bothered by the change in Gabriel’s living conditions, but he told me this morning he couldn’t do it. That there was no way he’d be able to fake it if his father came by or if anyone mentioned it. The fact is, he’s as torn up about this mess as I am. He might not have wanted Gabriel in the way he was created, but now that he’s here and he exists, it’s impossible for Drago not to love him.

---