The man is exasperating. “That’s not what I was thinking about.”
He gives me a lazy shrug. “Right. But you are now, so focus.”
“Unbelievable.”
“I’ll be minutes behind you. You’ll have my eyes all night.”
I know I will. Cole has never let me down.
With my heavily-jeweled clutch in my hand, I climb out of the sports car with my fake ID and single ticket to the gala.
As I slam the door shut, I realize I haven’t felt this alive in years.
I’m not sure if it’s recovering from a deadly gunshot wound, working my own case again, or having Cole at my back.
There’s no time to contemplate. I have a Senator to hit on.
Cole
As I jog up the stairs to the Kennedy Center, my phone vibrates. I frown and pull it out of my pocket because she’s only been out of my eyesight for minutes.
It’s been a long time since we’ve worked together and I didn’t lie—I know she can handle her shit. She’s more capable than most operatives I’ve worked with, but seeing her on the brink of death has brought out a side of me I didn’t know I had. Not with her anyway. Not with anyone really, other than maybe Abbott, but that’s different.
I never thought about being a father. Hell, I never thought about settling down before I realized living a life without Bella was downright painful. I’m not proud to admit this, but Abbott was never in my plan.
It would take a much bigger asshole than myself to look down at the six-pound, seven-ounce pink bundle and not have your world shift on its axis in a way you’ll never find your equilibrium again. Even before the paternity test came back, I knew she was mine. Not only does she have my eyes and coloring, there was something about her. I knew it from the first moment she was born.
And I never question my gut instincts. Ever.
I’m beyond protective of my daughter and that includes keeping her far away from Tabitha. Just because I made mistakes doesn’t mean I’m going to subject Abbott to a lifetime of drama at the hands of her poor excuse of a mother.
With Bella, it’s the same but different. Protective isn’t the right word. Sure, everyone can use someone at their six, even if they are as capable as her.
But from the first time I laid a heavy hand so low on her back it was practically her ass, it started and never stopped. As much as we fought, butted heads, or disagreed on how to get from A to D, the pull only became stronger.
I exhale when I unlock my phone and find a text.
Jarvis – I don’t give a shit how long you two have been apart or how bad you need to get your rocks off. This is a warning—if you have sex in my Porsche, I will sniper your ass so fast, you won’t know what hit you.
I ignore him because something catches my eye. Something in red.
She’s been stopped at security.
Fuck.
My phone keeps vibrating but I don’t take my eyes off her. She’s been moved to the side and feigning confusion. The female guard pulls out a wand and swipes it up and down, front and back, left to right.
Nothing.
She opens her purse and I hold my breath.
Bella pulls out a compact, lipstick, credit card, a stack of bills, and her cell.
Finally, the guard nods and Bella smiles, motioning to her long skinny purse with more fake jewels glued to it than on a hooker standing on the scariest corner of the District.
I let out a stale breath.
Of course, even with me at her back, she wouldn’t go in unarmed. She didn’t tell me, which pisses me off, but I’d bet my old farmhouse she’s not packing a gun.
Damn you, Bella.
I unlock my phone.
Jarvis – On second thought, forget the bullet. I’ll tie you up and torture you for days if there are any bodily fluids spilled in my car.
Asa – Your woman has been stopped by security.
Jarvis – Is Bella packing?
Jarvis – Can’t lie. Her changing her accent to a plain-Jane American is equally impressive and freaks me out at the same time. I’m not used to this shit.
Asa – She talked her way out of it. You’re good to go.
Jarvis – What’s it like to sleep with someone who’s such a skilled liar?