Dane

Full of nervous energy, Dane trotted out the back door of the station and into the waiting car, briefcase at his side.

​​

Yosif was driving and the barrier was down when he got into the back of the car.

"Back to the office?" Yosif asked.

"Actually…" Dane looked at his phone. He'd gotten through that much faster than he'd expected. Which meant no one was expecting him for another hour.

Lila.

"Run me back to the Penthouse first. I need to pick up a couple things. Then we'll go to the office."

"Sure."

"Hey, do me a favor, Yosif, I need to make a couple phone calls—don't tell the team I'm out. I want to have a break from my phone ringing for a few minutes. Just until we get back to the office." He thought he did a good job of keeping his tone distracted and casual.

"No problem, boss," Yosif said as he pulled the car out of the parking lot into the street.

Dane said, "Thanks," and wound up the barrier between them, then let his head drop back onto the seat. He had a twenty minute drive to figure out how he was going to do this.

He made a quick call to the Reception desk at the apartment to make sure the things he'd ordered had arrived. "They're here, Mr. Daniels, but Housekeeping hasn't come through yet to put them away."

"No problem," Dane said. "I'm going to be home for a little while, I'll do it myself."

"But sir—"

"It's fine. I'll see you in a few minutes."

Perfect. He needed to see Lila. Needed to see her, touch her, and know she was okay before he started down this road.

He made a list on his phone so he could spend as little time as possible in the Penthouse, and was out the door and running up the stairs before Yosif could even get out. "Don't worry, I won't be long! Stay here!" he said.

As he darted up the stairs he texted John. WORKING WITH POLICE. NEED YOUR ID.

John texted back immediately. FUCK. WILL EMAIL.

Dane got to the Penthouse reception, greeted the staff, told them he wasn't back except to grab a couple things, so not to let anyone know he was there as he was heading back to the office.

Once inside, he ran—first to the safe in the closet to grab a couple things and put them in the briefcase. Then to the kitchen, to the groceries he'd had delivered, then, leaving the briefcase on the island, he ran to the fireplace and darted down the stairs and across the covered bridge.

He knocked and reminded himself that she wasn't expecting him, so she might take a minute to get to the door. But within seconds her heard the locks turning.

"Dane!" she cried throwing the door open.

He swept in, kissing her and walking her backwards even with his hands full, then kicked the door closed behind him. "Lock it, quick," he said, stalking into the kitchen as she did, to put the bags on the counter.

By the time he'd put them all down and stopped the cans from rolling out of the bag and onto the floor, she was at his side. "Are you okay? What's going on? Are you staying?"

He turned and pulled her into his chest. She whimpered and threw her arms around his neck and he pulled her against him from her toes to her chest, squeezing her tight. "Had to see you," he murmured against the skin of her neck, kissing his way to her ear. "Are you okay?

"I'm fine, Dane, I just... I hate not being with you, not knowing what's going on. Are you okay?"

He sighed into her hair, keeping his arms curled around her. "I saw the Police."

"What did they say?" she asked against his chest, but she clung just as tightly as he did.

"I think they're going to see things my way. I took a lot of ammunition for a rock-solid alibi. I think… I think they're going to help me."

She pulled her head back far enough to look him in the eye. Her eyes were red, her brows pushed together to form a little v between them. "Help you do what?"

"Get my father."

She stepped back, out of his arms. "Wait... what?" She folded her arms and she looked so small Dane's heart swelled. "You told me they couldn't be trusted. That he has them in his pocket."

"Some of them. He has enough of them. But I know one good one, and he's working to find more. I wanted you to know. This is a good thing, Lila. If I can convince them to take a closer look at him—"

"You said it wasn't safe, Dane." Her voice was getting stronger.

"Well it's a helluva lot safer than just sitting here, waiting for him to find you!"

She frowned, one hand on her chest, then walked up to put that hand on his. "Dane, please. Don't… don't take risks because of me. I'm safe here. You know that. I don't care if I have sit around for a while. I'm sure—"

"It's not a while, Lila. He almost got to you. It was so close!"

"I know. I know."

"We have to do something. I can't just sit here and wait for the day he gets you."

"No, I wasn't thinking that. I just meant—"

Dane raked a hand through his hair. "I've been thinking about this ever since that photograph came out, and now… after he got Tish so close to you… I spent all night, Lila. I think I've figured out how to get him cornered."

"But Dane, if the wrong person hears you're doing something—"

He stepped closer. She had to understand. "The guy who's agreed to work with me knows who my father is, and what he's capable of. I trust him. I've known him for sixteen years. He's going to do something about this. He wants to get him."

Lila's throat bobbed. "When?"

"Now."

"What?!" she covered her mouth with her hands and he stepped up and pulled her back into his chest.

"We can't wait, Lila," he said into her hair. "I mean, I'm not running into the Lion's den today, but it starts now. That's why I'm here."

Lila buried her face in his chest and he squeezed her tighter. "Dane, I'm so scared."

"I know, babe. I know. If it was you I'd…"

"Then why?"

"Because if I don't do something, it's only a matter of time until it is you. We can't live this way, Lila, can't you see? We have to try."

"But you said—"

"I said all of that before he knew who you were. That photograph changes everything."

"But they don't know we're married—"

"They will. We're only delaying. The legal guys already have the paperwork—it has to be publicly listed. If he doesn't know already, he will soon. I have to try to end this, Lila. I have to!"

She stared up at him, tears in her eyes.