Page 31 of Detective Daddy Next Door

I narrow my eyes and shake my head. "I still don’t follow you." I've never seen this woman in my life and I'm not sure who she's referring to.

"Oh, stop pretending like you don’t know what I'm talking about."

My patience is running thin. "I don't, and I suggest you get straight to the point. I'm a very busy woman." I'm getting sick and tired of her condescending tone.

"My husband."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Then it hits me. The only man I've been with is Myles. Though he’s been reluctant to talk about it, he’s mentioned to me that he’s in the process of divorcing his wife.

"You mean your ex-husband?"

She laughs. "Not yet. Still married. I can refuse to give him the divorce if you don't watch your step."

I sigh.

"That's better. Take in a deep breath and listen to me carefully." She puts both her hands on the desk, her manicured fingernails glistening. "Stay away from Myles. I could ruin his operation by outing his identity. And that would put him in danger. You don't want that to happen, do you?"

I take in a silent breath as she picks up her bag and walks out of the office, leaving the door ajar.

I'm still seated on my chair, confused and trying to make sense of what just happened, when Daisy comes in a few minutes later.

She drops a bottle of juice on my desk. "I'm off to see Ben. I'll be right back.”

Ben is one of our colleagues, the bald guy she danced with at Micha’s party.

I sigh for the umpteenth time and fall back in my chair. Well, there go my plans for the night. And maybe my plans with Myles in general. I care about him and would not want any harm to come to him. His wife didn't seem like she was joking. Something about her tone. I'll keep it just business from now on. No sleeping at his place. And gosh, I was looking forward to it.

I pick up the bottle of juice, leaving a ring of liquid on my desk, and take a sip.

Chapter 12

Myles

It's8p.m.,butBria isn't here. I thought we'd decided she'd be spending the night at my place. I open my bedroom door and walk to the kitchen. I look out of the window. There's a light on in her house. What could be the matter? Is she sick? The last time I talked to her was this morning when Jon and I were leaving for San Pedro. Although Jon knows we're in a fake relationship, what he doesn't know is that it's gotten more serious than that, and I intend to keep it that way.

I go into my room to pull on a shirt over my undershirt and make for Bria's house. I press on the doorbell and wait for an answer. I hear shuffling and then the door opens. She's in her pajamas.

I tilt my head at her. "I thought you were supposed to come over tonight."

"Oh yeah, that. I umm…I came down with a headache," she says, and puts a hand to her head.

"And you didn't think you could have let me know?"

"I'm sorry. I just had so much to do today at work. I've been swamped."

"I thought you said work has eased up a bit?"

"It did. But it picked up again. Crazy."

"Have you taken medication for the pain?"

"Yes. I took some aspirin."

"Do you need me to stay over here?"

"No, I came home with work. I'll need to be alone tonight so I can finish up."

"Okay. Umm. I'll call you later."

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