Page 30 of Capone
What was on the other side of that door?
Mercury turned around and faced me with a stunned expression.
“What is it?” I stepped forward. My anxiety was through the damn roof.
He didn’t say a word. Mercury pulled the door open, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was Capone, standing on the other side, but that wasn’t the most shocking thing.
He had Gabi in his arms!
My eyes were blinded by tears as they began to fall rapidly down my face. As soon as my baby spotted me, Capone placed her on her feet.
“Mommy!” she cheered as she ran to me.
I met her halfway and swooped her into my arms. I held her as close as I could. My body was racked with sobs as I cried tearsof joy. It felt like a dream. For almost two weeks I dreamed of this moment, and it was finally here.
“Don’t cry, Mommy.” Gabi wiped my tears, concern etched all over her beautiful face.
“Mommy isn’t sad, baby. I’m just so happy to see you. I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too!” She laid a sweet kiss on my nose, causing me to laugh through the tears.
I turned to Capone, and he was watching us with the biggest smile. I walked over to him and gave him the best hug I could with Gabi in my arms.
“Thank you,” I choked out.
“I told you no thanks was necessary, Sugar. Your happiness is all I need.”
“Can I speak to you in the hall for a second, Capone?” Mercury asked. He was still standing off to the side in disbelief.
Capone nodded and made a move to walk away. Gabi almost jumped out of my arms, reaching for him.
“Pony, no go!” she shouted, grabbing his arms.
My mouth dropped open as I watched my baby girl cling to him like she had known him her entire life. He turned back and lightly pinched her cheek, making her giggle.
“It’s Capone, Lil Bit. Ca-Pone.” He broke it down for her.
Gabi’s face turned serious as she folded her little arms across her chest. Her nose scrunched up as she frowned at him. “Pony,” she said with finality.
A giggle slipped out of me to see my baby hadn’t changed a bit. She seemed completely unharmed and happy. For that, I could breathe just a tad bit easier, but I would still need to get all the details from Capone later once Gabi was asleep.
“It’s fine, Capone, you can stay. I’ll call Cara and get all the details from her. I don’t think Miss Gabi is letting you out of hersight any time soon.” Mercury slapped Capone on the shoulder and walked out the door.
I set Gabi down in the bed before turning the television to her favorite YouTube channel,Gracie’s Corner.Like I knew it would, it gained Gabi’s undivided attention. Grabbing Capone’s hand, I pulled him to the side and wrapped my arms around him, giving him a proper hug. When he squeezed me tight, the dam broke.
“Shh, she’s here now, and she’s okay.”
“H-How was she? When you found her.”
“She was completely fine. Gabi didn’t know what was going on and luckily Asha didn’t seem like she was trying to harm Gabi in any way. She had an entire room decked out for her. I think she only took Gabi because she wants to be her mother.”
“What?” I jerked my head back.
“That’s what I believe, but who knows why. I’m sure Mercury and his detectives will get the truth out of her. Let’s not focus on her. You finally have Gabi back and that’s all that matters.”
“Right. But where is Asha?”
“In a precinct in New Orleans, waiting for Mercury to take her back to Washington.”
