Page 78 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

I didn’t welcome a damn thing Lance did today.

Locating my keys, I insert it and then turn only to discover it’s unlocked.

Could Ms. Lincoln have forgotten to lock it back? She does come over from time to time, but she’s never left my door unlocked before.

Lowering my hand, I unholster my police-issued Glock and place my trigger finger to the side while pointing straight.

It could be that my neighbor is inside now and that’s why my door is unlocked, but I’m not taking any chances.

Turning the knob, I push the door open slowly and quietly, being cautious for my sake and hers if she’s in there. Before I step through, I listen, but it’s silent inside. Only the kitchen light is on, casting a glow in the entryway.

Peeking behind the door, I take in all points I can see, my eyes landing on my couch last. Relief washes over me when I see Drago stretched out, but then I notice something on his chest and freeze when I realize it’s Gabriel. They’re both napping, peacefully from the looks of it.

Two things swim through my mind: what is Drago doing in my home and why does he have the baby that’s supposed to be across the hall?

Stepping all the way in, I holster my weapon and then ease the door closed, trying not to wake them. I need time to think.

It’s too quiet though, so when my gun clicks, locking in place, Drago’s eyes snap open.

Walking over, he tracks my steps, not saying anything. I don’t speak either, because frankly, I’m not sure what to say.

Should I be mad?

Am I overreacting in my head?

I reach down, taking Gabriel from him, turning him and bringing him to my chest. He whimpers, but his eyes remain closed, so I take him to his room. He’ll get a better night’s rest in his bed. It’s still relatively early in the evening. I know he’ll need another feeding before dawn.

Once I tuck him in, I come back out to find Drago sitting up in the middle of my couch. He looks worse for the wear.

“You want to tell me how you got in my condo?” I cross my arms over my chest, waiting for his response.

Drago stands, and in two steps he’s in front of me.

“I’m resourceful.”

His infectious smile is a bit cocky as he grabs my hips, pulling my center into his cock, which starts to harden on contact.

For a moment I close my eyes, savoring the feel of him.

I don’t understand how he does it. No one has ever had any type of power over me, yet he does, and I don’t remember the moment I relinquished it to him. Maybe it was the night I first slept with him five weeks ago; maybe it was somewhere between then and now. I have no idea.

A part of me likes the way he makes me feel with just a look, a simple touch, or even his sweet, sexy words. Another part of me doesn’t trust it.

Opening my eyelids, I press for a real reason.

“That doesn’t cut it.” I step back, leaving his grip. “Answer my question.”

“Jesus, Bri, calm down. Fuck. The neighbor lady let me in.”

“Ms. Lincoln just let you in here?”

“I called you a couple of times, but you never answered, so I drove over. I guess I knocked too hard, and I might’ve called out your name. Anyway, that’s when your neighbor heard me. She was all too happy to let me in here to wait.”

“And Gabe?”

Why did she let him take him?

“She said she really needed to run to the market. She asked me if I could watch him until you got home. She assured me you’d be here any minute, but that was an hour ago.”

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