Page 14 of In Death, Love Survives

“This morning, I was a ten. Now I’m not so sure. Maybe an eight. Still got to see your pretty face. Best part of any day.”

A light pink flushes her cheeks.

“An eight is still excellent,” she says.

“It is. Actually, I’ve been wondering, what’s up with the scale? Is it medical practice?”

“Being in this setting, especially in a group setting, makes it uncomfortable for people to want to open up. I started using my scale in group first, and then I would follow up with anyone who gave me a six or below. It helped when I was new here, and then it just stuck around.”

“Since most people are here ten to life.”

“That’s true.”

I hum at the admission.

“When I was a kid, my mom used to always tell me that big feelings are okay to have as long as they are channeled properly.”

“Your mom sounds like a smart woman.”

“She was. Best thing I had in my life.”

Nova goes solemn.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“It happened a long time ago.”

She nods in understanding.

“What about your dad?”

“Don’t know anything about him. Left my mom when she was pregnant. That didn’t stop her from living an amazing life. She met my stepdad when I was a teenager.”

Nova just listens on.

“They got into a car wreck when I was in college.”

“I’m so sorry, Wolfe.”

“That’s life. It happens.”

“It’s still heartbreaking.”

I give her a small smile at how empathetic she’s being. I can tell my Nova girl really cares.

“It can be. I decided to keep on keeping on.”

“What college did you go to?”

“Montana State.” She grins like she knows a secret.

“That’s a great college.”

“It is. Studied business. I suppose I do use my degree,” I say with a chuckle.

“That’s always a positive.” She grins.

“What are you grinning about?” I ask playfully.

“I went to Montana State too.”

“No shit?”

“No shit.”

“What year did you graduate?” I ask.

“You can hardly expect me to say it,” she teases.

“How old are you?”

“I’m a few years younger than you.”

“Alright, I’ll let you keep your secrets for now.” She blushes as she taps her pen on the notepad.

“How about you, Nova? What’s your story?”

Nova tenses at the question.

“You don’t have to tell me, but I’d like for you to.”

She stares at me, almost as if she’s trying to make sure my intentions are pure.

“You didn’t have another woman visiting on Sunday.”

So this is where she wants to start first.

“I didn’t.”

“You were talking about me.”

“I’m proud of you for saying that out loud, angel.” She smiles bashfully.

“You don’t know me.”

“I know enough, and I like every single part of you. Every perfect detail, all the flaws you think you have, I want them all for myself when I’m out of here.”

“When you’re out of here?”

I look at her, confused by the question, until it hits me. Nova needs me to be as direct as possible when it comes to what’s happening between us.

“I want you as my woman now.”

Nova bites down roughly on her lip, causing it to bleed.

“Don’t go hurting yourself.” She stops the biting.

“I want that. I do.”

“Then the rest we’ll figure out.”

“You’re so sure. I mean, look at these circumstances.” Nova lifts the pen to gesture between the two of us.

“Life is always going to throw curveballs your way, with or without you. Why not take a walk on the wild side and get to know me better? Trust that what I’m saying is real.”

“I’d like to.”

“You can ask me anything. I’m an open book for you.”

Nova soaks in my words as she uncrosses her legs and leans inward. She rests her elbow on the desk and her head in her open palm.

“I had a similar experience as you did,” she admits.

I’m not usually a patient man, but for her, I will be.

“I’d rather not go into details here. Really. I need time.”

“Take as much time as I have to give you.”

“Thank you,” she says with a loud sigh.

“Just tell me this.”

“What’s that?”

“Did someone hurt you?”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Yeah, angel, it is. Someone hurts you, then I want to hurt them.”

Nova shuts her eyes, and a small tear falls down her soft cheek.

“Nova, baby, you don’t have to tell me here, but at some point, I’m going to need to know what happened.”

“Why?” she croaks.

“To get revenge.”

She breathes out a small laugh and opens her eyes.

“One day. I’ll tell you.”

“I’ll take that today, but eventually, I want to know every part of you.”

“Thank you.” She pauses. “Tell me something good, Wolfe.”

I rock in my chair, thinking of something good I want Nova to know.

“I live on a few acres. It’s breathtaking.”

“Do you have horses?”

“I do. I don’t get a chance to ride very often, but they are beautiful.”

“I’d love to see them one day.”

“And I’d love to take you out on a ride.”

“Tell me more,” she demands.

“I have a bike. You knew that already, but man, taking a ride out to nowhere with the breeze on a perfect sunny day is unbeatable.”

“It sounds magical.”

I chuckle.

“Never heard one of my guys say that before, or their old ladies, but you know what? Hell yeah. Fucking magical, angel.”

Nova gets more serious.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” I answer.

“What happened earlier today?”

“Oh, that,” I say with a sigh.

“Yeah, that .”

Nova sits back upright into a more professional position.

“Turning back into my doctor?” I tease.

“Camera. I forgot about it.”

“That’s right.”

I debate how to phrase this so she doesn’t think I’m asking her for help.

“Truthfully, I met with my attorney. Nothing yet to help me get out of here. We both think I’m being held due to corruption.”

“Crawley?”

“Yeah, him. Maybe the judge too. Who knows who else in here?”

“You’re an infamous man around Roper, even outside this place.”

“I have a problem with that word.”

She studies me before asking, “Why?”

“I’m just a man trying to get by like every single one of us here. Just because I’m good at what I do doesn’t mean I deserve to be in the spotlight.”

“One would argue, maybe given everything, you like the spotlight.”

“Touché, but I’ll tell you this.”

“Go on.”

“I like to be respected by my men, to be given the same courtesy I would give everyone else. I’m good at my businesses. I don’t want the recognition because some people think they’re illegal.”

Nova tilts an eyebrow up.

“That’s all I’ll say.” I chuckle.

“I like your laugh.”

“And I like your smile.”

She beams, and I can’t help but grin back. Getting more serious to answer her question, I adjust in my chair.

“My attorney told me I need to do some digging. Get some intel on why Crawley and the judge have it out for me. What they have that is keeping me here.”

“You think he’s keeping something?”

“I know he is. And you know what? I bet he has more than one skeleton in his closet that he wouldn’t want getting out either.”

She twists her mouth as she ponders what I’ve shared.

“I think you’re right.”

“Thank you for believing me.”

Nova looks up at the camera and back.

“I think I can help.”

“I don’t want you getting involved.”

“Wolfe, don’t you see? I’m already involved.”

Fuck, she’s right.