Sleeping With the Enemy

Chapter Fifty Three

"Don't go..." Brandon grabs my wrist, trying to pull me back to bed.

The grin he gives me is almost enough to make me concede but the craving I have for chocolate croissants is completely consuming me.

"I'll be right back, I promise. I'm just going to go down the street and pick us up some breakfast." I smile, running my thumb across his cheek.

"I'll get it for you. What good am I as a husband if I don't jump at my pregnant wife's every whim?" He chuckles.

"No, no." I shake my head. "Please go back to sleep. I need a little fresh air. I'll be back in just a few minutes."

"You're sure?" He doesn't look convinced, but over the last several weeks, he's really made an effort not to overrule everything in my life.

I nod, leaning forward and giving him a quick kiss as I slip my sweatshirt on. "Be back in fifteen."

After locking the door, I head down the stairs of the apartment building. It's rare that I'm on my own lately, but honestly I don't mind. Brandon and I can't get enough of each other, and with Herrera out of the picture, it's like we're finally getting time just to enjoy being back together.

It's been nearly a month since everything happened, and I'm finally breathing easier. My scars are healing and I'm starting to come to terms with the shift inside of me. It didn't happen overnight, and if I'm honest with myself, it didn't even just happen after Herrera kidnapped me. It's been slowly and quietly happening since I came home all those months ago. I still don't love the idea of the Mafia, but at least now, I have an understanding that I've never had before. And even more so, I can see my place in it.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever envision killing someone, let alone torturing them the way I did with Herrera, but I have to admit it felt good. I liked seeing him hurt the way that I had, and I liked having that power over him. Slowly, I was coming to terms with those feelings inside of me and as Brandon and I settle into life together, I'm feeling more and more at ease.

Without the looming threat of Herrera, things actually feel normal and our relationship is better than it's ever been. The Mafia doesn't rule our lives the way it once did, and that's all credit to the way Brandon handles things.

The bakery is just a short walk from our apartment and I make it there quickly. Mrs. Patterson is just pulling a batch of croissants out of the oven when I walk in and we chat for a little while before I order four of them and two cups of coffee.

The smell of the warm pastries is more than I could handle so I decide to let Brandon sleep a bit longer and stop at a small bench overlooking the bay for a few minutes. It's a beautiful morning and the boardwalk is busy with families and tourists walking along the shore. I sit there for a few minutes just enjoying the people watching and the warm sun, still amazed at the way that my life worked out.

I'd been so adamant about never coming back here, and it wasn't until I did that I found my true self again.

Just when I'm about to leave, someone sits down next to me on the bench. When I glance over, my heart nearly stops.

"Agent Paquin."

"Good morning, Sadie." She gives me a tight lipped smile."Beautiful weather, isn't it?"

"It is." I press my lips together.

"You look like you're recovering well. Everything good with the baby?" She asks.

"Still as healthy as can be." I nod. "I didn't realize you were in town."

"Just finishing up a few loose ends, and I had to testify at Herrera's hearing last week. I was surprised that you and none of the Aventtis were there. I would have thought you would want to see justice served and Herrera put behind bars."

My stomach lurches. I hadn't even thought about the hearing. Of course everyone would be suspicious now that Herrera didn't show up. People would start asking questions and Brandon and I would be an obvious place to start. Apparently that's why she's here now.

All the peace I was feeling quickly fades as I try to figure out what to say. I can't stand the thought of one more thing threatening the life Brandon and I are building.

"We decided it was best to stay away." I let out a sharp breath, gripping my coffee cup so hard I'm worried the piping hot liquid might spill all over my lap. "We're ready to move on with our lives and focus on our family."

"Your family..." she repeats, a faint smile on her lips. "Sadie, the funny thing is, Herrera didn't show up for the hearing either. It seems like he jumped bail. And the guy who posted his bail? Well, he's disappeared, too."

I arch my eyebrow as if I'm surprised. "You mean they let him get away again?"

"Right now it appears that way, but I don't think you're in any kind danger."

"Do you think he hopped the border like he was trying to do?" I ask, biting on my lip.

"That's the theory the chief is operating on... but I have one of my own." She eyes me carefully, clicking her tongue. "Herrera was a horrible human being, Sadie. Not just for what he did to you, but what he did to so many others. And I hope that wherever he is, he got what was coming to him. My theories don't mean much to anyone else anyway... I think the chief will look in Canada for a few weeks, and once he can't find him, he'll drop it."

I swallow as realization hits me. She knows we got to him....and she's letting it go. The first time I met this woman, we were so at odds I couldn't even stand to be in the same room with her, and now after all this time, it seems like we've found a little bit of common ground.

"I do, too." I agree, staring into the Carmel colored liquid in my cup.

"It was good to see you Sadie, but I've got a plane to catch back to LA." She says, standing up and staring out into the waves. "You know, just because all of this business is over now, don't think that means I'll be letting up on your husband's organization." She chuckles. "I think you and I will be seeing a lot of each other in the future."

"Looking forward to it." I smirk, waving to her. "Have a safe trip, Agent."

"Goodbye Sadie. I hope you'll use this opportunity to start fresh. You and Brandon both."

My heart thunders in my chest as I watch her walk away, disappearing into a taxi headed toward the airport. I guess Agent Paquin isn't quite as strait-laced as she let on if she's willing to look the other way even though she essentially knows what happened.

I take a deep breath, my lungs filling with the crisp salty air as a smile pulls at my lips. We're finally free of Herrera, and he can never hurt us again.