Page 73 of Connected

“Okay, well then… just let me take the pill first and then I swear I’ll tell him. But that way he can’t stop me—”

“Pill? What pill? Stop you from doin’ what?” Digby cocks an eyebrow as he stands listening in the doorway. “What the hell’s goin’ on here?”

“Nothing.” Kat gasps. Swallowing nervously, she shakes her head as she continues to plead with Zak. “I just have a headache. Zak was getting all judgy about me taking meds. I guess you went against what I said and told him, anyway?”

“Kat, it wasn’t like that it’s not, I—”

“Hey now wait up…” Zak glares at her, “don’t you turn this around on him. This wasn’t me gettin’ precious over some damn pain pill, now was it?”

Digby can hear his low snappy snarl and Kat drops her head taking a deep breath hoping Zak won’t say anything.

“All right Zak, so what the hell’s goin’ on?”

“I think you should ask her,” Zak takes a breath. “Your choice Kat, like I said, either you tell him—or I do?”

“I can’t.” She sniffs as more tears drip in large beads down her face. “Zak please… look what this is doing to me. I’m a fuckin’ mess already. I can’t sleep without thinking about it. Digby, I’m so sorry but I can’t do this.”

“Zak, what the hell’s she talkin’ about? Can’t do what? Kat? Zak? C’mon, one of you needs to tell me what the fuck is goin’ on here.”

“This…” Zak hands him the box.

Digby stares at it, reading the label out loud. “Doctor Riley Jacobs… Mif-Mifepr—”

“Mifepristone,” Zak repeats the word. “To cut to the chase—it’s an abortion pill.”

“Awhat?!” Digby’s jaw drops and wide-eyed he stares at Kat. “Wait, are you fuckin’ for real? Zak, are you sure?” He swallows the acidic bile that races from his stomach to the back of his throat. “Wait, have you… have you taken this already?”

“No.” She shakes her head slowly, avoiding his gaze. “Digby, please… please just let me explain.”

“Wait… but you were goin’ to? You were goin’ to take this, but what Zak stopped you?”

“Kinda, not exactly. Luna got there first. She won’t stop howling and I keep throwing it up. She won’t let me take the damn thing.”

“You know a wolf can’t harm itself and she won’t let you harm that pup either—that’s cos she’s got more fuckin’ sense than you do. Kat, I can’t believe you’re even thinkin’ about doing this. Oh… oh, I get it. This is why you went to him—to Riley—isn’t it? I suppose he thought this was a good idea. No, don’t answer that, of course, he damn well did. After all, anythin’, you want he’d go along with because he wants to get in your panties. Well, you know what… I’m gonna fuckin’ kill him. And I really will this time. Yeah, I’m gonna rip his fuckin’ head off. And then, and then, I’ll deal with you when I get back. I can’t forgive you for this, Kat.”

“Diggs… Digby! Please no, it wasn’t Riley’s fault. I gave him no choice. Shit… Zak, you have to stop him. Please Riley didn’t do this. He didn’t wanna do it—I made him—I didn’t give him any choice.”

“Shit… Kat, what the fuck have you done? All right, I’ll go after him. I can’t promise I can stop him, but I’ll try. I’m takin’ this, and you don’t do anythin’ until we come back, am I clear?”

“Please Zak, just make sure he doesn’t hurt Riley.”

***

“Sir… Please, Sir, you can’t just—”

“Riley Jacobs… Where do I fuckin’ find him?”

“Diggs… Digby, c’mon man, just slow down. Think this through. Hey, are you listenin’ to me? You can’t just come in here and kill a doctor in the hospital. Digby. Shit… C’mon man, don’t do this.”

“I let you come Zak, but don’t get in my way. Ah… there he is.”

He spies Riley at the end of the corridor and strides hurriedly towards him. “Hey… Hey you… Yeah, you! You fuckin asshole, we need to talk.”

“Oh shit… Ryan, wait, I can explain this. If you just calm down, I’ll tell you what happened.”

“Oh yeah… yeah, you need to start fuckin’ talkin’… Now walk.” Digby marches Riley down the corridor towards the empty office—the one with his name on the door—at the end of the hall.

“Doctor Jacobs…” the nurse calls to them. “Should I call for security?”

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