Page 145 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

Taking another breath, I take a lungful of air and push it back out through my mouth before finally stepping over the threshold and heading to the elevator.

Eric can shove his NDA up his ass if he thinks I’m helping him bring Drago or his family down. There are more important things than a badge to me and they are all wrapped up in that little boy I miss so much.

I never knew it was possible to fall in love this quick, if that is what I feel. I’m pretty sure I love Gabriel with every part of my soul.

How is that even possible? He’s not mine. I didn’t even have him that long but—

“Bri, dear?” My head snaps up, seeing the elevator has stopped on my floor. “How are you? Are you okay?” Ms. Lincoln walks forward, away from her apartment door. “I haven’t heard a word, and I’ve been so worried.”

“Ms. Lincoln,” I half gasp. “Oh, my God. How are you?”

I snap myself out of the moment I had been having, and spring forward, jumping out of the elevator and stopping in front of her.

“I am so sorry for what happened. You must hate me.”

Hell, I hate myself for what happened to her, but that doesn’t keep me from leaning forward and wrapping her in a tight embrace.

“Bri,” she chastises. “Honey, I could never hate you. But I’m so confused. What on earth happened?” Her eyes look around me. “And where is our Gabriel?”

My heart sinks.

“Some really bad people took him,” I admit.

“What?!” Her hands fly to her mouth, covering it. “No,” she cries.

“I’m on it,” I lie. “I’ll find him. I swear it.” My words sound convincing. I just wish I could believe them.

I know logically that might not happen. He’s been missing nearly a week, and I’m not so sure anyone is actively searching for his whereabouts.

“Why did they want our little Gabe? He’s just a baby.” Her eyes flick to the side and then back to mine rapidly. “Oh, Bri, I know you said he was part of a case, but I never imagined...” She trails off, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Are you really okay?” I ask, moving the conversation away from Gabriel. Much more talk of him and I’m liable to lose what little bit of control over my emotions I have. “They didn’t hurt you, did they?”

“I’m all right. Still shaken up a bit, but I’m doing good. They only tied me up and asked a lot of questions.” Her eyebrows turn inward and stress lines crease her forehead. “But I didn’t tell them one thing,” she goes on to say.

“I’m glad to hear, but I’m still sorry it happened. I never meant—”

“You stop right now. This wasn’t your fault, Bri.”

But it was and I’d rather her acknowledge it than try to appease me. I brought this into my home. For the first time, I brought work home with me, and I kept him. I could have pushed the chief, made him locate his contact and hand Gabriel over. But I never wanted that to happen. After that first long weekend, I was attached. That sweet little boy entered my life so unexpectedly, and without knowing it, I gave him my heart.

Shit. I’m going to lose it right here in front of her.

“Mom.”

We both look behind her, seeing a tall, husky man leaving her apartment. Looking down, I see a large, rolling suitcase parked next to his leg.

“Oh, Howard, come here. You have to meet my neighbor, Bri.”

Our eyes lock, and I watch as his expression visibly changes, hardening. He must have been the man who answered her phone when I tried calling her a couple of days ago.

“Mom, we really need to get going so we don’t miss the flight.”

“We have plenty of time, Son. The flight doesn’t leave for another five hours,” she huffs. “Plenty of time for you to say a quick ‘hello’ to this nice young lady.”

“Hi.” He walks forward, extending his long arm. “I’m Howard. Her son,” he deadpans.

“A rude son at that.” Ms. Lincoln follows up before turning back to me. “I’m sorry, Bri. He usually isn’t like this.”

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