Page 29 of Hating the Bratva

Delaney

“Joshua seems to be doing better. He’s been in a good mood the last couple of days, which is good because everyone in the house is getting tired of his nasty attitude.”

I blow out smoke from my mouth before laughing. “Well, that’s good.”

Robin signed up for the same clinical as me today, and after a long day of observing other nurses and taking down notes, we’re finally done. I’m in a two-year program, and it’s crazy to think it’s already halfway over. Next year is when I get to be more hands-on.

“Yeah, it is. So anything new with you? I mean, besides everything you’ve told me.”

I grimace. I don’t want to talk about my date with Ivan. If anything, I just want to pretend it never happened. “No, nothing really.”

Her lips twist to one side as if to say, I know you’re lying. Luckily, we’re interrupted by the sound of a quiet meow.

“Did you hear that?” I ask before stomping out my cigarette.

The wooded area behind the hospital is deserted besides a couple of dumpsters and backup EMT vans. Meow.

“Why would there be a cat back here?” Robin asks.

I follow the now constant meowing to the other side of the blue dumpster. I peer around to see a small cardboard box that looks like it might have held fruit at some point. Inside is a tiny black kitten with its mouth wide open as it meows.

“It’s a kitten,” I call over my shoulder, and a few seconds later, Robin is behind me.

“A kitten?”

I bend down to look at the small thing. I’ve never seen a kitten so little, but its eyes are open, so that’s a good sign…I think. I scoop it up and cradle it in my hands. The meowing stops, and it looks up at me with curiosity. Probably the same way I’m looking at it.

“You should take it to the animal hospital or a shelter,” Robin says.

I nod. “Yeah.”

My phone vibrates, and I take it out to see that Alek texted me to say he’s out front.

“I’ve got to go.”

“You’re taking the cat?” she asks.

“Yeah, I can’t leave it here. Who would just leave this small thing next to a dumpster?”

“A piece of shit.”

I nod in agreement. “I’ll see you around.”

I round the building with the small kitten in my hands. I walk slowly, making sure not to scare the poor thing. Alek’s Range Rover’s windows are tinted dark, so I can’t see inside, but he must see me because he pushes the door open as I come around to the passenger side.

“What you got there, Bunny?” he asks, his face a mix of interest and confusion.

“Um…a dumpster cat.”

“A what?”

I switch the kitten to one hand so I can climb into the car, and she meows again. I look over at Alek once I’m fully inside with the door shut. He looks down at the small black ball in my hand.

“What are you planning to do with that?”

I shrug. “I found her behind the dumpster while I was waiting for you. I think some asshole just left her there. Can you take me to the animal hospital so we can get her checked out?”

He looks hesitant. “And then what are you going to do with it?”

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