Chapter 36
In the days and weeks following the breakup, Daniela coped with her heartache in the only way she knew how: by throwing herself into work and a flurry of other activities that would keep her mind off what she’d had, and lost.
She put in longer hours at the office and took on more cases; she even managed to drum up more business for the agency by hanging out at the courthouse and passing out business cards to attorneys, who often hired private investigators to track down the information they needed to prosecute or defend personal injury, civil liability and child custody cases.
Although much of the work kept her chained to her desk as she pored through mountains of public documents and scoured the internet for research, Daniela didn’t mind the monotony.
After the way her last undercover assignment had ended, she no longer craved the drama and excitement of a big case.
She’d had more than enough drama to last her a lifetime.
The day after her agonizing showdown with Caleb, Hoyt Philbin stopped by Roarke Investigations to inform Daniela and her brothers that their services were no longer required.
As he explained to them, he’d changed his mind about investigating Crandall Thorne, and he didn’t want them to waste another second on such a “futile endeavor.”
Although he spoke as if he’d reached the decision all by himself, Daniela and her brothers knew he’d had a little help—namely in the form of Crandall’s threat to go to the media about the former mayor’s shady business dealings while in office.
Apparently, two of Philbin’s major campaign contributors during the last election had been high-ranking members of the Mexican mafia, a fact that had been concealed from the public and would remain as such, unless Crandall decided otherwise.
After what she’d learned about the former mayor, Daniela took extreme pleasure in knowing that Crandall having the upper hand would keep Philbin in line, once and for all.
Had Caleb not left the manila folder at her house, which included the incriminating evidence about Philbin, Daniela and her brothers might never have discovered just how unscrupulous the man was.
After reading and rereading the private investigator’s full report on Philbin, she’d calmly packaged everything up and mailed the folder back to Crandall—not Caleb—because the mere thought of writing Caleb’s name on an envelope had caused her too much pain.
She’d included a short handwritten note humbly apologizing for her duplicity and told Crandall she hoped he’d be able to forgive her someday.
She expected her apology to generate the same response as the text she’d sent his son: stone cold silence.
She wasn’t wrong.
Days merged into weeks that passed in a blur of long days at the office and sleepless nights at home.
Although Daniela was often exhausted by the time she returned to her house late at night, once her head hit the pillow, she found it difficult, if not impossible, to fall asleep right away.
Visions of Caleb haunted her, tormenting her with memories of their all-too-brief time together.
She remembered Caleb seated across from her at the library, in all his intimidating glory, trying hard not to grin when she told him about her Legally Blonde power suit.
She remembered Caleb, dark eyes gleaming as they enjoyed a laugh over coffee and ice cream.
Caleb, dragging her into a supply closet and kissing her with such unrestrained hunger her bones dissolved to liquid.
Caleb, holding her in his arms and humming a romantic tune as they slow danced on the terrace after watching the sunset.
Caleb, pinning her to the hood of his Lambo and ravishing her like a man possessed.
On most nights, she fell asleep thinking about the times she’d lain in his arms after they made love, her head nestled against his shoulder, his hand lazily caressing her as they whispered endearments to each other before sleep overcame them—or a fresh wave of lust.
No matter how hard Daniela tried, she couldn’t stop thinking about him, couldn’t stop dreaming about him. Couldn’t stop missing him.
There was no cure for it. All she could do was hope that in time, her mind and body would learn to forget him.
She knew her heart never would.
At the office, Kenneth, Noah and Janie stole worried glances at her whenever they thought she wasn’t looking.
More than once, Daniela had walked into a room that grew suddenly quiet when she appeared.
The guilt-ridden eyes that shifted away from hers betrayed the fact that she’d been the topic of discussion.
Although they all knew what had transpired between her and Caleb—thanks to her mother, whose worried face greeted Daniela every night when she came home—no one dared breathe a word of it to Daniela.
In fact, they all went out of their way not to mention Caleb’s name, or anything remotely related to him, in her presence.
Which meant that any allusions to Northbridge University, law school, the Majestic Theatre, motorcycles or ranches were strictly off-limits.
Daniela would have found their precautions amusing—if she still had a sense of humor left.
One afternoon, she rapped on the door and walked into Kenneth’s office to ask him a question about a case she was working on. She was totally unprepared for the sight of Janie perched on the desk with her legs wrapped around Kenneth’s waist, locked in a passionate kiss.
At Daniela’s startled gasp, the couple sprang apart guiltily. Janie jumped down from the desk, smoothing her skirt over her thighs while Kenneth hastily straightened his tie.
“I’m sorry,” Daniela mumbled, embarrassed as she backed quickly toward the door. “I knocked, but I guess you guys didn’t hear me.”
“Uh, no, we didn’t.” Janie sent her husband an accusing look, hissing out of the corner of her mouth, “I thought you locked the door!”
Kenneth grinned sheepishly. “Guess I forgot.”
“I’ll come back,” Daniela said, and ducked out of the room.
Janie appeared in her office doorway a minute later, her cheeks flushed with color. “I’m really sorry about that, Daniela,” she muttered.
Daniela waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about it. I should have knocked louder…although I’m not sure it would’ve done any good, with all the heavy panting that was going on in there.”
Speechless, Janie gaped at her, and then before Daniela knew it, they both burst out laughing. It was the first time Daniela had laughed in weeks, and it felt good. Healthy, normal.
When their mirth had subsided, she smiled across the cluttered desk at her sister-in-law. “Though my eyesight is permanently damaged from what I just saw,” she teased, “it was worth it. Looks like things are working out for you and Kenny.”
Janie nodded, grinning happily. “We’ve been having long, productive talks about our relationship and working through some issues neither of us wanted to face before. It’s been wonderful.”
“I’m so happy for you guys,” Daniela said warmly.
“Thanks, Daniela. And thank you, once again, for helping me land the job here. I’ve really enjoyed working at the agency—and not just because I get to have sex with the boss during lunch breaks.”
Daniela gave a mock shudder, holding up a hand. “Please. My eyesight, remember?”
Janie chuckled. “Seriously, though. I never thought I’d enjoy working here as much as I have. You guys give me so much freedom and autonomy. I appreciate the opportunity to implement new things and interact with your clients—some of whom are quite fascinating, I might add.”
Daniela grinned. “No argument there. Anyway, we love having you here, Janie. You’re doing a fantastic job. We’re very lucky to have you.”
“Thanks, El.” Janie paused, her gaze softening on Daniela’s face. “It was good to hear you laugh. We’ve all missed the sound.”
“I know,” Daniela murmured, straightening a pile of paperwork on her desk. “Guess I haven’t had much to laugh about recently.”
“I know.” Janie pushed out a deep, heavy breath. “I just wish there was something I could do, Daniela.”
“Short of giving Caleb a bad case of amnesia,” Daniela grimly joked, “I’m afraid there’s not much you can do.
Don’t even think about it,” she added wryly when she saw the considering look that crossed Janie’s face.
“I think I’ve already caused Caleb enough harm.
The last thing he needs is to be accosted and clobbered upside the head by one of my family members trying to make him lose his memory. ”
Janie grinned. “Well, I’m not so sure he doesn’t need to be clobbered upside the head for being so damn stubborn and unforgiving. But if anyone’s gonna take a crack at him, it won’t be me. It’ll be Noah. He’s been itching to go talk to Caleb and plead your case.”
Daniela frowned. “He has?”
“Yup. You know how overprotective Noah is when it comes to his baby sister. And I think he feels super guilty for forcing you to go undercover in the first place.”
“No one ‘forced’ me to do anything,” Daniela muttered. “I’m responsible for my own actions.”
“That’s not the way Noah sees it. Haven’t you noticed the way he’s been avoiding you lately—even more so than the rest of us? He feels really bad for you, Daniela. Just between you and me, I think he’s planning to do something about it.”
“God, I hope not,” Daniela groaned. “That would only make matters worse.”
Janie’s expression gentled. “How much worse can they get?”
Daniela glared at her. “You’re not helping.”
“Actually, I am helping. I made Noah promise me that he would give you and Caleb more time to work things out before he talks to him. And,” she continued, holding up a hand when Daniela opened her mouth to ridicule the possibility of Caleb forgiving her, “he also promised not to resort to brute force when, and if, he does decide to talk to your beloved professor.”
“Oh God,” Daniela groaned again.