Page 56 of Only You

He nodded. “She’s been at work a long time today.”

“She’s used to it.”

He knew that, but it didn’t make him like it anymore. He had always been someone who liked to comfort friends and family. Most of the time, it was with food, but now, he wanted to care for Eileen.

“Hey, they’re talking about Irene,” Sandy said. Declan turned to face the TV closest to him.

“There are sources inside the Baltimore PD that say the two murders could be linked.”

Then, there was a scene outside of Eileen’s precinct. She and Eddie were walking out together, and they were stopped by the camera.

“Detective O’Reilly, do you have a comment about the two cases being linked?”

“No comment, just like I told you earlier.”

She brushed past him, but the reporter wasn’t giving up.

“Don’t you think the women of Baltimore deserve an answer?”

That stopped her, and when she turned around to face the reporter, irritation sizzled in her eyes.

“Oh, damn, that guy is never going to get an interview with Eileen,” Seamus murmured.

Declan curled his fingers to make fists. Fuck, he hated anyone saying things like that about Eileen. She cared so much about her job, and this asshole was making it sound like she was hiding things. Other people might not see how tired she was, but he did. He also was up close and personal with just how little sleep she’d had last night. Guilt hit him when he realized he had kept her up when she should have been resting. Not that he would change anything about last night, but he knew she had to be exhausted.

“I care deeply about the people—men, women, and children—in this city. But linking two murders before we have the entire picture could screw up the investigation,Johnathon.”

Oh, damn, that tone. That was sexy as hell. Her voice shook with passion and just a little anger. He was pretty sure that most people watching would be on her side.

“So, once again, I will say no comment. When we have more information, then we will let the public know. But there is one thing I have to say.” Her gaze focused on the camera and not thereporter. “No matter if it was one or two different men, wewillcatch the perpetrators. A man who would do this is weak. In any other case, a woman could take him down. That’s why he does it at night. That’s what cowards do.”

She turned and headed down the steps with her partner.

“Your woman doesn’t take shit off anyone,” Seamus said, admiration filling his voice.

His brother might not understand just what happened, but Declan did. Ice careened through his blood as he stared at the TV. Some commercial was playing, but he barely paid attention to it. Seamus was going on about how badass she was, but Declan could barely respond.

Eileen had just put a target on her back, and he was sure she had done it on purpose.

Gettinghome seemed to take forever for Eileen. She loved her job, but there were days like today that really tested her abilities. A lot of people thought that cops did their job to go after perps. Granted, that was part of it, but the other part of it was the victims. Today…that had been a hard one to handle.

Eddie had been right. Their victim had been working the streets. Jennifer Rowe was only twenty-three, but she looked older thanks to the life she had led. A runaway at the age of sixteen, she had been homeless for most of those seven years. A heroin addiction had forced her into prostitution. Got to support that habit, right?

Bitterness filled her, and she had to push back on it. It made it difficult to do the job. Relief hit Eileen as she pulled up to the curb in front of her house. Everything seemed to be quiet, thanks to the chilly rain. April was their rainiest month duringthe Spring, but March could definitely hit them hard because the rain was always so damned cold. Maybe that’s why she couldn’t get her body to warm up today.

She noticed a package sitting on the stoop as she approached her door. She frowned, trying to remember if she had ordered anything. She picked it up and saw her name, but there was no postmark. There was a good chance Mrs. Kilpatrick had left her some goodies. As cranky as that woman was, she always made Eileen cookies at least once a month. She bent to pick it up, then heard a car drive up and park behind her. Frowning, she turned and noticed it was Declan.

Warmth filled her as she watched him slip out of his truck and walk toward her. That and a little fear. She was so eager to see him, to feel him slip his arms around her and tell her things would be okay, that it scared her. And embarrassed her. Eileen learned early on that men did not do well with her job, and from the irritated look on his face, Declan was angry that she hadn’t gotten in touch with him today.

Rude, although she did text her thanks. Part of it was on purpose, and part of it was the job.

It’s been one day, and I need him too much.

There were times during the day when she had been irritated or overwhelmed. In those moments, she had wanted Declan. One freaking date, and he was under her skin. That wasn’t good.

“Hey, you okay?”

He was worried about her? She frowned.

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