“Texting you the address.” Click.
“Taylor?” Dove asks in the darkness.
“Yeah, needs me to see something.” I pull myself out of bed and search for my clothes.
“Official police business?”
“It always is.” I sit down next to Dove. We leave the bathroom light on and the door ajar so a tiny crevice of light can peek into the room.
“Are you going to be gone long?”
“I have no idea. Depends on what I’m walking into. But just know this. No matter how long I’m gone, I’m definitely coming back.” I leave a long, lingering kiss on her lips.
“I’ll wait,” she whispers. “Naked.”
“I’ll hurry. I love you.”
Dove doesn’t immediately respond. Maybe it’s just too soon for her to use those words casually. But it’s okay, I can wait.
“I love you, too,” she surprises me with an abrupt response.
I give her one last kiss before I stand, but she pulls on my arm as I go.
“Hey.”
“What’s up?” I whisper to her.
“I’m sorry I told you I hated you. I didn’t mean it. I was upset. And out of sorts. I’m like a dog sometimes when I feel caged in.”
“Darlin’, don’t you think I already know that? You don’t have anything to apologize for. All the ‘I love you’s will cancel out all the ‘I hate you’s. I’m sure it’s not the last time you’ll say it.” I wink at her.
“I love you,” Dove says it again. “And don’t call me darlin’.”
I laugh. “No promises.”
I kiss her one last time, “Lock the door after I leave.”
It’s never been so hard to leave just one person.
I give a little nod to the unmarked car in the parking lot. We have twenty-four-hour surveillance, which right now I am exceptionally grateful for.
When I read the address on my phone, my heart drops into my stomach.
Whatever I am walking into, it isn’t good.
21
Dove
I never went backto sleep after Tate left.
I’m too antsy.
I don’t like being cooped up in this little room alone.
I don’t like not knowing where Tate is, or why he had to leave. I guess that’s something I’m going to have to get used to if we’re going to pursue this relationship.
I can’t stop thinking about Stefania.
