Page 97 of Dark Obsession

Daniel scowled.“People thought Ted Bundy was harmless, too, Keira.”

Keira gasped as a spear of terror raced through her.“I know.I’m sorry.I’m not usually so trusting of people, especially men.He just seemed like he had special needs, you know, a little slow, and he never showed any aggression.Although he scared me a time or two when he waited outside by my car to talk to me.”

Daniel’s nostrils flared.“I wish I had a chance to deal with him.”

A shiver ran up her spine at the dark menace in his voice.“I didn’t think about it at first.I’m used to taking care of myself.Then, we ...we had a misunderstanding.Besides, we had only started seeing each other.”

A harsh laugh burst from Daniel.“Misunderstanding?More like I was incredibly foolish.I should have been there to protect you, and I failed.”

Her feelings were too raw to talk about at that moment.“We need to try to move past this, Daniel.Let’s talk later, okay?”

Daniel nodded and squeezed her hands.“Is there anyone else?Anyone you would never consider violent?A man who tried to come on to you?”

Keira shrugged.“I had a few men ask me out, but I can’t remember who.”

“How many?”Blane looked up from the paper he was writing on.

Keira looked from Conner to Blane.“I don’t remember, maybe three or four.”

Daniel grimaced.“And you never said anything, why?”Daniel asked as he watched her closely.

Keira’s eyes widened, stunned.“Why would I, Daniel?We weren’t serious at all.Heck, we were barely in a relationship, although I told them I was dating you...”

Conner sat up and glanced at Blane.“Wait, you told all those guys you were dating Daniel?”

“I’m pretty sure.I thought it would deflect their interest and leave me alone.Why?”

Blane asked, “Do you remember when you started having your things moved?At the very beginning?”

Keira thought back.“I guess a week or so before my sister left on her honeymoon.”

“And how many men had you told you were dating Daniel at that time?”

Keira’s hand fisted in her lap as her eyes clashed with Blane’s.“I don’t remember.”

Daniel stood.“Let’s go to bed, Keira.You’re tired, and I can tell you have a headache.”

She looked around the room and couldn’t hide the fear that had crept up on her.

“Keira, Daniel, Blane, and I will be here all night.I’ll be up in the bedroom across the hall, and Blane down here on the sofa.”He pulled his eyes away from her and toward Daniel.“Go take care of her, and we’ll make sure we lock up.”

Daniel’s hand spanned her lower back.“Thanks, guys.Good night.”

“Night,” both men said.

Once upstairs, Daniel started a bath for her and made her swallow a few aspirin.As the tub filled, he undressed her, put her hair up, and then helped her into the tub.“I’ll be right back.I’m getting you a nightgown and my boxers.”

Keira leaned her head back against the tub and let the warmth of it seep into her bones.All she wanted right now was to relax in the tub and then go to bed with Daniel’s arms around her.

She was out the moment her head hit the pillow.

A few hours later, she felt like a blanket of despair tried to smother her, and she cried out.

“Keira, Baby.Wake up.”He shook her a few times, but when that didn’t work, he pulled her tightly against his chest and murmured soft words.

Within a few minutes, Keira relaxed against Daniel, clutching him to her as she slid into sleep again.“Just hold me,” she murmured brokenly.

Daniel swallowed back the tears that burned in his throat and kissed the top of her head.“Always.”

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