Page 144 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

None other than I just want to know you’re okay.

Me

I’m fine.

I don’t know why I’m being a bitch about it. Texting me shows he still cares, but after the way he treated me, I won’t give in to my desire that still wants him so badly. I won’t beg for him to come back to me. And I won’t give him insight into my health either.

He made his decision, and I made mine. My focus is on doing whatever it takes to findhisson.

Nothing else matters right now.

Nothing else can matter.

My phone rings. The caller ID displays a California phone number I don’t recognize. Normally, I’d let it go to voicemail, but it could be Diaz or someone else with the information I need.

“Hello.”

“Doc sign the release forms yet?”

Eric.

“I’m good to return to work if that’s what you are asking.”

“No. I asked if the medical release form had been signed. I have to have it turned in to your HR department and IA before I let you tag along with me.”

Letme tag along? What the fuck?!

“What happened to me being your new partner?”

“I already have a partner.”

“Yeah? Then why do you need me?”

“Who says I need you?” He laughs, and I hear the sarcasm behind his words. “Seems to me, you’re the one that needs me.”

“Seems to me you just called to fuck with me.”

“Nope. I just need the form so that you canconsult.”

“I have them. Can I give them to you in the morning?”

“In the morning? Are you crazy? I’m not working tomorrow. It’s Thanksgiving.”

“A baby was kidnapped, or have you forgotten that? Who cares about thanks-fucking-giving?”

The world—and all the bad shit in it—doesn’t stop because of a damn holiday. And the thing is, I know before Gabriel was taken I thought the same way, and not just at holiday times. When my day was over, I left work at the office. Work and my personal life have always been separate—until Gabe came along and changed all that. Now I don’t know where he is or where to start.

“Me. I care. And just so we’re clear, Andrews, my case has nothing to do with that kid Diaz took from you. That’s PD. It’s on them to find that boy. Tomorrow, I’ll be with family. Maybe you should think about doing the same.” He pauses, but before I’m able to get a word in, he starts up again, making my jaw lock. “If you’re in town on Friday, we’ll get together and figure out how the two of us are going to work together. I really do think you have the potential to become one of us.”

“Go fuck yourself.” I hang up.

Stopping at the exterior door at the front of my building, I bang out the four-digit access code, and then yank on the door and pull it open with so much force that I regret it and instantly drop to my knees in pain. Doubling over, I grab my stomach, rocking back and forth.

Mother of Jesus.

My abdomen clenches tight, not letting up. Tears spring to my eyes unexpectedly, and it’s then I realize I’m not breathing.

Placing my palm on the concrete ground, I exhale and then breathe deeply. I repeat the process a couple of times until the cramps pass and I’m able to stand. Reaching down slowly, I grab my purse and the pharmacy bag I dropped when I went to the ground.

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