Donuts and Handcuffs

He gripped my hands tightly. “You’re safe, Bailey. I’m right here.”

It shocked me that he didn’t seem angry. It stunned me that he was still patient. Still the Daniel I needed.

Choking for breath, I sobbed, “I’ve tried so hard to stay completely away from them for over a year, and this is the first time he’s made contact. We have an agreement. I told him that I’d be silent about their lives if he swore to never track me down and never contact me.”

I couldn’t stand the dark, strange look in his eyes. “Please don’t judge me by the behavior of my family. Please.”

The silence in the room was almost visible for a full minute, a dark cloud that sucked the color and heat from the air. Then he asked softly, “Why was he here?”

“My brother Joel had a daughter, Maggie,” I said quickly. “Apparently there were some complications, and he wants me to be tested to be a bone marrow donor for her just in case. He swore to never contact me again, but this...”

Daniel nodded. “Yeah, for a child, obviously they come first.” He looked at me with those soulful eyes. “Before he dropped in, did you know you had a niece?”

“No.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

He sighed heavily. “You know I have to ask. Do you have any way to contact them?”

I shook my head emphatically. “No. I made that part of our arrangement, that I don’t want to know. They move at least every two years. All I have is a post office box that’s likely at least ten hours away from wherever they live. I’ll send the results there after... After I get bone marrow tests done.” A shudder ran through me, then I began shaking hard, tears spilling uncontrollably.

“Dammit.” Daniel grabbed me, pulling me closer beside him. “The needles. I don’t know what’s involved with a bone marrow test, but I’ll come with you.”

I looked up at him, calming slightly from his touch. “Really?”

“Of course.” He reached out to brush back my hair, then ran his fingertips along my cheek. “I know that you’re a strong woman, Bailey, but this is your kryptonite. Let me help.”

“Even though...” I felt my bottom lip quivering and fought desperately to regain control.

“Shh,” he murmured. “I’ve sort of suspected something was off.” My eyes flew wide, and he chuckled. “You moved here suddenly, never once mentioned your family, and...” He paused for a moment, looking at me carefully. “It could be theorized that you might have certain skills that the average bakery owner would never possess. And you do look related, a tiny bit, once I recognized who he was. Photos of a certain crime family have been circulating through law enforcement news.”

“I thought they were keeping quiet lately,” I said softly. “But I rarely watch the news.”

“It’s not public knowledge, and it’s not local. They’re suspected in the robberies of two small banks, eight hotels, and three jewelry stores over the past year.”

My mouth fell open in shock before I could snap it shut. “I had no idea they’d been so busy. Or so bold.”

“I believe you.” His large hand stroking my back was comforting, but this whole conversation was so awkward I was cringing inside.

“Can you forgive me?” I whispered.

“Forgive what? I’ll admit, when I first realized that you might be the, shall we say, liberator of certain important neighborhood information, I was shocked. Then livid. But then I realized why.”

“I’m not a criminal,” I squeaked, my voice tight from choking back tears. “It’s not my fault.”

“I know, Bailey. Shh, I know. It took me a little time to sort out my gut reactions, but...” He tipped my chin up with his finger. “We aren’t our parents, are we?”

I shook my head again. “No. Hell no.” I tried to back up a little, but he held me tight. “I swear, nobody on this side of the country knows who I am or where I came from.”

He nodded, staring into space. Pondering.

“How long have you known?” I whispered when he finally leaned back.

“I only pieced it together just before I saw you getting groceries.” His thumb caressed my palm. “Bailey, it broke me in two seeing you watch me restraining that woman. You know that’s not me. I swear I would never, ever raise a hand to a woman in anger. I had to pin her against the wall. Restraining her so she couldn’t hit me any more meant that she didn’t quite assault an officer. She was obviously stoned out of her mind. I’d rather she get help than just go straight to jail.”

I nodded against his shoulder. “I could see that.”