A Terrible Misunderstanding (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 6)

wled.

“Really. Well, what were you doing when I was taken?”

“Stupidly thinking you were at home where you were told you should stay,” Niall snapped. “How in the Hell was I to know that you would be foolish enough to go out again unchaperoned?”

“I went because Sissy was poorly. Only the severest of circumstances would compel me to go out again alone after what happened in town.”

“Really? Because you seem to have a habit of getting yourself into trouble, Clara. What are you going to do when I am no longer around to save you?” Niall demanded.

“I don’t see why I should do anything. I mean, I have managed perfectly well before you turned up in my life. There is no reason why I shouldn’t be all right again once you have gone. Regardless of what you might think, I am not some addle brained chit who is too stupid to recognise danger. I went to see my friend because I was told that she was seriously ill. How was I to know that Smidgley was lurking around the corner?”

“Well, he has other problems to contemplate now.”

“What have you done with Erasmus?”

“Nothing. The local men have him.”

“Local men?” Clara lifted her brows at him.

“The local Star Elite.”

“Is there such a thing?” Her father had never said.

“Yes. There is such a thing. They are a smaller group than the group who operate from our London base, and deal with more localised crime, but their work is no less dangerous. The local men just have a better understanding of the area than we do because we often are in places we haven’t visited before.” Niall ran a hand down his face. When he felt Clara studying him, he looked at her.

“Are they involved in your investigation?”

“They have been helping but like I have said, there aren’t that many of them and they are already dealing with other investigations. There is only so much they can do. Smidgley has been based in London. That is where the first of the victims were taken once they had been kidnapped, and where the first of the victims were found. Because we are based in London, we have taken over the major investigation and are supported by the local teams from Leicestershire and Derbyshire and in whichever county we end up in.”

“You have no interest in joining one of the local teams?” It wasn’t a question.

Everything Clara was remained frozen in time as she waited. She didn’t have to wait long before she watched Niall shake his head.

“I live in London. It is where I have lived all my life. I don’t see any reason to change now. My job is what I do and who I am. I can’t do or be anything else.”

“Nobody should ask you to,” Clara assured him.

“But you think I have put my life on hold to do what I do,” Niall growled. “It is wrong. I live life on the edge. While I face more danger than most, I do things most people don’t ever get the chance to experience. It is not all bad. I work with a good group of men who all work toward the same goals. We are protecting innocent people from the criminal element amongst us, and ensuring justice is served.”

“A very noble cause I am sure,” Clara murmured.

Niall lifted his brows at her. “You don’t sound so sure about it.”

“Are you seriously trying to tell me that none of you have lives outside of the Star Elite?” Clara edged.

“No. Other men have married. Some work locally and some work out of our London base. What I am saying is that it works for them. It doesn’t work for every man. While I will grant you that the men who have married are perfectly happy, it isn’t for everyone. I certainly have no wish to marry, Clara. I need to do my job. That is all I need in my life right now.”

“So why did you kiss me then?”

“I don’t know,” Niall sighed. “I apologise. It was foolish of me to give you mistaken beliefs that it was going to lead to more. It was wrong of me.”

Clara felt her entire world shatter around her. She had hoped all sorts of things, but the bare truth was Niall was his job. It was in every fibre of his being and there was no room for her. The fact that he didn’t even want to try to make room for her hurt. It suffocated her, her hopes, her dreams for the future, her happiness.

In that moment, Clara almost hated him. Almost. But not quite because a very large part of her suspected she loved him too much.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The rest of the journey home was the longest and most bittersweet Clara had ever endured in her life. By the time she reached home she was cold, exhausted, and wanted to cry. But she couldn’t let the tears fall because she couldn’t let Niall know how much he had hurt her. Her pride wouldn’t allow it.