Page 41 of Connected

“Just gotta give Zak a shot of antibiotics and then he’s good to go.”

“Why? Is he all right?” Digby asks, concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s her… she enjoys stabbing me with sharp things.”

“You wish,” she laughs. “Like he said, he’s fine. I was a little concerned, about this silver wound, it was much worse than the others. It’ll take a little longer to heal, that’s all, but he’ll be fine.”

“Oh, that’s good, at least you’ve got it in hand. And how are you feelin’? You look a little flushed; are you comin’ down with somethin’?”

“I’m okay—maybe running a slight temperature, but I think that’s since Luna came back. I didn’t realize just how much humans—without wolves, feel the cold. Look, I need to get finished up here.”

She removes Digby’s hands from where they’re now wrapped around her waist. He sniffs, kissing her neck, “Mmm… wow, you smell damn good.”

Kat’s eyes meet with Zak’s and she smiles—while he awkwardly pulls up his pants. “Diggs, c’mon please stop, I’m working. I need to get cleaned up.”

“Oh, Zak doesn’t mind, do you? I just don’t want to be away from you any longer than I have to be. You smell incredible—it’s drivin’ me insane today. God, I missed this smell so much.”

“Digby, will you please stop. You’re being stupid and I told you I need to get these things put away.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he smiles, stepping back. Watching as Zak buttons his shirt—he cocks an eyebrow, concerned. “Hey, that looks pretty bad. Kat, are you sure that’s gonna heal?”

“Will you shut the hell up,” Zak snarls. “I’m gonna be fine. Kat’s takin’ good care of it.”

“You know, you could get Dee to… Well, you could get him to look at it?”

“No! God no, no that is not happenin’. It’ll be okay. Look, I need to go. I got somethin’ I gotta check out.”

“Oh yeah… anythin’ you want me to help with?” Digby frowns with curiosity.

“No. No, I um… I’ve got it in hand,” Zak smiles as he and Kat exchange glances. “Just a reservation I gotta make.”

They all react to the sudden sound of a cough from the doorway—Darius standing there watching them.

“I should get cleaned up,” Kat mumbles nervously.

“Hey, Dee… what’s happenin’ man?” Digby greets him with a high-five.

“I just wanted to drop these reports off. Oz said Zak was here. Is there something wrong?”

“Will everyone just stop damn well askin’ that. So, what’s with the report?”

“This is the official version of the mission events—the one I gave to Edwards. You need to read and digest the details for his de-brief.”

“Okay sure,” Zak snatches the report file from his hand. “And what’s with the gift package?” he gestures towards the large black box in his other hand.

“Oh, this… this is for Kat.”

“For me,” she frowns. Taking a deep breath as she stares at him, “I really don’t need any gifts—or anything else from you.”

“It’s not from me and unless Diggs is sending you a present to work, then my guess is R. Westwood is Rhys?”

“Rhys? Why the fuck is he sendin’ Kat a gift?” Digby snorts.

“I have no idea. It was left at my office, I guess by mistake. Whoever dropped it must have forgotten we switched.”

“But why would Rhys send me something? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“By the looks of the label on the box, it’s something to wear—something expensive. That store is pretty exclusive—certainly not cheap.”

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