Black bird a nevermore d.., p.9
Black Bird: A Nevermore Duet, page 9
“I agree with her.” A low voice, as velvety and seductive as an oiled stripper, sounded from the doorway. They both looked toward it to find Detective Kane standing in it, gesturing with a hand, seeming to ask permission to come inside. Wren’s own face heated, and she could tell Sarah’s was too as she shifted on the bed. “Sorry to intrude.”
“What can I do for you, detective?” Sarah asked smoothly, staring at him as if she could eat him with a spoon. Good. He didn’t just have that effect on Wren, then. Detective Kane stepped toward the end of the hospital bed and Wren caught the long pause as he and Sarah continued to gaze at each other before he spoke again.
“Is it a bad time?” he asked, never breaking his eye contact.
“No.”
“Should I go?” Wren asked, thumbing toward the door, and breaking what seemed like some kind of silent conversation. Kane glanced toward her, bracing his hands on the rail at the foot of the bed.
“Actually, if you wouldn’t mind staying, I think that could help.”
Wren gave him a flirtatious smile and lowered into the empty chair against the window. “You got it.” He turned his face back to Sarah.
“How have you been feeling the past couple of days, Miss St.—”
“I told you not to call me that.”
He cleared his throat. “Sarah …”
This felt like one of those moments she rarely got to see, and Wren almost wished she’d had a bag of popcorn as she watched the exchange between the two of them. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
“I’m a lot better. Neck has been starting to give me a fit, itching and burning a bit. The doctors are telling me that’s a sign that it’s finally starting to heal. It doesn’t bleed anymore.”
“Good.” He nodded, briefly lowering his face before returning it to hers. “And your medication?”
Sarah’s mouth turned up in the corner. “You asking about the psycho pills, or the pain meds?” He chuckled through his nose and blinked. “I’m kidding. They’ve already started easing me off of everything. Can I ask … why are you here? Is this a pity visit, or did you and the girlfriend find something?”
Oh, he winced at that one.
“Girlfriend?”
“Yeah, the hot cop that came to see me yesterday?”
Wren tried to hide her smile. It was obvious that even if they currently weren’t, this guy had definitely fucked around with his partner. It was written all over his chiseled face.
“We’re just partners.”
Sarah leaned back against the bed. “You might wanna make sure she knows that.” She noted the muscle that feathered in his jaw.
“That’s not why I came. I wanted to see if they’d said anything to you about when you might be released.”
Wren decided to ease a little tension from them, leaning forward in her chair. “I asked about that when I got here. They wouldn’t tell me anything. The nurse we like isn’t here today.” Kane nodded at both of them.
“Okay.” He pushed off the end of the bed and walked out the door, both Sarah and Wren watching him while he passed by the window and stopped to lean over the desk at the nurse’s station. Wren shot Sarah a look.
“That guy is into you. Tell me you don’t see it.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “No, he’s not. I’m willing to bet my savings that they’re at least fucking.” Wren stared at her hard, her eyes narrowing.
“You never used to curse so much.”
“I didn’t think you of all people would care. You’ve got a mouth like a sailor.” Sarah shrugged and stared at the detective’s back. “What the hell is he doing?”
“I don’t know, but I’ve never seen two people look at each other like that. Better strap in for whatever this is between the two of you.”
“There is nothing between the two of us, Wren. We don’t know anything about each other.” Her eyes were cold … lifeless. Wren felt an ache in her chest.
“I would argue that you didn’t know that much about Brent before you let him put a ring on it, either.” Lightening the mood seemed pointless with the look Sarah gave her at that remark. “Okay.” Wren stood, grabbing her purse and slipping it over a shoulder as Kane stepped back into the room behind a doctor carrying a clipboard.
“Miss St. James? How do you feel about going home tomorrow?” the doctor asked, stepping between her and Wren.
“No chance of it being today? Or right now?” Sarah pressed, letting him check her eyes with a small light.
“That good, huh? We need to send some prescriptions to the pharmacy for you to take home, and it often takes a little while for discharge paperwork—”
“If she’s well enough and wants to go, rush the paperwork.” Kane cut him off, his eyes darkening when the doctor looked at him. “One of us can come back for her meds when they’re ready.” The doctor looked back at Sarah who said nothing and stared at Kane.
“Alright. I’ll see what I can do,” he said, clutching the clipboard under his arm and hurrying uncomfortably out the door.
“Something’s up. Whatever it is, just say it.” Sarah narrowed her eyes at him, and Wren felt compelled to stay put.
“Fine,” Kane replied, crossing his arms over his chest. “Detective Northwood brought your charts back from the hospital last night and we’re following up on some things that seem … off. We both felt like the sooner you get out of here, the better.”
“Is she in danger? Do you know who did this?” Wren asked, a feeling of nervousness creeping along her spine.
“We’re looking into it. We’ve got leads, but we have to see where they go. I wouldn’t say that she’s in danger, but …” He directed his attention back to her friend. “Did you give the company you work for any permissions to access your personal files? Medical records? Did they request anything like that from you?” Sarah’s brows drew together.
“EverLife? No, I haven’t even started there yet. The night that I saw you at the club, we were out celebrating. I had just gotten accepted into the program and took the top spot in bio-chem.”
Wren stepped toward Sarah’s bedside. “Wait—go back. Are you—” She gave Kane a pointed stare. “You’re the one she was gawking at when we were at the bar?” He looked at Sarah and though he tried to hide it, a smile crept across his face.
“Wren, for fuck’s sake.” Sarah smoothed her palm over her face. “So, what … you’re saying they tried to get my records?” She dropped her hand into her lap.
“They didn’t try. They did get them. EverLife has an access code with the hospital, and it was used to sign out your lab reports. They didn’t just take one, they took them all. When we put two and two together, it was obvious that something wasn’t right. It leads me to believe that staying here probably isn’t the best option for you.” It was hard not to notice Sarah’s face grow two shades paler. Wren knew she was piecing together some things that she had only shared with her. Only trusted with her. This wasn’t good. It could mean about a hundred different possibilities.
“Oh, hell nah.” Wren turned and stormed out the door, patting her hand against the top of the desk and startling the nurses on the other side. “What’s the hold up? Can somebody get me her paperwork, please?” The nurse closest to her nearly shook beneath the look Wren was giving her, and an older nurse came to her side.
“Throwing us an attitude won’t get it done any faster. We’re not Lynn.” Her crow’s feet rose with the snarky smile on her face. Wren peered down at her name tag.
“Oh, I see. How fast would it get done if I reminded you that her fiancé is Brent Stratford? One of the best lawyers in this city, and the son of a man that could bury you with lawsuits if we decide to press charges for your facility’s lack of judgment while you allowed her records to be taken without permission. Would that light a fire under your ass, Gladys?” Wren smiled, but there was no mercy in her eyes when she stared down the woman. The nurse that cowered next to her raised a clipboard and slid it forward, handing her a pen.
“You can sign for her if you’ll be the one taking her home.”
“Thank you,” Wren bit, snatching the pen and signing her name on the dotted line. “Anything else?” They all stared at her, speechless. “No?” She dropped the pen to the counter. “Great.”
Wren stomped back into the room where both Sarah and Detective Kane were looking at her as if her head would shoot like a rocket from her pale neck. “Nicely done.” Kane smirked; arms still crossed.
“I thought so, too.” Wren winked, rounding the bed and opening the narrow closet to collect Sarah’s things. “Put these on,” she said, handing Sarah her boots and her leather jacket. Sarah started doing what she said, until she eyed the plastic bag Wren had pulled out next.
“Throw those out.” Sarah said, holding her palm toward her like she couldn’t bear to even look at the bloody clothes inside it. Wren made to toss them into the trash can, but Kane stopped her.
“Don’t …” he said quietly, taking the bag from her hand. “Don’t leave those here. Not until we know what’s going on. You don’t want to give them anything.”
“Don’t they already have enough?” Sarah cut in, pointing to the IV still taped to her forearm. “What’s a little more blood on some clothes?”
“We need to get them to take that out.” Kane started for the door, but Wren watched as Sarah started ripping the edges up from her skin. He paused, watching her as well as she tore the needle out and tossed it to the floor. No one made a sound.
“Let’s go,” Sarah breathed, grabbing her books and laptop while Wren carried an overnight bag. Kane followed behind them and Wren made sure every one of the hospital staff saw her middle finger as they passed and made their way to the elevator.
“Do you have a place to go, Miss—Sarah?” Wren smirked when he’d corrected himself, yet again.
“I thought you were a detective.” Sarah glanced at him, and they held that stare again while they waited for the elevator. Kane took the computer and the books from her arms, and she let him. Her whole demeanor seemed to change around him.
“I am.”
“Then shouldn’t you already know I’ve got my own place?” She smirked. The elevator bell chimed, and they stepped inside, a brave nurse rushing to put her arm through the doors as they started to close.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I need you to ride in the wheelchair. It’s hospital policy upon discharge.”
“Oh, fuck off.” Kane growled, pressing the button and closing the doors in her face. Wren and Sarah burst into laughter as they started heading down. He only shook his head. “I knew you had your own place; I just think it would be best if someone stayed with you. That’s all I was meaning to say.”
“Are you offering?” Wren asked, earning herself a reaction from both Kane and Sarah. “Christ, I’m kidding. I’ll stay.” She chuckled. They reached the ground floor and stepped out, hurrying through the front entrance and out to the pick-up circle.
“Where’s your car, Wren?” Sarah asked.
“Yeah, about that. I slept over at hottie drummer’s house last night … took a cab here.” Wren bit down on her lip. Lie. Though Sarah didn’t seem to notice.
“I can take you, if you want.” Kane offered, looking between them both.
“Sweet.” Wren smiled, sliding on her yellow sunglasses. “Where are you parked?”
Kane stepped up to the motorcycle that was illegally parked in the circle. “Right here.” Wren’s smile drooped and she shook her head frantically.
“Oh, no. Not me. Gimme your shit. I’m not riding that thing.” She reached for everything he had in his hands. “I’ll meet you at the apartment. You got your phone?”
Sarah stared at the bike … and the detective now straddling it. “Yeah, I’ve got it.” He slipped a helmet over his head and handed her his spare. Wren watched, intrigued while he fitted it to her head and strapped it under her chin, careful not to upset her bandage. It didn’t feel accurate to describe whatever was happening here as sparks flying. Especially not as Sarah didn’t give her so much as a “fuck you” when she climbed on behind him and slid her arms around his waist. He started up the bike and turned his wrist to rev it up before they started making their way around the circle.
“Ohhhhh hell,” Wren muttered, rolling her eyes and smirking as they disappeared onto the street.
This was bad. She was trying not to beat herself up about the fact that there was no way she could have known in the state that she’d been in at the hospital, that someone—no—EverLife … was prying into the past she fought desperately to hide. Sarah was now very aware of two things. One of those things was that the circumstances surrounding her mother’s horrible death were dangerously nearing the surface, and if that was the case … so were all of Sarah’s dark secrets. Wren was the only person that she’d trusted with what little knowledge she had about Katherine and whether Sarah had only dreamt that she’d been taken in the weeks that followed and used as a lab rat. For whom, she still didn’t know. But dreams aren’t real … and the marks left in her skin from needles had let her know that there was a decent chance she wasn’t losing her mind. All she had left of her mother’s body was also still missing. There was too much going on now for any of this to be a coincidence.
The other thing she was keenly aware of is, that this man that she was holding onto … this cop that she hadn’t realized was a cop when he caught her eye in that bar—something was reeling her in about him as if she were a helpless fish on a hook. Sarah wondered if the look she saw in his eyes when he stared into her meant the same thing where he was concerned, or if maybe he was just your average asshole that couldn’t leave women alone. Maybe she was just his flavor of the week. It sure didn’t feel that way. She couldn’t help but notice how strangely normal it felt when she’d touched his body. How a chill went down her spine when the only thing he’d done was strap a helmet to her head. Maybe he was only doing his job as a protector of the people when he pushed to get her out of that hospital … but even that felt … personal.
They were stopped at a light when she’d realized they were no more than a block away from the art gallery where her apartment sat above it. She realized then that she hadn’t given him an address or told him where to go. Strangely, it didn’t make her feel some type of way. Maybe he’d already known because he has a trove of information about her anyway. It wasn’t like her address wasn’t on her driver’s license, but he did seem a bit too familiar with the route to her house. Sarah leaned over his shoulder.
“You stalking me, detective?” She smirked. Kane’s helmet tipped to the side, and he didn’t say a word. She wished she could see his expression through that damn blackout visor over his face. The light turned green, and she held on while he moved forward. He seemed like he had been extra careful not to jostle her around on the back of his motorcycle, but Sarah had to admit that she’d thought very little about her stiff muscles or the wound on her neck throughout the ride to her place. She’d never tell him she was grateful for this distraction. A few minutes later they pulled up and he parked the bike on the side of the street outside the gallery.
Athan couldn’t explain how protective he felt over this girl. He knew a big reason was because a part of him had been left behind when he’d—how had Rhaena put it? Sank his fangs into her. However true that may be, the unexplainable bit was the way her mere presence had seemed to sing to him in that bar. Maybe fate had its own way of finding him the exact victim he’d drain on the nights that he tried so hard to resist killing. That would have been an easy excuse, had that been the case the few hundred other times he’d taken a life.
Every time he’d looked into her eyes since they first met, something inside him felt like it was cracking an eye open. Like some deeply rooted part of him was awakening. He couldn’t get over it. It would be another thing he’d have to fight off. Especially, when the feel of her arms wrapping tightly around his middle stirred something else entirely. He hated being touched. Even before Dahlia had forced him to lay over her and do unspeakable things, he’d hated it. He never allowed any of his clients to touch him while he gave them the kind of intimacy only money could buy—and that was over two hundred years ago, before she’d found him that night and posed as that lonely girl who had been starved for affection. He blocked out the Devil’s face and honed in on the fact that in this particular moment … having Sarah’s arms around him left him craving any other touch she’d allow him. He found himself hungering for it as much as he’d needed to taste her blood.
What the hell was happening to him?
She broke his deep train of thought when they sat at a stoplight just up the street from her apartment and she asked if he was stalking her. He hadn’t even realized he’d let on that he knew the way to her place. He didn’t have any words to answer when he turned his face toward her and found her pale complexion perched over his shoulder. That smile. Those fucking eyes. It was a mercy that the light turned green. She had held on a little tighter when he sped forward, weaving through the traffic ahead of them. It was obvious this wasn’t her first time on a bike. He could tell it by the way her body moved against his back every time he maneuvered around cars or made turns on the street. Wren had adamantly refused to get on the bike, not that he could take the both of them on it anyway, but Sarah didn’t flinch at the thought. If he’d been smart, he would have hailed them a cab and kept his distance like Rhaena had warned. But all his good sense had taken flight the minute he snapped that helmet onto her head and felt the warmth of her perfect body against his. He was genuinely screwed. He should have never listened to that tug that had him looking back at her. Now he was in her web—and he knew it. Knew it … and didn’t give a shit.
