Page 30 of Grimm

“William?” Daniella’s soft voice slid his heart into a vice.

“Not now.” He put his hand up to silence her. If he heard her sweet tenor, it would break him. What he was about to do was already killing him.

While Tommy maneuvered through the streets toward their apartment building, William got busy messaging on his phone. He’d have a car watching their apartment from outside with another man stationed in their hallway for the time being. The doctor would be over shortly to examine Megan to make sure she was okay.

It was the least he could do for her.

And the last thing he’d do to Daniella.

“Here we are.” Tommy pulled into a guest spot in the parking garage. “I’ll get Megan,” he said when William remained quiet.

Once Megan was out of the car, William climbed out at the same time as Daniella.

“William. I can’t just leave her here,” Daniella said hurriedly. Tommy was already halfway to the building’s entrance.

“You’re not.” William cast his gaze down at her, compelling his lungs to accept the forced air he gave them. “You’re staying with her.”

Daniella glanced over her shoulder at Tommy, then back at him. “But… I mean...”

“You’re home, Daniella. You’re free.” The words cracked his heart, the pain erupting the moment her face showed her realization of what he was saying.

“William. I know you’re mad, and I’m sorry, but…”

He shook his head. “It’s not that.” It was so much more than what she’d done. It was everything he’d done, everything he still wanted to do, everything he could see himself doing with her.

He didn’t deserve someone pure like Daniella. He needed to find a woman from the same world as his. Someone who wouldn’t bat an eye at his late nights and secrets. Someone he wouldn’t care for if they got hurt or hated him.

“You’re just walking away?” she asked, wringing her fingers. “That’s it?”

He hardened his composure. “Yeah. That’s it, Dani. Now go. Tommy’s waiting for you.” He gestured toward the apartment building.

“The money…”

“Don’t worry about it.” He shrugged. “I had fun. You were worth the cash.”

Pain, blistering and unnerving, crossed her face with his words. He’d pray to die a thousand deaths to wipe the memory from his mind.

“Go!” he shouted when she froze, a tear slipping down her cheek.

With a small gasp of surprise, she hopped out of her trance and ran for the building.

William turned away, unable to witness the doors closing on the only good thing he’d ever truly wanted to keep in his life.

Chapter 12

“Earth to Daniella.” Megan waved her hand in front of Daniella’s face.

Daniella blinked a few times, coming out of the fog she now lived in.

“Sorry.” She rubbed her temples. “Just tired.”

“Tired?” Megan laughed, picked up the remote from the coffee table, and flicked off the television. She plopped down on the couch beside Daniella. “You’ve done nothing but sleep and stare off into the abyss for the past three weeks.”

Megan tugged on a loose strand of Daniella’s hair. Summer meant no school, which meant no work, which meant no reason to shower or dress. It wasn’t as though she had anything else to do.

Megan had spent the first week after coming home detoxing in the comfort of their apartment. The doctor William had sent over gave her medicine to help, and he stayed around for the worst parts to be sure she would come out of it okay. He gave them information of places she could go if she craved the drug once she’d completely detoxed.

So far, so good.

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