EPILOGUE
CHANCE
"So you're saying she stole your girlfriend to get back at you?" the detective asked as the coroner pushed the gurney, carrying Nicole's body, past us and out the door.
I crossed my arms. "That's what happened."
"There was a report of three men shooting up Aguirre's Bar. You know anything about that?"
I turned to Battista and Hill. "You know anything about three men shooting up a bar?"
They both shook their heads.
"Funny thing is, I noticed your car looking a little banged up, sitting out there with all those bullet holes," he replied, scratching the side of his bottom lip with his thumb.
"I hadn't notice," I replied confidently.
I have to admit, the next few moments were tense.
The detective shoved his pen and notepad back into his coat pocket. "Well, whoever it was killed the head of a pretty nasty drug and prostitution ring…gonna take a while for them to sort out a new boss. Probably keep 'em outta the game for a while."
"Really?" I said, my brows furrowing, trying to see where he was headed with his train of thought.
"Yeah. Probably should get them a medal or something…you know…keeping the public safe from crime and all," he said, staring straight into my eyes.
"You should really work on that," I said.
He shook his head. "Nah. I'm sure they are long gone. Why waste the man hours?" he said with a smile.
I knew he knew…and he knew I knew.
"Well, ma'am, I'm glad you're back safe. Make sure you take care of our resident war hero here," the detective said, before whistling to his crew. "Alright folks, let's wrap all this up…let these folks have their peace," he said, shooting me a nod.
Sierra pressed her hand to my chest, resting her head on my shoulder. I laid my hand on our baby, feeling the slight flutter of a kick. I was never going to let either of them out of my sight again.
7 months later…
My stomach was in knots as I watched the beads of sweat build on Sierra's forehead. Through gritted teeth she exhaled heavily, trying with all her might to push out our baby girl.
I had never seen real strength until this very moment. She gripped my hand, damn near breaking every bone. Even those I didn’t know I had.
"One more push, Sierra," the doctor ordered.
"C'mon, baby," I encouraged, wiping the sweat from her face with a hand towel.
A loud wail escaped from her lips followed by the sound of a baby's cry. My head whipped to the right just in time to see Hope opening her eyes for the very first time.
A tear cascaded down my cheek. "You did it, baby. You did it," I said, kissing her gently on the forehead.
She smiled through her heavy breathing. I thought I couldn't have loved anyone more than I loved her right at that moment, but I was wrong. I could. The minute they handed Hope to Sierra, swaddled in her blanket, I fell in love for a second time.
Sierra looked up at me. "She's yours," she said half crying.
"She's ours."
Betrayed: A Bad Boy Military Romance Page 9