Page 79 of Instinct & New Identity

“Val,”Vincefinally spoke, but his voice was strained. “Canyou stay with her and keep an eye on her through the night?I, uh, won’t be able to.”

What?Whywasn’t he going to be home?Irealized his body language was all wrong, and he wasn’t making eye contact with me.

“Uh, yeah, no problem,”Valreplied, also looking a little confused.

“Thanks.Igotta go,” he said as he walked out of my room, not saying a word to me.

One of the officers followed him out.Didhe have to go talk with the police more?WhatwasImissing?Ilooked up to seeWadeandArcherspeaking quietly toJack, and then they both left as well.Ahh.Maybethey all needed to do something.Thatmust be it.Thatwas whyVincecouldn’t watch me.

Even asItold myself that, it didn’t sit right.Somethingwas off withVince,Ijust didn’t know what.

“Before you leave,I’dlike to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind,” the other officer spoke up.

I knew the drill, soIdecided to answer his questions soIcould just be done with it and go get some sleep.

* * *

A little over an hour later,Isat on the bed inVal’sapartment, trying to figure out what had happened at the hospital.Itwas already past midnight, andIshould have been sleeping, but my mind was more interested in recapping the last few hours instead.

“You want tea or water or anything?”Valasked from beside me.

She was in full mother mode, taking her task of watching over me very seriously.AfterVinceleft the hospital,ValandItalked, and it made more sense to stay in her apartment over the pub.Axeldrove us over to the loft, and we packed upHarryand an overnight bag for me, and then he dropped us off atVal’sapartment.

The first thingIhad done was shower.I’dwanted to get that smoke and chemical smell off me, butI’dhad to be careful of my head wound.I’ddone the bestIcould, keeping my head away from the water, and was just happy to be a little cleaner and in fresh clothes.Then, we were sitting there together in the queen-sized bed with theTVon in the background, both of us too wired to sleep.

Val and the others had filled me in onRuthie.Apparently, she had been shot in her right foot but was taken to the hospital right away.AccordingtoArcherandEllie, she was the worst patient ever getting her bright-pink cast and was now makingJack’slife miserable since he volunteered to help take care of her.ExceptforVal, who had stayed by my side the entire time, everyone else had gone back and forth between my room andRuthie’sto check on us.

A knock on the door had me sighing and smiling at the same time.Itwas probablyEllieagain.Ididn’t know who was worse—her or my sister—when it came to who took care of me.WithEllieacross the hall, she felt the need to come over and assist with everything.

My sister walked over to the door and opened it, butIwas surprised when she announced who was there.

“Oh!HeyVince.Comeon in,”Valsaid loudly.

I could hear his voice, but it was too low to understand what he was saying.Myhead still hurt a little, butIcould walk, soIgot up from the bed and began to walk over to the door.WhenIcleared the doorway,Isaw him look fromValto me, and he stopped speaking.Helooked disheveled and exhausted.

“Cat.”Hisvoice sounded strained.

My sister turned back to face me. “Heasked how you were doing, but refused to come inside.I’llgo back to the bedroom to let you guys talk.”

“Are you headed home now?”Iasked asIneared him. “Ican come with you.Letme go grab my stuff.”

I turned to head back to the bedroom, but he grabbed my arm.

“Cat,I’mnot going home.”Hisbody was stiff and tense as if he was uncomfortable talking with me. “Buteven ifIwas,Iwouldn’t want you coming with me.”

He paused and released my arm.Somethingwasn’t right.Hisbody language and expressions were all wrong.

“I just…Ineed some space right now.”

What did he just say?

“I’ll text you tomorrow to see how you’re doing,” he added. “Unlessyou don’t want me to.Ican textEllieinstead if that’s easier.”

He was going to textEllie?Whatwas happening?

My heart started to tighten as it occurred to me thatVincewas breaking up with me.

“Get some sleep,Cat.Itwill help with recovery,” he said and then looked down and turned back down the hallway toward the stairs.

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