Daisy | Simon Riley

|42|

Simon's arms tightened around Drew's waist, tugging her closer and rousing her from her dazed sleep. It was comfortable. She was comfortable. Until the previous day's events caught up to her—then that pit returned.

She carefully slipped from beneath Simon's arm, shifting to dangle her legs off the side of the bed and bury her face in her hands, but all it did was spark annoyance as plaster pressed and scraped against her skin.

"You alright?" Simon asked, voice rough from sleep.

"Mhmm."

Without another word, she stood from the bed, moving toward her armoire where she began pulling out her uniform. A painful ache went through her as she tugged off the t-shirt, but she bit down on her molars and ignored it, dropping it on the dresser.

"Take it slow," Simon ordered behind her as she slipped on her bra.

"Yes, sir," she muttered, voice like gravel as she tugged on underwear and then her pants, before pushing her arms through her uniform top.

Without a word, Simon's hands landed on her hips, turning her around to button it.

"Thank you," she nodded as he finished.

"Adcox wants you in for an interview."

"Figured as much."

He continued, "The audio we got from the bug wasn't clear, so we need you to clarify some things."

"I can do that."

"And then you'll be released. They're putting you on leave."

Her chin lowered as she digested his words. "Were you supposed to tell me that, or are you giving me a heads up?"

"I didn't want you to be taken off guard."

She nodded. "They kept me on longer than they probably should have," she muttered bitterly.

"You've done good, now you can take a break."

"Breaks usually happen when the job is done," she stated, harsher than she intended.

"Your job is done. You did what you came here to do."

"There's still more—"

"You've been nearly killed twice in the last two weeks; the rest of the team can handle it," he interrupted, his tone not leaving room for argument.

She let out a short breath of annoyance. "I know. I was there," she bit before turning and awkwardly tucking her shirt into her pants.

"Of all the people to be pissy at, it ain't me, sweetheart."

"I'm not being pissy at you."

"That right?"

Without answering she grabbed a pair of socks before moving back to the bed and sitting on the edge.

"I know you don't want to be taken off the case—"

"You're right, I don't," she agreed as she finished and stood.

"But the only thing left is the clean up; getting answers and finding Dante."

She shot a wicked glare Simon's way before going to the mirror where she brushed a hand through her hair before grabbing an elastic and trying to pull it up. She kept her mouth shut as anger simmered within her.

"You've done enough," he reiterated.

She ignored him to pull her hair up, but with only fingertips on one hand she had to clench her jaw to avoid growling in frustration.