My heart raced. "In case he needs me, professionally."
"Professionally?" he grumbled, not at all looking convinced.
I turned over explanations in my head, trying to explain things to Daniel, or at least to tell him how the night had gone, but I belatedly realized there were several cars in my driveway. Then Deva’s voice floated out of the open front door. “Emma, get in here!" And her voice... it held panic.
I gave Daniel a confused look and rushed past him as he stepped aside.
After hurrying into the living room, I stopped to gape at the people there. Carol sat in the middle of the couch, her eyes red and blotchy. Beth and Deva flanked her, while Henry and Alice sat together in the overstuffed chair off to the side. “What happened?” I asked.
“Bryan and I went for a walk on the beach,” Carol said before dissolving into sobs.
I froze. A walk on the beach? Did he hurt her? If he hurt her, I’d stake him myself.
Turning my gaze to Deva with a frown, I said, "Uh, okay..."
Deva took over. “From what we can tell, some people started chasing them, and Bryan let himself fall behind to give Carol time to get away.”
It was strange. I didn't know what I was feeling. Not relief. How could I be relieved when my friend was hysterical? But I was glad Bryan didn't hurt her.
"And he got hurt?" I asked, feeling confused.
Beth shook her head.
Uh oh. So... what choices were left. “So, they took Bryan?” I was strangely hopeful, because the alternative was even worse.
Carol nodded and clutched a tissue to her mouth. “He’s gone!”
“We told her everything,” Beth said. “She knows we suspect Bryan of killing Quillan.”
I gave Carol a sympathetic look and sat across from her on the edge of the coffee table. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered, squeezing her knee.
Carol lunged toward me and grabbed both of my hands. “I don’t know what happened to that vampire,” she said, her voice filled with tears. “But I know; I absolutelyknowBryan didn’t do it.”
She was so certain. It was hard not to believe her, even though deep down I wasn't sure. Not that I would tell her. “Oh, Carol,” is all I managed.
Suddenly, Daniel was close to us. I sensed him right behind me and looked back, needing his reassurance. His gaze met and held mine, there was hesitation in it, and maybe a little bit of hurt, but I could also sense that he didn't want to talk about whatever was between us. Not right now at least. “I’m going to head down to the station. See if there’s any talk around the humans about all of this. Sometimes they pick stuff up.” Then, his eyes swept over me with such a look of longing that my heart ached.
I glanced down, realizing I'd forgotten I was wearing a long gown, still, my hair still perfectly coiffed, and last I’d checked in the restroom at Vance’s, my makeup was holding up beautifully. Daniel’s heavy gaze also reminded me of how I looked. “Right now?” I asked, not wanting him to go yet. Wanting to fix things between us, to reassure him, and also to have him reassure me about what was happening with Carol and Bryan. I needed him, and I felt like he needed me.
Yet, I knew this is one of those duty calls kind of situations. I could feel it.
He wriggled his lips a bit, looking aggravated. “Now. I'm sorry, but I’ll be in touch.”
He turned away from me, shoulders slumped and headed out the door like he was running away from us. Or maybe just from me. I could sense his unease, his hurt, and I wanted more than anything in this world to take it away.
I stood, wanting to stop him but not quite knowing how.
Beth gently put her hand on my wrist. “Just let him cool off,” she said, her voice as gentle as her touch. “He’s been pacing this living room since we got here an hour ago.”
“Yeah,” Deva chimed in. “That man was more like a caged bear, worrying about you being gone with those vampires.”
"Shifters don't handle their partners being in situations like yours very well," Beth explained with a tight smile. "Daniel is probably fighting every instinct he has right now. He's old enough to know how to control his bear, but he's also not a human, he can't just push away his jealousy or his deep instinct to keep you with him. To keep you safe. I really think he did the best he could, but now needs a moment."
I hated that my helping Vance had made Daniel feel this way. It felt like a punch to the gut. Also like I'd hurt myself instead of him, that's how much I hated seeing him pained by something I had done. But the worse part of it all is that I would’ve done it again, given the chance. I didn’t know who killed Quillan, but now I knew the other vampire suspects, and in the end, that knowledge might help crack the case. No matter how much I cared about Daniel, hurting his feelings was worth it if I could potentially save the man my best friend loved, and catch a murderer.
And right now, that was the most important thing. Even if knowing that didn't make the ache in my heart any less acute.
FIFTEEN
