Inferno desires

54

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Nova

The amber glow of the desk lamp pooled over the vast amount of case files. Rain tapped angrily against the barred windows, a reminder of the weeping children yet to be saved.

Kieran leaned against the doorframe, his silhouette sharpened by the hallways bright lights. I didn't need to look up to know his expression. I was stalling, and he knew it.

"You've been staring at that page for twenty minutes," he said, voice low.

I finally looked up and saw the crease between his eyes brows deepening as he looked at my hunched position. My throat tightened as the words Enzo and Oliver bled together in my notes, ink smudged on the heel of my hand.

"I know what you're gonna ask," I mumbled.

"Do you?" He stepped inside, the door creaking shut. The room shrank, and my breath quickened. I swallow harshly, trying to keep the tears from forming. "Because from where I stand, you did not take the break you had seriously. You were supposed to sit back and do nothing, yet you did the exact opposite. How did you acquire all of this evidence, Detective?"

The title hung between us, a reminder of rank and the fraying of trust. My chair screeched back as I stood up, the motion sudden.

"You want the truth, Lieutenant?"

He nods, eyes narrowed.

"When I went on break, I took a flight to Norway. I was hoping to enjoy myself and spend time with my daughter, but Enzo had other plans for me." I take a moment to breathe, my pulse drumming heavily. I hadn't said his name out loud in a while. "I woke up in a cold sweat, and when my eyes adjusted to the room around me I found that I wasn't in my hotel room, but in a cell. A small cold cell that had this fucking window that... it... whenever the window would open he'd... he'd beat the shit out of me, Kieran. He punched me, cut me... Kieran, he... h-he... I..."

Kierans eyes close and his hands clasp over his face. He shakes his head, not wanting to assume the worst.

"He raped me," my voice cracked.

"Oh, Nova," He was now in front of me, hands hovering and afraid to touch.

"Then there's Oliver. He's no better than Enzo, Kieran. Oliver had this sick obsession with me that goes back years. He had t-this sex tape of us when we were teenagers. He recorded me without my consent and I-I f-feel sick whenever... whenever I think of what he could have done with it. Kieran, Oliver is M. He's the whole reason for the Pento organization, and I... I should have told you sooner."

My knees buckled, but before I could fall Kieran grabbed my elbow, steadying me. I can't bare to look at him, for I risk seeing the disappointment on his face.

"If you want me off this case, I'll understand. I broke protocol and I—"

"Look at me." His grip gentled, his thumb brushing over my elbow. "Nova, do you think I give a shit about the case? About protocol?" He scoffed. "You're here. Alive. That's all that matters."