Page 50 of Dead Serious Case 5 Madame Vivienne
“How the hell did you manage to find that out?” I ask, surprised. “I mean, employee records must be held by the NHS or something, you’d think. I can’t imagine that information was easy to come by.”
“It was Sam,” Danny replies. “Did you know he can do this weird thing where he touches an object or a building and he sees things?”
“Oh, I’ve heard of that.” I nod. “It’s called psychometry. I mean, it’s not scientifically proven, but then neither are a lot of things you and I have witnessed with our own eyes.”
Danny shakes his head. “Anyway, Sam said all the images were too chaotic, so all he was able to get were partial memories from Viv. He had a bracelet of hers he found at the bookshop and was able to use that to get faint readings from the old maternity wing of the building. Although it took us a while to find it because it’s now the geriatric wing. Sam couldn’t concentrate either as all the patients kept wanting to have a conversation with us.”
“So he only got the doctor’s name?” I clarify.
Danny nods. “But it’s a start. Tomorrow we’re going to chase down the doc and see if he’s still local. He might not remember anything, but it’s worth a shot.”
“Aren’t you working tomorrow?”
He takes a breath as he stares at me silently for a moment, then he lifts his hand and drags it through his hair in frustration. “About that. Uh, I may have got myself suspended today.”
“What?” I gasp, stepping back. “Oh no.” My stomach sinks and I swallow hard. “Is this because of when I called you? I knew I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No,” he says firmly, moving closer to me again. “I want you to feel like you can come to me and tell me anything.”
“But I got you suspended, didn’t I? And you love your job. Fuck, what if they fire you? It’ll be all my fault.”
“No,” he repeats as he takes my hands, which I don’t realise I’ve been wringing anxiously. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Tris, believe me. This is on me. I went to DCI Butler even though I knew he probably wouldn’t do anything about Byrnes. Instead, I handed him a reason to suspend me because I wouldn’t back down and I wouldn’t apologise to Byrnes.”
“Apologise? To Byrnes?” I exclaim angrily. “What for?”
“Uh, nothing.” He looks away.
“Danny?” I place my fingers under his chin and draw his gaze back to me.
“So… I may have grabbed him by the throat and pinned him to the wall and told him that if he so much as breathes in your direction again, he’ll be sorry.”
“Oh my god.” My mouth falls open. “That’s so unlike you.”
He shrugs, his brow furrowing. “He went too far. It was bad enough he harassed you at work, but he made some vague threats about your safety and I guess it touched a button.”
“He wouldn’t actually do anything though, would he? I mean, he’s a dick, yes.” I roll my eyes. “But he’s more about pinning a murder on me than actually causing me physical harm.”
“Either way, I don’t want him anywhere near you.” He sighs. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper, but I’m not ever going to let anyone hurt you.”
I reach up and cup his face. “I’ve never had anyone to protect me like that before.” I smile. “Not gonna lie, it’s kinda hot. Got a bit of a semi going on.”
He snorts and the tension breaks.
“I’m sorry, baby,” I tell him again. “It was never my intention to mess with your career.”
“And I told you it wasn’t your fault.” He draws me in even closer.
Knowing he needs the comfort, I reach up and kiss him again, pouring all my love into that slow slide of lips and tongue.
“Need you, Tris,” he murmurs against my mouth.
“You have me, Danny.” Breathing heavily, I rest my forehead against his and close my eyes. “Always.”
He kisses me again, but this time his hands slide down to my buttocks and he lifts me easily into his arms. My legs wrap around him and we don’t stop kissing as he carries me to the bedroom.
Tumbling onto the bed in a mess of entangled limbs, hungry lips, and grasping hands, we strip away our clothes and toss them carelessly over the side of the mattress until we’re both naked in the darkness of the room. I could lean over and switch on the light, but I don’t. As much as I love watching Danny make love to me, there’s something to be said for the darkness. It heightens every touch and sensation.
His cock slides against mine, causing a delicious friction. The wetness of our combined precum adds to the sensation, but it’s not enough. I want him inside me. I’m greedy for it, forhim.