Novels by Dandandan

Nicole's mother that had left him with ringing ears and the feel of a scolded child. He wasn't about to make that mistake again.Huffing, he decided to stop calling for Nicole, she was probably busy getting ready somewhere in the house.He would find her after he was done.The living room was tidy, the way Nicole liked it. Every surface was clear, every cushion perfectly fluffed. He had learned to move through this house without disturbing anything, to walk through it like a ghost. It wasn't his home, not really. It was the Nicholson's home and Noah was a stone.Literally.Chuckling slightly at his own depressing joke, He headed toward the bedroom, his steps quick and purposeful. He needed to shower, shave, and find the suit he had laid out the night before. Opening the door to the room, his eyes widened.The bedroom was a mess. Clothes were scattered across the bed, dresses and lace and hair ornaments that had been pulled out and rejected in haste. Nicole must have gone through

Camille's pout deepened, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. "You're no fun. You know that? No fun at all. Here I am, trying to be interested in your boring little life, and you won't even give me a crumb of drama.""Because there's no drama to give."Camille scoffed, leaning back on her hands. "Everyone has drama, Becky. Even you. Especially you. You're just too stubborn to admit it." She paused, her eyes glittering with something that might have been mischief. "But I'll let it slide. For now."She reached for the file on the table, flipping it open with a practiced motion. Her expression shifted, the teasing facade giving way to something sharper, more predatory."Anyway, you asked about the case. And I have good news." Her grin was feral, almost hungry. "My darling Dr. Price is a freaking genius."Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"Camille leaned forward, her voice dropping into something almost conspiratorial. "He found something on the latest victim. And it connects

Rebecca made good time, the streets relatively clear at this hour. She pulled up to the hotel, the familiar facade rising against the darkening sky, and parked in the lot near the entrance. She grabbed the box from the passenger seat and walked quickly toward the lobby.The elevator ride was quick, the floors ticking past with soft chimes. Rebecca stepped out onto the third floor and walked down the corridor, her footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. She paused at room 312, taking a breath, and knocked.The door swung open almost immediately. Camille stood in the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest, her expression one of grim annoyance."Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Look who finally decided to show up."Rebecca held up the box, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I come bearing gifts."Camille's eyes flickered to the box, and something shifted in her expression. Suspicion, perhaps, or curiosity. "What is that?""Open it and find out."

With a sigh, she started the engine, her mind already racing through the damage control she would need to do. She needed a peace offering, something that would soften Camille's mood and make her more amenable to listening.She thought about Camille's preferences, about the little details she had noticed over the past few days. Camille had a sweet tooth, though she would never admit it. She pretended to be above such indulgences, but Rebecca had seen the way her eyes lit up at the mention of something sugary.And she had a particular weakness for a specific bakery in the city. It was a small, upscale establishment that specialized in French pastries, the kind of place that charged exorbitant prices for things that were almost too beautiful to eat. Camille's favorite was a tart, a peculiar combination of flavors that Rebecca had never heard of before. It was called a ‘Tarte aux Fruits de la Passion et au Gingembre Confit’, and it was a delicate creation of passion fruit curd, candied

Rebecca opened her mouth to argue, but Chantel placed a hand on her arm, a silent gesture of restraint. She nodded toward Noah, a sign that the conversation was over."Alright," Chantel finally replied, her voice carrying a note of finality. "Alone. But promise me you'll be careful."Noah nodded, some of the tension in his shoulders easing. "I promise."He leaned back in his chair, his eyes closing briefly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to prepare myself mentally. This isn't going to be easy."Rebecca and Chantel exchanged a glance. There was something in Rebecca's expression, a hint of pride that she couldn't quite hide. Chantel had done what she had been brought here to do. She had been the surgeon, the one with the gentle touch that could cut through Noah's defenses and reach the heart of the matter."Of course," Chantel said, stepping back from the desk. "Take all the time you need."Rebecca followed her toward the door, pausing at the threshold to look back at Noah. He was si

"I was trying to be civil. I was trying to move forward. But you're still stuck in the past, still holding onto your anger like it's the only thing keeping you alive." She snapped at himBut Noah said nothing. He simply stared at her, his expression unyielding.Nicole's composure finally cracked. She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor with a sharp sound. She walked toward the door, her steps quick and agitated, but she paused at the threshold, turning back to face him."I was really trying," she said, her voice carrying a note of desperation. "I was really trying to make things right between us….” She swallowed around the lump in her throat, " But you won't meet me halfway. You won't even try."Noah only have her a pitiless look, eyes cold and dead.It was clear that nothing she said would get through to him.At that Nicole's face crumpled immediately.Her anguish was plain to see to the entirety of the room for just that moment, before she smoothed it away. With