Page 42 of Accepted Precedent (Love & Politics #3)

Mickey

M y mind is racing a mile a minute. No one hurts my family and survives to see the next day.

The call crackles with static, but as I’m pulling up to the building, his car passes me.

With the tinted windows, I can’t tell if Evie is with him, and my heart plummets.

I make a U-turn and follow them, then hang up and call Kristin—she may have been the last one to see her.

She doesn’t pick up, so I try Ileah. After two rings, she answers with fear masked in her tone, “Hello, Mr. Gallagher. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Where’s Evie?”

“She’s supposed to be with you for the ultrasound appointment.”

“She’s not. Her driver called with a code that means she’s in danger. Where are you?”

“I’m driving Jaclyn home, then dropping off Kristin. Is Evie okay?”

“She fuckin’ better be.” I click the large red button to end the call and try Carl again.

“Mr. Gallagher, I’m sorry. I had a bad connection.”

“I’m right behind you on the highway. Where’s my wi— Evelyn? ” While I stop short of calling her my wife, in every sense of the word, she is—paperwork means nothing to me. I’m the one who slid that ring on her finger, not Andrew.

“I’m here, Mick. I’m so sorry!”

“Evie, angel, you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I think so. There was a man at the restaurant who said he was supposed to drive me. And just now, he was standing out front of the doctor’s.”

I white-knuckle the steering wheel. “Why did no one call me?”

“Because it was no big deal.”

“No big deal?” I growl. “Someone is stalking you, and you think it’s no big deal?”

“It’s fine, I’m fine. Will you please tell Carl to go back? I need to get back for our appointment.”

“Fuck the appointment!” My heart is thundering in my chest, and I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry, love. If someone is targeting you, we need to keep you safe.”

“What about Jaclyn and Ileah? Someone could be following them too.”

I slam the steering wheel. “Fuck!”

“You know the babies can hear you,” she reminds me. Even in the middle of evading a potential stalker, my angel’s sass never falters. “What’s the matter? Do you know who the guy was?”

“I’m sorry, Evie. Carl? Once you make sure there isn’t a tail, can you drive her to Finn’s?”

“Of course, Mr. Gallagher.”

She says something to him that I can’t make out. If anything happens to her, I’ll burn down the whole world until I find the arsehole who followed her.

“Angel, I need you to do something for me: call your friends and sister. Have them join you at Finn’s. I can’t risk any of you getting hurt.”

“Mickey, what’s going on?”

“Just do it,” I roar. I need to keep my emotions at bay, no matter how difficult it is. Ensuring my voice steady, I continue, “Fuck, I’m sorry. I’m just worried about you and the girls. I’m going back to the medical complex to see if I can find this guy, but you are my top priority.”

“Mick, don’t do something that could get you killed! You don’t even know what he looks like. No one needs to die.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, love. No one tries to hurt my family and gets away with it.”

I hang up before she can argue with me, then quickly call Finn, breathing a sigh or relief when he answers, “Hey Mick, what’s?—”

“Someone tried to take Evelyn,” I blurt, rubbing a hand down my face, then clarify, “She’s with Carl, but apparently someone approached her and the girls at the restaurant, then he appeared at our ultrasound appointment.”

“What do you need?” he asks without hesitation.

“Keep all of them safe. I’m trying to redirect everyone to you. Check every car before it enters your property. Finn, I…”

“I know. I’ll keep them safe, but what about you?”

“Don’t worry about me.”

“Mick, if this goes sideways, do you want the twins to grow up without their father?”

“They already are!”

There’s a long pause before Finn responds.

“Andrew isn’t their father—you are. I know you want to protect Evelyn.

I’d do the same for Ileah. But you need to be smart about this.

If she was truly being stalked, it could be a trap to get to you.

Park two to three rows back and walk in as if nothing is wrong.

Think about this logically. There’s no chance he’s working alone.

Whoever he is will be expecting you there. ”

After blowing out a long breath, I admit, “You’re right; I’m acting on instinct. Protect Jaclyn, Ileah, Kristin, and”—I swallow thickly—“I can’t lose Evelyn.” I get off at the next exit and get back on the other way, toward the medical offices.

“We won’t lose anyone. While you’re driving, I’ll contact Kristina Dawson. She’s great about getting security camera footage at a moment’s notice. I’ll have her send you an image from the restaurant and the doctor’s office.”

“I can’t lose Evelyn,” I repeat, fury dancing in my veins.

“Mick, listen to me. They’ll be safe here. I’ll personally check any car entering and contact all of their security details.”

“What if they are the ones who are doing this?”

Finn hums thoughtfully to himself. “These women are smart and resourceful. I’ll ensure they’re prepared for anything.”

“You’re not giving my wife a gun,” I seethe.

“She’s not your wife, Mick,” he counters with a soft chuckle.

“Evelyn is mine as much as Ileah is yours. She’s pregnant with my children so I expect you to be the one shooting, not her.”

“Fair enough,” he huffs. “But I’ll give Kristin a piece—just in case.”

“I’m almost back to the building. If Evelyn fights you, let her know her punishment will not be a reward.”

“Fuckin’ hell, Mick! I’m not relaying that to her. She’ll probably be scared out of her fuckin’ mind and not question anything. There’s no need to bring in whatever kinky shit you have planned later to get Evie to listen.”

"She's more stubborn than you think.” I consider rubbing it in how Evie and Kristin single-handedly covered for him by killing a man, but resist. “You have to keep Evelyn safe. I don’t care how. Even if she wasn’t pregnant… Fuck, Finn. She’s everything.”

“I know,” he sighs. “I’ll also have Andrew come by the house, so everyone is in one place once you’re done with—what are you doing exactly?”

“I’ll let you know once it’s done.”

I end the call and pull up to the building. There’s a man in all black, shifting nervously while he checks his phone. Not wanting to wait for video footage, I discreetly snap a picture and send it to Evelyn.

Is this him?

Angel

Yes.

Damn it, Mick! What are you doing?

I love you.

My phone vibrates with an incoming text. I don’t check it. There’s nothing Evie could say that would change my mind about killing anyone who threatens my family.

Heeding Finn’s advice, I pretend nothing is amiss and get out of my car. I’ve always been a planner, but all bets are off when it comes to Evie and Andrew. There’s no chance this guy is acting alone, and I need to get him away from here to find out who is behind this.

As I walk toward the entrance, he glances up, eyes wide. I keep my gaze fixed at the automatic doors, but once I’m passing him, I pin him with a glare and ask, “Excuse me, do you have the time? My phone seems to have died.”

I have at least five inches on him and adjust my posture to give myself an extra inch. His eyes widen as he mumbles, “Um, I… I don’t know.”

He’s not a professional; someone is definitely pulling the strings. “No problem.” I move past him, but quickly retrieve my gun from my waistband holster and press the metal into his side. “Why don’t you come with me? I just want to talk.”