Page 10 of The Drag Race Debutante & the Detectives
“A couple of weeks,” Emily said. “They left London yesterday, so they’ll be in Paris now. They’re staying there for a week for their anniversary, then driving down to Madrid for a few days, then flying over to Florence, driving to Rome, doing all of the touristy things there, then flying home.”
“And Easton?”
Emily rolled her eyes at the mention of her younger brother then smiled tightly. “Enjoying his gap year and visiting our grandparents in Western Australia.” Her smile disappeared. “He won’t be home until the end of the month.”
“So you’re home alone then?”
Her brows pulled together as she finished her sandwich, then she dusted her hands off and folded her arms over her delectable chest. “What’s with the interrogation? Are all of these questions leading somewhere…,”--her expression softened, turned cheeky,--“the bedroom perhaps?” She stepped into Dane’s personal space, slid her hands over his chest and grinned up at him. “Now that you know we’re all alone and not likely to be interrupted.”
He wanted to return her grin but couldn’t. Not yet. He grabbed her wrists, removed the distraction that was her seductive touch and held her firm. “Does Matthew know where you live?”
Dane hated to ask the question but he had to be sure. Just because the Spencer brothers weren’t waiting for them when they got home, didn’t mean they wouldn’t show up at some point in the near future. And there would be no sexy fun times until he was certain she was safe.
Her grin faltered. “What? No.”
“Are you sure?” Eric asked.
“Pretty sure.” She didn’t sound sure.
“He picked you up tonight, correct?” She nodded. “Where from?”
“I met him outside of work. I left my car there, at the dealership. Why?” She looked from him to Eric. “You don’t think he’d actually come looking for me, do you?”
A muscle ticked in Eric’s jaw. “I don’t know. I'm more concerned about what his brother will do. He's the one who worries me.”
“You were right,” Dane said. “We have to report this. Especially if there was a shadow. We have to get in front of this.”
“What’s a shadow? What are you talking about?”
Eric sighed and scrubbed a hand through his messy hair. “A shadow is another undercover cop attached to the investigation. They’re usually a senior officer, someone more experienced in undercover work who shadows newbies and can step in if shit goes sideways.”
“Like an idiot girl trying to race a psychopath?” Emily said, her shoulders slumping as she stared at the floor, her remorse as plain as day. “That kind of shit?”
Dane cupped her chin in his hand, lifted her gaze to meet his. “You weren’t to know what you were stepping into.”
“But I knew Matthew wasn’t a good guy, and I went with him anyway.” She tilted her head back and groaned. “I’m so stupid! And now you have to clean up my mess. That’s the thing you need to get in front of, right? The trouble I caused you both tonight.”
There was no point hiding the truth from her. Dane nodded. “Yes.”
Chapter Six
Emily pushed the heels of her palms against her eyes and growled at her own ineptitude. Why had she thought it would be a good idea to go against the grain and do something she wouldn’t usually do? When had that ever worked out in her favour?
Never, that’s when.
Every time she’d even thought about doing something out of character, she got screwed. And not in a fun way.
To add insult to injury, her fuck up was now causing Dane to keep her at a distance instead of pulling her close like he would have done before tonight, and Eric hadn’t stopped scowling at her.
Because she hadn’t just fucked up.
Nope. She’d fucked everything alllll the way up. Not just for herself, but for people she cared about deeply.
As much as she tried to hold them in check, hot tears began spilling down her cheeks and this time they did not stay quiet. “I’m so sorry,” she sobbed. “I never meant to cause anyone any trouble, but I get it now. I get why my brother did what he did all those years ago.” She shook her head, chastised herself for not seeing what had been right in front of her face for so long. “I never understood why Teddy and Dad were always butting heads but I get it now. I totally get it.”
In an instant she was surrounded, enveloped by masculine heat and strength as Dane pulled her into his arms and pressed her head to his chest, and Eric rubbed his hands against her back and stroked her hair. She’d been sandwiched between them like that before, but always in a sexual way. Their touch had always been exciting to her, arousing. Now they stroked their hands down her arms and over her hips, pressed kisses to her face and hair, but none of it was sexual. Instead, she felt safe. She felt cared for.
Loved.
