Cold & Deadly (Cold Justice: Crossfire #1)(113)

The awful memories dimmed the glow in Mallory’s eyes. “We got lucky.” She smiled over at Alex who watched his wife with careful attention. “We got a lot luckier than you did. I’m so sorry you were hurt.”

“I’ll survive.” Life came at you fast sometimes. Fast. Like a bullet. And wasting a moment of it was foolish. Ava turned to Dominic. “I love you.”

His eyes darkened, and one side of his mouth curled up. “You better.”

“I want to go home.”

“You have two gunshot wounds,” her mother said, wringing her hands together.

“You have to stay in for a few days.” Dominic laughed at whatever mutinous expression was showing on her face. “As long as you continue to recover, the doctor said you can be discharged in a few days. We can stay at my place in DC until you’re completely recovered.”

Her mother cleared her throat, and Ava almost choked on a strangled laugh.

“And,” Dominic said, clearing his own throat even louder, “there’s plenty of room for your mom to stay there too.”

“We’re leaving,” Mallory stepped forward to touch the back of Ava’s hand. “We’re going to stay in the city for a week or two, while we try to figure out the instruction manual on this little bundle. Call us. We’ll come visit.” She kissed Ava’s cheek, and Ava wanted to hug her hard, but it hurt too much.

Alex hefted the carrier and gave Ava another kiss, then turned to Ava’s mother. “We could give you a ride back to Dominic’s apartment, Vera, if you want to take a nap.”

It was a surprise Alex knew Ava’s mom by her first name, but presumably he’d met her when Ava had been unconscious.

“I can call my doorman to let you in, and you can rest for an hour. It was a long flight,” Dominic added.

Ava shot her mother a look that begged for privacy at the same time saying she was grateful to see her.

Finally, her mom appeared to receive the message, and her eyes widened as her gaze pinged between Ava and Dominic. “Ah…I am tired. I didn’t sleep at all last night. I’ll come back for the evening visiting hours though and bring you some of your favorite Galaktoboureko so you can have something decent to eat rather than this disgusting mush I see them feeding people.” Her mother looked revolted. “You take care of her. Let her rest.” She wagged her finger at Dominic and gave him the sort of look usually reserved for customers she thought might dine and dash. Then she ran her hand over Ava’s hair, kissed her brow, and whispered, “S’ agapo.”

“What does that mean?” Dominic asked, holding her hand when the others finally left them alone.

“S’ agapo?”

Dominic nodded, leaning closer.

“I love you.”

Those indigo eyes of his smiled. “S’ agapo,” he repeated.

“S’ agapo.” She gripped his hand tight. “Is this real, Sheridan? Or is it all going to fizzle into nothing in a year’s time?”

His grin was as wide as the sky. “Only one way to find out, Kanas.”

She smiled back. “I guess there is. You along for the ride?”

He shook his head. “Hell, no. I’m driving the damn car.”

She laughed and then opened her mouth as pain sliced through her. “Ouch.”

“Don’t laugh.”

“I’ll try not to. I’m just so happy.”

“Good.”

“I don’t remember much of anything after you killed Suzanna.” She frowned. “Oh, wait, I remember you carrying me in your arms…” She could swoon from that memory alone.

“We found Mr. and Mrs. Parker having delivered their own baby and then realized you’d been shot twice. Parker drove us all here as we figured it was faster than waiting for a medivac or ambulance.”

“I’m lucky you arrived when you did.” Ava’s stomach twisted at the memory of how close she’d come to death. “If you hadn’t called out, she’d have put a bullet in me and then gone hunting for Mallory.”

Dominic bowed his head, his throat working. She ran her fingers over the roughness of his jaw, his wide bottom lip.

“I can’t believe I didn’t figure it out.” He captured her hand.

“Everyone missed it.”

“Not you.”

“She totally fooled me,” Ava argued.

He was serious, and it unnerved her. “You saw the truth about Van’s death when nobody else did. That’s why Frazer wants you on his team.”

“Wait. What?”

Dominic pulled a face. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you. I told him I doubted you’d agree.”

“Not want to work for the BAU? Are you crazy?”

“They’re nothing but glorified computer analysts. Barely ever leave the office.”

“Hell, yes, I want to join the BAU. You know how hard it is to get in?”

Dominic opened his eyes wide with fake innocence. “So, you’re coming back to the FBI?”

Excitement spread through her entire body. “I am if I can work at the BAU.”

“You’ll have to start at the bottom.”

“I am totally used to the bottom.”

“Ah, shit.” His brows clamped together.