Page 106 of Diamonds in the Mud

“Everything?” Aria frowned. “As in, you’re leaving?”

“No, I’m sticking,” Jameson assured her.

“For how long?” Aria asked.

He glanced at me and smiled. “For as long as Rayne wants me.”

I nodded. I wanted to say forever, but I didn’t want to spook him or myself.

For now, I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the warmth of the sun streaming through the window and the laughter of my friends as we enjoyed our breakfast together. On this moment, surrounded by love and friendship.

Halfway through the day, after I’d spilled my third cup of coffee down my shirt, I was ready to call it quits. I had stubbed my toes on Quincy’s desk earlier and had closed a door on my little finger at one point.

Today was shaping up to be jinxed. I’d had a handful of days like this before and knew it was better for me to call it quits early.

I knocked on Randy’s door, and when he glanced up I told him I was heading out to visit mom

“Everything all right?” he asked.

“It’s a jinx day.”

He smiled. “You used to have those when you were young. I didn’t know they followed you into adulthood.”

“Neither did I. I’m going to bring her some lunch.”

He nodded. “She’d like the visit. She just got home from her chemo session. It sounds like everything went well.”

I stopped by Mom’s favorite diner and ordered food to go. While I was waiting, I watched a young family eating at a table and couldn’t help but smile.

I’d never thought that I wanted kids, never even imagined being lucky enough to find someone to have them with. Jameson made me dream about things I’d never wanted before.

I was too busy daydreaming to see Isabella Sinclair leaning against my Jeep waiting for me as I stepped outside. When she saw me heading her way, she stood up straight and stormed towards me.

“You bitch,” she said before trying to slap me.

“Easy,” I said, setting the food down in my Jeep as I easily dodged the blow. “I’d hate to have to arrest you for striking an officer.”

“Bullshit,” Izzy said. “You did this. You locked them all up.”

“I didn’t do anything,” I said calmly, releasing Izzy’s arm. “I’m sure you’ve heard by now it was the DEA that did all the arresting.”

Izzy’s eyes narrowed. “What about Nadia? Did you lock her up too?”

I frowned. “No, she wasn’t on the arrest list.”

“She’s missing,” Izzy threw back at me. “I haven’t seen her since the night everyone else got hauled in. If I ever see that no-good, lying son of a bitch Jameson again, I’ll⁠—”

“Careful. Remember, I am a police officer,” I warned.

“Scratch his eyes out,” Izzy finished. “No wonder he wasn’t interested in me. The two of you were made for each other,” she spat. “Stay out of my way.” She stormed down the sidewalk.

All things considered, I figured I got off easy. Still, knowing that Nadia was MIA unsettled me. I drove by her place and knocked on the door. Her car was parked in front of the one-car garage. When she didn’t answer, I glanced in the window. Seconds later, I busted the door in and dialed 911, then started CPR on Nadia.

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Angels are like diamonds. They can’t be made, you have to find them. Each one is unique.”

–Jaclyn Smith