“What’s that? I didn’t hear you,” he deadpans.
Rolling my eyes again, I say, “You heard. Don’t try to milk it. I’m not your dick.”
Trick grins. “Truth be told, I’m just looking out for my interests. C racked up two godfather credits, and the guy has said about twenty words to either kid since.”
“True,” I say soberly. “On the domestic front, C’s strictly officer material. Stands back, surveys the field, no hand-to-hand combat whatsoever.”
Trick laughs, holding the door open. “Z, you’ve got your work cut out for you there.”
Zoe shrugs with a smile. “C is great at being C. That’s all that matters to me.”
I pause at the entrance to the ICU.
“Hey, ‘Vil,” Trick says. “Tell Rachel she owes me a hundred grand for angioplasty for the heart attack she gave me last night.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’ll say.” I use the special badge to get back into the intensive care unit. Glancing down, I realize the baby’s not made a single sound.
“You don’t talk much, huh?” I whisper. “That’s probably another thing you got from me.” I draw in a long breath and kiss her forehead. “I’m glad you’re all right. It was a close call last night. Too close.” I stretch out her fingers. Sure enough, they’re not like Raven’s or Irina’s. “We almost killed her.” I shake my head. “There can never be another mistake like that. So what you’ve got right now is all there is. Me. Raven. Irina.”
Her little brows crinkle, just like Irina’s when she studies me as I try to explain something to her.
“Glad we understand each other.”
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Four Months Later (December)
CONNOR
When my phone rings with a call from Laurelyn Patrick, I’m on high alert in an instant.
Answering immediately, I say, “Hey. What’s wrong?”
The last I knew Trick and Laurel were going to an office Christmas party. If something went wrong while they were celebrating, an overdose comes to mind. My brain vetoes the idea immediately. Trick would never do blow when he’s out with his pregnant wife. As far as I know, he hasn’t touched the stuff since he got together with her.
“Hi, C. Trick’s in police custody. I have to give a statement, too. There was a gunman. We’re both all right…”
A gunman at an office party? What the fuck?
Laurelyn sounds breathless, which makes me frown. Trick will be really pissed if the cops upset his pregnant wife.
“Trick said to call. Will you come?”
“Yeah, of course. I’m on my way.”
“C?”
“Yeah, baby, what’s up?”
“I may be in labor. Could you ask Zoe if she’ll come, too? If they don’t release Scott in time, it would be nice if I had a friend at the hospital.”
For fuck’s sake.
“We’re on our way.” I tap the mute button and call for Zoe who’s in the middle of a virtual meeting with her business mentor.
“Okay, great.” Laurel takes an audible breath. “I’m… sorry. Hard to catch my breath. I need to talk to these officers.”
