BURN THE TRUTH

Episode Twenty-one

It's been several days since Captain Leek was convicted to jail for the murder of his wife and son. Not only did Leek never belittle, he furthermore refused to accept any support from his colleagues, more like he was giving up on everything. Although the case was closed after Leek's verdict, Velda solely proceeded to investigate the murder. Determined to get Leek out of the jail.

Velda rummaged through her closet before plugging out an oversized dark-blue t-shirt. Swiftly she yanked it over her body, reaching halfway to her knees. She swiped close her closet door, deciding to stay so. Velda was on her way to get out of the room but stopped when her cell phone that was being charged on the bedside table vibrated. She took the smartphone where Devyn's name appeared on the touch screen.

"Hey Devyn"

Velda's voice wasn't as lively or quick as usual, it sounded quiet though relaxing to listen to. Or perhaps it was due to her just coming from the shower room.

"Hello, detective. I'm at your door and it's pretty much cold outside"

The sudden words got Velda a bit startled that she instantly moved to the window, although it was already night she was able to glimpse the black car behind hers.

At the long last she stretched the front door open and Devyn found his way in even before she could invite him in. Taking a few steps in, he veered around only for his gaze to rest on Velda's wear. Devyn's gaze returned to her face.

"Why do you have to come all the way here by this time?"

"Cause I'm starving, Velda. I need food" Devyn said, he was serious, she could tell by the look he gave her "Home-made" He made it clear.

Velda found it a little confusing but nodded. "So you came all the way here for that?" She narrowed her gaze at him.

Devyn twitched his lips "Yes, detective" then he made a subtle bow that she would have missed if not that her full concentration was upon him.

"That's sad to hear"

His eyes travelled down her body "I bet it is" He uttered and began to take slow steps toward Velda. "Your hair is damp, it seems you had only just had your shower"

As soon as he spoke, Velda realized his voice had turned more hoarse. She wasn't certain but there was something about how Devyn said those words that ignited something in her and before she realizes it, she tilted her lips up to meet that of Devyn's.

Velda kissed him. Again.

Devyn groaned against her mouth, his lips parting against hers and his chest rubbing beneath her palms. And then she peeled herself off and stumbled back a step.

Devyn held her with his thumb on her pulse point and his finger in her hair as he brought his head down to kiss her again, gently, and then again. They were quick, feather-light brushes of his lips against hers like he was teasing her. Velda made an impatient sound in the back of her throat, likely a whine and Devyn chuckled and then he kissed her properly.

Velda gasped as Devyn's mouth came down over hers. Her lips parted and their tongues brushed, tentatively at first and then with bolder exploratory swipes. It was deliberate. Purposeful. Devyn's tongue swipes over her bottom lips, followed by the gentle and teasing scrape of his teeth and she gasped and a slight moan came off.

When Devyn dipped lower to brush kisses along her jawline, she shivered and reached up to thrust her fingers into his dark hair. It was silky smooth and thick. She gave it a soft experimental tug which forced Devyn to groan against her neck. She felt it deep in her bones, reverberating like an echo and striking her right between her legs.

She squirmed against him and inhaled sharply when she felt it, it was hard steel beneath his pants. She slight sensation she got from the little touch sent a whole new wave to flood through her body. She slide her hands to his biceps, clutching at the hard muscles under strained cotton, and used the leverage to roll her hips against his.

"f**k," Devyn cursed against her cheek "Easy on me, detective"

Velda leaned back and gulped in the cool winter air, trying to get her bearings. "The meal"

"The meal could wait" He whispered, though his bass vibrated the cold air.

Velda's lips parted instantly and her chest rose and dropped momentarily. Devyn didn't say another word but there was a rumble in his chest, low and suspiciously like a growl before he surged forward to kiss her. This time, it wasn't gentle. Their mouths met with a hunger that made her belly twist. And then he wrapped his right arm around her waist, slightly pulling up the oversized t-shirt, and then he lifted her off the ground before her back met with the wall behind her.

Devyn. The name was on a loop in her head as Devyn's hips rolled against her cradle. His left finger dug deep into the skin of her exposed thigh, just hard enough to leave some bruises, though in some way she loves the feeling of it. She rakes her nails through Devyn's hair and he pressed harder against her.

"Devyn-"

The name suddenly escaped her lips as Devyn's teeth nabbed the skin of her neck. And then his tongue started up trace-

"Mummy?"

The sleepy voice of Asteria drifted down the stairs. Oh f**k. Velda had earlier prepared to go into Asteria's room before Devyn's call altered every routine.

"Mum?"

Devyn immediately let her down and she hurriedly combed her hair with her fingers, setting them back to look a bit presentable. She cleared her throat.

"Sweetheart"

The word came out slightly incoherent, but then "Hey angel, I will be with you shortly" Velda quickly said soothingly, except Asteria soon appeared by the stairs. The sight of the little girl caused Devyn's hardened d**k to instantly drop to its usual. Thankfully his hair wasn't a mess like that of Velda.

"Devyn!" Her little voice rose at the sight of the grey-eyed man before she excitedly sprinted down the stairs to him. Asteria's slim arms wrapped around Devyn's waist.

"Thank goodness you came" She let out. "I've been waiting all week for you"

Devyn raised a questioning brow as he gazed down at her, he was very particular he never allotted any further promise following his visit to the house.

"Can you dance with me at my ballet centre's Christmas party? Please say yes, Devyn" She stared pleadingly at him "Everyone will have to dance with their dad"

Devyn stood silent, his blood froze upon hearing her request. His hands forgot the initial warmth they burned with as they grew cold and clammy. He was in a complete state of silence as memories flushed into him, resurfacing feelings that almost unmanned him in front of the young girl.

Before he appeared to be Ruin, his treasured little sister, who was also murdered alongside his parent on the night he loathed dearly. The memory was lost to sight as quickly as it had invaded reality.

Devyn breathed. He glanced at Velda before hunkering down to her deck. "Hey, little one..." He gave out a soft smile and then his eyes rose again to Velda, requesting permission. He turned to the awaiting eyes of Asteria and again a smile glowed silently.

"When is it?" Devyn asked.

"It's on the 17th, a week today. I have the choreography on my tablet, you just need to practice with me"

"And what does mum say about this?"

Asteria's eyes immediately darted at Velda "mum?" The word came off as a soft plead and Velda gave a nod. Asteria smiled.

"Okay, then. Again we have a deal to accomplish" Devyn told her with a smile and rose his left palm for a high-five which she gladly complied.

Eventually, Devyn stood up. "Perhaps I'll put you to bed while your mum gets busy with other things, huh" He jerks his head.

"Uhh mm..." Asteria nodded, and she immediately turned for the stairs. Devyn took one semi-final look at Velda, she held her urgent need to smile before he went after Asteria.

"Do you like fishing, Devyn?" Asteria questioned as she skipped a stair.

"Uhmm"

"My mum used to talk about building a beach house and living there. We do hang a hammock out front and we'd fish and swim every day" She stopped and made a face as though she was thinking and then continued. "It's been a long time since she talked about it" Her head moved sideways "probably when I was six... I don't know. Maybe she doesn't want to anymore. But I want to go fishing..." She spun excitedly and then pushed her door open.

"Old people probably know how to fish. You know too, right?"

"Of course, I do" Devyn tilted his head, a faint smile on his lips.

"Will you teach me? Please, Devyn"

Devyn chuckled, she was so adorable. How could he deny her this request? Devyn's eyes travelled to the large name against the opposite wall to the bed "Little Star" the word boldly assembled above a large wall mirror, a horizontal handle ran across the mirror and her ballet shoes hung at its end.

"We'll look into that by the time we accomplish this deal, little one" He hushed her, soothingly. "You make your plans, then you accomplish them one after the other. So now, little one, what's your bedtime?" Voice low, and serene.

Devyn made his way to the kitchen section after he had put the little one to bed. There, he found Velda in front of the oven about to pour some veggies onto the pan. He leaned against the wall he was next to, hands crossed over his chest. There was something about the way he watched the cook, although he was good at gazing firmly at people, this wasn't like any other day. It was different. More like he felt relaxed for the first time.

"Hey, you're down already" Velda spoke.