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ChapterTwenty
Journey’s body shook uncontrollably as deep, loud sobs racked her to the core. Tears blinded her eyes and choked her voice with every question Laz asked her. She couldn’t stop crying. Each time she tried, a stab of guilt slashed through her, reminding her that she almost lost everything she held dear because of a stupid case.
And for what?
To prove she was the best ADA?
To be the chosen one for the future district attorney position?
None of that was worth almost losing her husband and baby.
Her office door banged open, and she was startled, but Laz tightened his hold around her. She assumed it was Casey, but shame kept her from lifting her head from Laz’s chest. That and she physically ached too much to remove her hands from her face.
She hated herself for not having taken the threats seriously.
“What happened?” Casey asked frantically. “Is she okay?”
“Can you hold her calls for a few minutes?” Laz said, and Journey wondered how he could be so calm at the moment. “Unless it’s extremely important, she’s unavailable. Also, will you grab us a couple of waters?”
“Of course, I’ll be right back.”
“What’s going on?” Angelo’s deep voice boomed into the room. Rarely did Journey hear his Spanish accent, but right now, she did.
“She’s been getting threats, and it just escalated. Reach out to Wiz. I need the last call she received on her office phone traced.”
“Anything else?”
“No, just give us a moment,” Laz said, snuggling her closer and placing a kiss on the side of her head.
That only made Journey cry harder. It was the first real cry she had allowed herself since the shooting. Now she didn’t think she’d ever be able to pull herself together. She would never be able to forgive herself, knowing that she’d almost gotten Laz and Ari killed.
What if Laz hadn’t been as trained and skilled as he was? They could’ve died out on that street, and it would’ve been all her fault.
“This isn’t your fault,” Laz said tenderly, as if reading her mind. “We are going to find this person, and they will regret the day they ever threatened you. Ipromiseyou that.”
Journey soaked up his words, knowing that he never broke his promises. If anyone was going to find the person who had wreaked havoc on their lives, it would be him.
Sniffling, she heaved an exhausted sigh. Her body suddenly felt too heavy to stay upright. All she wanted to do was go somewhere, curl up in a small ball, and never face another soul.
That wasn’t realistic.
She needed to pull herself together and help Laz find the bastard who dared to come after them.
Laz eased back and lifted her chin. “I love you,” he said with conviction. “This…the call, doesn’t change that. Do you understand?”
Journey nodded and eased away from him. She snatched several tissues from the box sitting on the sideboard cabinet behind the desk and dabbed at her eyes. She didn’t even want to think about how horrible she probably looked.
“Have a seat,” Laz said, moving her office chair closer and holding her elbow while she sat. He propped himself against the desk in front of her. “We’re going to get through this.”
A soft knock came from the door, and it opened. Journey cringed, not wanting anyone to see her like this. She rested her forehead against Laz. Thankfully, he was blocking her from view.
“Here’s the water,” Casey said.
“Thanks, you can set them on the edge of the desk,” he said while rubbing Journey’s back. A few seconds later, the door closed, and quietness filled the room.
Journey didn’t move. Neither did Laz. They held their positions until Laz’s cell phone vibrated in his pocket. Even then, he didn’t make a move—so she didn’t either.
She wasn’t sure how long they stayed that way until Laz said, “I need you to tell me exactly what they said on the phone.”
