AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He let out a playful scoff. “She loves being here. Especially loves Jen and little Rosie.” Vinny beamed brighter than the sunlight shining in the big picture windows. It was nice to see. Nice to know things had calmed down enough for him that he could find that bit of happiness again. “What about you? Things get settled with the FBI?”
I shrugged. “Special Agent Hernandez cornered me outside the coffee shop down the street so she could personally apologize for Special Agent Carlson’s behavior.”
“Really?”
“Told her it wasn’t her place to apologize, but she wouldn’t let it go. Kept insisting the investigation was never about Baker. Carlson caught wind of the ties out east and took off like a dog with a bone. Looking to make a name for himself.”
“And ended up on the wrong side.”
“That, he did.” I licked my front teeth, turning my gaze toward the flag flying on top of a building across the way. “Something’s off.”
“What do you mean?”
“With Hernandez. Way she acted, both at the station and after.”
“Think the investigation is still going on?”
“Oh, it’s definitely going on.” I shook my head. “It’s not that, though. I can’t put my finger on it, but something’s off with her.”
“Let me know if you need any help. I’m sure I have some friends who would be happy to look into things.” He winked, and he didn’t need to say more.
We’d be invited to New York for some birthday-slash-coming home party for our little mafia hacker friend. It would be easy to get lost in the city, to slip away and celebrate with our friends. To ask this woman who’d done what Vinny and his hacker friends hadn’t been able to do, to lend a hand in unraveling this little mystery.
This trip was one of the reasons it was so important to Kelly to see Jen today. She wanted to reconnect before we all traveled to New York. To tie up this loose end so we could finally move forward.
“Rylan doing okay?” Vinny asked after a quiet moment.
“Think so. Better than he could have been if it weren’t for Joss.”
He shook his head, his lips pursed. “If it’s not one thing, it’s another.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” My two employees were married. Wasn’t something I could get used to. But thank fuck they were. Rylan needed Joss to rein him in. To watch over him.
To make sure he didn’t get killed.
There was a quiet knock on the door a moment before it swung in. Vinny and I both turned our attention that way, and while he hummed a little sound of happiness, my breath froze in my chest.
Behind Jen was my girl. My beautiful, fierce, amazing girl. Not only did she have a smile on her gorgeous face, but she was holding little Rosie against her chest, her bandaged hand cradling the sweet little bundle while she glowed like this baby was her own.
Fuckin’ hell.
It was far too early to be thinking of babies—Kelly’s mental state was our main concern—but seeing her holding that child, seeing her heart-melting smile, shook me to my core.
And when she lifted her gaze and her eyes locked on mine?
I knew, even though the road might be bumpy and there might be twists and turns along the way…
I knew, together we’d make it through.
33
KELLY
Lee was an absolute saint. I’d spent months trying to heal—doing therapy, recovering from surgeries on my wrist, freaking out over the littlest of things. He’d hired someone to stay with me when he couldn’t be there. He paid his staff to watch over me like I was a client and they were my bodyguards. He had more patience in his little finger than I had in my entire mind, body, and soul.
And I loved him. For that, and each and every little thing he did.
Some days were easier than others, and on those days, I’d started going to work with Lee. I hung out with Jen and Joss. I shot the shit with Rylan and Van and whoever else happened to be in. And best of all, I got to spend time with one of my idols—Frankie Sarcone.
