The Distance Between Us (MAC Security 3)

I don’t though, the scowl on Ty’s face is enough to have me staying put.

My throat is so dry it feels like I haven’t drank for years, like I’ve just ran fifty miles without a drop of liquid to quench my thirst. I try to swallow and it feels like a thousand pins are stuck inside my throat, scratching and poking at the sensitive skin. The beeping coming from beside me is pounding through my head, that coupled with the bright lights in the room causes me to wince.

I groa

n, gaining the attention of whoever is sitting next to me and they shuffle forward, grabbing onto my hand and squeezing gently.

“Kitty?”

Oh God, it’s Jonny. Why is he in here?

I turn my head on my pillow, facing him, fulling expecting to see a face full of anger. When I get up the courage to open my eyes, it’s not anger I see, but a softness to his face and his eyes shining with concern. To say I’m shocked is an understatement, I was sure he’d be plotting how to get rid of me by now because I doubt that he doesn’t know who I am and what I’ve been doing all this time.

“Doc said you’ll be fine.” He smiles.

“I will?” I ask.

“Yeah.” He clears his throat, shuffling forward in his chair. “I need to know what the hell is going on.” I take a deep breath, preparing to tell him. “The waiting room is full of people, people who I’m assuming are your friends. What are you? A cop?”

I scoff. “Hell no.” I pull my hand away from his and push against the bed, trying to sit up. When he sees me struggling, he stands and leans forward, lifting me up into a sitting position.

“I work for MAC Security.”

“Okaaaay.” He lifts a brow, silently prompting me to continue.

“I don’t know how much to tell you,” I sigh.

“Start from the beginning?”

“We’re trying to bring down the cartel.”

He laughs, full on throwing-his-head-back laughter. I know it sounds absurd to him because plenty of people have tried and failed to bring them down, but he doesn’t know who we are and what we do, how many people we’ve helped put away or bring down.

“I saw a member leaving your restaurant a while back and I knew you were my way in.” His jaw clenches and I can see the recognition on his face. He knows exactly who I’m talking about. “But…” I say, gaining his attention. “I never expected to like you.”

He smirks, his eyes glinting. “Well… I can’t say I didn’t expect to hear something like this after I watched you shoot that guy right between the eyes.” He laughs but it’s more of a sad laugh before he looks down at his feet and then back up to me. “I have to get out of here.” He picks his jacket up and stands, stepping toward the door before turning back around at the last second. “You ever need anything? Then hit me up, I owe you one for that shot.” With a wink, he files out of the room and leaves me more confused than I’ve ever been.

I expected him to be mad, to threaten me into keeping my mouth shut, but he didn’t. He didn’t mention me not talking to the cops again. I’m baffled and tired. So goddamn tired.

I feel like I could sleep for a week, but when Ty and the guys come rushing in, I know that’s not going to happen anytime soon.

I’m meant to be relieved that they’re here, that I’m okay. But I just feel like a failure. I failed. I didn’t get any info on Jonny and the cartel and now we’re back to square one. Having to start all over again, all because I got shot.

“Kitty!” Kay squeals, pushing through them all and trying to hug me. I lift my good arm, smiling at her.

“Hey,” I croak.

“We’re so glad you’re okay,” she breathes, pulling back and looking at Ty then back to me when he tilts his head at her. “What happened?”

I know I should tell them everything, they deserve that much, but I can’t get the image of Jonny’s face out of my head.

He’d looked after me while I worked at Diva’s, made sure I got to work okay and got home safely. Made sure that Joel didn’t bother me too much. As stupid as it sounds, I feel like I owe him, so I just shake my head and smile as Evan comes forward.

For now, I’m just going to concentrate on getting better, healing and getting back to work.

I’ve been sitting here now for over twelve hours. Everybody went in to see Kitty, leaving me until last. But I didn’t mind, it gave me time to gather myself so that I didn’t go in there like the angry, bumbling idiot I feel like I was when I first walked in the hospital. Ty and the guys left a couple of hours ago, my unit following not far behind them. Yet I’m still sitting here, scared to go in the room and see her.

The last time I was here… No, I can’t think about that. I can’t go back there, not right now.