Dane

The week was hell. The only bright spots were the moments alone with Lila which, under the circumstances, ended up far shorter and fewer than he'd hoped. It was Friday, and he was headed back to the office, his tension under lock and key. There were too many things happening today, too many crucial turning points. He couldn't sit at home, even if it did mean chances to stare at Lila over the table and think about sweeping it clear and laying her on it.

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But Thursday night when he'd accepted that he was needed in the office (after the third time Chris swore about having to bring stuff to him at the Penthouse) he'd made a plan. His idea the other night had been brewing and now he knew exactly what he needed to do. As long as there were no new developments over the weekend with Becky… Dane ground his teeth.

The elevator dinged as it opened to let him on the office floor. Rayna, the temp they'd brought in to cover reception since Chloe was absent, smiled at him nervously. He was pretty sure she almost quit on Monday after he'd been so crazy. But now she just watched him like he was a big cat that might pounce. "Good morning," he said, as lightly as he could.

Her eyes widened, but she nodded and tried to smile. "Good morning, Mr. Daniels."

"Is Chris in yet?"

"No, sir."

"Send him to my office when he comes in please. What about Li—Delilah?"

"She's in the conference room where they set up the operation, sir."

Dane nodded, though he'd hoped he might catch her alone, he supposed for what he had to achieve today, it would do.

He dropped his laptop and phone in his office, then went straight across the hall to the conference room that they'd kept exclusively for the research team.

Sure enough, Grant and Tonya were both at the big whiteboards at the end, discussing a table that looked to be links between players.

Lila sat at table with her laptop, but she was on the phone. She looked up when he came in and her eyes smiled at him.

He still didn't know what he'd done to deserve her. She should have run screaming weeks ago—every day for weeks! But she was here. And she still looked happy when he walked in a room. It boggled his mind.

While her eyes were on him, he mouthed, I need to talk to you.

She nodded once, then, "Yes, yes, that's great Rob. I appreciate your help. I have to run to a meeting now, but if you can keep me updated…? Awesome. Thank you. I'll talk to you soon."

Dane frowned. "Who's Rob?" he asked sharply.

Lila raised an eyebrow, but continued making a note on her computer. "He's that journalist I told you about. He's going to tell me when they get new information—before it goes to live."

Dane folded his arms and tried to pretend he was asking like a boss. "And why is he willing to do you this favor?" What does he want from you? His mind screamed.

"Because when I was on the Jordan case I fed him information. Gave him a few scoops. He owes me."

From the corner of his eye, Dane caught Tonya glance over her shoulder at them. He nodded like it was an acceptable answer, but made a mental note to look this guy up when he was alone. "I need to talk to you."

"I'm right here," she said brightly.

"Alone," he snapped.

Lila stopped typing and looked at him. He wondered what she saw. Whatever it was, she sighed and got up from her chair, calling to Tonya and Grant, "Can you two please prep for the staff debrief? I just added some notes to the file—further investigations done to try and find Becky—you'll need to add those to our briefing points."

"Sure," Grant called.

"I'll be back before the meeting starts, won't I, Dane?" she said sweetly.

He gave a grim smile. "Of course." Then he stalked out of the room and across the hall towards his office, with Lila in his wake.

He stepped in first, but held the door open for her, his face a grim mask. She walked through quickly and he closed it behind her, slipping the lock into place and whirling just as she stopped and turned, a worried look on her face.

"Good morning," he gasped and pulled her into a searing kiss.

She grabbed at his shoulders, but didn't push away. "Oh!" she said between kisses. "I thought—"

"What the hell were you thinking, talking to a journalist about this?" he yelled over his shoulder, toward the door.

Lila giggled, then clapped a hand over her mouth. He took the hand away and replaced it with his lips, just for a few seconds. Then broke away again to scream at the door, "I don't care! Information is power. No matter what, we have to remember that. It's—"

She grabbed him and pulled him back down, swallowing his words with another kiss and he sucked in, turning her to press her against the wall next to the door.

Lila's breath came faster, which was a relief, because he was already panting.

He broke away again. "There's no other choice!" he shouted. "We have to bring it all together. As soon as possible. I don't care how many hours it takes."

"Boss man is cracking his whip," Lila whispered in his ear, then nibbled at his earlobe. Dane groaned.

"Boss man wishes he could crack his whip, if you know what I mean," he muttered.

She buried her laughter in his shoulder. His shook too. The mood was broken, but Dane didn't care. Despite his chuckles, he dipped down to nuzzle her neck. "I have a plan," he whispered.

"I know," she whispered back, arching her head back.

"But it's going to piss some people off."

"As long as it's not me, I don't care," she said with a grin.

Dane growled and reminded himself he couldn't hump her against a wall. Not yet, anyway.