“We’ve all had a long week... well couple of months,” she said. “And screaming across the front desk doesn’t make the system less broken. It doesn't fix things.”
I looked at her. Her pink sundress, which she said was Valentine's Day appropriate, a soft white wrap and worn-out boots. Her eyes held too many storms. She wasn’t scolding me, but she wasn’t backing me either.
She was holding the line. Like always.
And today I didn't like it.
Harlan glanced between us, then offered the file toward her. She took it without a word.
A beat passed. Then two.
And I couldn’t stand being in the same room anymore.
“Close up when you’re done,” I told Remi, grabbing my bag. “I need air.”
Neither of them stopped me. I didn’t expect them to.
I left the clinic like I was on fire, because sometimes that was the only way I knew how to walk away.
And the worst part?
I wasn’t even mad at him.
I was mad that part of me still wanted him to follow. That some reckless, hungry piece of me liked the way his voice sounded when itbroke against mine. That maybe, if I threw enough rage his way, he’d finally see the cracks and do more than patch the edges.
But the cracks were everywhere.
And I was running out of glue.
CHAPTER 15
HARLAN - KIDDO
I wasn’t great at silence.
But Remi Carter made silence feel like a language I hadn’t learned yet.
The clinic was quiet after Ava left.
The kind of quiet that didn't invite conversation. The kind that made you want to check your pulse, just to be sure you were still breathing.
Remi didn’t look up from the file I handed her. She read the name, then the referral form, eyes scanning like she was already building a plan in her head.
No panic. No irritation. Just quiet focus.
“She’ll need housing,” she said finally, flipping the page. “And a translator. Her English is spotty, and she’s afraid to speak to men. Maybe have a female officer who isn't Voss handle any of her interactions.”
I leaned against the counter. “Noted.”
She gave a soft exhale and closed the file. Then, finally, finally looked at me.
“You come here to help, or to defend yourself, Chief?”
I smirked despite myself. “I’m not sure anymore.”
Remi nodded, like that was the only honest answer she expected from me.
“Ava means well... right?” I asked.
