She looks up at me, and for the first time since I've known her, I see vulnerability beneath that tough FBI exterior.
"Monsters are everywhere, Olivia. They don't just exist in my world. Sometimes they wear badges. Sometimes they use and distort, and then hide behind the law."
She swallows hard. "I know that. I'm not naive. But I never..." She pauses, collecting herself. "I never considered anyone in the FBI would become the very thing they seek to protect from. We're supposed to be better than that."
I can't help the small, bitter laugh that escapes. "Better than what? Than me?"
"That's not what I meant."
"Isn't it?" I lean forward, feeling a flare of defensiveness. "Look, I get it. In your eyes, I'm the bad guy. La Corona is everything wrong with society. But maybe you should reconsider those black and white labels."
I gesture at the evidence spread between us. "Maybe my world bends a few laws, but we don't kill women or kidnap children as a matter of doing business. We have a code. We have lines we don't cross."
Olivia's eyes narrow slightly. "Don't romanticize what you do, Dom."
"I'm not. But I'm not going to let you sit there and act like your side has the moral high ground either. Not anymore." I tap the photo of the FBI vehicle. "Not after this."
She looks down at her hands, then back at me with a new resolve in her eyes. "So what do we do now?"
I hadn't expected that question. Not the "we" part of it, anyway. For a moment, I'm not sure how to respond.
"We find Blackwood," I finally say. "And we figure out what the hell he's really after."
She nods. “I need a break.” She sways slightly as she rises from her chair. The bruise on her temple seems darker against her suddenly pale skin. I'd almost forgotten she's still recovering from the attack.
"Whoa, easy there," I say, moving to her side. My hand finds her elbow, steadying her. "You should rest."
She tries to shake me off. "I'm fine."
"You're not fine. You were attacked yesterday." I guide her away from the table, surprised when she doesn't resist. "We've done enough for today."
"I just need a minute. There's still so much?—"
"It’s not going anywhere." I keep my voice gentle.
“I don’t even know how this will work. I mean…I’m FBI and you’re?—”
"Look, Olivia, as crazy as it sounds, we're on the same side in this case. We both want justice for Rocco, for Mrs. Ferraza."
She looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. "Is that really what you want? Justice?"
"What else would I want?"
"Revenge."
I consider her words. "Maybe they're the same thing in this case."
She sighs, rubbing her temples. "I just... I need to clear my head. Figure out what Blackwood's really after. Why he'd risk everything."
"We'll figure it out. But first, you need to rest."
"What I really need is a shower," she says, running a hand through her hair. "It will help me think clearly."
I nod, leading her back to the room and then the bathroom. “Towels are in the cabinet. I grabbed some of your clothes while I was at your place. I’ll get them.”
“Thank you.” She reaches into the shower and turns on the water. With her back to me, she begins to undress. It’s almost as if she’s forgotten I’m there.
I leave her to get a change of clothes. When I return, I put the clothes on the vanity and turn to check on her.
