Page 45 of Dauntless

“You don’t need to,” I replied smoothly. “You just be you. That’s enough.”

“We both know that’s not true for you,” he said softly.

“It’s not that simple,” I tried to explain. “I believe we have our own special connection.”

“I know we do, sexually,” Dane answered thoughtfully. “But I could see things had changed even before you came here with Elliott.”

I touched my churning stomach. I wouldn’t deny how I felt about Elliott was different, but there was something between Dane and me, something more than sexual chemistry. I was sure we shared a close, special bond. “I haven’t given it much thought. I have feelings for you both.”

His fingertips traced the length of my face, and I shuddered. “Oh, I wish you did, but we both know when you think about it, you’ll find those feelings you have for me aren’t strong enough to let me have you too.”

My mouth went dry. I didn’t know what to say. Dane didn’t wait for me to either, instead he strode over to Elliott’s side.

“Trish is on her way,” Elliott announced to the both of us. Our eyes met briefly before they disappeared into the living room, and I went to pack.

When I finished, his housekeeper helped put my belongings by the front entrance. Elliott came out of the living room and over to me. “I’m waiting to let Trish in and talk to her before we go in. Even if you won’t be inside, you’re still a support to Dane. He’ll appreciate that.”

I sighed. “I know.”

“We’ll find out what Walter knows,” he added. “I’m not expecting much from Walter, but anything that helps is worth checking out, especially now that there is a possibility of finding out what happened to Angel. It could help the case.”

I nodded. “I hope so.”

We stood there and quietly waited. When the bell rung, Elliott let Trish in. She was in another power-suit with a briefcase in hand ready for work. She gave me a quick nod, before moving with Elliott away from where I stood, and they shared a quiet conversation before heading into the room. I waited a few moments before moving closer to the opening to the room. Peeking inside the room, I saw Trish and Elliott seated on a couch facing Angel who was on the lounge chair across from them with Dane next to her. Walter was the furthest away, by the fireplace holding a tumbler glass in his hand. I moved back out of sight.

“If you could bring me up to speed with what is going on and how this might help the case against The Agency?” I heard Trish say.

“It’s like I told Elliott,” Dane told her. “My father says he has something that might help with Angel’s disappearance. If he doesn’t, he can leave.”

Their voices carried into the hallway. I thought of leaving the area, but I decided it wouldn’t harm to stay and listen. Who knows? Maybe I could help.

“I came to clear up a few things that Dane, Angel, and I discussed before leaving the event,” Walter spoke out. “My son brings over an audience. Now I didn’t agree to be recorded. She’d better put that recorder away.”

“He’s right,” I heard Elliott say. “We’ll hear him out for now since we don’t know the extent of his involvement.”

“That’s right,” Walter concurred. “You don’t.”

“If you’ve done something against the law, we will pursue charges against you,” Elliott added.

Walter scoffed. “I’d bet you’d love to be the one to do it.”

“I’m working on the case of Angel’s disappearance and The Agency’s involvement. That’s why I’m here,” Elliott responded coolly. “My personal feelings have nothing to do with it. Special Agent Trish Walker is here also to listen to whatever you may share that can help. So, if you would start from the beginning…”

They were silently waiting for Walter to speak. Finally, He hissed out a long sigh. “All right. A few years ago, I agreed to speak with Angelica. She was curious about why Dane and I weren’t getting along. Things progressed from there.” He coughed.

“You had sex with Angel?” Dane said irritably.

“I did,” Walter admitted. “She wanted to have sex with me.”

“I wanted my baby,” Angel spoke out fitfully. “I couldn’t. It wasn’t part of my game.”

“There is no game with me,” Dane said gently to Angel. “You became pregnant with my child, but you could have come to me. I don’t blame you. You’re not the first woman he went after that I was with.”

“You date whores,” Walter said heatedly. “They all came on to me. They all thought they could get something from me, but I proved them wrong and showed you what they’re really like.”

“Don’t bother trying to explain your disgusting behavior to me,” Dane spat. “Just like Mom, I gave up on that years ago.”

“Do you hate me now?” Angel asked Dane.

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