That Day by Karen Deen (best novels to read in english txt) 📕

Scott goes to say something, but Davina places her hand on his chest before he has a chance.

“Kurt, why are you making this so hard? You’ve been in our shoes. Yet you are doing everything possible to make our job ten times harder.”

“Actually, I’m making it easier for you. Work with me without a fuss and it all will run smoothly. Try to push me, and you’re right, I’ll make this as fucking difficult as possible. I might not be officially there, but you can count me as part of the team on this job. And while we are at it, why were you both at her house tonight? No bullshit.”

“It’s classified,” Scott grumbles.

“Let me repeat myself. I can make this easy or hard. Now again, why were you both there tonight?” Crossing my arms, I let my body language show I mean business.

Scott matches me in his arrogant stance, glaring at Davina to warn her to stay quiet.

“I’m not saying anything here, Kurt, you know better than that. All I’ll say is D-Day has been set and we need to tell her.”

Scott huffs and storms back over to the seats near the door.

Fuck, no wonder she wasn’t eating and was most likely panicking on top of that. She probably guessed something was up when they told her they needed to talk.

“You know you could get me fired for what I’ve already told you and letting you anywhere near her.” Davina’s head now turns up to the ceiling, trying to calm her own anxiety.

“I want to say I’m sorry, but I’m not. I’ll do what it takes to keep her safe. She’s so much more to me than a client.”

“Yeah, I know, and that’s my issue. I’m worried you’re thinking with your dick and not your brain. Can you really make the tough decisions that need to be made when the time comes… truthfully?” She points her finger into my chest as she makes her point.

“You’re just going to have to trust me when I say abso-fucking-lutely!” I growl quietly

“Well, let’s hope that’s going to be enough. You still got your piece at home in a gun safe?” I nod my head yes, that’s all she needs to know.

“I’ll be at your place tomorrow. Don’t even think about banning me from visiting. I need to talk to her, without you in the room.” Davina starts to back away.

“You want to get past the front door, leave your sidekick at home,” I say, pushing my hands into my pockets.

“You are so full of shit,” she snaps at me. “Not thirty seconds ago you were all big talking about working as a team. Yet that only applies when it suits you.”

“You’re a fast learner. See you at midday tomorrow, no earlier. Give her time to sleep in.”

I’m not used to talking to her like that, but I have to keep everyone at their distance on this one until I work out what is going on.

By the time I get back to Asha, the nurse is helping her from the bed into a wheelchair.

“Where did you disappear to?” Her tired eyes look up at me.

“Just popped out into the waiting room to give Davina an update. She said to give you her love and she will call over tomorrow to see you.”

“Oh god, I totally forgot about her and Scott with my head fuzzy, she must have been worried.” Concern is written all over her face.

“She’s fine, don’t worry. They’ve headed out to get some late dinner, or I suppose you’d call it a midnight snack.”

I take all the paperwork from the nurse as she’s running through the discharge procedures that I’m only half listening to. I know that Scott won’t be off at dinner. His ass will be tailing me wherever I go with his client.

Tucking her into the passenger seat in my truck, I feel a little less stressed. I hate hospitals with a passion. Too many bad memories.

“You ready to pick up our girl and then go home to bed?” Starting the truck, I place my hand on her thigh and give it a squeeze.

“When did Coco become ‘our’ girl, huh?” Laying her head back on the seat, she smiles at me.

“The moment I became her rescue bitch and carried her soaking-wet ass back up the beach. Plus, you can’t deny I’m her favorite with the cute nose jobs I get.”

“It’s okay, luckily with the size of her, there is plenty to share between us. As long as I get the cute parts and you get the feeding and picking up the dog shit parts.”

“See, I told you I’ve become her bitch that she gets to push around.”

“You love it, stop complaining.” She rolls her eyes at me, and I laugh until it hits me.

Driving out of the parking lot, my mind starts to think a little clearer.

“Oh, shit, I totally forgot. I have a house guest. An old friend, Oscar, turned up unexpectedly this afternoon. He’s here for a few days so will be staying with me. He’ll already be in bed by the time we get home, so you can meet him in the morning. I hope that’s okay?”

“Kurt, it’s your house, of course it’s okay. Looks like you’re good at taking in the strays.”

“Yeah, but this stray is far less attractive than the other one, and there is no way he will be coming anywhere near my bed. I only save that for the special random people I pick up.”

“I feel so privileged.” Her voice is getting softer as the night takes its toll.

“And so you should. Now rest until we get home.”

Once I pick up her hand and kiss her palm, she then places it back on my leg, and I love the feel of her taking the initiative to keep connected.

As I drive along the road away from the hospital, Asha closes her eyes again while we drive into the dark of night. Her resting and my mind racing.

If the court date is coming soon