Page 95 of Dream a Little Dream

“Iambeing monitored,” Aaron said. Mostly to avoid an arrest. And to stop Bentley from wasting his time. If there was someone out there framing him, then he wanted to know who the fuck it was, too.

Bentley skimmed his gaze, almost undetectable, to the camera.

“You can check that with Jervine Paulson.”

“Who’s Jervine Paulson?” Bentley wrote the name down.

“You’ll find out the instant you type her name into your little database whatsit you have. She’ll tell you Aaron Jones doesn’t have an Instagram. Or SnapChat. Or Facebook. Or TikTok. Actually, that’s a lie. I have TikTok in an alias ‘cause what else am I meant to do to pass the time? ReadDiscovering Statistics using SPSS?” He snorted. “But when you talk to Jervine, don’t tell her about the TikTok. I like watching the dances.”

Bentley clutched his hands together. “Why would someone set up an account in your name to lure Rahul?”

“Because they’re some sick, twisted bastard who wants to see me go hungry.”

Bentley fell back again, studying his face. “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”

“Yeah. You’re doing a stellar job.” Aaron gave a chef’s kiss. “Cause I’m sure before you hauled my arse in here today you checked when the account was set up and from where and all that other cyber shit you can do before you accused me?”

Bentley waited a moment. Then hovered his finger over the recorder. “Stopping the interview at six twenty p.m. Thank you, Aaron. You’re free to go, but we will need to confiscate yourphone under Section Twenty-Two of the Police and Criminal Investigations Act.”

Aaron stood, fishing out his phone from his back pocket. He then dropped it onto the table and, along with his solicitor and the police constable, walked out of the interview room to the reception area. The constable left them and Julian fished out his card and handed it to Aaron.

“Direct number.” He patted his shoulder. “Jervine sent me.”

Aaron took the card, and Julian wandered off, out of the revolving doors, leaving Aaron alone. He couldn’t even call a cab. What was he supposed to do? Walk home?Bastards.

Aaron pocketed the card and stormed through the revolving doors onto HQ’s gravel path. The manicured lawn and serene water feature felt like a cruel joke. An attempt at peace in a world that was anything but. He wasn’t even sure which way would lead him back to campus, but he didn’t care. His body burned, every nerve charged, and he took off at a half-run down the steps.

“Aaron!”

He turned, heat flaring as Kenny rushed out of the building, jogging to catch up with him, and in an act of defiance, Aaron lifted his middle finger in a trembling rage. “Fuck you, doc!”

Kenny’s hand was on him in an instant, strong fingers gripping his wrist, pulling him back just as he’d done in his lecture hall. “Hey, wait—”

“I fucking trusted you!” Aaron shoved his palm against Kenny’s chest, wanting to hate him, feeling something else entirely.

Kenny took the shove, steady as a rock, tightening his grip around Aaron’s wrist, pressing his thumb softly over his pulse. “I didn’t tell them anything,” he said, voice low, as if speaking to Aaron alone, as if none of the world’s distractions or dangers mattered. As if the entire Ryston police force who’d rippedAaron’s little world apart wasn’t right there, imposing and ready to do it all again. This time unjustified.

Aaron scoffed. Yet Kenny remained composed, unwavering, and Aaron felt his anger soften, replaced by a terrifying, longing ache.

“I didn’t.” The warmth of Kenny’s hand fixed Aaron to the spot, to thismanhe didn’t want to need, but did, and he swayed, the pull towards Kenny as undeniable as gravity. It felt so easy to just…let go. Let Kenny be his shelter. “Youcantrust me. But we do need to talk.”

Kenny took a step closer, his familiar scent surrounding Aaron in a way that had him wanting to fall into him, cling to him. Beg him to make him whole. Kenny’s eyes glimmered with the same desperate want. Undeniable.

But the revolving doors swung open, and Aaron caught DI Bentley watching from the top step, arms crossed, eyes sharp.

Aaron shifted, a mocking edge in his voice to cover the tightening in his chest. “You on duty, doc?” He tilted his head toward the looming HQ building.

Kenny dropped Aaron’s wrist, rearranging his face into something colder, more professional, and, turning slowly, he tore himself away from Aaron to face Bentley. Aaron forced himself to hold steady until Kenny had fully straightened back to a man too far out of his reach.

“Keep up the good work, Detective,” Aaron shouted to Bentley, loud enough for his voice to glide over the traffic beyond. “With instincts like yours, you’ll make chief in no time. Maybe rack up more bodies than the last guy.”

Then, with a mocking salute, Aaron spun on his heel, striding away without looking back.

Chapter twenty

Romantic Homicide

Kenny waited until Aaron had disappeared from view, then took the few steps to the building’s entrance. Jack looked at him withthoseeyes. The ones he’d faced multiple times when caught out. But he said nothing. Held it all in. Unlike the days during their relationship when he’d launched a tirade of abuse at him for being a really fucking shitty boyfriend. When he’d break down and cry and ask over and overwhy.

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