Because no, he’s not a project for me. And no, I’m not with him to keep an eye on him. But the fact that he thinks that? The fact that he could throw that on my face so easily? I don’t know how to deal with that.
Elliot isn’t moody. He isn’t impulsive. He doesn’t say things out of his ass. So, this has to be something he’d been feeling for a while.
Then there’s this thing about him not trusting me enough to even hear what I had to say. He heard Sam’s name and decidedI had to be wrong, even with all the evidence to the contrary. That, after accusing me of not trusting him, is hilarious.
I won’t laugh because I tried that yesterday and it came precariously close to crying. And I’m not going to cry. Not when he didn't even think our relationship was ever real.
What was it he said? I’m just playing at loving him? Well, why should I feel anything about him? He already thinks he’s right, what is it going to change?
Mickey climbs right back up on me and licks my face until I give him scratches. “You still love me, right?”
He bounds off the bed and runs out of my bedroom. “Whoa, I do not understand living beings.”
A second later, I hear Mickey bark in the living room. Sighing, I get out of my bed and pad down the hall to discover the reason for Mickey's early morning excitement.
Just then, the doorbell rings. I sniff the air, really annoyed by how absent-minded I’ve been lately.
Meena?
I rush to the door, bypassing Mickey, and unlock it.
“Hey?” I say to my Bureau boss.
She looks down at me, scrunching her nose. How she manages to pull that off at all of five feet one, I'll never know. “Is that how you greet your guests? And you didn’t even realize someone was at your door until I was already ringing the bell. You’re slacking off.” She pushes past me into the apartment.
Mickey barks at her. I stare at them, my eyes wide, jaw on the floor, as she leans down to pat him. The dog has some serious rizz.
When Meena walks into the living room, Mickey follows her happily. “Are you just going to stand there or come inside?” she asks as she makes herself at home on my couch.
I make my way to her and sit on the chair farthest from her. I’m almost scared to ask her why she’s here. I’ve been with the Bureau for more than a decade, and if I counted on my fingers every time a supervisor has visited my homewithout intimation or a scheduled meeting, I’d have just one finger up.
Her being here can’t be good. So, I just stare as she showers attention on Mickey and wait for her to explain her presence here at six am on a Sunday.
“I apologize for interrupting your morning.” Her gaze meets mine, then she scans my appearance. “Or what was going to be your morning soon, I’m sure. I’m afraid this couldn’t wait.”
I wait with bated breath, my heartbeat kicking up. What little sleepiness was left in my eyes left the second I smelled her presence across the door. So, I was prepared for whatever was coming.
“I’m giving the Vigilante Wolf Hunter case to a special investigative unit.”
“What the fuck?” My heart sinks into my stomach.
“Nicholas, I know you’ve been working hard—”
“No, I’ve not been working hard. For months, this case has been my entire life. And I’m so close. You can’t do this. No.” I shake my head. This can’t be happening.Fuck, what if they find Elliot?
Mickey whines and trudges over to my feet. I move my hand through his warm, soft fur.
“I know, okay? I know you’ve been trying your best. But we need a fresh perspective. I’m sorry, Nicholas—”
“Just give me a little more time. I promise I’ll get the killer for you. You have to trust me, Meena. Please,” I beg. What else can I do? I can’t leave Elliot alone in the wild, whatever he said. He’s mine to protect, and I’m not letting him down. Not again.
Meena sighs. “Okay. I was going to get you off the case right away. But you can have the next two weeks. I’ll take time to finalize the team. I’m afraid I can’t stop this anymore.”
Two weeks. I can do it in two weeks. That has to be enough.
I nod. “Can I still keep the surveillance on the possible victims going?” We finally started last week, but we don’thave anything yet.
“For two weeks,” she says, getting up. “I’ll leave you to that.”
