Page 226 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

Since I’m pregnant and Drago is worried, I conceded, and I’m doing boring-ass cardio, using a few of the machines in Nikki’s gym. It’s better than nothing, and I don’t want to cut out my workouts completely. It was tough enough when I was healing from the miscarriage and being shot.

Unknown Caller

Maybe if someone had cared about me, I wouldn’t have ever found myself in the situation I was put in with Diaz.

Headlights shining in my rearview mirror grab my attention, pulling my eyes up. Once the person driving the vehicle behind me shuts them off, I’m able to see it’s my dad.

I wasn’t sure he’d come when I invited him to dinner, but smiling, I’m glad he showed. For whatever reason I’m not quite sure of, I want a better relationship with him. Maybe it’s because I’m about to be a mother.

Looking back down at my phone, I contemplate whether I’m going to say anything else. I shouldn’t entertain him, I know that, but I can’t help the curiosity that courses inside me.

Why was he helping Diaz and how long had he been?

It’s not unheard of for someone to go through the academy and work themselves up solely to be the inside man or woman for a drug lord like Sebastian Diaz.

Me

If you’ve got something, tell the Chief. If not, stop crying like the little bitch you are.

Unknown Caller

Careful, Bri. I’m not the only one that isn’t safe in this. Watch yourself.

Is that a threat?

Knuckles tapping on my driver’s side glass window has me shelving that message for now. I’ll talk it over with Connie and maybe Mike in the morning.

Right now, I plan on getting through the awkwardness that is going to be my father and boyfriend having a civil conversation over something scrumptious that I’m sure Mona has prepared.

“Hey, Dad,” I say, stepping out of the car.

He brushes a kiss on my cheek and then hands me a bottle of wine that I know to be expensive. It’s his favorite. It’s actually my favorite too, but it isn’t often that I get to have it unless it’s bought for me as a gift.

The look on his face tells me he isn’t thrilled about being here, but I’m taking his silence as doing this for me, and that’s enough.

“Let’s head in.” He nods, following me.

* * *

Before I’mthrough the door that leads into the mudroom and then into the kitchen, I’m being pushed back outside. I’m about to latch onto the person and take them down when my eyes snap up to Drago’s almost feral dark ones.

“I’ve sent you text messages and left voicemails,” he whisper-yells. “Why haven’t you answered any of them?”

I don’t remember hearing my cell ring. A couple of hours ago, Connie and I met with the Chief and Mike, so I’d flipped my phone on silent. Since I’ve been away, Connie and the douche she was partnered with have been working on a drug bust that’s scheduled for tomorrow morning. They wanted to catch me up to speed on the case since I’ll be replacing him.

However, I remember flipping the silent switch off before leaving the precinct, and I didn’t notice any missed call notifications or text messages. I was just on my cell, so how did I miss his calls?

“Sorry.” I shake my head as I pull my purse off my shoulder to find my phone. “I didn’t see any missed calls or text notifications. What’s up?” I ask.

“Where’s this charming side of him I’m supposed to be seeing?” my dad pipes up. I scowl, even though he can’t see my face since I’ve stopped in front of him.

Drago’s gaze flips up, looking over my shoulder.

“Fuck,” he spits. “I forgot he was coming.”

D blows out a breath of air as he combs his fingers through his hair, the worry lines on his forehead deepening.

“What’s wrong? You were fine when I left this morning.”

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