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“Where did they hurt you?”
I came to life at the sound of Daniel’s pissed off growl. He strode back into the living room, a fierce energy surrounding him.
His eyes were trained on Muriella, who I still clung to so the fear didn’t overtake me. It had been so close. Those people—no, I wouldn’t think about what they could have done to her.
“I’m fine,” she said with a quiet strength. Daniel assessed the damage for himself. I felt the turmoil that burned just below his surface. His struggle to contain it had me reaching for him.
He didn’t resist, and the three of us came together in a tight hug. Our perfect circle.
I laid my head on Daniel’s shoulder and closed my eyes, breathing in the scent I’d missed so very much. He pulled us closer, his fear of what could have been in his touch.
“I’m fine,” M reassured him again. “A little warning that we had company coming would have been nice, though.” There wasn’t a trace of the fear that gripped Daniel and me in her voice.
Not a trace of it was on her face either.
On a long exhale, Daniel loosened his hold, but I held fast. I tilted my head up, my heart picking up pace as I studied the stress lines in his features. His cut jaw. Severe dark eyes.
I placed a hand on his chest. He flinched, but I pretended not to notice.
“This is why,” I deduced, a hint of relief tugging my mouth upward.
His brow creased and he peeled my hand off of him.
I remained rooted despite the rejection. Muriella banded her arms around my waist from behind. “Vivian…”
She was the only thing keeping me on my feet. I pleaded with Daniel with my eyes. His had turned that chilly black I’d grown to hate.
M pointed toward him, and her tone of voice changed. “It is, isn’t it? Not only did you bring these people into our safe place, you kept us in the dark.”
Something in her had snapped. There was pure fury radiating from her.
She stared at Daniel. “I don’t know who you are anymore.”
With that, she marched to the front door. Stone gave us awhat the hell?look before chasing after her.
Quiet settled over the apartment.The place echoed with a loneliness I knew Daniel felt. Muriella’s anger lingered, driving my determination to settle this before there was no coming back from the damage he’d done.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
Daniel wouldn’t look at me, simply turned toward the hallway as if I wasn’t there. I caught his hand, but he didn’t stop, nor did he let go, loosening his bow tie as he went down the hall with me in tow. Once we got to our bedroom, he paused, almost as if he didn’t know what to do with me.
I took advantage, stepping in front of him. He stared over my head to whatever was behind me, still refusing to look at me.
“I’m sorry,” I repeated, and when his eyes met mine, I saw he was livid.
“Sorry? A hell of a lot of good that would have done us if Vinny had done something to you. And believe me, he’s more than capable.” He wasn’t shouting at me. He was pissed at himself.
“If I’d thought for a split second I’d be putting you or Muriella in danger, I never would have gone to see Donato. It was stupid, but I was desperate. The man I met that day didn’t set well with me, but I ignored my instincts.”
“You should have trusted them, Vivian. When warning bells go off, you run. You put yourself in danger,” he said tightly, jaw working.
I blinked. I didn’t really care about that. He could see it on my face, and that set him off on a tirade. “I told you to let me take care of you, but no. The easy way isn’t good enough for Princess. You put yourself at risk fornothing!” he shouted, and I let him because I thought he needed to get out his frustration.
“What the hell difference does it make to you what happens to me? ‘It’s over.’ Does that sound familiar?” I kept my voice even, but my temper had sparked.
His eyes bulged and his grip on my hands tightened. “Vivian, you can make a walk through Central Park difficult when you want to.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Now I was getting loud.
