Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

The elevator ride to the lobby was tense, nobody spoke. Even Valentina
seemed to catch on to what was going on. Her small hand gripped mine
tighter as soon as the little ding announced we had reached our destination.
Maddox led the way to the middle of the room, and again I could see the
journalists waiting outside from the glass doors and windows. From upstairs
I could only see a dozen, but now I saw that there were at least thirty. All of
them scrambled to get closer to the doors, where three officers were trying to
push them back.
Lakestone was a relatively small town, but since nothing really ever
happened in our area, I wasn’t surprised that other surrounding towns had
sent reporters to cover the news, too.
Being the daughter of the mayor, this was not the first time I would be
faced with journalists, but it didn’t mean I ever got used to them. My steps
faltered as we got closer to the doors, and the lump in my throat came back.
Somehow noticing my unease, Maddox stopped too and looked back at me.
My gaze was strained on the people outside, screaming my name and asking
stuff I had no desire to talk about.
Valentina tugged on my hand, making me look at her. “It’s okay. The
monsters are gone, they can’t hurt us.”
My eyes instantly filled with tears at her words. Only nine and so wise
already. I loved her so much.
I managed a smile and crouched down in front of her to hug her. She
hugged me back fiercely before caressing my hair with a gentleness only her
innocent soul was capable of. When I exhaled and got back on my feet,
Maddox was there, looking at me with a strange expression on his face, right
before he dived and took Valentina in his arms. My girl squealed in surprise
but settled rapidly with her head on his shoulder and her arms around his
neck.
“Are you ready?” He asked me.
“The day I let a bunch of gossip-starved vultures scare me hasn’t come
yet, Detective Brooks.” I stood taller as I gazed into his eyes.
A small smile grazed his lips and he nodded once, “Good girl.”.