Page 124 of The First Cut

Millie looks at me, waiting for my response.

“Go with Jolene. I’ll still be here when you get back. I promise.”

She gives me a small nod before leaving with Jolene, Germ trailing behind them, keeping careful watch.

I turn back to Byte.

“How you doing? I half expected to get here and find the hospital on fire.”

“I don’t start fires when people piss me off. I kill people.”

He snorts. “Right, my bad.”

“You gonna give me an update on Driller, or what?”

“Got him locked down in the pit. Fucker ain’t going nowhere.”

“Good. He’ gonna die before I get to him?”

“Nah. He’s in a lot of pain, but as far as I can tell, none of his injuries are life-threatening. Though, just saying, remind me never to piss off your old lady. She fucked up his Achilles on both legs. The prick can’t stand up unaided. Gotta love the beauty of seeing the man brought to his knees by the woman he shoved to hers. That’s poetic justice at its finest.”

I smirk, just thinking about it.

“You guys are made for each other.”

“Damn fucking straight. Come on, I want to check on her before Millie comes back.”

I lead him to Lola’s room and open the door. Gunther looks up, relaxing when he sees me and Byte.

“Did she wake up at all?”

“No. She’s still resting, which is good. She needs it. She’s going to be sore as hell for a few days.”

A few days seems a little too optimistic for me, but I don’t say anything as I walk to the bed and take her hand in mine.

“Jesus, she looks rough. I mean, I saw it before, but seeing her in the hospital looking so tiny, I don’t know how she survived. Driller's not a small man.”

I grit my teeth at the reminder.

Byte’s cell rings. He pulls it out and answers without looking to see who it is.

“Okay, I’ll pass it along.”

“Got a prospect out front keeping watch. Said cops are here. Course, they could be here to see someone else, but it’s best to be ready just in case.”

“Can you go down and keep Millie distracted? I don’t want her anywhere near the cops.”

“Will do. Let me know when the coast is clear.”

I nod and take the empty seat next to the bed. I take in the now-cold coffees left from before and groan.

Gunther chuckles. “I’ll go and get some fresh drinks. I’ll find some magazines or something for when Lola wakes up. I give her a day before she’s climbing the walls.”

I chuckle. “I’ll be surprised if she lasts that long.”

He leaves the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

A couple of minutes later, there's a knock on the door. Lola stirs, groaning as she moves. I grit my teeth, pissed she’s being disturbed. But the sooner we can get this done, the better.