Death by Chocolate (The Davenports 2)

“Speak to them, Daize,” Micah urged.

“We got your message. We’re working to see that you receive the respect and peace that you weren’t allowed in life.” She stopped. It felt odd to speak to thin air.

“Keep going,” Micah said softly.

“This is going to take time. You can’t keep scaring me in the meantime. I don’t mind sharing this space as long as you keep your hands to yourself. We hear you. We sympathize with you. But we won’t tolerate bad behavior.” Anointing the room, they completed the blessing and returned to the couch.

“How do you feel?” Micah asked.

“Less apprehensive for sure. Slightly paranoid.”

“You had a lot of scares in this apartment. I think that’s normal.”

“Maybe. I still don’t want to sleep here though.” She crinkled her nose.

“You don’t have to. We’ll give it a few days to settle in, and I’ll come and stay with you personally. How does that sound?” His eyes told her she could stay as long as she wanted.

“Doable.”

He smiled and patted her thigh. She felt the eyes of the others on them. Micah had kept his words. He wasn’t hiding or toning down the natural connection that flowed between them.

“Good.” He turned back to his crew. “I think we’ve done enough for now. It’ll take time to figure out if the blessing took, or the spirits will be appeased.”

“We’ll keep in close contact with you, Daize. Don’t let too much time pass before you return,” Maria implored her.

“I won’t. I promise. I just need a minute to breathe.”

“That’s understandable,” Mel said.

“What if it doesn’t work?” Daize asked, unable to stop the negative thought from coming out of her mouth.

“Then I take a crack at it with my expertise. We’re nowhere near out of options.” Mel gently squeezed her shoulder. “Hang in there with us.”

“I have no other option.”

“Where are you staying?” Mel asked.

Daize glanced over at Micah.

“She’s crashing in my spare room for now,” Micah answered.

“Oh. I didn’t realize you had grown so close,” Trish said, glancing back and forth between them.

Heat filled her cheeks and ran down the back of her neck.

“So, we’re no longer ignoring the obvious connection the two of you have developed,” Eric said dryly.

“No. She deserved better than that. I realize it’s unconventional, but we’re taking care not to let it affect the case.”

The loud silence that followed made her ache for Micah. These were his peers. Their opinions mattered to him.

“I’m not going to say it’s professional,” Brendon spoke softly.

“I understand that. I’m not asking you to pretend it is. I couldn’t fathom losing her because I kept quiet. We discussed it and decided we both wanted to move forward together.”

“I can respect that. I’m not sure I approve of the timing,” Brendon held a hand up, “but I get it.”

“Then we won’t have a problem, because I’m not giving Daize up.”