Page 64 of Danger Close

I didn’t like the scent of the lemon disinfectant. The ammonia and bleach burned my nostrils, and the beeping felt like water torture. It was like an itch you couldn’t scratch, on a part of your body you couldn’t reach.

My blood-stained clothes had been replaced and bagged. Biohazards and evidence for an investigation that I knew would go nowhere. The only thing I would not let them take was Cobra’s leather jacket.

“I’ll pay to have your car cleaned,” I whispered to Charlotte who paced at the foot of my bed.

She paused, looking at me in confusion. “What?”

“I’ll make sure to have your car cleaned, and have it repaired if there was any damage.” I stressed the leather of Cobra’s jacket, wanting to wipe it clean of the events that happened. “Please send my apologies to Trinity for missing her wedding. If you can make an excuse, I would appreciate it—”

“What?” Charlotte said again.

“—but if you cannot think of anything, just tell her I left. Nothing else must be said about it.”

I kept trying to wipe at a particular red stain, my thumbs frantic to pull the imperfection from the soft black leather. My head was throbbing, my body ached. One eye was swollen shut, and even this slight movement hurt but I had to dosomething.I had to hide this somehow.

I had done it before. I’d cleaned my own apartment after Ray broke in ten years ago. This was the same thing, but just… larger.

“What are you talking about, Teri?” Charlotte asked, grunting in pain as she leaned forward.

She’d managed to come out with a few bruises, a sprained wrist, and swollen knuckles. Her face had a bruise on her forehead and cheek. She had a swollen, cut lip but was able to walk in, half carrying me. She’d rolled me onto a wheelchair, and then pushed me in.

Her husband would despise me after this.

“I’ll… I’ll handle your hospital bills, and whatever else you might suffer in the meantime. Just please let me know.” I’d need to geta second job to afford anything, but I could do it. I’d get on my feet again.

Why wouldn’t this stain go away? Why wouldn’t it rub off?

“I’ll pay Cobra back for the ruined dress as well,” I whispered, then amended, “somehow.”

God, I had no idea how I'd even get to work on it. Maybe I could work for the gym? They needed help, right? I could scrub floors…

“It will take me time but I’ll…”

“Teri,” Charlotte’s hand covered mine, stopping my frantic rubbing on the leather. My nails were starting to bleed again. I was putting more blood on it!

Fuck. I was an idiot.

“I’m sorry I brought this trouble to you,” I whispered in all sincerity as my hands trembled. “I’ll get out of your hair. I’ll get a bus ticket home.”

“What about Trinity’s wedding?”

“I’ll just upset her. Or I’ll bring trouble. This isn’t… I never wanted any of this to come near her. I’m so sorry.”

I should apologize to my daughter, but it was best if I left before she saw me like this. I don’t want her to see me like this. I don’t ever,everwant her to know what shadows are in my past. I don’twant this to be her last memory of me if… if something should happen.

“I don’t even know where to start with your nonsense,” she sighed with a slight laugh. “We’re both concussed. I’m going to lethimdeal with you.”

“What?” I asked, just as a nurse yelled, “Sir! You can’t go in there!”

“The hell I can’t!” Cobra’s voice boomed down the hall, echoing off the walls causing a flurry.

The sound of curtains whipping open and shut, as nurses and doctors said, “Sir? Sir! You can’t be here. Sir!”

“Where is mywife?”Cobra bellowed.

Charlotte lifted a brow at me, a smirk on her lips. “Speak of the devil.”

“Sir, what’s your wife’s name?” The nurse called after him.