Love or Justice by Rachel Mannino

Author:Rachel Mannino [Mannino, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Thrillers & Suspense, Suspense, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Mystery & Suspense
Amazon: B0170HJN62
Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC
Published: 2015-11-03T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Dante woke up disoriented. He forgot where he was, and why, until he realized Laurie lay across his chest. He held her for a while, stroking her back. When the sunlight grew to a level he could no longer ignore, he got up. He slipped out from underneath his lover’s sleeping form. He went to take a shower. When he came back, she was still fast asleep, curled on her side. He kissed her on the forehead with a smile, and decided to venture downstairs. When he entered the kitchen, his father sat at the table, reading the paper.

“Morning. Where’s Mom?”

“Upstairs.”

Dante nodded and headed to the cupboard to grab a coffee mug. He reached for the coffee pot. He was about to pour when his father’s voice made him pause.

“How long have you been sleeping with her?”

Dante froze. His heartbeat did a triple step. Blood rushed in his head. How did his father find out? How did he know? Dante steeled himself for the conversation he’d dreaded since he got off the plane. He finished pouring his coffee.

“Why does it matter?”

“Did you start sleeping with her before you started the assignment or after?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He turned toward his father slowly. Albert wore a stern expression Dante was all too familiar with. Dante stayed by the counter, determined not to let his father bully him.

“Son, you have responsibilities you swore—” Albert began.

“I know what I swore. I know what oath I took.” Dante slammed his coffee cup down on the counter.

That was all it took for Dante’s blood to turn from ice water to lava. His hands curled into fists, and his jaw clenched. His muscles vibrated with unspoken anger.

“You could lose your job. Your career!” Albert rose from the table. “Everything you’ve worked for!”

“It’s my choice, Dad. I didn’t mean for this to happen, but now it’s my choice.”

“If this gets you fired, every case you’ve ever been involved with could come into question.” Albert placed his hands on his hips.

“I’m not a cop anymore. I don’t do casework. If you even knew anything about my life then you would know I only do protection.”

“You’re not protecting a witness if you’re sleeping with them! When your emotions are involved, it compromises your work. You know this Dante.”

“Look, I didn’t mean for this to happen. But it did, and I’m glad. I wouldn’t take it back for anything in the world. I care about her.” Dante knew he was shouting, but he couldn’t control it.

“Then you shouldn’t have taken this kind of risk. What happens when the agency finds out? They won’t let you protect her. What happens when someone else has to ensure her safety from Kaimi?”

Dante fumed silently. His father hit a mark, a mark he hadn’t even thought of before. He knew his father was right, but he couldn’t give him the satisfaction of admitting it.

“You were supposed to be the best man for this job, Dante. You were supposed to protect her. You might as well have tied her up and delivered her to Kaimi yourself.

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