Page 20 of Choose Me

"You know how people talk. There aren't any secrets regarding scandals in the Bureau.” Brock responded, shrugging his shoulders sheepishly.

I took a sip of my mojito and sighed. "Well, since you already know, there's probably not much I can tell you."

"Just because everyone knows that you hooked up with a ward in your case doesn't mean that's all there is to tell. I want to hear your side of it. If there is one thing I know about James Buchanan, it is that he doesn't get involved sexually or romantically with victims. I have never known you to be anything but professional as far as work goes. If a woman caused you to throw your moral high-ground bible into the fire, then she must be one hell of a woman. So, tell me about her. Give me all the juicy details that the gossip train left out."

He was right. Ava was one hell of a woman, and I would throw every moral I had into the flames for her. Taking a deep breath, I started talking--telling him all about the girl who stole my heart--and how I had fallen helplessly in love with her despite the odds against us. "I didn't intend to fall in love with her."

Brock raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Wow, love? Who are you?"

I laughed, feeling a warm blush rise to my cheeks. "Yeah, man. It was unexpected, but she's the one."

Brock's eyes widened in surprise at my confession and softened into understanding. "It's serious then?" he said as more of a statement than a question. Grinning widely, he took a sip of his drink and continued. "I'm happy for you, man. You deserve some happiness after all the shit you've been through and all the shit she's been through. I took the liberty to read the case file and catch up on the facts once I heard my brother was risking his career for a chick. I had to make sure you weren't experiencing a classic case of being pussy-whipped."

I rolled my eyes and chuckled. "Very funny, but no, it's not like that. I've never felt this way before."

"Well, I can't wait to meet her."

"Oh, you will," I said knowingly as I held up a hand and narrowed my eyes, "especially when our baby is born," I added with emphasis.

Brock spit his drink out and looked at me in disbelief. "Wait, what? She's pregnant!"

I nodded, smiling. "Yeah, around five months."

"Holy fucking shit, dude. You've been busy! I feel like you've started a whole life since we last talked. You're all grown up now."

"It's been quite the journey," I mused as I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. "I can't wait until you meet her. She's going to love you."

"What woman doesn't?"

I laughed, feeling grateful for the support of my brother.

"So, Martinez sent you down here to punish you in the middle of your girl's pregnancy. You must have really pissed him off!"

"I may or may not have threatened to assault him," I admitted sheepishly as heat rose to my cheeks.

"Did he deserve it?"

"Of course he did."

"Well, fuck him. I know I am happy to have you here. Just like old times."

"As happy as I am to see you, I need to get back home, and I can't do that until we catch Margaret. The man that Ava testified as being The Skinner is sending Ava threats in the mail, and I am afraid there may be some legitimacy to them."

"The dude who was just acquitted is threatening her? Why?"

"I assume it's because she testified against him and helped secure his conviction and put him in prison for the last ten years."

"Do you think he's just messing with her? Or do you think she is in real danger?"

"I wish I knew. I can't speak on the motivations of someone or the lengths they will go to settle a score. All I know is I need to get back to her as soon as possible."

"And you're here because..." Brock paused and nodded in understanding. "He threatened federal prison for disobeying a direct order, huh?"

I nodded.

"That prick." Brock cursed. "Well, who is protecting Ava and your baby if you're here."

"Everett."

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