Page 98 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

I’m up in seconds, but as soon as I make a move toward him, a gunshot sounds off, followed by fire lightning into my thigh.

There is no time to think about the pain. I can’t let them take Gabe. No matter what I have to do, I will protect him. They will not get him without one hell of a fight.

“What do you want?” I scream. “Leave the baby. I’ll get Drago to give you whatever it is you want.”

He has to want something from D. That has to be it. There isn’t any other possible explanation.

This goes against everything I know is right. Screw it. I’ll do anything at this point. Make any bargain I have to so they don’t hurt Gabriel.

“Ha!” Sebastian laughs out loud laugh as he raises the gun at me. “I’m going to get exactly what I want, Detective Andrews.”

“You don’t have to take the baby. He isn’t even Drago’s.”

I’m a cop. I’m a believable liar. I’m trained to be one. To say whatever is necessary to get the answers I seek.

“Don’t bullshit me. I know he is and you know he is.” His lips tip. “But Acerbi doesn’t, does he?”

The DNA test.Only a few people in the department knew about that...

“Then what’s your plan? What is it you want exactly?”

Keep him talking. That’s what I have to do. I can do that but then what? Someone had to have heard that shot and called 911.

God, I hope so.

Drago won’t be here for at least another hour and then he’s often late.

Shit, Brianna, what are you going to do?

“Kill you obviously.” Chills ignite and run the length of my spine. “Take the boy for insurance.” He waves the gun back and forth. “Acerbi made a huge mistake when he pulled his family out of my business two years ago. Now I’m going to ensure his return and tenure. He will take my offer if he wants to keep his kid breathing. And you, cop, will be my message.”

Two years ago?

Why didn’t D tell me this? Why didn’t Drago explain he changed his family dynamics himself?

I knew deep inside he was good. This proves it to me.

And this scum wants to bring him into his folds. Taint him. Bring him into the dirty world of trafficking drugs in LA.

My blood warms. I want to do things to this monster that would be considered unethical of a police officer. I want to watch him bleed. I want to see the moment the light in his eyes dies out.

“Killing a cop won’t just have LAPD after you. You’ll have the whole goddamn state of California and every agency in it wanting to take you down.”

Most of us, that is...There could be a leak in the department after all.

He brings the gun up, centering it in front of him, pointing right at me and lets out a sickening evil laugh.

“Do you honestly think I give a damn about LAPD or any other agency in this state? The fucking paperwork will be buried before I’m even a blip on anyone’s radar. Just like it always is.” A quick chuckle breaks from his lips. “And so will you.”

Everything happens in slow motion yet too fast for me to react in time. Shots sound off one after another, but the first shot causes so much agonizing pain that I don’t know how many rounds my body takes. The impact forces me backward, I twist, and then I lose my balance, crashing to the floor. Something sharp and hard collides with my head. The coffee table, I think, but darkness starts to wash over me before I can assess everything. I’m not completely gone when I hear a sound that hurts worse than any damage done to my body.

Gabriel’s cries pierce my ears, and it’s the last thing I hear.

They’re taking him.

I failed in the most important duty I had—his safety.

Everything dims, going completely black.

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