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I close my eyes and let out a breath of relief.
It’s over.
Chapter Nineteen
Allie
“So to sum up your report, Agent Chandler, you were abducted by the businessman named Sergio Bianchi, who also abducted you as a child. You asked help from friends. They came to rescue you, but on the way out, Bianchi and his men tried to stop you. Shots were fired. Some of Bianchi’s men were wounded, but he himself escaped. Is this correct?”
“Yes,” I tell Janine.
Well, more or less. I wish he hadn’t escaped. I didn’t think he would, but then I didn’t expect him to use his men as shields or to have a secret passage in his bedroom.
At least he won’t be able to move freely now. He’s wanted for abduction, drug trafficking and human trafficking. Evidence for the latter two were found at his house.
His house has been seized, his accounts frozen and his associates brought in for questioning. Without money or friends, it’s only a matter of time before he gets caught. When he does, I’ll go and bring him to jail myself.
Janine nods. “Very well. You may go.”
My eyebrows furrow. “You’re not angry with me?”
She sits back in her chair. “Why would I be? You were abducted. It’s not like you barged into his house.”
I say nothing.
“Or do you think you did something to get yourself in trouble? Something you weren’t supposed to do, perhaps, like using federal resources for personal business, or conducting an investigation while you were suspended?”
She knows.
“I was only trying to do the right thing, Janine,” I explain. “To bring down an evil man, the man behind my nightmares. I didn’t mean to cause anyone trouble, but if you think my suspension should be extended…”
“No,” Janine interrupts me. “That won’t be necessary.”
I look at her with arched eyebrows.
“Like you said, you were only trying to do the right thing,” she says. Then she sighs. “Besides, it seems like you still manage to get into trouble whether or not you’re suspended. I’d rather you do it under my watch.”
I don’t know if that’s an insult or a compliment, but at least I’m not being punished.
“Thank you, Janine.”
She takes my gun and my badge out of her drawer.
“You can come back to work on Monday, unless you need some time to rest.”
“No,” I tell her.
I’ve been away from work long enough.
She puts my gun and badge on top of her desk. I find myself unable to contain a smile as I reach for them.
“Allie.” Janine puts her hand over mine and looks into my eyes. “Promise you’ll keep trying to do the right thing?”
I nod. “Promise.”
She removes her hand. I take my gun and my badge and walk out of her office.
I’ve barely left the building when Grae calls me on my phone.
I answer. “You don’t have to check on me every hour, Grae.”
“Hey. You were abducted. You can’t blame me for being worried.”
“I’m fine, Grae,” I assure him. “I just left the office.”
“Oh. And did you get in trouble? Are you suspended again?”
“No,” I answer.
“Good.”
I stop. “You didn’t have anything to do with this, did you?”
“No.”
I’m not sure I believe him.
“Are you still staying at that hotel?” he asks. “Because if you are, I can – ”
“No,” I tell him as I continue walking to my car. “I’m checking out today. I’m moving back home.”
“I hope you had the place cleaned up first.”
“I did, actually.”
“Good. And you’re not letting Cain move in with you, are you?”
I stop again.
“I mean, I realize now that he’s a good man, one who can be counted on in a tough situation and one who really cares about you, but try to take things slow, okay?”
“Okay,” I tell him. “Don’t worry. He’s not moving in with me.”
I haven’t seen Cain since we parted ways at Sergio’s house, actually, and unlike last time, I’m not sick with worry or dying to see him again. Now that I know he’s a professional killer – Gil’s corpse was proof enough – I don’t know what to do with him.
I do want to see him again, but do I want to carry on with our relationship? Do I want to be with a criminal now that I’m back to being a full-fledged FBI agent? I don’t know.
“Allie, are you okay?” Grae asks.
“Yeah,” I tell him.
I don’t want him to worry any more than he already is.
“I have to go. I’ll see you soon.”
“Take care.”
“I will. Bye.”
I hang up and get inside my car.
~
I spend the rest of the day at home, relaxing like I was supposed to do during my suspension. I watch a movie. I order a pizza. I soak in the tub.
When I get back to the bedroom after my bath, Cain is there looking out the new window.
The mere sight of him in his long-sleeved shirt and jeans is enough to make my breath catch and my heart skip a beat.
