was already heading in this direction, Cap. I love the job, you know how much I do, but I want Kade, and I want a family. And, after all this, how fast it can be taken away, being given a second chance, I don’t want to waste a second.”
“I can’t say I wouldn’t want the same in your shoes,” Cap said softly. “But the door is always open.”
“Thank you.” The tears started again.
I turned to Zac. “I’m going to miss you, partner,” he whispered. “You’re the best partner I’ve ever had.”
Zac wasn’t a hugger, but I hugged him, and he hugged me back. “Be careful.”
“I will,” he said, his voice rough from tears. “The case is closed, but I thought you’d like to know that Milton fled to Kevin McKenzie’s.”
It was so easy to slide back into being a detective. “Desiree’s dad. So that’s where he was.”
“He changed his name because the altercation he’d had, as a kid, was defending Kevin against a hate crime.”
“What kind of hate crime?”
“Gay bashing.”
Well, shit. Milton seemed so gentle, but good for him for standing up for his friend. Then I recalled our talk with Desiree and how she had said Milton had taken her on because her father and Milton were friends. Understanding dawned. “They were lovers.”
“Yeah, but for a man who wanted to work in public relations, he couldn’t have manslaughter on his record, while molding the image of those paying him to do so. And, even expunged, we know all too well that if someone wants the information, badly enough, they’ll get it.”
“So Milton really had been there, just behind the scenes. At least Katrina had him.”
Zac rubbed the back of his neck. “And Mitch Anderson died, but not before we were able to share with him that his information helped us break the case.”
“Good. I’m happy to hear that. And Samantha’s parents?”
“We gave them closure, but that’s a pain they’ll always carry.” His eyes got a little bright. I knew he was thinking about me. I reached for his hand and squeezed it. I loved these people, this job, but I really was ready to start the next chapter with Kade. Despite the nostalgia, I couldn’t keep the joy from my voice when I said, “Wedding invites will be going out soon. Block some vacation time.”
Cap and Zac both looked at each other, before looking back at me. “Vacation time?”
I grinned. “Vacation time.”
They followed me out of the office. Vin was making his way down the hall. “I heard you were here.” He looked behind me, understanding moving over his face. “You’re leaving.”
“I am.”
He stopped in front of me, tugged on a lock of my hair. “You are one tough cookie, Molly Donahue. You ever want back, there’s a place for you in vice.”
I wiped at my eyes, because I was tearing up again. “Thank you, Vin.”
He pulled me into a hug. “Take care of yourself,” he whispered.
“You too.” I stepped back, reached for his hand and squeezed. “Wedding invite, vacation time…” I gestured to Zac and Cap. “They’ll fill you in.”
It was harder than I thought it would be, turning and seeing them watching me. I had spent the last six years here; my life had been this building and these people. And then, I turned and saw Kade, standing by my desk, and suddenly, it wasn’t so hard because he was what I wanted.
He closed the distance, took my hand and pulled me up against him. “You good?”
“I am.”
He glanced back, lifted his hand to the others, then turned me toward the door.
“Let’s get Duke’s for lunch,” I suggested. “And we need to swing by and pick up Ethan. We owe him dinner.”
“He’s already at the penthouse. Apparently, he’s moving in.”
I laughed out loud at Kade’s tone.
“I’ll talk him down.”
“You better.” His eyes were hot, and damn, but I missed that look. We hadn’t had sex yet. I wanted to. I’d even tried to seduce him a few times, but the man could be stubborn.
“I want access to you whenever and wherever, so I’ll definitely talk him down.” I pressed in closer. “Maybe that can be sooner than later.”
He had a thought on that, but didn’t share, and instead, pressed a kiss on my forehead. I wasn’t going to fight him on it, not yet. I understood. In his shoes, I’d be feeling the same. It wasn’t about me being hurt; it was about control and him losing it. He still hadn’t really let it all out, all