24 The Sweet Ache

Lila

Dane stood directly under one of those massive chandeliers that glittered and gleamed. But he shone brighter as he visibly took control of himself and began to speak.

"What you may not understand about Daniels Security is that it isn't a business, it's a way of life. I have been living the life of a protector since I was thirteen years old. It was my experiences in my family, first as a teen, then as a young man, that inspired in me a passion for keeping women safe. I watched . . ." he faltered and his eyes flickered away from her. Lila leaned in, she'd go to him if it was needed. But she should have known. He wouldn't look to anyone else to get him through this. A moment later, his shoulders rose and fell with a single breath, then he was back. She clasped her hands in front of her and pleaded with God to get him through it. Whatever it was that held him back.

"I watched my mother walk through hell at the hands of an evil man," he said clearly. Some of the reporters shuffled their feet. "Later, I lost someone I loved deeply. These events offered me a unique opportunity to witness what a human endures when they are in fear. And I vowed that I would do everything in my power to ensure that as many people as I was capable of protecting would be protected.

"I lived that life for years before Daniels Security was established. But I have run this company with the same passion and desire with which I have always lived. I refuse to see women harmed. Period."

He paused, but his eyes didn't drop. Lila realized every person in the room was holding their breath. He had them! They were feeling it. Seeing the truth of it. She nodded to encourage him and he blinked, but continued.

"Ten days ago there was an unfortunate failing within our ranks. A staff member who had a relationship with a client before they became a client was called to a job where no threat was assessed. Unbeknownst to the client, when that staff member left, other staff were assigned to watch the property and ensure the safety of the client, just in case.

"Unfortunately, because she had not been informed of this, the client was frightened when she detected an unknown man moving around on her property. Staff responding to her panic alarm knew what had occurred, and so did not raise law enforcement. But apparently did not clearly communicate to her who it was that she had seen on her property. Because of this, she believed Daniels Security had refused to assist her when she was in danger.

"Again, the client was never at risk, but quite understandably, she believed herself to be. And again, for that, I am truly and sincerely apologetic. I personally take full responsibility for the fear and trauma Becky experienced that night, and am working to ensure our systems do not allow this to happen in the lives of any other clients. Ever."

He took a deep breath and shifted on his feet. "I haven't commented on this earlier because it was very important that I understand everything that had happened that night, who exactly was involved at each step, and where we had failed. And although we still have more investigation to undertake, I do believe I know enough now to understand what I have caused, and why." He gripped the sides of the podium until his knuckles were white. "The fact that this woman believed herself to be alone and vulnerable, under potential attack, and that we didn't do our jobs to-to protect her . . ." Dane's words stumbled to a halt, his throat bobbing. He looked down at the podium, but there were no papers there. Lila's heart was in her throat as his face tightened.

"I have seen women in a place where their lives are in very real danger." His voice was tumbled gravel. His eyes hollow. "And I've seen how that impacts their lives after that day, too. It is my deepest regret that I caused that to happen to any woman, no matter what action she may or may not have taken. I take full responsibility, and do not fault Becky for her fear or concern. I hope t-that this will not be the end of my business, but I know I will not stop p-protecting the women in my life n-no matter what the circumstances. Thank you."

Without warning, Dane turned on his heel and stepped off the podium. Chris, taken off-guard, turned and looked like he might go after him. But he remembered himself enough to step up to the microphone as the reporters suddenly burst to life, realizing that their chance to ask the legendary Dane Daniels direct questions was fast disappearing.

Their frantic questions echoed through the lobby, but Dane walked without looking back, past the elevators, and to the stairwell on their other side.

Lila felt herself take a half-step after him, but she was forced to stop herself. She couldn't follow. The best support she could offer him was to ensure that the rest of this incredible morning went off without a hitch. As much as she ached to go after him, to tell him how amazing he'd been, how much better this would go from here. With a jolt, she realize she wanted to…comfort him. But Chris was about to field questions and she needed to be there just in case. So instead she followed Dane with her eyes until he was out of sight.

Her chest ached as she turned back to the podium and the ruffled reporters who were going to have to make do with Dane's half-brother.

"My name is Chris Daniels, I am Dane's brother and the Security Director at Daniels Security. I crew the in-person teams and ultimately, it was my role to attend to Becky on the night in question. I was the one who ran the alarm response. If you have any questions about the details of what occurred, I'm here to answer them for you."

Smelling blood, the reporters leapt forward. But Lila was smiling, and Chris stood confidently as he chose journalists one by one, and answered their questions in measured, professional tones.

Despite herself, she was impressed.

She'd seen these men completely out of control, and destructive. It was nice to see them both in a different light.

Her eyes flicked back to that stairwell where Dane had disappeared, and she wondered where she would find him when this was done.

*****

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