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

I need to talk to Davina.

But the biggest thing I feel I need to do is run.

And that’s a feeling I had finally allowed myself to bury, stupidly.

Chapter Nineteen

KURT

Walking down the hallway to the kitchen for another water bottle, I can’t help smiling. Waking up in bed with Asha will do that every time.

I don’t know why her water bottle is already open, and I’m probably overreacting, but that’s my life. Well, it was until I left my job, but keeping Asha safe has me on high alert again.

Reaching into the fridge, grabbing the next bottle, I find it open too.

“Fuck,” I mumble to myself.

Every single bottle has had the lid opened and screwed back on.

The hair on the back of my neck is standing up and my head is spinning at the possibilities. Do they know she’s here?

Is it someone on the inside who she knows?

“Fuck, I need my phone.” I’m talking to myself as I grab a glass of water and head back to the bedroom. I hear a bark from Coco who is running to me. Obviously, she needs to be let out.

“Yeah, yeah, let me get some shorts on, you impatient mutt. Who said you get to run this house?” I’m trying to hold everything together on the inside and not show Asha that there is anything wrong.

Walking into the room, she’s looking up at me, tilting her head to the side slightly at the sight of the glass of water instead of the bottle.

“Everything okay?” Asha asks as she reaches for the glass.

“Yep, just thought tap water would be quicker.” Getting my shorts on, I reach for my phone, slipping it into my pocket without making a big deal.

Clicking my fingers, Coco is hot on my heals heading for the back door.

Coco has given me the perfect excuse to move outside away from Asha. I need to make a call and put things in motion.

I watch the dog sniffing around on the grass for the perfect spot. The air is still crisp at this time in the morning, and even though it’s summer, it has a slight chill to it some days.

I listen to the ringing in my ear, pacing, waiting for him to pick up the call.

“This better be fucking important to wake me at six am.”

“Ghost, we’ve got a problem.” I don’t waste any time with pleasantries.

“Fuck, I’m awake. Talk to me,” he mumbles into the phone.

“Eleven bottles of water in Asha’s fridge, all had the seal cracked, and she didn’t do it. I don’t know where they were purchased or if it was her who bought them. But something isn’t right. I need the water tested ASAP to see what’s in them.”

“How do you suggest I get there from the fucking middle of nowhere?”

Feeling frustrated, I don’t have time for his sarcasm. “I don’t care how, I just want it done ASAP, and you need to have the results to me immediately.”

“I’ll find you a secure lab and you can get it there.”

“No, I can’t leave here, you know that. Stick to the plan. She can’t know about this.” I have my suspicions, and I hope to god I’m wrong.

“I know you don’t trust Scott but get Davina to take it. Tell her to leave him out of it.” I can hear Ghost on his computer now, his fingers racing over the keys.

“I’m not taking any risks. I don’t trust her, either. I know I’m the only one to finish this job, and I’m running out of time.”

“That’s bullshit, Davina is solid, you know that.” He pauses, and I see movement inside out of the corner of my eye. Shit, I need to wrap this call up. “Right, I’ve organized for a pickup to happen today. Don’t ask questions, just leave the bottles by the trash can and they will disappear shortly. I’ll be in contact soon. Keep your head down and stay calm. There is no intel to say she’s in danger but watch your back. Later.” Then there is silence in my ear. Ghost is gone, and I need to get back inside.

Taking a deep breath and trying to put on my poker face, I pat my leg and call to Coco who comes bounding to me straight away.

“Okay, girl, time for you to do your job of security. We need to keep your mom safe,” I whisper to her as we’re walking to the back door. Pulling the door open, she trots inside and goes straight to Asha, waiting to be fed.

Asha is just standing there looking at me with a blank look on her face.

Although my heart is still beating fast, and my body is full of adrenaline, I’m trying to look as normal as I can.

“You okay, baby?” My voice snaps her out of the trance she seems to be in.

“Sure, um, yep, I’m fine. Are you hungry? I’ll fix breakfast, yes, breakfast is a good idea.” Her words all spilling out together tells me she isn’t fine, and something is bothering her.

Maybe it’s just that I was a bit grumpy about the water, although I meant every word. Hopefully that’s all it is. I don’t want to have to tell her anything and scare her when it might just be me jumping to conclusions and there is nothing wrong.

“Great, I’m starving. What’s on the menu?” Just as the words are out of my mouth, I regret saying them. I don’t want her opening the fridge and risking her drinking the water or touching the food. “On second thought, let’s go out for breakfast, my treat. I don’t want you to have to cook for me, and I can’t be fucked to do it either. You wore me out last night.”

Her first instinct is to smile, but it quickly disappears with a slight hesitation that she is trying to hide.

“Okay, sure. I, um, need to shower.” Turning on her heel, I’m left staring at her back as she moves quickly down the hallway to her bedroom.