High Risk by G.K. Parks (books for 10th graders TXT) 📕

“Why didn’t you call me before that?”

“I did, but you didn’t answer. I figured you were probably asleep or out drinking.”

“I wasn’t.” He licked his lips. “I’m sorry. God, Liv, I’m so sorry. I should have answered. I should have stayed with you. You asked me to hang out that night. I should have. Then you wouldn’t have been alone. They wouldn’t have…we could have stopped them.”

“That’s not—”

“By the time anyone notified me, they’d already taken you into surgery. Roberts was waiting in the lobby. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that much blood on a police uniform, and we’ve seen cops who’ve been killed in the line of duty. That was your blood.” He looked away. “I could have stopped it. I fucked up.”

“No, you didn’t. And neither did I.” I scooted closer, afraid Brad would pull away. He had so many issues when it came to losing colleagues. That night might have broken him more than it broke me. “It’s not your fault.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m supposed to have your back.”

I leaned against his shoulder and hugged him, hurt, exhausted, and enraged by everything that had happened. His hand trembled for a moment before he hugged me back.

“Thank you for being here,” I whispered.

He pressed his lips gently against my temple. “Don’t die on me, Liv.”

“I won’t, but you have to make sure Emma doesn’t pull the plug.”

“What?” he asked, confused.

“Nothing. It’s an inside joke.” My shoulder throbbed from the sudden shift in position. Once the sharp stabbing turned into a dull ache, I climbed off the couch. “I’m going to lie down for a while. Try to get some sleep, okay? You look like shit.”

“You’re one to talk.”

I stuck my tongue out at him. “And Ellie thinks you’re charming. Clearly, she doesn’t know you very well.”

“I told you so.” He watched me disappear into the bedroom. Then he stacked the pillows on the other end of the couch and settled down, so he could keep one eye on me and the other on the front door. He put his gun on the coffee table and scooted it closer, so it’d be within reach. And that’s when I realized this wasn’t over yet.

Twenty-eight

By the time I woke up, it had gotten dark out. Frankly, I couldn’t be sure if it was morning or night. “Who turned my apartment into a flower shop?”

When I went to nap, there hadn’t been any get well gifts in my house. The ones in my hospital room stayed in the hospital. Emma had them redistributed to those receiving long-term care. And now it looked like they’d come back to haunt me, and they’d brought their friends.

“You didn’t hear the constant knocking at the door?” Brad asked. “They started around five and didn’t quit until seven. The unit outside has had their hands full checking IDs. At one point, I thought we’d have to call for a bomb sniffing dog.”

“Speaking of, I have to go check on Gunnie,” Emma said. She and Brad had been in the midst of a conversation. Their voices woke me up, but I didn’t want to tell them that. “You shouldn’t be walking around, Liv. You’re supposed to be resting,” Emma said. “Were we too loud?”

“No, I’m just thirsty.”

“That’s because you need fluids.” She gave Brad an annoyed look. “I told you that.”

He held up his palms and backed away. He knew better than to argue with Emma.

“I can get my own water.” I tossed an apologetic look at my partner.

“Drink this.” She opened a bottle of coconut water and poured it into a covered stainless steel tumbler with matching straw. “It has electrolytes. Don’t overdo it, but one a day might help. You can have water after you finish that.”

“Why do I have to drink it out of a sippy cup?”

“Because you are going back to bed. And I don’t want you to spill.”

“I’m tired of being in bed.” I was also just plain old tired, but that wouldn’t help my argument.

“Fine. Couch,” she pointed, “now.”

“Do you talk to Gunnie like this? That would explain why he doesn’t want to play with you and won’t let you near his toys.”

“No, I don’t talk to him like this because he doesn’t get himself hurt by doing stupid things.”

My patience waned, but I bit my tongue. I already felt bad enough without having her pile more on me. So I took a seat on the couch, and Brad came over to stack some pillows up behind me so I could sit more comfortably. From the bags beneath his eyes, I knew he hadn’t gotten any sleep. “You must be exhausted.”

“I’m fine. Emma and I were deciding what to make for dinner. What would you like? You’ve barely eaten anything in days.”

“I’m not hungry. Whatever you guys want is fine.” I shifted on the couch, unable to get comfortable. “We could order in.”

“I’ll see what Maria has in the fridge that I haven’t grabbed yet,” Emma said. “And you can talk while I’m gone.” She went to the door. “Let her decide, Bradley. Don’t force it. She needs her rest.”

“What was that about?” I took another sip before reaching across to put the cup on the coffee table. Something snagged, and I winced. “Shit.” I felt the bandage on my neck and checked my fingers for blood. “Tell me I didn’t rip a stitch.”

Brad brushed my hair to the side and carefully peeled the bandage away from my skin. “You’re not bleeding.”

“Good.”

He pressed the tape back down. “Liv, there’s been another attack. Voletek called earlier. He wants to stop by to discuss it and that night, but Emma’s afraid it’ll retraumatize you.”

Worst case scenarios played through my mind. “What happened? How many people