“Hey,kallis,” she said, her accent prevalent on the word, and I assumed it was an affectionate Estonian nickname. “I brought a grumpy but honorable FBI agent to visit today. He lost someone too, and maybe you’ve met her.” Katia glanced at me. “What was your mom’s name?”
“Darlene.”
Katia gave a brief nod and turned back to the headstone. “If you see Darlene, tell her Leo says hi.”
She continued to talk to her sister, her words soft and poignant, and I wondered how often she visited. Sharing my grief with Dad had been the only thing that got me through, and I ached knowing she’d made this visit alone so many times.
As she spoke, I placed my hand in hers, lacing our fingers to offer silent support. Katia continued to chat, as if Elena could hear every word, and it moved something deep in my core. The need to be there for her—to be a sounding board when she needed one—filtered through my frame, tightening my muscles with its intensity. This brilliant, gorgeous woman deserved to be cherished by someone who allowed her to express her pain.
Eventually, she stopped talking and began to cry. I pulled her into my arms, holding her as she buried her face against my neck. Stroking her soft hair, I whispered soothing words as I absorbed her heartbreak.
Lifting her head, she wiped her cheeks and blew out a huge breath. “God, that was dramatic. Sorry. I only cry when I visit her here.”
“It’s okay to cry,” I said, gently rubbing her back. “She’s your sister.”
Katia turned and stepped toward the headstone. Kissing her fingers, she placed them on top for several moments. Facing me, she expelled another long breath. “Okay. I’m ready to go.”
Once we were back in the car, she asked if I wanted to get coffee.
“I’d love to, Katia, but I have to be on-site for an investigation at noon. I’m sorry.”
“No worries. You’ve been an amazing friend to me today. Thank you, Leo.”
Her cheeks were still red from the tears as she sat across from me, making her look even more beautiful in the warm spring sunlight. Her phone rang and she answered it as I heard Michael’s voice on the other end.
“Wow, that’s amazing. Okay. Yes, he’s beside me. Text me the info and I’ll pass it onto him.”
She hung up, excitement in her eyes as she spoke. “Joaquin and Enzo trailed a kid with Converse sneakers at the apartment building this morning. He tossed a cigarette on the sidewalk a few blocks from the building, and they grabbed it.”
“It’s definitely got DNA. Can I get it from them? I can have the lab analyze it quickly. If we can trace it back to some of the brava members we already have in the system, this might be our hacker.”
“Michael said to meet them on the corner of Bergen and East New York Avenue at eleven forty-five,” she said with a nod. “They’ll have it ready for you.”
“Done.” I pulled up to her apartment and put on my blinkers so I could jog around and open the door for her. She took my hand, allowing me to help her out, before she faced me and palmed my cheeks.
“Thank you so much for coming with me,” she said, rising to her toes and placing a soft kiss on my lips.
My body immediately shifted into overdrive, and I had to restrain myself from gliding my arm around her waist and dragging her toward me to finish the kiss. Instead, I swallowed and tried to pretend my heart wasn’t beating like a goddamned jackhammer in my chest.
“You’re welcome. I’ll text you as soon as I get the results of the DNA test. Probably tomorrow afternoon.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Wow, that’s fast.”
“Perks of the badge, ma’am,” I said with a mock bow. “I aim to please.”
I took her hand and walked her across the street, leaving her on the sidewalk before returning to my car.
“Go inside so I don’t worry,” I said, opening my door but refusing to sit down until she was safely inside.
Her lips curled. “Do I take orders from you now, agent?” she teased.
My hand tightened on the door. I’d love nothing more than to give this woman orders. Preferably when we were both naked and she was in my bed.
Returning to reality, I tilted my head. “Just humor me.”
She gave a cute little wave and headed inside, leaving me with a gorgeous view of her perfect legs in her tight jeans. Once she’d disappeared into the hallway, I drove to pick upthe cigarette butt from Michael’s men, determined to stop the people who were trying to hurt her.
Chapter 9
