Tears sting my eyes. It pisses me off that he is so comfortable with the belief that his family can get away with anything.
As I lift my tired body off the wall, I am fuelled with determination to bring his family down no matter what it takes.
If this murder investigation doesn't do it, I will find something else.
Tiredly, I climbed the four flights of stairs to my apartment. The lift is out of service again.
When I get to my door, I find Daniel leaning against the wall of my apartment, waiting for me with his hands crossed against his chest.
He had a weird look in his eyes.
He is the last person I want to see right now, and after the fun ride I just had with Ryan, I'm not in the mood to entertain.
"Took your sweet time getting back. Did you two jet off somewhere to have a quick one before he brought you home?"
I stiffened at Daniel's words, looked at him with an evil eye, and then looked at him again.
Is he jealous?
His tight expression would indicate so, but what right does he have?
We are just friends, right?
Maybe I am seeing things, and the detective is just pissed that I am getting chummy with the enemy.
Thinking that makes me feel funny in my stomach.
Zapped of all my strength dealing with arrogant Ryan, I didn't have the energy to dignify Daniel's immature words with a response.
I went straight to my keyhole and tried to slot my key in.
My frustration had my hands shaking so badly that the task became impossible.
"Need help?"
I didn't know if Daniel was honestly asking or being sarcastic again. Anyway, with his earlier comment, I don't think I want him helping me with anything.
Finally, the door opened.
It's about damn time.
I walked inside with Daniel on my heels.
I could hear my bed calling my name, but with my uninvited guest, I am gonna keep her call on hold for the moment.
"What is going on between you two? He had your hands in his like you were his woman. I sent you there to find dirt on him, not become the dirt!"
Damn, he is not pulling any punches.
Daniel's accusations cut like a blade.
I have it up to my neck with his scathing remarks, and it also infuriates me more because half of his words are true.
"Daniel!"
" What?!"
I turned to face him, my eyes narrowed to a slit.
"If you've come here to give me grief for no reason, I'm not in the mood. I've had a tiring day and want to get some sleep."
"Not before you give me some answers," Daniel said with a stubborn look in his eyes.
I stifle an eye roll. He is acting like an older brother I didn't even ask for.
"Well, I don't have any to give you," I retort sharply, and head for the living room.
Daniel followed, speaking as he walked behind me.
"Why the fuck was he holding your hand?" he demands, his tone possessive.
"Because he likes how soft they feel," I said sarcastically.
I don't think Daniel found my answer funny. He quickly grabbed my arm, pulling me to a stop, but I reacted before he could get his words out.
I flinched away, my body recoiling from his touch, my eyes showing my anxiety.
He knows damn well how much I hate being touched without permission.
He quickly stepped back, raising his hand. "I'm sorry," he said, but the look in his eyes didn't match his words. He looked irritated about something.
I took a deep breath to calm down and keep my memories from drowning me.
"It's okay," I told him softly, a little calmer than when I first walked in.
"Can we talk reasonably and not be at each other's throats?" He asked with a pleading look.
"You started it," I told him pointedly.
"You are right. And I'm sorry for acting like an asshole."
He did act like an asshole. I wondered why.
"Why?" I asked, staring at him intently.
A look flashes across his eyes that brings back my earlier suspicion, but it was gone before I could figure it out.
"I was looking out for you," he said softly, his green eyes dull again, showing little emotion. It's as if he's trying so hard to hide his feelings from me.
"I'd blame myself if you got hurt in the process," he said sincerely, looking a little distressed at the idea.
Is that all? Is that the only reason he lashed out? I had a nagging feeling it was more, but maybe it was just my overthinking.
Anyway, whatever his reasons are, they don't justify the rude way he addressed me. I'll let it go because Daniel is the only close friend I have. He understands what I've been through, and my quirks haven't chased him away.
"You don't need to worry about me so much. I'm a big girl and can handle myself."
"Noted. I'll back off, but you have to promise to come to me if you need help." He looked at me seriously, conveying he meant every word and would be there instantly if I called.
I really value his support. It's reassuring to know someone's in my corner, ready to help when things get tough—Daniel's been that for me these past few years.
We've truly been through a lot.
"Thanks," I said softly, my face softening into a small smile to show my appreciation.
"You're welcome."
The tension between us eased, and we slipped back into our usual friendly, comfortable atmosphere, which makes us good friends and partners.
"Have you had dinner?" I asked, getting to my feet.
"No, but why don't you sit down, and I'll make something for you?" he suggested, rising.
I was so tired I plopped onto the couch. I could have fallen asleep right then, and Daniel's offer to cook dinner made me so happy.
He's one in a million for doing this.
"Thank you," I smiled at him, eyes bright. Cooking isn't fun for me; I do it because I gotta eat.
Having someone cook for me is one of my favorite things.
"You're welcome," Daniel grinned, and I noticed how his smile softened his features. He isn't as chiseled or handsome as Ryan, with a bit of roundness to his face, but he can hold his own in looks.
Once he leaves, I stretch out on my couch. I just intended to rest my feet while I waited for my dinner, but I underestimated how tired I was, body and soul.
I drifted off.
The next thing I know, someone is shaking me awake. I open my eyes, feeling slightly disoriented as I stare at the face hovering over me.
"Ryan!" I whispered, mistaking the blurring features of whoever was above me for my boss. Don't blame me, my boss is always on my mind. If I am not thinking about him in relation to my past, I am thinking about everything that has happened to me since I walked back into his life.
"No. It is Daniel."
The tightness in Daniel's words startles me fully awake, and I sit up.
"Hey!"
Daniel ignores my greeting.
"Come and eat," he tells me when he sees I am fully awake, but his voice is reserved, and he is acting stiff, as if he is mad about something.
I rub my fingers against my eyes to clear the rest of the sleep from my eyes, and I look up at Daniel's face.
They are screwed up tight and unreadable. He is once again masking his feelings.
"Are you alright?" I asked, concerned. I tried to think if I had done anything to make him mad, but nothing came to mind.
"Why wouldn't I be?" He throws back at me, his tone a bit forceful, like he is trying to restrain his annoyance, but not succeeding quite well.
Yep, he is mad. Unlike my boss, Daniel is not quite skilled at poker face. If he is mad, happy, or sad, you can tell.
And I love that about him. It makes it easier to be friends with him.
I sit up straight, staring him squarely in the eyes, and I demand to know what I had done to piss him off.
"What did I do?" I persist.
As much as Daniel and I bicker back and forth, I truly hate it when he is actually mad at me. As I said, he is the only person I have who is close to family, and I would hate to lose him.
He opens his mouth to speak, but I cut him off to make it clear that I expect total honesty from him.
"Don't you dare say you are fine, because we both know you are not." I gently reminded him of how well we know each other. Just as I can read his emotions easily, so can he.
When we started this, we promised to be honest with each other, and if I have done something to piss him off, I want him to be honest with me about it.
He stares at me intently like he intends to make a hole in my skull before whispering.
"You called out Ryan's name when I woke you up."