Passion & Lies (Undercover Love Series Book 4)

by Michelle Iannarelli

  “I have not spoken to Dane today.”

  “Ok.”

  “If I hear anything I will let you know.”

  “Thank you.”

  “No problem.” Miles knocked and then went into Miguel’s office.

  “Sit down, we need to talk.”

  “Is this about Dane?”

  “Maybe. He’s MIA at the moment. I’m waiting for a call back from Simmons.”

  “Lacey is freaking out.”

  “I know. You think he would have told her he was taking off.”

  “Well, maybe he didn’t want to upset her.”

  “Newsflash…she is upset.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “It’s Simmons.”

  “Answer on speaker.”

  “What do you have for me?”

  “Dane left with Smitts and Brandt at midnight. Looks like it should be a quick turnaround.”

  “How’s it going with Smitts these days?”

  “I question myself as to why I ever allowed him to join the Agency.”

  “He’s family.”

  “Yeah, well so are all of you and the thought of him getting one of you killed makes me sick.”

  “I hear you.”

  “I have Ruiz calling in.”

  “Thanks Simmons, hang in there.”

  Miguel disconnected the call. “So who’s going to tell Lacey?”

  “That’s all you, Migs.”

  “Thanks, Buddy.”

  “I loved that house.”

  “I don’t know, Faith.”

  “You didn’t like it?”

  “I think we should keep our options open.”

  “Open? Are you changing your mind about moving?”

  “No, not at all. I just don’t think we should buy the first house we look at.”

  “Ok, I guess you’re right.”

  “Of course I’m right.” Ryan laughed.

  “You’re lucky that you are so damn cute.”

  Ryan grabbed Faith and kissed her. “So you think I’m cute.”

  “You’re much cuter when you’re naked.”

  “Let’s get to the car.”

  “Race you.” Faith took off running.

  Miguel and Miles came out of Miguel’s office. Miles patted Miguel on the back. “Talk to you later, Buddy.” Then he took off leaving Miguel alone with Lacey.

  “Lacey, I just wanted to let you know that Dane should be back in a day or so.”

  “He called you?”

  “No, I checked in with his superior.”

  “Oh ok. Thank you for letting me know.”

  “I know this can’t be easy for you…”

  “I’m ok.”

  “I’m here if you need anything.”

  “Thank you.”

  Miguel went back into his office. He felt sorry for poor Lacey.

  Eden leaned down to pick up Cruz and her water broke. “Ut-oh, Cruz. I think your sister is on her way.” Eden grabbed her phone and dialed Miles.

  “Hello, Gorgeous!”

  “Where are you?”

  “I was going to pick up some salads and head home, why?”

  “Skip the salads and get home…my water just broke.”

  “What? Now? It’s too soon.”

  “It’s only a few weeks too soon.”

  “Maybe you’re rushing this? I mean maybe she can wait?”

  “MILES, LISTEN TO ME…SHE. IS. NOT. WAITING! GET YOUR ASS HOME NOW!”

  Miles looked down at the phone. “I’m on my way!”

  Next, Eden called Alex.

  “Hey!”

  “I need you to meet us at the hospital.”

  “Hospital? Oh my God, what’s going on? Did something happen to Miguel?”

  “Miguel is fine. My water broke and I need you to take care of Cruz.”

  “But, you’re not due yet.”

  Eden rolled her eyes. “I know but this baby is coming now!”

  “Ok, I’m on my way.”

  “Now, all we need is for your daddy to arrive.”

  Miguel and Alex arrived at the hospital before Eden. “Where is she?”

  “Calm down, Miguel.”

  “But Miles called me on his way home to get her so why isn’t she here?”

  “Because Miles had to get home and pick her and Cruz up and then he still had to drive here.”

  “This whole baby thing makes me a nervous wreck.”

  Alex rubbed her hand up and down Miguel’s back. “Eden and your niece will be just fine, I promise.”

  Eden came walking in the door carrying Cruz. “Eden!”

  Miguel grabbed Cruz. “Where’s Miles?”

  “Oh please, he’s a wreck, I told him to let us out at the curb.”

  Alex took Eden by the elbow. “Let’s get you checked in. Miguel, when Miles comes in just send him in our direction.”

  “Got it.”

  “Thanks, Miggy.”

  “Good luck, Sweetheart.”

  “One more push.”

  Eden grabbed Miles’ hand, gave it a squeeze and pushed. “RRRRR!”

  “Welcome to the world, Little One.”

  Miles looked down at his daughter and then he kissed Eden. “She’s beautiful just like you.”

  The baby let out a loud cry. “She’s loud like her brother.” Eden giggled.

  “Daddy, time to cut the cord.”

  Miles took the scissors and cut the umbilical cord.

  The nurse swaddled the baby and then she handed her to Eden. “Baby Girl, your Mommy loves you so much.”

  Miles kissed the baby on her head. “Daddy’s little girl.”

  “She needs a name.”

  “Sarah.”

  Eden looked down at her little girl. “Sarah Anne Dawson.”

  “Sarah Anne. I love it.”

  Eden smiled down at little Sarah and smiled. “Happy Birthday, Sarah Anne.”

  Lacey sat reading her last messages from Dane over and over again. She wanted to believe that he’d be ok and come back home but after what happened with Dirk she knew that there wasn’t any amount of prayers or hope that would guarantee Dane’s safe return.

  She got up and took down the box from her closet that had all of Dirk’s letters and pictures in it. Lacey sat down and opened the box. As she looked at all the pictures and read Dirk’s letters the tears rolled down her cheeks.

  By the time she read the last letter that Dirk wrote she was shaking and the tears were pouring out of her eyes like a faucet.

  Lacey, My Love,

  We’re heading out soon. I don’t know how long it will be before I’ll be able to write again. Please don’t spend your days worrying about me. Molly needs you and I need you to be strong for me and our precious little girl.

  I love you both with every fiber of my being. Pray for me before bed and know that I’m praying for you as well.

  Baby, never forget your promise…if I don’t make it back, you’ll move on. It is my last wish for you to be happy. Now don’t cry…smile because I love you, Lacey.

  All my love for always and forever,

  Dirk

  Lacey held the letter up against her chest as she cried. It wasn’t until she heard her phone vibrate that she put the letter down. She was almost afraid to check her phone…afraid that it was bad news about Dane. She packed up all of Dirk’s pictures and letters and put them away. Then she took a deep breath, sat down and reached for her phone.

  Dane: Text me when you get this. I had to leave town but I’m on my way back. I heard that you were worried so I wanted to let you know that I’m ok.

  Lacey stared at the phone. Relief washed over her that he was alright but that was soon replaced by anger because he obviously had to be told to text her after not even having had the common courtesy to let her know he was leaving. Then she just fell apart. She couldn’t do this again…the waiting, the worrying, she deserved better. She powered her phone down and then she got up and went to bed.

  LACEY WAS IN THE kitchen getti
ng coffee when Dane walked up behind her. “Hey.”

  Lacey didn’t turn around. “Good morning.”

  Dane could feel the chill radiating off Lacey. “Did you not get my text?”

  Lacey promised herself that she’d be calm but right now she didn’t want to be calm. “What text message would that have been…the one that said you were leaving or was it the one that I can only assume that Miguel told you to send me?”

  “I didn’t send one when I left because…”

  Lacey looked up at Dane as she scooted by him. “Exactly.”

  Dane chased after her. Now he was mad. How dare she be mad at him for going to work. “You’re mad at me because I didn’t get your permission to leave?”

  “Permission? What about common courtesy?”

  Dane was upset, exhausted and now Lacey was pushing his buttons. “Common courtesy…you’re not my wife.”

  Lacey lost it. Every ounce of upset and anger surged through her. She slapped Dane across the face.

  “I can’t believe that you just fucking slapped me. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “YOU! That’s what’s wrong with me.”

  “Well consider yourself healed because I’m out of here.” Dane stormed off.

  Miguel was about to step out of the elevator when Dane stepped in. Miguel could tell by the handprint on Dane’s face that things did not go well with Lacey. “How’d the job go?”

  “Fine.”

  “I take it that things did not go as well with Lacey?”

  “Yeah, really, what gave you that idea? Would it be my current fucking mood?”

  “No, it would be the handprint across your face.”

  Dane ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t get it. I was gone for thirty-six hours and I need her permission?”

  “She was worried about you.”

  “Look, I can’t help it if her husband went off and got himself killed. I’m not him.”

  “Dane!”

  “I’m sorry. I just can’t believe she’s that angry or that she slapped me.”

  “She’s hurt and afraid. You’ve been with her every day for the last few months and then you take off without a word.”

  “I guess, ok, maybe I should have let her know I was taking off.”

  “You think?”

  “Fine, yes, and I should have known enough to let her know that I was headed back without you having to tell me.”

  “So now what?”

  “I’m going home to get some sleep.”

  “You’re not going to make up with Lacey?”

  “Make up? We’re not a couple, never were, so there’s no making up.”

  “Keep telling yourself that.”

  The elevator doors opened and Dane got off. “I will because it’s the truth.”

  “Ryan, how much longer until we’re there?”

  “Count to ten.”

  “I can’t believe that you went and put a down payment on a house without me seeing it.”

  “I told you I wanted to surprise you.”

  “Won’t you be the one who’s surprised if I hate it.”

  “You are going to love it, Faith, I promise.” Ryan pulled into the driveway and put the car in park.

  “Can I take off my blindfold now?”

  Ryan reached over and took off Faith’s blindfold and then he kissed her. When he pulled away Faith’s eyes grew wide. She looked between Ryan and the house and then she got out of the car and looked across the street and then she ran around the car to where Ryan was now standing and she hugged him.

  “I love it and I love you, Ryan.”

  “I can’t take all the credit. Miguel was very persuasive and I think he may have sweetened the deal after I left.”

  “I can’t believe that we’re going to live across the street from Alex.”

  “Speaking of Alex…maybe we should call her and tell her to look out the window?”

  “She doesn’t know?”

  “Miguel and I decided that I should surprise you first and then tell my dear sister so that she couldn’t slip and ruin the surprise.”

  Faith pulled her phone from her purse and handed it to Ryan. “Here, call her.”

  Dane couldn’t get over Lacey slapping him. Sure he’d been beaten up more times than he could count but slapped like that by a woman…nope never. He didn’t care what time it was he needed a drink. He stopped off at a bar.

  “Hey, Sexy.”

  Dane looked up and a hot red head was smiling at him. “Can I buy you a drink?”

  “I’m Monica.”

  “Dane.”

  “I’ll have a beer.”

  Dane tossed down some cash. “I’ll have two beers.”

  “So are you married?”

  “Hell no.”

  Monica grabbed Dane’s ass and then she kissed him. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

  Dane hesitated for a moment before he answered. “No.”

  Monica took a swig of her beer. “Do you always drink during the day?”

  “You ask a lot of questions.”

  “I like to know who I’m going to have sex with.”

  “If it’s sex you want then just ask. Why are you wasting time making small talk?”

  “Let’s go in the back.”

  Dane chugged down the rest of his beer, got up and followed Monica down the hallway.

  “Look out your window.”

  “What? Why?” Alex walked over to her window and looked out.

  Faith and Ryan were standing on the lawn waving. Ryan handed Faith the phone.

  “Why are you standing on my neighbor’s lawn waving?” Alex laughed.

  “It’s not your neighbor’s lawn anymore…it’s ours!”

  “WHAT?”

  “Ryan bought me this house.”

  “OH MY GOD! I’m coming over!”

  “She’s coming over.” Faith put her phone back into her pocket and ran to the end of the driveway to greet Alex.

  Alex practically flew across the street. “I can’t believe you’re going to live here.”

  Faith grabbed Alex and hugged her. “I know. Ryan and Miguel did this behind my back.”

  “Miguel?”

  “Ryan said he thinks Miguel may have bribed the owners a bit.”

  “Ehhhh, it’s worth it.” Alex grabbed Faith again and hugged her.

  “It is, isn’t it.”

  DANE LOOKED DOWN AT his lasagna and then took a sip of his wine. He thought back to the last time he ate lasagna and how Lacey kept trying to steal forkfuls from his plate and in return he attacked her eggplant parmigiana with his fork. Now here he sat alone. Whether he wanted to admit it or not…he missed Lacey. Dane picked up his glass of wine but before he could take a sip he felt a tug at his elbow.

  “Hi, Dane!”

  Dane’s face lit up when he heard Molly’s sweet little voice. He put down his wine glass and turned toward Molly. “Well, hello there, Princess.”

  “Mom and I are having dinner here tonight because my birthday is tomorrow. You didn’t forget did you?”

  “How could I forget.”

  Molly jumped up and down with excitement. “So you’re coming to my party?”

  Dane opened his mouth to reply and Lacey walked over. “Molly, I told you to stay at the table while I went to the car to get my phone.”

  “Sorry, Mommy, but I saw Dane and I had to come say hello. You know how much I’ve missed him.”

  Dane smiled. “You’ve missed me, Molly?”

  Molly nodded her head. “I have…a lot. It’s been weeks since I’ve seen you.”

  “I’m sorry but I’ve been working day and night.”

  “You’re not working now so how about you come and have dinner with us? We have an extra chair at our table.”

  “Molly, Dane has his dinner already and we haven’t even ordered ours yet.”

  “Please, Mommy!”

  Lacey closed her eyes and exhaled. “Fine. As long as Dane doesn’t mind.”

&nb
sp; “Oh please, Dane.” Molly pouted.

  Dane let out a laugh. “Now listen, Princess, pouting is not going to get you anywhere but since you said please, I suppose I can come sit over at your table.”

  “Thank you, Dane. Mommy, can I tell the waiter man?”

  “Sure.”

  Lacey waited for Molly to get out of ear shot before she spoke. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “How could I say no to that pouty face.”

  Lacey gave Dane a slight smile. “She is a cutie.”

  “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

  Lacey looked away. “Don’t think that you can use my daughter to…”

  Dane leaned down and got in Lacey’s face and practically growled. “I would NEVER use an innocent child to get a piece of ass.”

  “Dane…”

  “Look, I don’t want to upset her so I’m going to sit with her while she eats and pretend that I don’t hate you right now.” Dane picked up his glass of wine and walked over to Molly.

  Eden sat rocking Sarah in her arms while Cruz played with his trucks.

  “Why don’t you let me hold my little girl while you put Cruz to bed.”

  “Alright but only because I’ve missed my little man.”

  Miles took Sarah from Eden and sat down in his rocking chair. “How’s Daddy’s little girl?”

  “Come on, Cruz, Mommy’s going to get you ready for bed tonight.”

  Cruz lifted his arms up to Eden. “Mama.”

  Eden picked Cruz up and kissed him. “Miles, thank you for giving me Cruz and Sarah.”

  “My pleasure. When you’re up to it we can practice making more.” Miles winked.

  “I remember when I got pregnant with Cruz and I was a nervous wreck and now I almost can’t wait for number three.”

  “I was a nervous wreck that your brother was going to kill me.”

  “Can you believe I was so afraid of telling my brother.”

  “When I think back about how much time we lost…”

  “Don’t, we needed that time to grow. We have each other now and these two little peanuts.” Eden kissed Cruz.

  “I love you, Eden.”

  “I’m going to put Cruz to bed and then I’ll come back and show you just how much I love you.” Eden blew Miles a kiss.