An Inner Fire (39 page)

“Maybe his son had warned him off or he didn’t feel he could risk his son’s life.”

Davis clenched his hands on his thighs.

She scooted down the bed and placed her hand on top of his fist. “Honey, I don’t think Niles wanted to involve you.”

“He was willing to let me be a suspect in a murder investigation.” He pulled his hand away.

“He was trying to buy one day until his son left Russia.”

Davis shrugged. “I know, I know, but it was so senseless. And I’ll never forgive him for threatening you.”

“I think Niles panicked when I came to the station.” She remembered her distress when Niles chased her. “I felt how desperate he was. I ran… I don’t think he would’ve hurt me.”

Davis jumped up and started to pace. “How in the hell do you know that? As you said, he was desperate. The Russians were moving in. He was a marked man. He cashed in his retirement and took out a big life insurance policy naming his son as beneficiary.”

“I guess I’ll never know what Niles planned, but I want to believe he wasn’t a violent man.”

“I don’t know. You think you know someone and then the whole thing blows up in your face.” Davis dropped down on the bed.

Her hands lifted, molding his face. “Niles knew others would condemn him but trusted you to forgive him for choosing his son over honor. And you know why I know this, because you’re a good man, Ewan Davis, and Niles knew it.”

“You know a lot, don’t you?” Davis smiled. It was his first of the night.

“And I know you’re going to find his son and help him get away.” Grayce ran her hand along his back. “I wish I could take all your pain away.”

Davis grinned. “You’ve already done a lot to help relieve my pain, but I might need more pain relief. Animal doctors seem to know a lot about handling animal instincts.”

Grayce moved back against the headboard. She curled her finger. “I haven’t begun to show you my techniques for taming large dangerous animals.”

He pulled her by her feet along the bed, bringing her down to him. He bent over and kissed her mouth. “I can’t imagine what this night would’ve been like without you. I don’t want to think about going to the station tomorrow when everyone learns about Niles.”

Her arms tightened around him, bringing him down on top of her. “We’ll just have to fill your mind with better things.”

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Grayce leaned on her elbow, watching Davis sleep. His massive bicep was draped over his face. His chest, covered in dark hair, moved effortlessly. If she stayed in bed, they might not get around to talking. She slid out of bed.

He rolled to his side but didn’t wake. She wanted to run her finger down his muscular back to the little notch at the base of his spine. Last night had been about raw feelings, a scintillating blend of trust, comfort, and lust.

She walked to her closet and slipped on her soft yoga clothes. This morning was about their future. Davis had trusted her with his feelings, not an easy thing for a man who prided himself on control. She needed to honor his trust and reveal herself.

Touching her sister’s pendant, she was filled with anticipation. After yesterday’s events, she never wanted to waste another minute failing to grasp love, despite its complexities and contradictions. She prayed for Niles, hoping he had found peace. She prayed for his son—that he would honor Niles’ sacrifice by living a free life.

She reached into the cupboard for the oats for her oatmeal pancakes with blueberries. Davis liked steak, potatoes, and eggs, doused with plenty of ketchup, and a generous side of toast for breakfast. Not this morning. She wanted to share her world, her life.

She mixed the yogurt and oats together and then began to fry turkey bacon. Napoleon lay curled on the floor by the sink, next to Mitzi. They were such an odd couple, like herself and Davis, sensitive animal healer and macho man. She added the blueberries to the batter.

“Do I smell bacon?”

Davis wore his navy blue work pants, sans shirt or shoes.

“I didn’t know you cooked,” Davis said.

She beat the pancake mix, matching the rhythm of her racing heart. “I wanted to make you my favorite breakfast.”

He took the two steps toward her and pulled her into his arms. “You’re my favorite breakfast.”

He ran his hand down her spine, causing chills and heat to dart along her skin. This wasn’t going as she had planned.

“Aren’t you hungry?” The question came out as a whisper, since her breathing had picked up speed.

“Starving.” He proceeded to mouth tiny bites along her neck.

It was becoming difficult to resist. She pulled out of his arms. “We need to talk, and I thought we could do it over breakfast. You’re going to like these pancakes.”

Frustration flashed across his face. His voice was gravelly, “Can we talk later?”

“I need you to understand something about me, before…” She groped for the right word. Had he been serious last night when he told her he loved her or had it been his passion talking?

Her stomach churned with uncertainty.

“Grayce, the bacon is burning.”

The kitchen filled with smoke. She flipped the bacon. The pieces were black.

He turned her away from the stove. “Breakfast can wait. Let’s talk.” He didn’t let go of her hand. He removed the pan and turned off the stove. “No fires while I’m here.” He tugged on her hand and led her to the living room. Mitzi and Napoleon trailed behind.

She sat on the couch. Davis bent and placed a gentle caress across her lips. The giant cat jumped on her lap while Mitzi lay at her feet. Davis stood across from her.

“I want to talk with you about the fight we had over my interference in your investigation,” she said.

“I know what you’re going to say. It isn’t like me. I was worried for your safety.” His voice got louder, fierce, “My God, Benson torched your house and the Russians tried to run you down.”

“You had every right to be mad,” Grayce said.

“I’m not usually like…what did you say?”

“You had every right to be mad. I should’ve confided in you.”

He stared at her as if he had won the lottery. “You’re not worried that I’m too controlling, have anger issues? Isn’t that what you want to talk about?”

Her own anxiety made her laugh out loud. “No, but I’ll have to give it more thought, now that you mentioned it.”

Davis didn’t laugh. His eyes were focused on her face.

“I want to apologize for not explaining.”

“You do?” He asked.

Now came the hard part, the moment that could destroy the harmony, their chance of a future. She could hear Napoleon’s soft snuffles. Mitzi, picking up on the tension, put her head under Grayce’s hand. She patted Mitzi’s head. “It’s okay, Mitzi. She looked up at Davis. “I haven’t been honest with you.”

Davis stood still. His stance stiffened as if he grew taller.

“Could you sit down? It’s hard to talk when you’re standing over me.”

He dropped to the chair across from her, distancing himself. The tender lover was gone. Whatever he expected to hear, he didn’t believe it was going to be good. He had a deep crease marching across his forehead, and his lips were pulled tight into a grim smirk.

“I have been hiding certain things about myself.”

Davis sat straighter in his chair.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I was afraid you wouldn’t understand or believe me.”

“About the investigation?”

“Sort of.”

“Grayce, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m sure there is nothing you could tell me that would change how I feel about you. Well, unless you’re involved with someone else.” He bared his teeth, feigning a smile and detachment she knew wasn’t true.

“How could you think that after our nights together?”

“I was joking. Grayce what is it?”

“I have been hiding…”

He leaned forward, bracing his hands on his knees.

“I have rather strange abilities.”

He stood and moved to the couch. He took her hands in his. “You’ve said that before. Tell me about your abilities.”

“I…communicate with my dead sister and animals.”

Davis laughed. “This is what has you tied in knots?”

It was her turn to glare.

“Honey, I know you have unusual gifts. I’ve watched you.”

She pulled her hand away from Davis and stood up. “I’m not talking about my acupuncture skills. I know what animals are feeling. My visions show me what animals are thinking.”

“Visions?”

“When I treat animals, I go to a different place, kind of like dreaming. I can feel and see what animals are experiencing. It’s hard to explain in words. It’s like another world, another consciousness.”

She wrapped her arms around herself. “My sister’s communication is easier…well, easier to explain, but I’m not sure it’s easier to understand.” She rubbed her arms. “I feel Cassie’s presence. I don’t understand the connection, except I know my sister still tries to protect me.”

Grayce walked back and forth in her tiny living room. “I’ve tried to keep my gifts hidden, but when I met Mitzi, I knew you were in danger. I tried to warn you without revealing how I knew.”

Mitzi followed Grayce to the center of the living room.

“The first time I met Mitzi in my office, I sensed her fear, but I realized it centered on you. When I treated Mitzi after her poisoning, I had a vision of a scar. I didn’t know at the time what it signified, but I was overwhelmed with a need to protect you. I’ve always known that I was different, but I’ve kept it hidden until I met you and Mitzi.”

“A scar?”

“It sounds as weird as it was. I don’t usually see images during treatments but when I was treating Mitzi, I saw a scar on a man’s arm.”

“I’m amazed and a bit in awe.”

“I wanted to tell you, but it’s easier not to divulge my gifts.” A pressure was building under her ribs, making it hard to breathe. “I want you to understand why I acted the way I did. I had a dream—you were falling into a dark void.”

She stopped and bent to pet Mitzi, who now sat in the middle of the living room, watching her.

“I’m not explaining myself well. As a child, my sister always believed in my intuitive abilities, but when she died my whole world collapsed. I’ve found it hard to sort out what is real and who to trust. I’m sorry I couldn’t trust you sooner.”

“Grayce come here.” He reached for her.

She and Mitzi walked together to the couch. Grayce sat down. Mitzi lay at Grayce’s feet.

“Let me get this straight. Even though Benson terrified you, you kept it a secret?”

She nodded and shifted away from Davis.

“Next, because you were convinced Maclean planned to hurt me, you came out on the halo although you’re terrified of heights?”

“I didn’t have a choice. I had no way of knowing if you were in danger.”

“And you came to the department to protect me and got chased by Niles and almost run down by the Russian mob?”

Her palms were sweating. She never sweated. She rubbed them on her yoga clothes.

“Grayce, don’t you realize what you’ve said?”

“I know what I’m trying to tell you.”

“Which is?” He raised his eyebrows.

She was in a muddle. “I was trying to tell you I’m not the woman you think I am. I’m different than most people.”

“You sweet idiot. I’ve always known you were different. Why do you think I love you?”

“But Davis, I told you I have visions that come from the mind of a French poodle.”

“I didn’t know you had such astounding gifts, but since the moment I met you, I’ve known you’re the woman for me. I should’ve known when Henny wouldn’t leave your side. I tried very hard to deny the immediate attraction, but I thought it was your little skirt hitched up to your thighs. I still haven’t forgotten how you looked that day.”

He took her hand between his. “Attraction isn’t the right word. It was an immediate belonging, as if I met someone I’ve known all my life.”

“But you’re an investigator. You believe in facts.”

“Right. You and I are different in all the ways I like.” He cupped her hand gently.

“What are you saying, Davis?”

“I don’t care if you have dreams or visions. All I know is that you tried to save me, even though you were terrified. Since my Aunt Aideen, no one has ever cared for me, tried to protect me.”

“You don’t find it illogical that I can sense unseen things?”

“I love your sensitivity. You make me and everyone who knows you feel cared for, cherished. You have an incredible gift of loving.” He pressed her palms to his lips. “Animals and people love you because you make them feel safe. They get how sincere and innocent you are.” He licked her palm. “Not too innocent, I hope.”

A surge of pleasure shot all the way down to her toes.

“What was I saying? I got a bit distracted.” He pulled her onto his lap. “I feel very privileged that you decided to protect me, care for me. I promise to work hard to deserve you. You saved the department and the chief from an embarrassing and painful public disclosure of Niles’ involvement.”