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Gabriel joined in, making it clear whose side he was on. “You mean you don’t want to leave your neighbor. The one lead we’ve had until now. The one who might still have something to do with the shooter.”
Straightening, I balled my hands into fists and narrowed my eyes at Gabriel. “She has nothing to do with this. We found nothing to tell us otherwise.”
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Liam shook his head. “For fuck’s sake. You’re interested in her.” He lifted his hand when I made a sound of protest. “You never look at anyone twice. But every time I call, you’re with her. Or with her brother. Or doing something for her. Did you really have to choose the one person who could have something to do with Dad’s attempted murder?”
“We haven’t found any proof.”
The excuse sounded weak even to my ears. I knew better than to get involved with someone we were investigating, but I couldn’t get myself to stay away. And even while talking about how stupid getting involved with her was, I couldn’t help but wish I was with her.
Gabriel held my gaze as if searching for something. He eventually nodded, his body relaxing marginally. “Let’s talk about this tomorrow.”
That was all I needed to hear to head for the door. “I’ll see you at lunch.”
It was Sunday tomorrow, which meant family time. Mom didn’t allow any excuses for us not to show up. Nothing short of being on our deathbed would be an acceptable reason.
The streets were still busy despite the late hour, and it took me longer than I wanted to get back to the apartment. My mind was reeling, my body posed for a fight I couldn’t yet take on.
But when I slipped into bed beside Ariel, fitting myself around her, I knew I’d be okay. Even if she’d be mad tomorrow that I’d broken in and disarmed her security system.
15
ARIEL
“Curiata in three hours.”
The line went dead.
Fuck.Curiata was Gladius’s court. And if they found you guilty of a crime, you’d be gone. No second chances. And I had absolutely no idea why they’d called me in.
Without delay, I headed to the safe I’d hidden in my closet. My Glock went into the back of my pants, my knife slid into the holster in my boots, and a grenade found its way into my handbag. My Smith & Wesson Airweight joined the grenade with a packet of chewing gum and my phone.
Rushing out of the apartment, I didn’t see Jude, who’d been about to knock. My nose collided with his chest.
His arm shot out, anchoring me to him. I froze when his hand got close to my gun. I also hadn’t closed my handbag yet, leaving its contents on full display.
He grinned down at me, taking my hand in a gentle hold. “Where are you off to?”
“Just have some errands to run.”
Raising a brow, he released me. “I thought today was your day off.”
Shooting him a tight smile, I squeezed past him. “My plans have changed. But I’ll call you later.”
A myriad of emotions played out over his face, eventually settling on a confused frown. Before I could get too far, he caught my hand again, tugging me back to him. “When will you be back?”
“Couple hours, I think.”
He bent his head, capturing my lips with his. My shoulders relaxed, and I sank into his now-familiar hold. In that moment, I wished more than anything that I lived a different life. He tasted like mint and Jude, and my body screamed at me to stay with him.
Forcing my hands to let go of him, I placed one last kiss on his lips, then stepped back. “Want to have dinner together tonight?”
Please let there be a tonight for me.
Studying me, he nodded. “I’d love to. Do you want me to pick something up?”
“Sounds great. You decide what we’re having.”
Waving at him, I speed-walked to my car.
