I look into Cooke’s golden brown eyes. Sniffling, I ask, “You really think it’s not safe?” Because I hadn’t given that much thought. I know mold can be dangerous, but it depends on the mold, right?
“One of my mates lived in a house with mold, and he became very ill. It took months for him to recover.” As Cooke talks, I run my fingers through his hair. He must like it, because his eyes close at my touch. “Would it make a difference if I told you this flat would be an investment?”
“Cooke,” I say, placing my palm on his cheek. “You’re so sweet, but I like living with the girls on Beedle.” I lean in and kiss him softly. “What if I promise you that I’ll call the landlord first thing tomorrow and ask about the basement? I’ll message you with the results.” Since he’ll be gone, damn it.
“If they don’t get to it this week, you need to leave that place.” He kisses me back. “You all do. It’s not safe for your mates either.”
That’s true. “Right.” I slide off his legs and hope he can still walk. I’m also hoping that this idea of buying a condo for me is done. Changing the subject is the way to go. “Don’t forget, we need to go to the police station soon. I’ll text Gage when we get in the car.”
“Why don’t you do that now? I’ll have a word with Connie.”
I nod as I pull out my phone. I search for old calls and find his number listed on the date of the horrible, terrible, worst fucking day ever.
Well, it can’t be that bad. It brought Cooke to me, so there’s that.
I message Gage that we’d like to come in now, and he informs me that he’s already at the station, which is good. I want to get this over with.
Out in the hall, Cooke is still chatting with Connie. I’m tempted to move closer, but I don’t because that would be weird. I don’t need to eavesdrop on Cooke. When they’re done, he turns to me with a smile. “Ready?”
I nod. “Gage is already there. I told him we were on the way.”
I hear Cooke grumbling, and I’m sure I heard the name “Gage” in the mix.
Chapter Thirty
“You’re just in time,” says Gage, shaking my hand. His eyes pan to the man behind me, and then he grimaces.
“Gage, this is Cooke.” I turn to Cooke. “Cooke, this is Officer Gage Golden. He’s the one who investigated my moped, erm, accident.” Even though it wasn’t an accident.
Before I can say another word, I feel Cooke’s big warm hand slide across my back and wrap around to my hip. He tugs a little, enough for the momentum to make me move closer to him. It’s also obvious that Gage notices. Interesting. Men are weird.
“Right. Well, Kara’s father is here, along with an attorney. They’re talking with the captain.”
I want to roll my eyes.Of course he brought an attorney.“What does that mean?” My eyes pan the police station. “Is she here?”
“She’s not here. At least not yet.” I feel Cooke give my hip a squeeze.
“Why are they here?” asks Cooke in a husky voice.
“Most likely?” Gage runs his fingers through his light hair. It gives me the opportunity to look at him. He’s cute in his street clothes of dark jeans and an Iowa State University tee. “They want the charges dropped.”
“Will you? Drop the charges, I mean?” I ask.
Gage scowls. “I hope not. That woman is a menace; I made sure the captain knew about her earlier assault.”
Assault.It’s such a serious word, but I guess that’s what it was. What else would you call it?
“What do we need to do to ensure this girl stays away from Quinn?”
Gage’s head turns slowly to Cooke. “Cooke, is it? In what capacity are you here with Quinn?”
“In what capacity?” Cooke’s face is priceless—part sneer, part confusion. “She’s my….”
There’s quite an uncomfortable silence that I end with “We’re friends.”
“Bollocks.” Cooke grunts. “We’re more than friends, love.”
“Anyway….” I look at Gage. “You can talk to him. He knows the whole story.” Cooke squeezes my hip again, and I want to giggle but keep my mouth shut. And good thing because right then, a door opens behind Gage and three men walk out. I’m guessing one of them is Kara’s father. All three of us watch as two of the men shake the other’s hand, presumably the captain. They look happy, which makes me curious about their conversation. Then the captain points in our direction. Since he doesn’t know who I am, I’m guessing he’s pointing at Gage.
