Page 75 of Dark Obsession


Chapter Thirty-Six

The drive was silenton the way to Daniel’s house.Keira kept her gaze from both men and stared out the window.

A breath stuttered in her throat when she realized she had yet to see his house.They’d always spent time out or at her house before things started to go bad.She had wondered many times why he had never invited her, but was too afraid to ask.

Keira realized the car had stopped, and both men were looking at her.Conner looked at the back seat, and Daniel looked from his seat beside her.“I’m sorry, what did you say?”she asked.

Daniel reached out to her but pulled back when she stiffened.

“Do you want me to carry you?”

“No, I can walk.But thank you.”She turned and reached for the door handle.Keira paused as she stood outside the car to look at the large two-story house.It was beautiful.The bottom floor was made with different-sized stones, and the upper floor was a dark grey plank.The windows and doorframes were white.The door was black and stood out against the stark white and stone.The walkway to the door was the same kind of stone as the house.The lawn was lush, and a vivid green, and the bushes along the front of the house were covered with white flowers.

Daniel walked by her side, and Conner walked behind.

Daniel unlocked and opened the door.“The living room is to your right, the kitchen is straight ahead.There are four bedrooms upstairs and two full baths.I’m guessing you want to bathe before anything?”

Keira nodded.“Yes, that would be great.”

“Conner, do you want to start dinner while I help Keira?”

“I don’t need help.”

Both men ignored her.

“Sure, I’ll see what you have.We might have to make a run to the store tomorrow.”

“Probably, I’m not sure what’s in there.I haven’t been home for several days.”

Conner walked off, leaving them at the bottom of the stairs.

“Do you want me to carry you up?”

Keira shook her head and kept her eyes on the steps.“No, I can do this.If you show me where the bathroom is, I can do the rest.”

“Not going to happen.I can tell from your color that you’re getting a headache, and you’re already too tired.Dr.Paulson said that would happen for several more days at least.He also said your balance would be affected, so we’re supposed to be careful.That’s where I come in.I’m going to be here for you every step of the way, if you like it or not.”

Keira faced off against Daniel.“Listen, Daniel.I don’t really have a choice about being here.You need me to find the guy that hurt me, but I won’t take your misguided feeling of guilt.”A shard of sorrow battered her heart at the thought.

Daniel stepped up, over six feet of pure testosterone taking over her personal space.His hand tilted her face up to get her attention.“Yes, I feel guilty.I’ll never get over the fact that I didn’t protect you.But hear me, Keira, there is no way Conner or I are going to let that bastard near you.We’re here to protect you.There are plenty of other people looking for the son of a bitch.”His eyes heated and narrowed in on her lips.“Let’s not talk about feelings.We’re both exhausted, and I don’t think you’re ready to hear it.We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Keira stepped back from him.“I don’t want to talk tomorrow or the next day.Just show me the bathroom.”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed.“You’re pushing me, Sweetheart, and we’re both too tired for it.”

“Look, if this gets to be too much, I can make other arrangements.I know you’re only doing this because of the guilt, and I don’t want to hear it.I already feel bad that you have to have me in your house.”

“What does that mean?”

Keira’s hand tightened on the stair railing and lowered her gaze to hide the hurt.“You didn’t want me in your home before, why would you now?”

Daniel’s head reared back.“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Before, when we dated, you never brought me here.We were always at my house or out somewhere.I wondered why, but I was afraid to ask.Then everything changed, and I didn’t have to question it anymore.”