– Why didn't you give me the serial murder case, Johan?! – Eric was out of control, speaking far too loudly to the boss, who stared at him as if he had known this would happen. – You know how important this is to me!
– You have no self-control to investigate this case. – The boss spoke sensibly. We were all in the room, including Desnki and Watson. I looked at Eric, worried. He didn't seem well—there was a vein bulging on his forehead. At any moment, he might do something reckless.
– Give me the case, Johan! – Eric growled through clenched teeth.
The boss stood up and stared back at him, with as much anger as Eric. His height surpassed Felix's, so he looked down at the man, who defiantly met his gaze.
– I'm still your boss, Felix. If you don't want to be suspended, get out of here and go deal with your own work! You're not on this case. – He slammed his hand on the table, making everyone tense up. Eric stormed out of the room, fuming. I quickly followed him, not knowing what to say to help. He turned, but not to look at me—he looked at Desnki.
– Give me everything you know about the case. I want the files and images! – He was completely out of control, but Desnki remained unshaken.
– I don't know if I can do that... – Desnki seemed to be considering it, especially after seeing the investigator's state.
– Desnki, we have to go. – Thomas's face remained unchanged; to me, that boy was always so strange.
– Don't think too much about it now. I'll stop by your place tomorrow morning. – He left, putting on his hat and following the younger one. I went to the kitchen, grabbed a cup of coffee, and handed it to Eric, who accepted it reluctantly.
– Let's focus on our case, Felix. Leave this story aside for now, it'll only drive you mad. – I tried to be kind, given his state. I even smiled, but he just looked at me in disbelief.
– You don't understand. I lost my wife to this murderer, he's taken so many lives, and now I have the chance to find the bastard who did this and make him pay. – His words were filled with hatred and resentment. I felt discouraged, anxious—I hadn't expected him to say that to me like that. Eric, when angry, always said things without realizing how much they hurt.
– I'm going home. – I said simply. There was no point arguing with someone who didn't even think before speaking. He grabbed my wrist, as if about to say something, but in the end, he didn't. I pulled my arm free with force and left. If he had nothing to say, then I didn't need to stay there. I wanted to help, but he was shutting himself off; better to let him think it through.
I felt so tired when I fell into bed—too much information. Why had this killer returned after ten years? And what if it wasn't the same murderer? What if it was someone else? But it wasn't my case, I couldn't interfere. I had to focus on the husband of that woman... That woman. Her case was suspicious.
I ate something and went back to my room. Eric hadn't come back yet. I was feeling worried and lost. When I heard footsteps on the stairs, I felt relieved, but before I could get up, the door opened. The taller man came in, and I couldn't decipher his emotions in that moment.
– Nathan, are you awake? – I sat up to show that I was. Eric sat down beside me.
– Yes. What do you want? – I asked, trying not to give in to the way he said my name, so sensual.
– I'm sorry. I know I messed up... I overreacted with you unnecessarily. Let's finish Katherine's case together. – He gently brushed my hair with affection. My face heated up; only Eric could make me feel such a whirlwind of contradictory emotions and make my heart race like this. My heart filled with those good feelings—I truly wanted to protect him from everything.
– Are you going to let this go? – I asked hopefully.
– I can't do that. I couldn't ignore it. I'll help Desnki however I can. But I'll try to stay calmer. – He slid his hand along my face, until it touched my lips.
– Alright... – I said weakly under his touch. His fingers brushed against my lips, and I let them in by parting them slightly. My body longed for him, my desire undeniable. I gently sucked on his fingers, running my tongue over them. He teased me for a moment before pulling his fingers away.
Then he took out the handcuffs, letting the cold metal slide along my arm.
– Take off your clothes. – His voice was commanding, and that only ignited my desire further. Eric's intense gaze scanned my body. I slowly removed my clothes, letting him see every inch of me. Eric pulled my hands behind my back, locking my wrists in the cuffs, turning my body, exposing me completely to him.
– You're so shameless, Nathan... you're already trembling. – His voice made the situation even more intense.
– D-Don't tease me, Eric... – I replied, my voice laced with need.
He explored me with his fingers, skillfully teasing, finding the places that made me moan and arch involuntarily, offering myself to him. He knew exactly how to make my body respond. His touches were possessive and deliberate, drawing sounds from me I couldn't suppress.
– You like this, don't you? – His dominant voice whispered, urging me to push against his hand, biting and marking me. The teasing drove me wild, my body yearning for more.
– I want you... Eric... – I pleaded, embarrassed by my own need. I was almost certain he smiled at my helpless state.
– With pleasure. – He replied with a seductive tone, making my heart pound even harder.
I felt him positioning, slowly claiming me, filling me deeply. My moans muffled into the pillow, not wanting to be too loud.
– I want to hear you. – He commanded, giving me a sharp slap when I buried my head, making me shudder. – Come on. Let me hear you. – I couldn't hold back anymore; I let the sounds escape freely as he moved powerfully, my body surrendering completely.
I reached my peak quickly under his relentless rhythm, the intensity overwhelming me. He didn't stop, pushing me even further, until we both collapsed, exhausted and entangled.
We fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms. It was comforting and protective—the only thing I wanted on that cold night.
– I love you... – But the voice wasn't Eric's, as I'd hoped.
Instead, I felt familiar hands on my chest and realized I was underwater, my body weightless. I opened my eyes and saw that familiar man—we were at the bottom of a river, being dragged by the current.
– No... – I tried to say, but only bubbles escaped my lips. He gripped my neck tightly, and that's when I started to drown, suffocating. I tried to pull his hands away, but he squeezed even harder. I scratched his arms, but my strength was gone. Water filled my lungs whenever I tried to gasp for air, but the choking didn't stop—I was dying.
– If I can't have you, no one will. Because only I love you... no one else. – I'm going to die...
I woke up, desperate, sitting up abruptly. Eric grabbed me instantly, but I struggled, trying to get free—I didn't want anyone touching me, not even him. I grabbed my neck, gasping for air, tearing at the invisible hand still wrapped around it, but found nothing.
– Nathan... Nathan! – Eric was calling my name. I only heard him after a few seconds and looked at him. He held my arm, pulling me into a tight embrace. I closed my eyes, relieved it hadn't been real. I hugged him tightly, still gasping, slowly calming down.
– ...Another nightmare. – He was worried about me. I could feel it in how tightly he held me. – You screamed before waking up; this is getting serious. What were you dreaming about? – His voice tried to stay calm, but I could hear the concern.
– It was nothing, Eric. I'm fine—it was just a bad dream. – I slipped out of his arms. I didn't want to add to his worries—he was already so stressed. He looked suspicious but kissed the top of my head. I lay down again, but I couldn't sleep, afraid of another nightmare.
I was exhausted when Desnki arrived, slumping onto the couch. My headache had returned, though milder. He had a folder and seemed in a rush. He handed it to Felix, who looked better than he had in days.
He walked toward the office. I stayed there, drained—we had a meeting with Mrs. Greenfield that afternoon. Just thinking about it made me feel worse. I still didn't know the relationship between my lover and that woman, and I was starting not to want to know. Dealing with nightmares, sleepless nights, and Eric's foul mood was wearing me down.
I taught Lucy that morning, after her chores, just before lunch—it helped distract my mind. While I waited for Eric, who was obsessively going through all the files, I had to go to his office to call him for lunch. I knocked several times but got no answer. Why am I not surprised?
– I'm coming in. – But even as I announced myself, there was no reply. He was completely absorbed in the papers, as if searching for something he couldn't find. – We need to go have lunch, Eric.
– Wait, I'm not done. – He made a dismissive gesture in my direction, as if shooing a dog. That was so infuriating—I'd bite him like a dog when I had the chance.
– Mrs. Greenfield won't be happy if she has to wait all afternoon for you. – I said, exasperated. He looked at me then, nodded, and stood up. I couldn't believe he would leave so quickly just for that woman. Who was the dog now?
– What's your relationship with her? – I asked again, in the carriage. I took advantage of the fact that he wasn't too stressed yet to brush off the subject with his usual coldness.
– You never give up. – He sighed, looking at me and realizing I wouldn't stop until he told me what had happened between them. – Before I got married, I met Katherine. She was a friend of my wife. We got involved briefly. I've always cared for and respected her. John was my friend, so when they got together, I supported them. You don't need to worry.
– I'm not worried. – I lied, looking away. I had already suspected it, but knowing for sure messed with me. If you said you loved me, I wouldn't feel this way. That's what I thought. I'd been thinking that a lot lately.
As soon as we knocked, the woman opened the door, desperate. Her face was red, her eyes swollen from crying all night. She looked distraught, still in her nightclothes.
– Eric, I was so scared. – She said, hugging the inspector. My lover looked at her as if he didn't understand, but didn't make an effort to pull away, even holding her waist so familiarly for an ex-lover.
– Calm down. What happened? – He asked, concerned, leading her inside. My forehead pulsed with jealousy, worsening my headache.
– Someone tried to break into my house last night... They tried to shatter the kitchen window. – She led him there, showing the broken glass. – I couldn't sleep all night. Maybe it's the same person who killed my husband... Wanting his inheritance. – Her desperate words as she clung tightly to Eric's hands. – Please, don't leave me alone anymore... sleep with me.
I looked at her in disbelief, stunned by such an indecent proposal. I felt so selfish and petty in that moment that I couldn't even look Eric in the eyes. And the fact that he hesitated to respond only made me feel more disturbed and insecure.
Go to a shelter!