Page 29 of One Step Sideways

“A car?” I said in surprise.

“Well, I’m assuming they don’t give out pilot’s licenses inside.”

Okay, so that was a dumb question, and I was starting to appreciate Rawlings'humor. “Only getaway vehicles, unfortunately,” I retorted, which got me another snort.

“Then I’m going to set you up with Jay.”

“That’s Blue Evanson.” I remembered him listing the team’s names.

“Yep. One thing the army gets you is nicknames,” he agreed. I would never admit the only reason I knew what a Blue Jay was because of one of Archie’s books. They even let him have a bird feeder and an extra bit of garden. None of the other prisoners touched it.

“He’s a good defensive driver. Ringo as well, but you need to meet everyone. He’ll have you tested and passed in a day.”

I liked that idea. Maybe with my new paycheck I could get my own car.

The second doctor surprised me. Not just because she seemed really nice, but also because in the first couple of minutes she told me her younger brother of ten years old was enhanced, but blind, and it had led her to studying her specialty. I got the impression he had other talents that made up for the loss of vision, but obviously she didn’t say and obviously I didn’t ask. I was so damn glad he had support, though.

She did what she explained was a general exam, then asked my permission to put drops in my eyes to dilate my pupils. I shrugged because it didn’t seem unreasonable, and so she did so. Then, after a moment, she frowned. “That’s unexpected.”

I arched my eyebrows. “Unexpected is kind of the story of my life.”

She grinned. “Let me check some more things.” So, I put my chin on the rest and she shined lights in my eyes and hummed and took measurements, which seemed to go on forever.

“You have a high level of Rhodopsin.” I leaned back and waited for the explanation. “Do you mind if I share this with Mr. Rawlings?”

“No.” I sighed. Might as well. We both went into a smaller office and Rawlings joined us.

“Rhodopsin is a pigment found in the photoreceptor cells of the eye. Basically, it stimulates biological responses in the body and means you can see light. I won’t bother you with fractions or median levels, just to say your Rhodopsin levels are off the charts. A very unscientific term, but it’s something my equipment cannot measure.”

“I can see in the dark,” I blurted out, knowing it was hardly a secret from Rawlings. She nodded.

“At the very least. I imagine the detail you see is also exemplary. I would love to give you more information, but without more tests that we would struggle to keep private, I can’t because I simply don’t have the equipment here. I also don’t understand why your pupils wouldn’t dilate. It didn’t make the examination harder, which surprised me.” She smiled. “Have you noticed anything else other than accurate vision?”

Rawlings just seemed curious, and I knew then that Danny hadn’t shared what I’d told him, and my throat tightened as I shook my head. I had no idea why Danny hadn’t, but that small gesture meant an awful lot, even if I knew I was going to have to tell Rawlings when we left. Privacy and dignity were something you left behind when the prison gates shut you in, and to claw a little back made me feel things I wasn’t sure I ever had before.

And Danny had done that. With his prickly vibes, pizza casserole, almond shower gel, and the nearly kiss. And his understanding. And the feeling that, for once, I might not be alone.

Chapter Twelve

Danny

I wasn’t thrilled to hear the knock at the apartment door a couple of hours after the guys had left, but I let myself out of Shae’s room, closing the door carefully behind me. Fishing my phone out from my back pocket, I just about groaned out loud when I saw who was at the door.

I was having the week from hell.

No, I mentally chided myself. I’d already had that and survived, but the sight of Tony Farland was enough to make me wish I’d taken Diesel up on his offer to permanently relocate. I knew if I didn’t open the door he would just keep coming back and Shae was still asleep, thanks to the drugs. I didn’t want Tony to come back when Kane was here, which slowed my already reluctant steps. Why did I want to keep Kane private? There was the obvious answer. I didn’t want Tony to know any of my business, but I knew I’d be kidding myself if I tried to say it wasn’t more.

And I chose not to question my reasons for that as I unlocked the door.

“Hey Danny,” Tony smiled, and I gazed dispassionately at his flawless, pale brown skin and unusual hazel eyes, thanks to his Italian mother. Esmella had been sweet; shame her son didn’t take after her. Not that he couldn’t turn on the charm. I should know. It hadn’t been the first time I’d seen him after he’d betrayed me in the worst way I could think of, but I’d really hoped the last time I’d laid eyes on him had been the very last.

“What do you want?”

His face fell, and his sigh was a touch dramatic. “Danny, I don’t know how many times I have to tell you—”

“I’m not interested.” I heard footsteps from the private stairs and knew it had to be one of the team.

“I was hoping we could grab a coffee.” He reached out a hand to pet Sadie and, much to my surprise, she growled, and the footsteps halted immediately. And shit, I knew that had to be Kane. Any of the others would be rushing as soon as they heard Tony’s voice. All Kane had heard was the growl. I was surprised he hadn’t run the other way.

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