Chapter 2
After Dani had abruptly left his apartment three months ago, Malcolm had done what he promised and stayed away. He had thrown himself into every case he could get his hands on and spent more time with his mother.
He accompanied her to all of her fancy events and only a minority complained. He gave all he could of himself, knowing that somewhere down the line, maybe it would be Dani back by his side entering a crime scene or her in a pretty dress standing between him and his mother.
So when he walked into the precinct on Tuesday and saw a flash of black hair and smelt a whiff of coconut he had stopped. Dani was in cuffs as she squirmed and stumbled as they threw her into a conference room. Behind her were five other officers all with men in cuffs, all head members of the mafia.
They were being brought in in a row and put into interrogation rooms and holding cells. Malcolm forced himself to turn left and head to Gil's office instead of right toward where they stowed Dani. No doubt trying to keep her cover alive to keep her from retaliation.
"Bright, I was just about to call you-"
"About Dani?"
"Guns and gangs contacted me last night, They finally have enough to put everyone away for life, thanks to Dani."
"That's great, when are they being sent off."
"We're going to host them here for interviews and sentencing, but they'll be off to prison by Friday."
"What about Dani?"
"Once we are sure everyone is locked away we'll be able to sneak her out the back. Agent Machelle Davis is in with her now, she will debrief everything, give her official statements and then be free to go home. She'll have to lay low until sentencing but after Friday she'll be a free woman."
Malcolm nodded, that made sense. She had turned over the heads of one of the most powerful Mafia families in the county. They would need them to think she was being sentenced to the same fate as them.
"I want to volunteer to take her home."
"She'll be going to a safe house, and Agent Davis will be escorting her. After that once she is home, you are free to visit her. No doubt she'll need a little break before she throws herself back in to catch up on our cases."
Malcolm could not help but sigh in disappointment, he had waited almost a full year to see Dani again, and he could wait another 3 days to ensure her safety.
"What can I do until then?"
Gil pushed a case file toward him, "This came across my desk this morning."
.
Dani looks exhausted when he next sees her. She had a couple of bruises on her arms from the handcuffs and her apprehension, otherwise, she was a sight for sore eyes. Her hair was ruffled and her face was bare of makeup, her shirt hung down her body covering whatever bottoms she was wearing.
"Hey." She sighed.
"Hi." Malcolm held up takeout, hoping to be invited in. "I have Thai."
Dani left the door open walking off to drop down on her couch. She had gotten home three hours ago after days in the safe house. It was now Saturday just after ten, she had just showered and thrown on some comfortable clothes when she heard someone knocking at her door.
She knew who would be on the other side of that door before opening it. He had promised to be there, turns out he was not kidding. She invited him in, not finding the brain cells to care that she was in a big shirt and cheeky panties. Not like he could see them with the shirt brushing the top of her thighs.
So she left the door open and let him worry about closing it. She went and plopped down on her couch, listening to Malcolm put things out on the counter, pulling plates down from the cupboards and throwing some things together.
He joined her a few moments later, taking up the other side of the couch. Setting two plates in front of them on the coffee table.
The food smelled amazing but Dani was not sure she had the energy to eat anything, let alone control her emotions around Malcolm. He said he was not going to profile her anymore, and she knew he put great effort into restraining himself. But it was a skill that was second nature to him, he could not help but take in other people's body language.
"How are you feeling?" He reached out and gestured for her to lift her chin.
There was a pretty nasty bruise on her collarbone that had escaped his notice when she had opened the door.
"The takedown was a little rough, Thalia's scrappy."
Malcolm frowned. "They knew you were undercover, they should have-"
"Greeted me with a high five and handed me my badge back in the middle of the takedown?"
"Handled you with more care."
Dani snorted, eyes dropping closed to rest for only a moment before fluttering back open.
"They got the bad guys and I got to come home. That's all I care about." He raised his brows at her. "A couple of bruises are no big deal."
Malcolm needed to change the subject, they were going to have to disagree here.
"Eat."
"This was really nice of you, but I'm too tired to eat."
"I know this may be a little hypocritical coming from me, but you should eat something."
Dani scoffed, "I ate at the safe house and believe it or not, the Mafia does allow you to eat meals. I'm not starving Bright, and this food smells good. As soon as I wake up I will definitely be digging in."
Malcolm continued to look at her, he picked up the plate he set in front of her and held it out for her to take.
"Pushy." Dani took the plate, "Anyone ever tells you you're like your mother?"
"She is not usually the parent I get compared to."
"We'll those people who compare you to "him" must not know you that well." She shoved a couple of forkfuls into her mouth to satisfy him.
"Like I know you?"
"I was hungry, I'm always hungry, that's not a crime. And you are a profiler, you "know" everybody."
Malcolm leaned toward her, "I don't profile you. I've spent time with you, I know you."
"I guess you do." She admitted she had not let anyone get to know her in a long time.
They ate in silence. Dani took long blinks while she chewed and Malcolm took that time to watch her.
After all the food was gone, Dani stood to take the plates to the kitchen but Malcolm shook his head, taking her plate and headed to the kitchen to put them in the dishwasher.
"I could have done that."
"I know you could have, but you are tired. So tired that you were willing to skip a meal. However, now you have been fed and are all ready to sleep till your heart's content."
"Mission accomplished."
"Something like that. I'll be back tomorrow morning, till then, get some sleep." Malcolm squeezed his eyes shut, he sounded like this mother again.
The smirk on Dani's face was more than proof of that.
"As long as you know, I don't need to say it." Dani teased getting to her feet.
As they reached her door Malcolm turned to get a final look at her.
"Thanks for the food, even though it was a cover to come and check up on me."
"Maybe I missed eating with you."
"If that's your story." Dani opened the door for him.
Malcolm froze, "I'm glad you're back safe Dani."
"Me too."
Noticing his hesitation at the door, Dani reached forward and hugged him. Because they needed something to end the night or maybe because he just needed it. Dani was happy she got her shower in before he showed up because the smell of weed and sweat in her hair would not have been attractive.
She felt his inhale against her scalp, remembering how the last time they were together he talked about how she smelt.
As she pulled back Malcolm found it in him to walk away, at least for the day. Dani no doubt would probably sleep through the afternoon and into the night. Undercover was no easy feat especially while battling other demons. Though he saw no signs of drug withdrawal, Malcolm knew for his peace of mind he would have to ask Dani about it once she had some time to adjust to being back.
Until then, he promised his mother he would help her pick out a new crystal set, and god forbid he bail on such an important occasion.
.
Dani got into bed after seeing Malcolm out, slipping into sleep much like she had the last couple of nights. It started peacefully until the dreams kicked in. She woke up a couple of times through the night but stayed trapped for the most part. Her mind tried to work through as much as it could while she was out.
When she woke up at six that morning and couldn't go back to sleep she figured now was as good of time as any to get up and ready for the day. Malcolm said he would be by in the morning and she knew he could be, the man slept like two hours a night. He had probably already been up for a couple of hours and was holding off coming over here till a "decent" time.
At eight sharp there was a knock at her door. Dani smiled to herself, she had put on a pair of black jeans and a cozy royal blue knit sweater, and even took the time to dry her hair into perfect curls.
When she answered the door Malcolm smiled and helped up some bags.
"I have breakfast."
"You should work for Ubereats, with your happy disposition you could make a killing on tips."
Malcolm walked in, closing and locking her door. He set the two boxes on the counter and looked to Dani who slid onto one of her stools.
"Son of a serial killer delivering food door to door. I feel like there is a "two men walk into a bar" joke in there somewhere. I got you waffles and berries and even stopped to pick up some coffee."
"No tea?"
"You like coffee in the morning and Earl Grey in the afternoons." He said, proving once again that he knew her.
"Ok smarty pants, and when do I like hot chocolate." She was half teasing.
"Never, it's too rich."
They both paused at Malcolm's answer. Looked at each other like things should not be that seamless between them, especially after all this time, but it just was.
"What are you getting up today?" She asked moving the conversation along.
"Other than being here with you? Nothing."
"And what are we going to do exactly?"
"Walk, outside in the fresh air because you have been trapped inside all week, and I know you are itching for a run, but I move at most in a quick speed walk."
"A walk sounds great, Thaila wasn't much of a runner, I doubt I would fare better than you out there right now."
"I doubt that." He joked. "Eat up."
Dani put her fork down, "Are you going to keep doing that?"
"It's important to eat."
"I do eat." The two of them watched each other. "I only used a couple of times and only when it was clear I was not being given a choice. I'm not as green as I was in narcotics, I had nothing to prove this time around. Except maybe that I wouldn't screw it up as royalty as the last time I went under. So I'm not dealing with withdrawals or anything else like that, okay?"
"Ok." He said softly. "Anything else non-drug related you want to talk about?"
"Your frittata is getting cold." Dani dropped her eyes to his container. "Eat up."
Malcolm rolled his eyes as his words were thrown back at him by a smiling gorgeous woman who he considered to be the best and truest friend he had. She was also the woman who made his heart beat fast and had him questioning everything about love and intimate feelings.
"I tried to be confident, and brave in front of Gil. He recommended me for the op, but I was terrified I would screw it up all over again, that I would be exposed."
"You could have passed."
"No, I couldn't have. I had a lot to prove after last time. To myself, but also my old team."
Malcolm set down his fork. "I looked into those files while you were undercover, you were 23 and fresh out of the academy, and your mother had just died. They had no right to put you deep under like that. You were lucky you made it out with your life."
Dani shook her head, getting up from the table. "It's messed up that the people looking out for me last time were the people I was trying to take down."
"That should tell you everything you need to know. You don't have to prove anything to your old team, let alone Gil." Malcolm rounded the counter. "You did amazing Dani, you should be proud of what you've accomplished. You always rise and beat the odds."
She let out a snort and turned around, starting when Malcolm was only inches from her instead of his respectful two feet. His blue eyes showed some big emotions as they trailed over her face to connect with her own eyes.
"Why are you buttering me up?" She squinted her eyes at him.
Malcolm pursed his lips and shook his head. "You are one of the strongest, most confident women I know. That fact that you still feel like you need to prove something and beat yourself up for a mistake you made when you were 23 is absurd."
"You beat yourself up daily."
"Which is how I know that it is useless and doesn't accomplish anything."
"Ah, so you are aware." She teased and Malcolm smirked.
His eyes once again roamed over her, and slowly Malcolm leaned in at the same time she did. His hands going to her cheeks, hers going to his waist. They kissed each other fiercely, both pulling each other in closer.
Eventually, they slowed and parted from each other, "Malcolm, I- I don't wanna do this if it's just some-"
"It's not. Dani, this is different. The way I feel about you is different."
He pulled her in and this time they pressed their bodies together. Their kiss built in intensity and their bodies relaxed into one another.
Malcolm's hands slid down Dani's curves until he squeezed right under her ass. Getting the message she wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped up into his waiting embrace. She sighed into his mouth and he walked them across the way enough to set her down on the back of her couch.
His hands were firm on her waist not wanting her to fall down into the cushions. Dani's fingers played with the hairs on the back of his neck sending goose bumps over his body when her nails scrapped his skin.
A sharp demanding knock came at the door breaking them from a long-anticipated moment. Dani frowned, leaning around Malcolm to look at said door.
"Expecting anyone?" Malcolm asked.
Dani shook her head, sliding down from the couch to see who had interrupted them.
"Eat your frittata." She threw it over her shoulder.
Their food sitting forgotten on the island counter. Malcolm chuckled but moved toward the kitchen to pack up their food and put it in the fridge.
"Shit." Malcolm started as Dani stepped back into her apartment, a man following her inside.
"Do you have a bag ready?" He asked her, his eyes clocking the profiler in the kitchen.
He was clearly a cop of some kind but he was wearing street clothes. Most likely a detective.
"Yes." Dani ran to her closet and back with a duffle bag and her jacket flung over her arm. "Did you already contact my captain?"
"He will be notified once you are out of the city, we need to jump on this while we still have a chance at saving them."
"Ok." Dani had been in a flurry of movement until her eyes locked on Malcolm who had stepped toward her.
"What's happening?" He asked her, eyes wirily on her bag.
Dani looked between Camron and Malcolm. "I have to go back in, back undercover. The girls that were being trafficked, we thought we knew where they were being kept. Thalia Verri doesn't know where all the hidden bodies are but, she can make Max talk."
Malcolm shook his head and threw his hands out, "Human trafficking..."
"Daniella." Camron snapped, "We have two minutes to get into my car."
"Hold on a second." Malcolm's head was spinning, this was moving too fast.
How was this happening, two minutes ago Dani was in his arms kissing him pressing her body into his and now, what the hell was this? He was just supposed to accept that she was about to disappear from his life again in the blink of an eye. How long would she be gone?
"She doesn't have a second." Camron placed his hand on Dani's back, taking her bag from her shoulder.
Dani felt her heart shredding in two when she saw the lost look in Malcolm's eyes. The lost puppy look on his face and the slight flair of his nose when he looked to where Camron touched her. His lips were a little red from their kissing.
"This isn't like last time, I'm not going to have to stay away, I'll be able to text and call you with a burner phone once we get upstate, okay?" Dani raised her hands to cup his jaw as they passed.
"Dani..."
"I'm sorry," She wished she had an extra moment to remove the hurt look from his face. "I need to go."
Malcolm's eyes flashed wide, "Then let me come with you."
He did not know what he was signing up for, but Dani had already walked out of his life once. Not fault of her own of course, but his heart wasn't taking that into consideration. He was a profiler, he could be helpful during interrogations. He would do whatever they asked of him if he could stay near Dani.
"You can't." Camron was losing his patience.
"That's not how this works." She tried to explain as gently as she could. "We can't have anyone tying Thalia, to you, to Dani."
Camron took Dani's wrist, moving her toward the door. Dani shoved her hand into her pocket and pulled out her apartment keys, she threw them to Malcolm.
"Lock up. Go see Gil, he'll be debriefed soon enough."
The door to the apartment slammed and Malcolm's chest felt tight. The fuck just happened.