Chapter 83
Dom had followed the limo from the hospital to the Barratts’ home. He had been there multiple times before—and had been told a suite on their fifth floor would be waiting for him as long as he needed. His father and Cherise and Max were staying, too.
Now, he sat in the front family room where most of the Barratts’ guests ended up sooner or later. Madison was there. She’d plunked herself down right next to him. No one had even blinked. Even when he’d slipped his arm behind her shoulders before he’d thought about how it would appear.
Now they waited for the star of their little show to tell them what she knew. But they were waiting.
For the moment, this was far more important.
Heather’s little girl had found her.
That took priority right now. They all understood that.
Heather held her baby in one arm, Hope next to her to help her stay up. Heather looked rough—but she’d be okay eventually. She just needed to build her strength back.
Frankie had been brought in by Heather’s niece Crispin.
Crispin had seen her aunt and started crying, too.
Frankie had taken one look at her mother and squealed.
“Mommy, here you is! Here you is! We founded you. Mommy can’t stay away from her Frankie forever ever again.
My just missed you too much. Too much, Mommy. Too much.”
Then she was climbing into her mother’s lap and just clinging.
“Never again. Mommy promises, baby. Mommy promises.” Heather just held her children close and cried.
Hell, even Dom’s allergies kicked in again. So did that asshat Mac Barratt’s, and everyone else’s in the room. It was a high pollen count day, for sure.
The toll this job took on those who loved a cop—no. That was something he and Madison were going to have to talk about. He wouldn’t want the woman he loved to ever have that kind of pain.
Madison leaned her head against his shoulder. As if she understood what he was thinking. “It’s worth it, you know. The love. We’re never given any guarantees, Dom. No matter what the job is. Look at what Gunnar went through. Or Marc Deane.”
He knew what she meant. Gunnar’s first wife had been killed by a drugged out driver. Governor Deane’s wife had died of an aneurysm during childbirth. “But the job—it ups the odds.”
“So did my father’s. But he died of a heart attack. He was perfectly healthy up until then. I’m willing to take the risk.” Madison looked at him, big eyes staring into his. “I always have been. The job…was never what it was about.”
“We are going to talk. Later. For now…case. We finish this, and then…you and I…we’re going to talk.”
“Yes, we are. You aren’t getting away from me ever again.”
Then Crispin was taking Frankie and Ember to find the rest of the kids. Someone had mentioned a pool party in Houghton Barratt’s ridiculously overdone waterpark—indoors, of course—and Frankie was excited.
She had to stop to tell Madison all about her new ‘wim-woot’—she had a definite speech impediment, that kid—on her way out.
They all knew now that Cousin Quade Wonkus and his friend Dylan and Frankie’s cousin Cara had boughted her the ‘wim-woot’ in Wyoming when she went there on bay-cation and ‘wimmed’ in the hotel pool.
That kid was beautiful and amazing and kids like her were why Dom did this damned job in the first place.
Everyone was leaving it unsaid that Heather would be resting once they were finished here. The woman was practically keeling over now. The only thing that seemed to be holding her up was Mac Barratt on her left.
That guy…still acted like he was in charge. He’d probably always get on Dom’s nerves. No denying that. But…what kind of man actually thought he was in charge of Heather and got away with it?
“Now, I think…you all want to know what I know,” Heather said, looking at Dom and Gunnar.
She still avoided looking at Daniel. He didn’t know if those two would ever be easy with each other.
Dom didn’t know if she knew where that man had been staying for the past two weeks.
He did not want to be around for the explosions when she finally found out.
“Isn’t that what this place is all about? Finding out what I am hiding.”
“I personally don’t give a damn what you are hiding,” Mac said, bluntly. “I am sure you are hiding many things. It’s rather intriguing when I think about it. We just wanted you somewhere safe for the time-being. You know…for your own good, and everything.”
He looked at the rest of the crowd. “I almost had to bring out the duct tape to get her here. Just couldn’t find the sparkly glittery kind she prefers.”
“Asshole.”
“I am the love of your life. Everyone thinks it’ll be explosive when we finally get together. They can’t wait to watch. And Powell is in charge of the betting pool, I believe.”
The two word command she gave him was iconic Heather. Mac just smirked at her in return. “I’m looking forward to it, my love. I’ve heard we’ll make beautiful children together. I am looking forward to it.”
Well, the man apparently had balls of steel as well as a stupid streak. No denying that.
“Just tell us what we need to know,” Daniel said. “So I can take a damned nap. I’m exhausted.”
“Running from your beautiful demons will do that to you,” Murdoch said. “I told you…”
“Shove it.”
Dom looked at Heather, then the rest of the crowd. “Dan is right. Heather needs to rest. Let’s just do this and move on.”
“Acardi, I really do think you are my favorite boy in Major Crimes. At least you are honest and very, very pretty. An honest boy cop—so hard to find these days. I…appreciated the cheeseburger and fries, by the way. Earned my loyalty for life with that one.”
Dom just smirked at her. He’d spoken with her twin. Joy had let him send over an order from Mamaw’s the night before. It was supposed to be their little secret. “Hell, Heather. I think you’d earned it.”