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“That means it could be off-limits for days,” I grumble, my head falling back. “What am I supposed to do till then? I have to work and presumably sleep at some point.”
Before the cop can answer, Mr. Davies speaks up. “Additionally, can you have a patrol stationed outside her apartment for at least this evening if she is going to be able to return?”
“We can arrange something, but I’m not sure how long the department can spare officers.”
Mr. Davies glares harder at the authorities, and I’m about to speak again when the guy pipes up.
“We’re not the metro, Davies. We don’t have the manpower that the city does.”
“That’s no excuse, and you know it.” The venom in Mr. Davies’s voice is enough to make me recoil a little.
Then, Luke is suddenly between the two of them, and my frustration ticks up. This is so aggravating!
“Unacceptable. She’s clearly not safe here. The Crimson Cobras have her location. She?—”
“Is very capable of speaking for herself.”
I raise my brows at all of them, not backing down. The gentlemen, and I’m using that term loosely right now, stop arguing and look over at me.
“I’m fine. I don’t need a squad car out front. I’ll just go to a hotel or something. But I need to get my wallet and my clothes from inside. Can I at least come back in the morning without issue?”
“Of course.” The officer nods. “That should be fine.”
“Clara.” Luke pulls my attention, stepping in front of me. “You can’t stay here, and you’re not about to stay at some shitty motel. It won’t be safe. Cam, back me up.”
He eyes his friend, and I put it together that this must be Cameron Davies.
He’s a lawyer here in town who has requested information from the hospital—a lot—and he’s even garnered a reputation there for how stalwart he can be.
“I don’t recommend staying at your place, Dr. Stewart, and a hotel might not be any better. The Cobra are a powerful group. I assure you, they mean business.”
“He’s right.”
We all turn to see the other cop who I spoke to before joining the conversation.
“I just ran their information, and the Crimson Cobras have been a huge problem in town.”
Luke gestures at him with a see, I told you expression on his face.
“It is absolutely not safe to stay at your current location.”
He hands a notepad to his fellow officer who reads it over, his eyes flaring. “And I wouldn’t suggest a motel. Their security can be lax. It wouldn’t be unusual for the desk clerk to just be taken out or paid off.”
My stomach drops into my feet as the officer drops that bomb.
“Taken out?”
The man nods. “I wouldn’t put it past them. They have no problem with executing innocent people.”
My pulse is accelerating again, and I know panic is very near the surface. I feel trapped, and I never handle that well.
A pang radiates through me as I remember the closet in my aunt and uncle’s house.
“She’s definitely got somewhere else she can stay. A place with very good security,” Luke offers, staring at me and not the cop. “If she’ll just fucking take the offer already.”
I sigh, fatigue winning out over the impending freak-out.
You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m actually supposed to stay with Luke? That is a bad idea.
