Chapter 10
“You picked fights with me on purpose. You made a scene in front of everyone on purpose-so Lena would let her guard down and think you were just a jealous, ordinary wife. Right?”
I nodded. Thinking back to the hospital-how I needled you on purpose, how you even “hit” me-my throat went tight. “I had to make her believe there was a crack between us. Then she’d feel safe getting closer to you, and when I ‘kidnapped’ her, her first instinct would be to call Mark to the rescue. She thought I was a woman blinded by jealousy. It never crossed her mind she was walking into a sting.”
Reid closed his hand over mine. Warmth bled through my fingertips, steady and familiar. “I know you had your reasons. But you shouldn’t have carried it all alone. When you said ‘divorce’ in the hospital… I panicked.”
He paused, voice dropping. “And when I… when I slapped you,
I_”
“I know you were playing it for Lena,” I cut in, smiling. “It looked hard, but it barely landed; you didn’t hurt me. The blood was me biting my lip. When would you ever really hit me?”
Reid smiled too. He ruffled my hair, eyes soft as ever.
The door swung open. His parents and the squad filed in, carrying fruit baskets.
His mom took my hand the moment she stepped in, eyes red. “Avery, I’m sorry I blamed you. I never guessed you and Reid were carrying this much-putting on a whole act just to close a case.’
})
Riley came over, guilt plain on her face. “Avery, I’m sorry. I called you stupid and cruel. Turns out I was the fool-Lena had me going with those tears for way too long.”
Reid looked around at them and cleared his throat, a thread of command back in his voice. “We got Mark and Lena because of Avery. She’s not just my wife. She’s a damn good detective—and she makes us proud.”
Nods all around. The looks they gave me were full of respect.
Warmth spread through my chest. The disguises, the slights, the fear-they all meant something now that everything was on the table.
A few days later, Reid was well enough to be discharged, and I went back to the Narcotics Division.
The department held a commendation ceremony for us. Mark/Caleb and Lena were indicted on multiple counts, including drug trafficking, harboring a fugitive, obstruction, and conspiracy, and they would face the full weight of the law.
The missing three kilos of party powder were recovered on Caleb’s statement before any of it hit the street.
That night, Reid and I sat on our couch, watching a thousand windows glow across the city. Chapter 10
100.00%
From here on out, we’d be like any ordinary couple-backing each other up, watching each other’s six. Only this time, we weren’t just guarding our little home.
We were guarding the peace and the justice behind all those lit windows.
Chapter 1 The Warrior King is Back
