Page 74 of Fall Into Temptation
He settled in behind his desk and sat for just a moment, enjoying the coffee and the sunshine that was just now peeking over the park and Main Street. He wondered what Eva’s reaction to the paper would be. Her reluctance had certainly taken a backseat last night. He swiveled in his chair to stare fondly at the bare counter behind his desk. Everything had changed last night. Years of waiting, of wanting, of dreaming and fantasizing, had finally come to a head, and he couldn’t have imagined it being more perfect.
The way Eva responded to him… hell, the wayheresponded toher. It was like coming home. No wonder he had a big, stupid smile on his face. The rest of his life had finally begun.
His phone vibrated on his desk.
It looked like his work day had begun too.
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Donovan held up a finger when Jax and Nikolai strolled into his office.
“I appreciate it. Keep me apprised,” he said into the phone.
“Keep me apprised,” Jax mimicked in a falsetto to Niko.
Donovan raised a different finger in his friends’ direction. “Uh-huh. Thanks, chief,” he said and hung up the phone. He tossed the empty muffin wrapper at Jax. “You’re going to feel like an asshole in a minute.”
“You sound like my wife,” Jax grinned. “We come bearing news that needs to be acted on ASAP, and we need your shiny little badge to get some shit done.”
Donovan brought his fingers to his temples. “Let me guess. Your P.I. found Reeva and Caleb’s mom in Ocean City, Maryland, and we need to move now?”
Jax rushed Donovan’s desk, his excitement palpable. “How’d you—”
“Your P.I. texted this morning. She got a hot tip thanks to a Facebook post. That was the chief of police in OC. He’s having a car pick up Sheila at her motel now on a few outstandings.”
“Hot damn!” Jax grabbed Donovan by his shoulders and laid a kiss on his forehead. He punched Nikolai in the shoulder and ran for the door.
“Where are you going?” Donovan yelled after him, wiping the back of his hand across his forehead.
Jax ran back. “I gotta tell Joey. We gotta tell the kids.”
Donovan sighed. “Jeez, it’s like someone just told you you were gonna be parents. Tell Joey, but wait on the kids until the cops pick her up. Have Beckett fax the papers to this number,” he instructed, shoving a scrap of paper at Jax. “If she signs, drag the kids out of school and throw a damn party.”
“Tell Joey. Fax papers. Have party. Got it!” Jax took off leaving the fax number on Donovan’s desk.
Donovan sighed again. “You mind delivering this to your idiot friend?”
“Happy to help,” Nikolai said. “You got a minute?” he asked, glancing toward the doorway.
“No one’s burned anything down yet today,” Donovan said. His interest piqued when Nikolai shut the door.
“Okay, first thing is kind of a formality. I hear you and Eva are… seeing each other.”
Donovan steepled his fingertips. “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes. We are.”
“Technically, through marriage, Eva is my business,” Niko argued amicably. “So, I wanted to give you the ‘treat her well or else’ spiel.”
“Message received.” Donovan could appreciate the protective vibe, but the only man Eva was going to need protecting her was him. Not some well-meaning brother-in-law.
“I also wanted to let you know that I think you two are a good thing. So, when I tell you this, I don’t think I’m being disloyal. Their mother leaving them had an effect on each of them. They all seem to think that since Eva was the youngest, it was easier on her. I think she lets them think that. And I can tell by your expression I’m not telling you anything you don’t know.”
“I think Eva tends to cope by keeping things to herself,” he admitted. “But I plan to make sure she understands that honesty is the only policy.”
Nikolai looked relieved. “Just wanted to make sure you were aware. These Merill women are formidable, and I want you in the fight.”
“Appreciate it,” Donovan said. They shook over his desk. “Anything else?”
Niko shrugged his shoulders under his leather jacket. “We ran into her on our way here. Looked like she was arguing with someone.”
