Page 21 of In Death, Love Survives

I grip the armrests. It’s taking everything in me not to get up and punch the guy. If I did, I wouldn’t be let out with the chance of freedom and Nova by my side.

My jaw clenches as Nova and Ryan argue back and forth about me being here.

I stand up suddenly, causing Ryan to gasp and Nova to flinch.

“What the,” he shouts.

Nova steps in front of me.

“Dr. Owens. If you would like to file a complaint against me, go ahead. I have done nothing wrong today but protect the relationship I have with my patient.”

“She has,” I interject.

Ryan sighs as he looks stunned by what Nova’s doing right now. She was essentially the only barrier between him and me, and she chose me.

At least, that’s what Ryan has to be thinking with the way his anger is replacing his normally perfect facade.

“Nova,” he whispers.

“Please leave,” she demands.

He tries to reach for her, but she steps back, moving closer to where I am.

“Fine. If this is what you want. But you know this is wrong.”

“Nothing I’m doing is wrong .”

He shakes his head and finally leaves her office, keeping the door open as he goes.

“Jessica. Please give me a moment with Mr. Walker before Officer Walls takes him back.”

“Of course,” Jessica stammers.

Nova shuts the door again, but this time doesn’t lock it. With her back to me, I see how stressed she just got because of Ryan.

“Nova,” I whisper.

She tosses a hand backward, signaling me not to come forward. I wait, letting her regroup before she talks to me again.

“Wolfe… I just,” she starts as she turns to face me.

Nova’s eyes are glossy as she stares at me in confusion. The fucker has gotten to her about us.

“Don’t say anything to me now. Think about it. I promise that out of this setting, I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.”

“You can’t make promises like that.”

“I can. In my world, no one would dare talk to you like that.”

Nova smiles weakly.

I’m losing my girl because of the asshole in khaki pants.

“I’m out in three days. I’ll wait for you in the parking lot all day. I’ll leave at dusk. If I don’t see you by then, I’ll understand.”

I step forward and place my palm gently on one of her soft cheeks. She closes her eyes and melts into my touch.

I stroke her cheek with my thumb as I drink in her beauty.

I’m losing her, and there’s nothing more I can do.

“Please. Please, Nova. Give me a shot. I know what we have is intense. But there’s no one else in this world I could imagine giving a real relationship a shot with,” I whisper.

She opens her eyes, and I see the confusion in them.

“Wolfe. You’re everything I never knew I wanted. I just. It’s a lot. Giving up my life for someone who I do crazy things for. It’s completely different than the world I know.”

“I know, baby. I know. I really do. But I need you to take a chance on us.”

A slight knock on the door sounds through the room.

“That’ll be Jessica,” she whispers.

Leaning forward, I place a chaste kiss on her lips and pull away.

“Please think about it.”

“I promise. I will.”

Nova steps out of my hold and opens the door. Jessica’s rocking on her heels with her hands twisted together in front of her as she waits.

“Oh. Hi,” she chirps as I step in front of Nova.

“Hi.”

Officer Walls steps forward and gestures for me to follow him. Looking at Nova one last time, I give her a small smile before following Walls.

Through the doors, heading back to my home for only a few more days, my mind is consumed with Nova.

Walls enters a code into a box, and a door opens. He holds onto the door handle and looks up at me. He’s one of the friendlier officers but usually keeps to himself. There are rarely any snide comments or favors he asks for.

“When the time comes, take care of Dr. Fletcher. I’ll do what I can for her here,” he says quietly.

With his positioning, there’s no way a camera caught it either.

“I hope it comes to that,” I say back.

Walls opens the door, and I step back into hell for another few days.

The following day, I call Caleb to let him know the good news.

“Fucking finally,” he says.

“At least you’ll be happy to see me,” I joke.

“I’m not cut out for all of it.”

“Don’t do that. You’ve done well in my absence the past few months.”

“I’m just glad you’ll be back. Do you need me to get you?”

“Not exactly.”

“What do you mean?”

“I need you to drop off my bike.”

Caleb hoots on the other line.

“Wolfe, does that mean you’ve got an old lady, finally?”

“Not exactly.”

This time, Caleb stays silent.

“She’s not sure.”

“Then don’t waste your time.”

“You know it’s not like that.”

Caleb sighs, and I can tell he’s debating what to say.

“Why is she unsure?” he finally asks.

“She met me in prison. This isn’t normal. Life back home won’t be what she’s used to either. You know that, man.”

“When I met her, she was different than I expected, even despite what you had told me.”

“How so?”

“She was strong.”

I let out a long wind of air.

“She can handle this lifestyle. I think she’ll come around.”

“I hope so. I’ll find out soon enough.” I laugh darkly. I’ll either be miserable or the happiest I’ve ever been in my life that day.

“What else do you need?”

“Well, can you get the house cleaned in case she does show up?” I joke.

“Can do.”

“And get a meeting scheduled. I need to be brought up to speed with the fucking mess going on too.”

“Yeah, it’s fucking escalating.”

“Schedule it.”

“Will do.”

“Then, hopefully, see you in a couple of days.”

“See you then, brother.”