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“What are you doing?” Jonathan stormed inside what used to be Dee’s room and snatched the bed sheets from Emma’s shaking hands. “Who told you to take these sheets off the bed?”
“I’m sorry, but they haven’t been washed since Dee left.”
“That’s because I don’t want them washed. Don’t touch anything in this room. Do you hear me? Nothing!”
“Yes.” She touched her cheek, quivering.
“These sheets...” He sniffed them. “Her smell is all I have left of Deidra. I catch you in here again you’re getting a week in the shed.”
“Y...yes, Jonathan.”
“Get out!”
Emma stumbled out the room as Tran came entered.
“Something wrong?” Tran asked.
“She took off the sheets.” Jonathan climbed into the bed and secured the sheet on the corners. “No one is allowed to come in this room. Make sure they know it.”
“Jonathan.”
“You hear me?” He punched the mattress. “I don’t want anyone in here except Deidra.”
Tran approached the bed with his arms out. “I’m worried about you.”
Jonathan rolled over, sitting on his butt. “I’ll be fine once Deidra’s back where she belongs.” He smiled. “And, she will be.”
“Shauna’s back for good?”
Jonathan sneered at the comment, rubbing the sheet. “It’s time for phase two of my plan to get Deidra back.”
“Jonathan.” Tran sat beside him in oversized, white pants. “I’m begging you to let this go.”
“We’re not having this conversation again. Deidra is mine.” He straightened his back. “I’m going to take her to Wales and we’ll be married.”
“What—”
“That’s right.” Jonathan patted Tran’s back. “She will be my wife and Head Mistress. Just like she’s supposed to be.”
“You got immunity for the kidnapping. Why can’t you just be happy about that? This woman doesn’t want you.”
“She has no choice but to want me. My mission is to have Deidra by my side. However long it takes, I’ll show her she can’t run from fate.” He walked to the door with his hands behind his back. “Everything will be fine if I get what I want.”
Tran held his breath. “If you don’t?”
Jonathan glanced at him from over his shoulder. “You’ll see.”
****
Dee bumped into Winston that night as she left the station lounge after getting a soda.
A timid smile formed on his lips.
She walked past to avoid another fight.
“I didn’t know you were still here.” He followed her to her desk, looking as if he’d lost his puppy. “I’m heading home now.”
Dee nodded, sitting in her chair. “Have a good night.” She opened her soda can and sipped.
“I was working late on a case.” He cleared his throat. “You?”
She scooted her chair to the desk. “Same.” She scrolled through the files on her computer. “Vice was kind enough to share files on the K-Town Crips. I’m researching to learn the movers and shakers of the gang.”
He sat in Connie’s chair. “How’s it going?”
“Just like any other case so far.”
“I meant, with you?”
She rested her fingers on the keyboard. “I’m not in the mood, Winston.”
“Damn, I can’t even ask you how you’re doing without you getting mad?”
“I’m not mad.” She concentrated on the files. “Just busy. I stayed late so I could work alone.”
“Fine, I’ll be quiet.” He smiled.
She exhaled, glaring at him. “I’d prefer to be alone.”
“Yeah, well I’m not leaving you here alone.”
“Why not?”
“Duh, maybe it’s because that psycho who kidnapped you is on the loose.” He propped his left leg on his right thigh. “It’s not safe for you to be alone with Jonathan around.”
“This is ridiculous.” She grabbed her soda. “You’re treating me like a child.”
“No, I’m treating you like a boyfriend who’s concerned about his girlfriend’s safety.”
“Boyfriend, huh?”
“Yes.” He leaned forward, touching the desk. “Unless you don’t want me to be.”
The strawberry soda tickled her throat when she swallowed. “I never said that.”
He smiled, his eyes suffocating her. “I miss you, honey.”
She sighed, dropping her head.
“I’m sorry for what I said.” He took her hand. “You’re not stupid. I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.” His voice cracked. “Are you ever gonna break down that wall, Dee? Even after all we’ve been through, you still don’t let me in.”
“I can’t get over how you reacted in Emory’s office. You have any idea how deserted I felt when you walked out on me?”
He closed his eyes. “I was mad.”
“I needed you to support me, not point fingers.”
He scrunched his face. “You don’t get to tell me how to love you.”
She looked at him, batting her eyes.
“I’m sick and tired of you dictating when I can comfort you or what I should do when you’re going through something. That’s my choice, Dee. Not yours.”
She moved her mouse across the pad. “What the hell do you want from me?”
“Let me love you, damn it.” He stood, leaning over the desk. “Let me be there when you need me, my way. I need to know you need me. Don’t you get it?” He stood back with his mouth open. “Let me be your boyfriend and protect you sometimes. That’s all.”
“When will you realize this isn’t about you? Yes, I want your support but I need it when you don’t agree with me too. You’re fine when everything is going your way but the minute you don’t like how things turn out, you bail. You left me in that office feeling like the loneliest person in the world.” Her bottom lip shook. “I needed you more that day than I ever have and you walked off.”
“You should come with a book of instructions.” He rubbed his hair. “Even when I think I’m doing something right, it’s wrong.”
“Why don’t you stop trying to figure out how to love me and just do it.” She stood, turning off her computer and lamp. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She got her purse off the back of her chair.
“Don’t leave.” He reached for her as she passed. “We need to talk about this.”
She hurried out the room, her eyes swelling with tears.