ChapterOne Hundred Thirteen



Eli



Dani looks a bit spaced out after her session with Sam, so as we set thetable, I grab Arrow's attention.



"Hey, was everything ok?"



"How do you do that?"



"Do what?"



"How do you know?"



"I know Dani. I know pretty much every look she has and how she usuallyacts. She looks spaced out and upset. It didn't go well, then?"



"I don't know about the first part, I wasn't in there. But the shrinkhad to give Dani a shot and she had a bit of a panic. The shrinkasked me to go in and distract Dani so she could do the shot. Itwasn't a big deal, but it shook Dani up."



"Did Sam say what happened?"



"Nope. She wouldn't tell me anything. Said she wasn't allowed to discuss itwith me. She going to be ok?"



"Yeah, she just needs a bit of time. The sessions are hard on her. I knew Ishould have been there."



"She knows you can't always make it. You want my opinion? I think it'sgood that you're not always there. I'm sure she says stuff to theshrink that she wouldn't say if you were in the room or even outside.Sometimes, a bit of separation is a good thing. You know I'm notgoing to let anything happen to her."



"I know. She's had a bad week, is all. Thanks for taking her, man. Iappreciate it."



"Anytime. I'm heading back to the hotel after dinner. I've gotsurveillance on it now, so we have a recording of what's going on.We'll also have a record of the faces that go in and out of thatplace."



"Good. Greggson is sorting out the warrant. It'll be a green light soon."



"Good. I can't wait to get these people."



"Trust me, you have no idea how much I want this to be over."



"I can imagine. She's a special one, I'll give you that. She has a wayof getting to you, doesn't she? I don't know her that well, but Ifeel the need to protect her. It's amazing how she does that, withouteven trying."



"I know. She definitely is special."



"So, the new house? How's that coming along?"



I've just seen Dani walk through to the kitchen, hence Arrow's subjectchange.



"It's done. We get the keys on Monday. The removal company will delivereverything on Monday."



"How's that going to fit in with work?"



"My ma is going to deal with the removal company. Dani and I will signthe paperwork before work and then my ma will deal with movingeverything in."



"Once things are a bit quieter at work, then Dani and I will sort somethingout with the Cap so we can get set up."



"You going to have a welcoming party?"



I shake my head, "At least not for now. We need to get settledfirst."



He nods in understanding and my ma calls us to help bring the food tothe table.



Dani is quiet throughout dinner and I'm waiting til everyone disappearsbefore I can talk to her. I don't know how this conversation is goingto go, but we need to clear the air a bit. Arrow stays to help cleanup and it's nearly 10pm when he leaves. I follow Dani to the bedroom,after saying good night to my parents. Things seem awkward again, butDani's face is a lot more relaxed since she got home.



"I'm just going to get in the shower, sweetheart."



"Ok."



"You doing ok?"



"Yes sir."



I nod. I don't really believe that, but I'm not going to press theissue right now.



"I won't be long."



After my shower, I stand by the bathroom door, watching Dani reading abook. Her eyes are flying over the page and she's turning the pagealmost before I can blink. I sit on the edge of the bed, with my backto her as I say, "We need to talk, baby."



I know she hears me, because the breath hitches in the back of herthroat.



"I don't like this awkwardness we have going on here. I don't like thisfeeling and I want things to go back to the way they were. What'sgoing on, Dani?"



She takes a deep breath and whispers, "I know."



"You know what?"



"What you're doing. I know you're still investigating my case..."



"Who told you?"



"I figured it out."



"I did promise I would do everything in my power to find the guyresponsible."



"I didn't think you were serious."



"Of course I was. I wouldn't make a promise that I didn't intend to keep.I'm not going to lie to you, Dani."



"But you weren't going to tell me what you're doing?"



"I didn't want to worry or upset you..."



She nearly shrieks, "Worry me?! Do you know how scared I am right now?I'm so frightened, Eli!"



"It's going to be ok, Dani..."



"How can you say that?! How can you know that?! You don't know what thesepeople are capable of. You don't know the things they've done andwill do. You always think everything is going to be ok, but it's notalways ok. Look at what happened to me. They found me and nearlykilled me. What do you think they'll do to you, a cop."



Wow, either Dani is super scared or Sam gave her something else, becausethis isn't how Dani usually talks. She's actually arguing andshouting at me. While I'm not pleased she's scared, I am proud of herfor voicing her opinion like this.



"I'm not going in alone, Dani..."



"Going in? What do you mean?"



I sigh, "We've found the location. We know where they are..."



She gets out of bed, starts pacing and rambling in a language I don'tunderstand. She looks hot when she's angry, but I need to keep myhead straight and concentrate on the matter at hand.



Dani's next rant is in English, so I understand that one.



"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. They will kill you!They'll do horrible things to you and then they'll kill you. Youweren't even going to tell me. You would have just left and I'd neverhave been able to say goodbye... I don't want to say goodbye... I'mnot ready for that... I don't want them to hurt you..."



Seeing the silent tears leak from her eyes nearly has my heart breaking. Ididn't think withholding the information would hurt her this much. Ithought I was protecting her by keeping it from her.



"Baby, I'm not going anywhere. I've planned this so carefully. I'll haveother teams with me. Arrow is running surveillance and he'll bewatching our backs out there. It is going to be ok. We're going toget this guy and his whole gang and then you'll be able to liveknowing they can't get you..."



"At what cost though? If it means losing you, your family, Ash or Arrow,then I don't want you to do it. I don't want anyone to get hurt ordie. It's all my fault. This is all my fault..."



I step in front of Dani, stopping her from taking another step. I placemy hands on her shoulders carefully. She won't look at me, but I'mnot going to push that right now.



I speak softly but firmly, "None of this is your fault. Don't youever think that. You didn't ask for any of this to happen. You didn'task to be treated this way. Stop blaming yourself."



"I don't want you to do this, Eli. It's too dangerous."



"I'm not asking for your permission, Dani. I'm doing this because it's theright thing to do. I want to protect you. I want to make sure theycan't hurt you ever again. But I'm also doing this because they arebreaking the law. They are hurting other girls and they will continueto do so if we don't stop them. I know this will help you, but it'snot just about you; it's also about those other girls. I am doingthis for you foremost, of course I am, but I'm also doing this formyself and whoever else they could hurt. I'm a cop, Dani. I have touphold the law. If I pick and choose who I want to go after, then I'mno better than the people I arrest. I don't want to hurt or upset youand I am sorry that not telling you hurt you so badly. I honestlythought I was protecting you. I didn't want to worry you or make youremember anything more than you already do. I went about that thewrong way, I know that now, but I never did it to hurt you."



"But you did..."



This is a different Dani talking here. There's no way she would just blurtthat out, and definitely not without showing some form of regret orembarrassment at her admission.



"I'm sorry, baby. I really am. That was not my intention. Is that whyyou've been so distant this week? And the nightmares have beenworse?"



She nods.



"I really am so very sorry for that. I wish you'd have said something tome sooner."



"I was scared. I wasn't supposed to know. I didn't know how you wouldreact."



"You should know I'd never hurt you. Whatever else is going on at work orin our private lives, I will always help you. Even if we're having anawkward stage or we're angry at each other, I will never leave you todeal with anything on your own. You just need to talk to me. Itdoesn't matter what's wrong or how you think I'm feeling, I want youto talk to me; I want you to feel like you can talk to me aboutanything. Do you feel better after telling me?"



"I'm scared Eli. That's not going to go away. They are hideous people andthey don't care about hurting people or taking lives..."



"I know that, sweetheart. I am being careful. We're all being careful.I've got backup; good cops that are the best at their jobs. I've gotAsh and Arrow. There's no one I trust more than them to watch myback. I don't intend on leaving you, Dani. I have to do this. I needyou to understand how important this is to me. How important it is toall of our team. These people got to you and none of us could protectyou or save you from it. Do you know how that makes us feel?Completely and utterly useless. We're supposed to be the elite, andwe failed one of our own when they needed us the most. I know youdon't blame us, and that makes us want to fix this for you even more.I'm sorry you're scared. I can only try to reassure you, but nothingyou can say or do is going to stop us from pursuing this. This is theright thing to do and we are taking every precaution and more. It'sgoing to be ok. It'll all be over soon enough, I promise. We've gotthem, baby. They can't get away from us."



She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes for a few seconds. A fewtears spill from her eyes and I use my thumb to wipe them awaysoftly. I don't know if I'm imagining it, but I swear she nuzzles hercheek against my hand.



Because I don't want to ruin the moment, I whisper, "You ok?"



"I missed you. I didn't like it, Eli."



"Neither did I. Let's never do that again, huh?"



She shakes her head.



"Are we ok now?"



"I'm still scared. I don't want to lose you. I don't want anyone to gethurt."



"I know you don't, but this is our job. We put our lives on the lineevery day, for people we don't even know. How much more do you thinkwe would do for the people we care about? This is happening, baby. Iknow you don't want to hear that right now, but it's going to happen.There's nothing you can do to stop this. I'm not expecting yourblessing, but I would like your understanding. I would like you totrust me when I say I'm being extra careful. I want you to trust thatI'm not going to deliberately put myself in danger. I've got far toomuch to lose. Trust that I have your best interests at heart and I'mdoing this to protect all of us. Ok?"



She still doesn't open her eyes when she asks, "Do I have to be happyabout it?"



I smile, even though she can't see me. I'm hoping she can hear thesmile in my voice when I speak.



"No, you don't have to be happy about it. Honestly? If there were anotherway, then I would do that instead. However, I don't trust anyone elsewith this case. For me, for our team, this is the one we have to seethrough to the end. We won't trust anyone else. We're the ones thathave the most to lose if it all goes south, so we will do everythingin our power to make this right. Please, just trust me."



"Ok, but I still don't like it."



I chuckle at her statement. "What did Sam give you?"



Her eyes fly open at that and she studies me carefully.



"How did you....? Arrow?"



"Yeah. I asked him about the session. I knew something happened by the wayyou were when you got back. It wasn't the Modecate?"



"No. Something different. I didn't ask what."



"What about the addiction?"



It's not something we talk about often. I don't like to bring it up andremind Dani of what she used to be.



"She said it was a one off dose. I'm not allowed it again. It was just fortonight."



I do the math and ask, "Because you were scared to talk to me, huh?"



She drops her forehead onto my chest and I feel her nod slightly. While Iam sad she was frightened to have this conversation, I am noticingthe difference in her behavior right now. She's less frightened of meat this moment and it must be because of the drugs. I kiss her headand just hold her for a minute or two.



"You should never be scared to say anything to me. Heck, you can dowhatever you want to me and I'll take it. I will never, ever raise myhand to you in anger. I might not always like what you have to say,but that's not a bad thing. It's normal for people to have differingopinions. That's what makes relationships work. We can't all thinkthe same. The world would be boring otherwise."



I feel Dani place a kiss on my chest. "You're a good person, Eli."



I sigh, "I don't know about that."



I feel her nod again, "You are. I do believe that."



"Thank you. It means a lot to hear you say those words. You going to be oknow?"



"I will when it's all over. Please just stay safe."



"I'll be careful, I promise. Let's get some sleep, hey?"



I notice that Dani holds me a little tighter as we settle in bed. Eventhough we haven't been separated physically, we have been distant.This week has been horrible and I never want to go through thatagain. It's amazing how quickly you become accustomed to havingsomeone with you. If anyone had told me two years ago that I'd havefeelings like this, I would have laughed in their face. Dani haschanged me, just as I have helped to change her. We're the perfectteam and I don't intend for that to stop any time soon. That's mylast thought as sleep pulls me in.





It's now Sunday morning. The last two days with Dani have been better. Ican tell she's still frightened, but she's trying to trust me. We'veset the raid for Tuesday and we've decided that night time will bebest. Judging by Arrow's surveillance, that seems to be the busiesttime, which isn't surprising really. We'll get the most arrests if weraid then. The guys are all itching to get this done. Greggson's teamhave been told they're assisting us with a raid, but they haven'tbeen told what it is. I don't know them, so I have to be extracautious with information. I don't want word to get out that we'rehitting this place. All it takes is for some one to make a commentover drinks or something and then it'll all be compromised. We can'tafford that kind of mistake, so it's all hush hush right now.



Dani and I are just leaving to pick Beth up for dinner. It's going to be afull house today and I am a little concerned that Dani doesn'trealize how many people are going to be there. As I drive, I glanceover at the beautiful woman sitting next to me.



She's watching the scenery pass through the window, so I grab herattention, "Hey."



She turns to look at me, "Hey."



"Are you ready for today?"



"I think so."



"Are Maria and Fi coming over too?"



She nods, "Your mom asked them and Tyler."



I let out a deep breath. It's going to be busy and I don't want her tobe scared.



"Are you going to be ok with that many people? Ash and his mom will bethere too."



"And Arrow..."



"Was that you or my mom?"



"Your mom. She said he looks like he hasn't been eating healthy meals. Whoam I to argue with that?"



"If it gets too much, you need to let me know. Ok?"



"Ok. As long as you're there, I'll be ok."



I smile at her honesty and her faith in me. I only hope I don'tdisappoint her in any way.



It's not long before we're arriving back at my parents' house with Beth.Arrow's truck is parked up so I know he's here. Even if I didn't seehis truck, I'd know he was here as soon as I walk in the front door.His booming laugh is filtering through the lower floor of the house.That guy is almost a full set of opposites. He's so big and can be soloud, but he's the best person for following and tracking peoplewithout being seen. I don't know how he does it.



I slap him on the back as I greet him. Dani and Beth are right behindme and Arrow's eyes flicker between the two of them.



He says, "Hey girlie. How you doing?"



"Good thanks. You?"



"Yeah, not too bad. Who's your friend?"



"Oh. Arrow, this is Beth. Beth, this is Arrow, er Ryan...? I don't knowwhat he wants you to call him actually."



Dani looks confused and so cute right now. Arrow and I chuckle at Dani andhe says, "Ryan is fine. It's nice to meet you Beth."



Beth doesn't look or sound nervous at all as she reaches for Arrow's hand.



"It's nice to meet you too, Ryan. I've been looking forward to meetingDani's friends. Are we the first ones here?"



"Yes ma'am. Ash should be here shortly. We don't like to be late foranything."



Ash's voice booms, "Especially Momma C's food. That woman sure cancook..."



He nods at Dani and shoots her a smile, "Hey darlin'. How's it going?"



"Good. Is your mom here?"



"Sure is. She's dropping the salad off in the dining room. Where's yourpops at, LT?"



"Backyard. He's setting up the grill, I think."



"Cool. I'm guessing you are Beth?"



"Yes sir."



"I'm Ash. I'm sure you've heard lots about me..."



He shoots Beth a dazzling smile and I chuckle before saying, "Justignore him, Beth. He gets a bit carried away with the whole selfpraise."



"You're just jealous of my awesomeness..."



Dani scoffs at that and addresses Beth, "He's just joking, Beth. You'llget used to it after a little while."



Beth laughs and I hear Karen enter the kitchen. I introduce Ash's mom toBeth and they strike up a conversation about schools and teachingkids. It's not long after those introductions when Tyler, Maria,Fiona and John appear. I hear Dani's breath hitch when everyone iscongregated in the kitchen, so I grab her hand and lead her to theback garden. I use the excuse that we're checking on the grill, so noone suspects Dani is panicking slightly. I see Ash and Arrow pursetheir lips as we pass them. I shake my head slightly, trying toreassure them. It's quite an amazing thing to have people in my lifewho really would do absolutely anything for me. The bond, Arrow, Ashand I have is stronger than anyone can imagine. We've seen, done, andbeen through things together that most people will never even knowabout. Those kind of experiences bring brothers together. That's whatI consider those two guys. They are just as much my brothers as Tyleris.



When we reach my pops, he shoots us a big smile, "Hey guys. How's itgoing? Is it a mad house in there?"



I nod, "Just a little. You want me to take over the grill?"



"Sure thing. I could do with a break. How you doing, Dani?"



"Ok, thanks."



"Good. I'll be back in a little bit."



"Take your time, pops. No rush."



Once my pops has gone, I ask Dani, "You ok?"



She nods, "It's a bit overwhelming, but I'm ok."



"You're doing amazing. I know it got busy real quick in there, but you'vebeen handling it so well. You think Beth is enjoying herself?"



"I think so. She's getting on well with your mom and Karen."



"It's a little bit like a women and men divide in there, isn't it?"



She chuckles, "Yeah. Is that normal?"



It hits me that Dani doesn't really have any previous experience to callon for situations like this. At least we're making new and goodmemories.



"Actually, it seems like it is normal. Pretty much anywhere you go where there'sa group of people, they will naturally gather with their own gender.Even without anyone telling them to. Strange, isn't it?"



"Yeah. It must have something to do with science. I bet there's been a studyon it. I should try to find out."



I chuckle at that. Dani's desire to learn amazes me constantly. She islike a sponge, ready to absorb new information all of the time.People start filtering through to the garden, but Dani isn't sofreaked out because the space is bigger. The food and conversationflow and my heart swells with pride at how Dani is handling thiswhole situation. I know that may sound condescending, but I trulydon't mean it that way. I know this is difficult for her, but she'sproving just how much progress she has made by facing this.



I watch her talking to Ash and my mom, and while there is a smile onher face, I can still see the sadness in her eyes. Most peoplewouldn't notice it, but I can see it from across the garden. I knowshe still feels like she doesn't deserve the life she has now. I knowshe doesn't think she's clean or pure enough to be a part of myfamily, but she really couldn't be more wrong. If anyone deserves agood life, it's Dani. She's been through the most horrendous thingsand now she deserves so much more than I can ever give her. My onlyhope is that I can show her how much I love her, how beautiful shetruly is, and how much she deserves to have a good life.