ARIANA'S POV:
I sat on the edge of the bed, mechanically handing blocks to the kids, but my mind was miles away. No matter how hard I tried to focus on their laughter, the dark cloud of Percy's murder case kept looming over me, suffocating my thoughts. Realizing I wasn't being the best playmate in this state, I sighed softly and called Bonnie into the room to take over.
Heading downstairs, a familiar metal container on the kitchen counter caught my eye. Mykel had forgotten his lunch again. Seizing the opportunity for a distraction, and a chance to see my husband, I grabbed the bag and drove over to his office.
When I arrived, his secretary gave me a polite, apologetic smile. "He's currently locked in a high-profile meeting, Mrs. Vance. It might be a while."
"That's fine, I'll just wait in his office," I replied, offering a reassuring nod.
An hour passed. The plush leather chair, initially comfortable, had grown incredibly boring. To pass the time, I began to wander around the spacious room, tracing my fingers along the frames of the expensive paintings on the wall before wandering over to his massive mahogany desk. My eyes scanned the neatly stacked paperwork until they snagged on something that felt entirely out of place.
Pulling the sleek, unmarked folder from the middle of a heavy bundle, I opened it. My breath hitched.
FILE NO: 8842 - DETECTIVE RYAN WALTER
My mind raced. Why on earth is Mykel digging into this man's past?
Before I could process it, the heavy oak door clicked open. Mykel stepped in, his sharp gaze instantly landing on me.
"Darling... what are you doing?" he asked, his voice a mix of surprise and immediate caution.
I didn't try to hide it. I turned the file toward him, my brow furrowing. "What is this? You're digging up dirt on the detective?"
"Yes," he answered without a hint of hesitation, closing the distance between us.
"Why?"
Mykel stepped into my personal space, the tension in his shoulders melting away as he looked down at me. He raised a hand, gently cupping my cheek. His thumb stroked my skin, a comforting warmth against my sudden anxiety.
"Because I refuse to let anyone drag my family into this mess," he said softly, his tone fiercely protective. "When I spoke with him yesterday, his demeanor rubbed me entirely the wrong way. He looks at everyone like they're already convicted criminals. The moment I realized how harsh and accusatory his tone must have been when he interrogated my wife... I knew I couldn't just sit back. I need to know exactly who we are dealing with. I won't let some random detective's baseless suspicions put you or our children in jeopardy."
The tightness in my chest eased, replaced by a wave of relief and affection. "Oh... okay..." I murmured, leaning into his touch. I gestured toward the desk where I had placed the neatly packed bag. "By the way, you forgot your lunch at home. I used it as an excuse to come down here, hoping I could steal you away to join me." I offered him a small, playful giggle.
A low scoff escaped his lips, a dark, handsome smirk spreading across his face as he pulled me a little closer. "In that case... it would be much better if you just stayed here with me for the rest of the day."