He knows it too. He just doesn’t care.

The next time the door opens, I don’t need to look as the footsteps enter, slow, steady, threatening.

“Are you okay, Remi?” Daniel asks, tone soft now. “I tried to go after you, but I … I couldn’t just leave her⁠—”

An award-worthy sob leaves him. I draw in poisoned air before opening my eyes. Fresh clothes. Clean hands. At least that’s what everyone else sees. Everyone except Elvin. And then Marlo when he walks in a second later, his hidden teeth showing in the once-over he gives me.

Julie shuts the door behind him, trapping us with the danger. The concern she aims at me seems genuine, but my gaze lowers to the tile floor.

“I found enough at the scene to bring the son-of-a-bitch in,” Marlo states.

“Did you hear him, Remi?” When I don’t answer, Daniel continues, “They’ve already caught the bastard who did this. Some addict piece of shit who terrorizes people for money. My guys spotted him only blocks from our house, tweaked out of his mind and talking to himself.”

I didn’t think my heart could hurt more, but it further breaks for the man.

They continue telling me the man’s history of mental illness. A previous B&E charge.

Nothing worthy of this.

Tears are streaking again when Daniel grasps my arm, helping me to my feet. His fingers dig in enough to hurt before he gently rests his hand on my shoulder.

“I’m going to take her home—” His voice actually breaks, an audible inhale following. “I’m sorry she was so confused when she got here. I can’t imagine the damage this caused.” He squeezes while they talk around me.

Marlo steps in front of me as close as the night in the kitchen as he stares down at me. “You might want to have her talk to someone.”

“I’ve already called Dr. Sood.”

“A psych eval?” Julie asks sharply.

My eyes jerk up. “What?” They flash between everyone in the room, but Julie’s the only one reacting. The others are part of the choreography and all hitting their marks.

“We’ll see how she’s feeling when we get out of here,” Daniel says. “Hopefully, now that she understands what really happened, she can begin processing. We’ll keep our options open. Whatever’s best for my Remi.”

I swallow against the acid churning in my stomach, feeling utterly helpless against his performance.

“It’ll help when the trash is off the streets and behind bars.” Elvin shakes his head off to the side, but his gaze shows the lie in his disgusted expression. “It’ll help both of you, Chief.”