The security guard didn’t seem that interested in us.
“I’m sorry we were gone so long,” I said. “She wasn’t feeling well.”
“It’s not a problem, sir. Mr. Dunn said not to disturb you.”
I assumed he meant Jason since this was his house, and inside, I grinned. But also—damn. I wished I’d known I could’ve taken more time with her.
She shivered when we stepped outside, and I draped an arm around her shoulders to try to shield her from the worst of the December air.
“I’d offer you my jacket,” I said, “but I can’t.” Doing that would put my gun in plain view.
“I left a coat with the coat check.”
I nodded. “Let’s say goodbye before you get it.”
The wedding reception was still going strong. The dance floor was crowded, and those who weren’t dancing hovered in groups at the periphery, chatting and finishing their drinks.
I spotted the marshal first.
Jason and Laurel were seated at a table, his arm slung around his wife’s small shoulders as they watched their siblings dance. I inhaled a deep breath and made my way toward their table with Olivia in tow.
I hadn’t seen Laurel in months, not since the morning we’d gone in to rescue her sister. Maybe motherhood hadchanged her because her eyes were clear and calm when she glanced up at me. Or maybe she’d become better at hiding her emotions over the last year.
“It’s good to see you,” I said to them both, meaning it genuinely. “I know I’m a few months late, but congrats on the baby.”
“Thank you,” Laurel said.
It was as if the infant knew I was talking about him, because he began to fuss in her arms. Jason held his hand out to her, wordlessly asking his wife to hand him over, and once she did, he held his son as if it were the most natural thing. Like he’d been a father for years.
Good for him. They deserved all the happiness they could get.
“I was told you couldn’t make it,” someone said, “but I’m glad that wasn’t true.”
My focus turned to see Shawn. He strolled toward us, his bride beside him, her face flushed from dancing.
“It was last minute,” I said and offered a handshake, which he took. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Kara replied. When I offered her the same handshake, she made a face then stepped forward to give me a light, quick hug. “No. People who take a knife for me get a hug.”
Beside me, Olivia jolted with surprise by this reveal, and I was sure there’d be questions about that later, but I pushed the thought aside. And while I wasn’t really the hugging type, tonight I was grateful. The last time I’d seen Kara, I’d threatened to kill her. Thank God we were able to pretend that meeting hadn’t happened.
I’d become impossibly entangled with the Dunn and Hayward families.
No matter what happened going forward, I’d always have this bond to them. I liked the marshal, too. If Jason had been another operative, I would have enjoyed working with him.
“The man we met with—” Jason started.
“Nothing to worry about,” I answered. “Everything will be wrapped up by the morning.”
I’d been given clearance to conclude the op this morning, and I ducked out of Vitale’s office soon after. When was the last time I’d truly been granted time off? It had to be years.
I wasn’t due back at the Abramo villa until tomorrow evening, and by then the executive order would have been signed and the wheels in motion on taking the family down.
The Abramos would likely be in prison before I returned to Rome.
Kara glanced down to spy Olivia’s hand clasped in mine, and although the knowing smile that twitched on her lips was subtle, it didn’t go unnoticed. Olivia tugged at me, indicating she wanted to be free. I sensed she wanted to leave. Perhapsescapewas a better word, but she also didn’t want to be rude.
“I think we’re going to head out,” I announced to the group, but mainly for her. “Congratulations again.”
