Chapter 11
Charlotte closed the door with a soft click before she ran to the chamber pot and retched. Her body heaved, purging images as ruthlessly as the contents of her stomach. She sobbed between bouts, clutching her skirts beneath her.
Daisy's name had suited her perfectly. Happy, a great companion, and never one to hurt another creature. She'd curl onto Charlotte's lap at night, whimpering if she'd neglected to give her pet enough love.
Who could murder such an innocent animal?
She heaved into the pot. Sweat pricked her skin.
Oh no. No.
Wrapping an arm around her middle, she hobbled to her bed and sunk down to the aquamarine coverlet. Numbness froze her heart.
Only one person could kill such an innocent creature so carelessly.
The Black Dahlia.
Her hand jerked to her stomach. She couldn't be sick again. Panting, she staved off most of the nausea. She shuffled to the window, tossed lace curtains aside, and pushed open the glass. She gulped pungent garden air.
How had they gotten through Derek's defenses? Daisy had been in her room this morning. She hadn't told anyone to take her out. Besides, if someone had been with her, they would have been hurt too.
Her eyes flailed open. A woman had screamed. Was it during the moment of attack or upon finding Daisy's crumpled body?
Eyes wild, Charlotte scrambled to the door, throwing it wide open in her haste.
She shrieked when a male form blocked the door.
"Shh. Charlotte, you're all right. You're safe," Derek said, maneuvering her back into the room before he slipped inside and closed the door.
She barely heard him. "We have to go! Someone might be hurt." She struggled against his soft hold, motioning toward the door. "What are you doing? We have to go!"
"Who might be hurt?"
"A maid. A servant. Daisy was in my room this morning when I left. But anyone could have taken her for a walk. Someone could be in danger." Bile rose. "Someone could be dead." Panicked eyes vaulted to him. "My presence might have gotten someone else killed."
He pulled her into his arms, tightening his grip when she struggled. "Deep breaths. In. Out." She didn't listen, but her struggles slowed. "Come on. In and out."
She did as he asked. Hoping once she did, he'd listen.
"Everyone is safe. A head count was done, and everyone is accounted for. Staff and guests," he said before her struggles picked up again.
"Everyone's safe?"
"Yes."
A sob escaped before she could catch it. She gripped his coat, holding him close instead of pushing him away. "Oh, Daisy."
Tears sprung to her eyes, and she arched away from Derek. But he wouldn't release her. Breath caught in her lungs as panic set in. She was ten seconds away from a complete meltdown, and she didn't want him in the middle of it. "Let me go."
"No. You have me. You can release this."
She shook her head wildly. "No. You have to let me go."
"Trust me. Lean on me."
Her heart accepted his words. He'd been the one person she'd been able to confide in, to trust. He'd protected her and gone out of his way to deal with things no sane person would want to take on. And he'd done it all without complaint. He'd done it with kindness.
The dam broke.
Clenching him closer, she buried her face in his chest as the storm raged. Tears, heartache, and fear screamed out of her. She was lost, buried deep in grief that seemed to have no end.
Would she die just as Daisy had? They wanted her to fear that. That they would break her neck and leave her behind without a thought. Like an animal slaughtered without remorse.
What would become of her? How long would fear rule her? Until they were caught or she was dead?
She drew a shaky breath as the tears slowed. "They're going to kill me."
He squeezed her tighter. "No. I won't ever allow them to touch you."
She pushed back, and he loosened his grip enough for her gaze to meet his. She didn't care that her eyes were swollen, her nose was bright red, or that salty tears tracked down her cheeks. "For how long, Derek? How long will you keep me safe? How long will you hide me away?"
"As long as it takes. I'll never give up, Charlotte. Ever." Something in his gaze pleaded with her, but she didn't know what he asked or what he wanted.
"If they don't kill me, they'll go after my family."
He nodded grimly. "We have to tell them. They're vulnerable if they don't know. It's the only way to keep them safe."
"But what of your secret?" Would he really hand over that kind of power to her family? Risk his life, his career, if her family ever spoke of it?
"It doesn't matter as long as you all stay safe."
Her hands brushed over a wet patch on his navy blue coat where her tears stained the material. For the first time, she realized she was in his arms again. Truly in his arms. Her body pressed against his as it had during their kiss in the hidden passageway. He was strong, hard, and she fit against him perfectly. She scooted closer, relishing his heat as it warmed her chilled heart, comforting her.
"Why are you doing this? Why go through all this trouble?"
His jaw clenched, and she watched the muscle move in fascination. "It's my duty to protect you."
"Oh." Her heart fell. She moved away to her dresser and poured herself a glass of water to rinse her mouth, hoping he wouldn't see her disappointment.
What had she been thinking? Of course it was his job. She'd gotten too wrapped up in everything that had happened. It made her see things that weren't really there. He was being kind, comforting. No different than he would with another victim.
Yet the thought of him kissing another victim in a different place-
"Come here," he said.
Finished rinsing her mouth, she did as he asked. She sat on the bed next to him, folding her hands in her lap, hoping she appeared at ease.
His finger lifted her chin, and he swore. "I'm duty bound to protect you. It's my job."
"I understand." Her heart ached. She couldn't fault him for his honesty. He wasn't lying, and that was something she should respect. "I'm a burden to you. I'm sorry-"
His lips silenced her as he kissed her hard, determined. Charlotte moaned in surprise, and Derek deepened the kiss.
She closed her eyes as hot feelings circled through her, pulling her into a dark abyss she never wanted to leave.
This was heat. This was passion. This was raw.
He told her in the way he tasted her, in the way he held her, that his protection went beyond duty, beyond necessity.
She clutched him close, breathing his woodsy smell with every breath, kissing him with as much passion as he gave, answering his call. Her heart raced as he fisted her skirt before yanking her away.
He tucked her head under his chin, the sudden loss of his kiss jarring her.
His heart raced against her cheek as harsh breaths filled her ears.
"This isn't just my job, Charlotte. I care about you."
Her eyes shuddered. Hearing his words of affection shifted something within her. She mattered to him.
While that gave her strength, she couldn't hide forever. "They're never going to stop."
"We'll find them."
Reluctant to leave his arms, she slid away, a part of her hoping he'd stop her. But she needed to stand on her own while she said this. "Yes. We will. But I can't hide. I can't stay in my room, or the house, cowering, hoping they'll make a mistake. They're here. They're at your estate. If Daisy wasn't taken out by a servant, then that means they slipped inside or … or one of the guests is responsible."
He cursed. "We'll move you to another location. Take you somewhere safe."
"And then what? They'll only find me." He didn't argue. He couldn't. "I need to stay here. I need to interact with others. Something they say, something they do, could trigger my memory. I've heard their voices. If they're among the guests, I can identify them."
"What if the person who's here, who killed your dog, is just a pawn? What if that pawn wasn't in the Leatherbys' sitting room that night? What if you don't realize you're in danger until it's too late?" His eyes heated at the thought.
"I have you, Derek. I'm safe here with you."
His mouth opened to argue, but she hushed him with a finger to his lips. "I know you can't be there every moment, but you have eyes everywhere. I'm more safe here than anywhere else. You know I'm right. You know this is the best chance of identifying the threat."
He gripped her wrist, slowly moving her hand away. "I don't like it."
A sad, rueful smile curved her lips. "I can't say I'm fond of it either."