Page 121 of Facing the Enemy

“Three?”

“Deal.” I kissed her again.

“Are you going to show me what you bought?”

“I will if you feel up to telling me about your ordeal with Florakis.”

“I’ll give you all the details, then you can show me what’s inside the bags. I arrived at the maternity home ...”

“You could have been killed,” I said a few minutes later. “But after the semitruck incident, I’m not surprised.”

“Good. Honestly, Gage, you don’t need to babysit me. Florakis needs an interview and maybe Wright might have more to say too.”

“Let them sweat it out until tomorrow.”

“Then I’ll join you.” Her eyes grew heavy. “Now let me see what you brought me before I go to sleep again. By any chance did you pick up a pair of pajamas?”

“All Macy’s had were gowns that opened in the back.”

“I love you.”

Those were the three best words in the English language. While she rummaged through the bags, and she was either pleased or putting on a good front, I considered the likelihood of the two in custody lawyering up.

68

RISA

The doctor released me at ten on Sunday morning with orders to rest and a prescription for pain meds, which I had no intention of taking—until time to sleep. Unfortunately, I felt worse today than last night. Wright and Florakis would get a good chuckle at my poor face, but I’d have the last laugh.

True to his word, Gage stayed with me at the hospital and slept on the pitiful sofa, a little short for his long legs. I slept like a baby, thanks to the doctor, but Gage ... not so much.

“We’re going straight to the office, right?” I said to Gage.

He frowned. “Do you plan to scare the truth out of Wright and Florakis?”

I lifted my chin, causing every muscle in my face to explode. “I’ll rest when I’m home and tomorrow. Deal? Please?”

“If you weren’t so bruised and swollen, I’d say no.”

“Thank you, sweet man.”

“Is this how our lives will be from now on?”

I slid him a painful grin. “Maybe. Are you up to it?”

“Challenges are a good thing. I believe my partner has her mojo back. The stress of the past several months has lifted.”

“I’m sure I’ll still have my issues with grief.” I started to reachacross the seat to take his hand, but it hurt. “Some things take time.” I remembered Mom and Dad in Charleston. “Do you mind if I use your phone to call my parents? I didn’t want to alarm them last night by using the hospital phone and them not recognizing the number.”

“Go for it.” He picked up his cell from the console and handed it to me.

I pressed in Dad’s regular phone number.

“Gage?” he said.

“Nope. Risa. I have fabulous news. We have those in custody who are responsible for Trenton’s death and the threats.”

I heard Dad holler at Mom with the news. We talked for a few minutes, and I didn’t tell them about my wounds. We decided to celebrate Christmas on New Year’s Eve.