Forever After (Unrestrained 5)

“Don’t worry,” I said and waved him off. “We’re not going anywhere anytime soon.”

Lara turned to me, a look on her face that was hard to describe. A mixture of frustration and disbelief.

"What's that look?" I said, following Lara out of the precinct. We stood on the sidewalk and she turned to me.

"Total disbelief tha

t Lisa was that crazy to create a fake account and send herself letters from you."

"I know," I said. "Who would have thought?"

The limo driver opened our door and the two of us slid inside. Lara glanced at me, her expression one of concern.

“Let me see that list,” she said after she finished buckling her seatbelt. “We’ll stop by my office and I’ll get my assistant to copy it and check it out against known concerts and dungeon parties.”

“You may want to add on Doctors Without Borders events as well. I’ll check Mersey’s schedule, to see when we played.”

“And afterwards,” Lara said and tucked the paper into her bag. “We’re going out to get drunk.”

“You think so?” I said, not sure if I wanted to leave Kate alone for so long with Sophia. “I probably should go home to be with Kate.”

“Kate can wait,” Lara said. “You need at least one drink after that.”

I nodded, feeling like a shot of vodka or three might do me good.

As we drove off, I still had a bad feeling about my situation and seeing those letters hadn’t dissipated it.

Chapter 8 : Kate

Drake arrived home much later than I expected. “How did it go?” I asked, carrying Sophie with me to the door to greet him. Sophie was a bit fussy, and had been hard to pacify.

Drake removed his jacket, an expression of concern on his face.

“Well enough, but it’s hard to say.”

I leaned up to kiss him, and could smell the vodka even before our lips met.

“Hmm, vodka,” I said with a smile. “Looks like someone needed a drink.”

“I did,” Drake said and fumbled with his shoes, leaning against the closet door like he was a bit dizzy. “Lara wouldn’t take no for an answer. You know what she’s like.”

“I do,” I said, trying to keep a grin off my face, but Drake a bit tipsy was always amusing. “She’s a dominatrix for a reason.”

He nodded and when he was finished, he tucked his shoes into the closet, and closed the door.

He turned to me and reached for Sophie, but I pulled her away slightly.

“Maybe you shouldn’t,” I said. “Drinking and parenting don’t mix well.”

“Aww,” he said and leaned closer, peering at Sophie, who was sucking intently on her pacifier. “I’m sorry, lil girl, but Daddy is a bit tipsy. Don’t want to drop you or fall with you in my arms.” He pouted and shook his head when he met my eyes. “I’m sorry. You probably hoped I could take over when I got back. I didn’t think…”

“It’s okay,” I said and squeezed his arm. “She just fed so it’s time for her to have some swing time and maybe a nap.”

“Good,” Drake said and plopped down onto the sofa, his feet up on the coffee table. He watched while I put Sophie into her swing and turned on the timer for 20 minutes. I hoped that would give me time to relax, put my feet up and listen to what Drake had to say.

Once she was set, I watched to see if she would fuss, but she seemed content to stare at the tiny mobile that hung from the swing and suck on her pacifier. If she settled, she’d sleep for a while.

I sat down beside Drake, my own feet on the coffee table, glad to finally rest myself.