The detective let Dani return to her apartment. The female officer who stayed with her while she packed some clothes and toiletries. Her home no longer felt safe after the monster had invaded. She could smell his stench. The last thing she took was her coat hidden in the closet with her wallet tucked safely in the pocket. Would he have left if she gave him her bank card? Maybe. A shudder ran through her when she thought of him trying to force himself on her. She refused to be raped again without a fight.

Kasper and Gray were quiet on the drive to the Kane House. Tears dripped. She loved to live alone, but her apartment scared her. Her life was a pattern of terrible events - her mother left, Beau, being alone, Beau again. Just when she trusted he would leave her alone, a crazy man stole her security.

Percy opened the door, but Baxter ran to meet her. It was still a workday. "Are you alright?"

She nodded. "Thanks for sending Kasper when you did." Her body shook, and a sob escaped.

Kasper walked to the drink cart and returned with a glass in each hand. "Here. It might help calm you." His hands shook, like hers as she reached for the glass.

Dani avoided looking in his eyes. She felt too weak to resist him, but couldn't face more pain. The clear liquid burned. "What is it?"

"Sambuca. My father gave it to Doyle after she came home."

Gray took his phone out of his pocket. "They picked up a guy matching the description you supplied."

She felt a tightening in her chest. "I need to change." She needed a shower, but the nurse said not to get her stitches wet.

Gray nodded. "They'll need you to identify him."

Her eyes widened. "I want to clean up and go to work."

Baxter stepped forward. "You aren't working. You need to rest."

"I need to keep busy."

Kasper drained his glass. "Come on. I have to change too."

Once upstairs, Kasper whispered. "Are you alright?"

She shook her head. "I can still smell him and I can't shower."

"You can have a bath. A maid can help you and wash your hair."

"A maid?"

"Unless you want me too."

"No. A maid." Did rich people let their maids see them nude?

As if lurking, a middle aged woman appeared. "I'll prepare the bath."

Kasper winked. "It will be fine."

Dani stood in the bedroom waiting while the maid ran the water. "It's ready. You can soak. I'll wash your hair when you're ready."

"What's your name?"

"Pauline, Miss."

The tub had privacy slats across it. She took off Kasper's shirt and her PJ bottoms. The warm scented water felt divine. Her arm rested on the slats and stayed dry. Once she washed, she called Pauline.

"Lie back."

She washed and rinsed her hair like a high priced salon. "Thank you."

"I'm happy to help Miss."

"It's Dani."

"Yes, Miss."

When she emerged from Tate's room dressed, Kasper was waiting. "The detective is coming by with photos." He cleared his throat. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"You want me to say if you hadn't come, he might have raped and killed me."

Kasper winced. "I just knew I had to get him off you."

He pulled her into his room. She slumped into a chair. "Ten years. Ten years, I spent in hiding waiting for Beau to find me."

"He did."

She nodded. "But we took care of him. Just when I got my life back, a stranger came and threatened me. I could have died."

"Sweetheart. I know you are strong and independent. You pretend you don't need anyone, but you do. I do."

"I know you want me to stay awhile."

Kasper pulled her to her feet. "We could have lost you today. I can't wait any longer."

"Wait?" Her belly felt sick.

"Please hear me out. Danielle Hughes, I love you. I have for a long time. Even when we didn't get along, I was in love with you. I just wish you loved me too."

Tears dripped down her cheeks. "You can't."

"But I do. I'm baring my soul hoping you feel something in return. I don't want to clip your wings. You deserve to soar, but I want to be by your side encouraging you."

"You can't."

"I do."

She covered her face with her hands. "I have tried so hard not to."

"Not to what?"

Her heart raced. "Not to love you."

He took her hands, so she had to face him. "You love me?"

She nodded, as his lips met hers in a tender kiss. When their lips separated, she said, "It doesn't matter. You're a Kane and I'm..."

"The woman I love. You are worthy to be a Kane. If you never want to marry me, I won't mind as long as you move in."

"Live here? Really live here?"

He nodded. "I wanted you to stay before. I'm fine without having children and just being an uncle."

"You've thought about this."

He nodded. "Every day. I have never been as miserable as I was when you shut me out. I'm not asking you to decide anything today. Please don't hurt me again."

"You saved my life."

"You are my life."

She felt overwhelmed. "No, no." She shook her head.

"Come with me. Let me hold you." He pointed to his bed. "I won't."

More than anything she needed to be held, even though she didn't want to need anyone. His words swirled in her head, but his comfort brought on more tears.

He rubbed her back. "I know you're scared."

Scared. Safe in his arms, her biggest fear was needing him.

"It's okay to need and still be strong. I need you and I proved I'm strong."

Physically, but he had a soft heart. Baxter told her a story about Kasper as a child. "Did you have a pet mouse?"

He laughed. "Who told you?" He pouted. "They wanted to kill it."

"So you kept it in a cage."

"I know. Not very humane. I will never put you in a cage. Look at Ivy and Tate. They haven't compromised themselves for love."

"As mothers."

"True, but we already decided we don't want that."

"Why me?"

He smirked. "It's your fault. Um, um, because you are so beautiful and amazing."

Her eyes narrowed. "Did you backpedal?"

He sighed. "Did I tell you I broke the cross?"

She laughed. "I doubt that."

"It didn't work either time. Not Mariah or April."

Dani would never have survived him being in love with either. "How come?"

"Because you kissed me."

Her brain ran backwards. She had felt more than she should have. "I was teasing you."

"The cross in my pocket must have felt otherwise. I thought it was only one-sided."

"Are you telling me I will never love anyone more than you?" She frowned.

"Don't look so sad. You can fight it but you'll always lose." He laughed.

"This isn't one of your games?"

"No. If I was playing games, I would have told you the first time we made love. I am tired of keeping secrets. If I had told you before maybe you wouldn't have been living there. If he killed you, it would have been my fault."

"No! But he didn't." She kissed his lips. It took strength to concede she was wrong.

Kasper's phone buzzed. "He's here."

"I must look awful."

"You are beautiful. Take your time though."

Kasper stood taking his warmth and strength with him. They would be stronger together.

"I'm still going to fight for staff reductions if they are warranted."

He laughed. "I'd be disappointed if you didn't. Compassion doesn't help..."

"The bottom line." Dani smiled.

"Work will be fun. We can drive Baxter nuts."

She wondered why she thought she could live without him. "Hey Kasper." He stopped and turned around. "I love you."

His smile beamed, not his audience smile, but one just for her.

Thanks for voting ⭐️

The James Arthur song 'Naked' inspired this scene.