Page 27 of A Sudden Response

“Besides,” Nathan continued, “it’s not like she’ll be on light duty forever and I need someone full-time.”

This is where it was going to get a little tricky. Thankfully, Joe was still lightly snoring, so he didn’t have to worry about her overhearing this conversation and kicking his ass.

Yet.

“After tonight, I was thinking that it might be better if Joe found something else to do.”

“You decided?” came the hesitant reply.

“Yes, but it’s not only about tonight. This field is too dangerous,” Eric said, ignoring Nathan’s snort of disbelief, “she needs a decent job, something that won’t interfere with her having a life.”

“She seems to like her life just fine.”

“She deserves better.”

After a moment, Nathan sighed warily. “I don’t think Joe would be happy doing anything else, but after seeing what that bastard did to her tonight, I have to admit that I wouldn’t mind seeing her in a safer job.”

“Then, you’ll help me convince her to quit?”

He needed his brother on board with his plan. Tag-teaming Joe might be his only hope. Of course, if he got their mother on board...

“Yeah, I’ll help,” Nathan said, not really sounding happy about it. “But when she finds out, and we both know that she will, don’t be surprised when I sell your ass down the river.”

“Duly noted,” Eric happily said as he lay back down and pulled Joe back into his arms. As long as she was off the ambulance and safe, he’d happily let her kick his ass.

Joe continued glaringat the empty spot in her closet where her uniforms should be. She had absolutely no doubt who took them along with her keys and why.

After throwing one last glare at her closet, Joe stormed over to her nightstand, ignored the bottle of pain medication, and snatched up her cell phone and dialed the number of the first bastard that she was going to kill.

“You take your pills?”Eric asked as soon as he answered.

“You. Bastard,” Joe bit out.

“Did you take your pills?”he asked again, sounding bored.

“I don’t know who you think you are, but you have ten minutes to get your ass back here with my uniforms or so help me god, I will-”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t have this conversation with you until you take your pills,”Eric said, cutting her off.

“I will hurt-”

“Take your pills.”

“No,” Joe snapped, even though her head was killing her.

“If you want to talk, then you’ll take them.”

Glaring at absolutely nothing, Joe did her best to rein in her temper. After a minute, she said, “Fine. I took them. Are you happy?”

Eric sighed heavily.“I would be if you actually took them.”

“Fine!” Joe snapped, grabbing the small bottle of pills, knowing that she wouldn’t get anywhere with the annoying bastard until she took them. She quickly popped two pills in hermouth and swallowed them with the water someone left by her bed. “Are you happy now?”

“Extremely,”Eric said, sounding smug.

The bastard.

“Now, bring my car keys and uniforms back,” Joe bit out between clenched teeth.

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