Page 12 of Merciless King

We stayed like that for a while.

Listening to the cops around me, I found out that besides the vandalism, she’d had the day’s takings stolen from the register. If the cash was the goal, why tear the place up?

Forensics were waiting to do their thing and Connor wanted to take her statement. As much as I didn’t want to let her go, we needed whatever information we could get to catch this guy, so I eased her back, grabbed a chair, and got her to sit down so they could do their jobs. While she talked to Daniels, I stayed close, quickly making a few calls. I organized for Cage, a friend and someone me and the other guys at the agency used a lot, to come and upgrade her security system and install some cameras as well. He was the best in the business and the only person I’d trust to do it right.

From now on, I wasn’t letting her out of my sight.

London

“Do you have someone we can call? A family member, a friend, who can be with you tonight?” Detective Daniels asked.

I felt my face go hot and started fidgeting with the bracelet I wore. “No…I…I’ll be fine.”

He frowned down at me. “You’re still pretty shaken.”

I bit my lip to stop it from trembling.

“Look, this isn’t usual police procedure…” Detective Daniels cleared his throat. “But I don’t think you should be alone. I can take you home, hang around, stay as long as you need…sleep on the couch if you want me to…”

“I can’t impose on you like that.” I glanced around, looking for Van. I wasn’t sure why. No, that was a lie. Van made me feel safe. I spotted him on his phone, deep in conversation.

Detective Daniels shook his head. “London, it’s no imposition. Whatever you need.”

I looked up at him, into his soft brown eyes. He was a nice man and I could admit I was too afraid to be alone right then. I didn’t know why Van was here in my store tonight. But I didn’t want to be a burden to him. He’d made it clear the police should be my first call, not him. I forced down the lump in my throat. “A ride home would be great.”

I glanced over at Van again. I wanted to at least thank him for coming here, for coming to my rescue again, but then Detective Daniels put his arm around my shoulders and led me away, out to his car. I climbed in, watching Van through the window, tall and strong, moving around inside my store as he talked.

Maybe I could send him a thank-you note? Would that be acceptable?

Thank you for talking me out of my back room after I was terrorized by an insane man. If you hadn’t shown up, I probably would have starved to death back there! Yours, London.

No, not yours—that sounded like I wanted to be his, I thought almost hysterically.

Perhaps I was going into shock?

Seemed likely.

I started shaking.

We arrived at my apartment. Detective Daniels parked his car, and with his hand on my lower back, led me down the street to my building. We took the elevator, and I felt his eyes on me the whole way. I glanced up at him. He was frowning. There was no missing the concern on his face.

He took my keys from me when we got to my door and let us in. He did a quick walk through, which was very quick since I lived in a one-bedroom place. It was more than most could afford in the city, but my dad had left me a little money when he died. I’d used it to open my store and make sure I rented an apartment with good security.

I watched Detective Daniels walk out of my bedroom and hugged myself. How would I ever sleep again? How would I ever leave my apartment again?

“I’m sorry that you had to do this.”

“I’m happy to do it, London,” he said and took a step closer. I flinched and stumbled back. Now we were here, alone, my anxiety had climbed all over again.

He stopped in his tracks, brows lowering.

“Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. I’m just going to grab a shower.” My skin suddenly felt like it was coated in a layer of grime. I needed to wash off the day, the terror that at that moment felt like a visceral thing.

“Take your time,” he said. “I’ll just be out here.”

I rushed into my bedroom and shut myself in the bathroom. Next I tore off my clothes and threw them in the small trash can I kept in there. I’d never be able to wear them again anyway. Turning toward the shower, I caught my reflection in the mirror. I took myself in dispassionately, the only way I could look at myself these days.

I hadn’t liked looking at myself naked before, but now, even less.