Cold & Deadly (Cold Justice: Crossfire #1)(112)

If her mom was joking, she must be okay, but it reminded her about her tanked career.

“Well, I guess you got your wish, Mom. I’m no longer with the FBI.” She turned her head away from them both. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do now. Dominic had said some pretty nice things in the woods earlier. And quit the FBI, but there was no way they’d allow him to leave. Someone would talk him out of it. He was born to be a negotiator, and she didn’t want him to quit a job he loved either.

“What do you mean?” her mother asked.

Dominic squeezed her fingers. “The director rescinded his termination. Said the whole thing had been a huge misunderstanding.”

Ava wanted to feel grateful, but she couldn’t meet his gaze. “Because of you, not because of me. He wants you to stay even if that means putting up with me.”

“Actually, no.” Dominic sat on the bed. Her mom threw him a dirty look. “Because Lincoln Frazer, Mallory Rooney, Ray Aldrich and everyone in the Fredericksburg RA, Charlotte Blood, Eban Winters, Mark Gross, Kurt Montana, and a whole swathe of HRT guys threatened to quit if the director went through with your dismissal, which they all considered unfair. Pretty much everyone you’ve ever worked with.” Dominic smiled, and a shot of something that felt a lot like lust, only softer and deeper, went through her. “I haven’t had time to formally tender my resignation yet. I decided to wait and ask you what you planned to do before I moved forward with that.”

“Ray Aldrich?”

“Ray was pretty repentant after it became clear Van was murdered. He saw the error of his ways.” Ava tried to stave off the tears, but one leaked through. So much for willpower.

Dominic’s dark blue gaze regarded her seriously. “You aren’t alone in the FBI, Ava. You have a lot of people who love you and respect you. Van was one. I’m another.” He kissed her fingertips, and her heart gave an unexpected flutter. She’d hoped he loved her but hearing him say it—in front of her mother, no less—felt like a million dreams coming true. She was overwhelmed, unable to speak. Unable to swallow. And that people had stood up for her when she needed it. People she respected. People she didn’t…

“Don’t leave the Bureau because the director was an ass. The FBI needs agents like you.” Dominic’s eyes flashed to her mother whose expression was pinched but didn’t fool Ava for one minute. The woman was pumped Ava had finally found a man.

Dominic misunderstood Ava’s silence. “I know I told you I wasn’t interested in relationships, but that was before I met you. I can’t imagine not seeing you every day. Not finding out how many bad guys you made sorry for crossing paths with you each night after work. I love you, Ava. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”

His eyes were intent on her face, and she raised her hand to touch his stubbled jaw. He looked good when he was clean-shaven, but he looked hot as hell with scruff. She wished she had the strength to kiss him until he couldn’t breathe but feared she’d end up with the crash cart in here, trying to revive her quivering heart.

“I love you too, Dominic Sheridan. I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you cutting Van’s lawn with your shirt sleeves rolled up.”

His grin was pure male satisfaction, and he deserved it. He’d come after her when she’d walked out on him. He’d trusted her to help save them in the woods and carried her out of there bleeding.

She sent her mother a narrow look and teased, “I love you even though you aren’t Greek.”

Her mother threw up her hands dramatically, knowing when she was being baited. She walked around the bed and kissed Dominic on the top of the head. “You better treat her right, Dominic Sheridan.”

“Mom.”

“Hey. You almost died because some crazy woman was after him, Ava—”

Ava rolled her eyes. “It’s not exactly the first time I nearly died this week, Mom.” Her mother looked horrified, but Ava’s mouth went dry as she remembered something more important. “Mallory? The baby? Are they okay?”

Dominic grinned. “All amazingly well. Let me call them quick. We might catch them before they leave the hospital.”

Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. A glowing Mallory and pale Alex holding a baby carrier came in the room.

Ava said, “I am so glad you guys are okay.”

Alex brought the baby over for a look. Dark lashes rested on plump, pink cheeks. Tiny, perfect, cupid’s bow lips were slightly parted. Gorgeous and in one piece. Ava’s heart melted.

“So beautiful.” She reached out to touch a tiny finger that wrapped around hers with a grip of steel.

“Makes you want one, huh?” Her mother, subtle as a meteorite.

“One day,” Ava said softly.

“One day,” Dominic murmured against her ear.

“Georgina Ava Parker, meet your godmother.”

“What?” Ava’s eyes widened.

“You heard.” Mallory grinned widely.

“I didn’t do anything,” Ava protested.

“Except draw a mad woman away from me so I could escape.” Mallory was wearing a pretty dress covered in daisies. No one would ever guess a day ago they’d both been running for their lives in the woods.

“You’re the one who saved us,” Ava insisted. “I had no idea how to make her stop the car. Throwing up on Suzanna was genius.”