“But he could have a dozen more women stashed somewhere else we don’t know about,” I said. It was not a comforting thought.
Gabriel got up from Andrew’s lap to stretch, and Andrew frowned up at him. “I do not think so. It is expensive to buy a human being, and to hire guards. No, we cannot know for sure,” he put up his hands to forestall my protests, “but you cannot worry about everything, carissima. You must also think of yourself.”
I huffed, but he was right. What could I do about it, anyway?
“Are we sure it’s safe here?” Nathan asked Gabriel. I was leaning against his chest with a heating pad on my lower belly to help with my cramping. It had been getting worse as the afternoon progressed. He was playing with the end of my ponytail absentmindedly, and even that small touch made my heart flop around in my chest. “He knew who you were. And he’s probably very angry right now.”
Gabriel’s eyes burned. “Let him come. I am ready.”
Andrew had wanted to relocate to his estate, but we all knew that was out of the question now that Domenic knew I’d been with him and Gabriel. We would just have to trust that Domenic still didn’t know about this apartment.
“It doesn’t matter. Our priority right now is your heat,” Andrew said, pulling Gabriel back into his lap. Gabriel rolled his eyes and settled back onto his chest.
God, I wanted what they had.
My face burned. “Are you all absolutely positive you want me to stay? Because I could go to a Center, I’m sure—”
“Stop suggesting that,” Nathan growled in my ear. My stomach swooped with mingled pleasure and annoyance at his possessive tone.
Andrew nodded once in approval. I was still getting used to them being so friendly to each other.
It was a half-hearted suggestion, anyway.
After a while, they left me to finish the nest. Andrew wanted to go out and get a nice canopy, but Gabriel wouldn’t let him leave the house. So they made me sit on the couch and watchThe Philadelphia Storyfor the thousandth while the three of them tacked sheets to the ceiling and draped them over the repurposed headboard to make a little tent. When I peeked inside at the progress, it looked perfect; cozy without being stifling. Like a really complicated pillow fort.
I also took the opportunity of their distraction to make a couple calls. The first was Maggie.
“What the fuck does that mean?” she demanded when I said she didn’t need to worry about who was threatening me anymore.
“It means you don’t need to worry about it. Nathan and I are fine, and we’re taking care of it,” I said while Cary Grant called Katharine Hepburn a goddess on screen.
“Bullshit. No. You’re telling me, right now.” When I didn’t answer, Maggie groaned. “God, when did you get so stubborn, Bridge? Usually it’s much easier to bully you.”
“Aw, thanks. And I’m not stubborn, I’m finding my voice. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me to do?”
“Yeah but not tome.”
I dropped my voice lower. “I’m serious, Mags. Leave it alone, okay? You and Soren can’t be involved.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better,” Maggie hissed back.
“Just trust me. And one day, when you’re retired from the FPD, I’ll tell you all about it.”
My next call was to Anvi. I hadn’t consulted the guys about this, but she deserved to know who she was working for.
“Bridget?! Oh my god, you’re alive!” Anvi’s yelp was so loud I had to pull the burner phone away from my ear. “Where have you been? Where is Nathan? You guysleftme all by myself and these new people they hired… Bridget they’resomean, I can’t even describe to you how horrible it’s been.”
I smiled in spite of myself. “I’m really sorry, Anvi. It wasn’t on purpose. And that’s kind of why I’m calling. You should find a new lab. Talk to Dr. Finch, I’m sure he can help you—”
“Why? What’s wrong with this lab? Is that why you left?” Anvi interrupted.
I told her a sanitized version; that Dr. Davis was collecting payment from Andrew, and that the samples that had started failing for HLA compatibility came from an unlicensed facility. I still didn’t know if Lisbeth was involved or not, so I warned Anvi not to share anything I was saying with her.
“I still don’t get it. Why did you disappear? And why is your phone off? Nathan implied you were in some kind of danger.”
I sighed. “I’m fine, I promise.” I wracked my brain for an excuse that wouldn’t open another can of worms. Maybe I could distract her. “I’m actually staying with Andrew and his partner. But don’t tell anyone, okay?”
Anvi gasped, and I heard a thunk, then a rustle. It sounded like she’d dropped the phone. “You’re WHAT?! In that giant house he has on the sound?”
