Unyielding arms snaked around me and held me close. He kissed the top of my head while gently rubbing my back. “Just a minor setback, baby, that’s all.” Those big hands hovered at my hips. “We should run through what happened.”
I lifted my eyes to meet his. “Run through what?” My gaze rested on his knitted brow. “Ling was careless. She was spotted. We confronted her. Just before we could call the cops, she jumped to her death. End of story.”
Twitch’s hold tightened on my hips. His eyes never left mine as he lowered his face and kissed my lips, whisper-soft. Against them, he muttered, “Solid.”
I was coming to find that I was. I had a diamond-like strength buried deep inside me that was rising to the surface. I made no apologies for being the person this life had fashioned me to be.
You either rolled with the punches or got knocked the fuck out.
Naturally, with the amount of punches I had been dealt, I finally learned how to deflect.
It took me years, bruises, and a broken heart, but I had ultimately grown.
When Tony pulled back, I hooked my fingers into the loops of his jeans. He rubbed my arms from shoulders to wrists, soothingly. “You ready, baby?”
My expression void, I nodded. “Let’s go get our boy.”
***
Twitch We were an hour into questioning, and I was starting to get rattled. None of the questions so far had been about Ling. In fact, it sounded like Gabriel Blanco was trying to get information on the people I owed, the people who had helped save my son’s life.
I wasn’t having it.
Gabe sat across from me, and the recorder on the table taunted me. “And the Vegas?”
“What about ‘em?” I leaned back in my chair, not giving a single fuck.
Gabe’s shoulders tightened along with his face. “As far as we know, they aren’t exactly welcome in these parts. Why are they back?”
I shrugged. “How the fuck should I know?”
Their story was not mine to tell. They were good people who had fucked up.
Who hadn’t?
“Twitch.” Gabe pinched the bridge of his nose before looking up at me through weary eyes. “Give me something, man. Anything.” He closed his eyes. “Help me help you.”
What did he want from me? “I haven’t done anything wrong. And if you think I have—” I lifted my brows pointedly. “—prove it. Charge me. Lock me up.”
We both knew he had nothing on me. If he did, I’d already be in a cell.
Gabriel Blanco was not a stupid man, and he knew he was flogging a dead horse. Thankfully, he moved the fuck on, taking notes on his small notepad. “Okay then.” He kept writing for a while, and once he stopped, he peered up at me. “Tell me what happened with Ling Nguyen. How did you just happen to come by her?” He let the cool silence float around us before sitting up tall. “How did she end up dead, Falco?”
My lips compressed. “She was careless. She was spotted. We confronted her, got our son back. She threw herself out the window.”
Gabe watched me, unblinking. When he realized that was all I had to give, his brows arched. “That’s it?” At my silence, he barked out a harsh laugh. “Seriously, Falco? That’s all you’re giving me?”
I thought about Lexi in a room alone somewhere being questioned like a fucking criminal, and my throat tightened. But I remembered what she said to me before we were separated.
“I know it’s against your nature, honey, but I need you to be as cool, calm, and collected as you can be, okay? Fight the anger. Be smart. Be safe.”
It was against my nature, but I was changing.
For her, I’d do anything.
I took in a deep breath and mentally counted to ten, fighting the fury that was building. “That’s what happened, Sergeant Blanco.” My jaw tight, I uttered, “Can’t give you anymore than the truth.”
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.