Total pages in book: 178
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Gabe narrowed his eyes on me. “You mean to tell me that Ling Nguyen, The Dragon Queen, rumored to have murdered hundreds of people...”
Thousands, I internally corrected him.
“...just gave in without a fight?”
I put my hands on the cold table, fighting the urge to throw my fists into his face. “She was cornered. Knew her time was up. It was either jail or death.” I lifted my brows. “Ling chose death.” My eyes unwavering, I held his stare. “I watched her walk over to the window, step onto the sill, and jump.” My insides clenched at the way it felt to throw her from the tenth floor. Pleasure filled me at the memory of the shock in her eyes. “It was suicide.”
The door behind me opened, and when the tall, silver-haired man stepped through, he uttered, “Those were my findings.”
What? How? Why...?
“Motherfucker,” I said slowly as I moved to stand.
Ethan Black smiled despite his obvious annoyance. “Can’t seem to keep yourself out of trouble, can you, son?”
Although I was happy to see him, my brow furrowed. “What are you doing here?”
Ethan did not respond to my question. I didn’t miss the way his smile faltered momentarily. But he was a seasoned veteran at dealing with me. “Spent some time with your son.”
My eyes widened. He did? “When?”
“Here. Just now.” His smile turned warm. “I can’t believe he’s only five. Lord, is he smart. He’s a good boy, Twitch.”
Wait.
Was he telling me...?
“He’s here?” I turned to Gabe, my eyes surveying his every move. “In this building?” When Gabe’s expression turned sheepish, I closed my eyes and shook my head slowly, as I ground out, “You piece of shit.”
“Met your woman too,” Ethan added quietly. When I turned my turbulent gaze to his serene one, he lifted a brow. “Couldn’t help but notice she had a nice-looking ring on her finger there.” His voice quieted. “I didn’t get it then, but I get it now.” He paused a second. “A woman like that... worth it.”
Gabe let out a harsh breath. “I’m in the middle of an interview here, Black. Can I help you?”
Ethan stood tall and looked down at the sergeant in a way that only the Chief of Staff of the FBI could. “Yes. Suspend the interview. You got everything you needed. We’re done.” Ethan put his hand on my shoulder. “Come on.”
That was it?
I didn’t need to be told twice. I stood fast and moved to follow.
Before we could exit, Gabe Blanco sputtered, “Sir, wait.” He stood looking over at Ethan in disbelief. “The information he has....” He let the rest of that statement linger in the air.
And Ethan proved to me he was a man of his word. “Antonio Falco has done his time. Six years of it. This man has provided all he needs to provide, and now he’s leaving.” Ethan Black set his black stare on Gabriel Blanco. “Ling Nguyen’s death was ruled a suicide, and this country is safer for it. Don’t you agree?”
Gabe’s fists balled in frustration, and he lowered his head a moment before he lifted his face. He looked resigned and spoke carefully. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. Now,” Ethan responded, “unless you’re planning on charging this man with a crime, I’m taking him to his family.”
His tone begged for Gabe to fight him.
I kind of wished he would. Nothing would make me happier than to see this blue-collared douchebag be taken down a peg or two.
Gabe’s tone sank a notch when he lowered his gaze. His jaw tight, he replied, “Yes, sir.”
Ethan opened the door, and with a smirk that I know must’ve killed him, I threw a wink Gabriel Blanco’s way as I followed my old friend to freedom.
***
Lexi
The creaking of the door had me standing immediately, and the second my concerned gaze met his, my shoulders drooped and I leisurely made my way over to him. He put his arms around me, placing his face into the crook of my neck, and I took in everything he gave with that firm embrace. When we had taken all we could get from each other, I lifted my face and he looked down at me a long moment before he gently kissed my lips.
“You good?”
“Yeah,” I replied quietly. “Are you?”
Twitch’s eyes smiled. “We’re good, angel.”
“Daddy,” the little voice croaked. He slid off Molly’s lap, and then the little monster was running for him, his arms outstretched.
Twitch grinned as he lifted his son into his arms and hugged him tightly, cradling the back of his head to him. “Hey, buddy,” he spoke softly into his hair, and he rocked him gently.
The sight was one of the many that made my heart swell. I would treasure moments like this in my memory for all eternity.
It was then that I noticed the older man at his back, and when I snuggled into Tony’s side, I smiled kindly at the silver-haired man I’d met only an hour ago. “Hello again.”