“I’ll talk to you later,” Deven said, not really sure if that would happen. Paul nodded and escaped to the sanctuary of his car. She couldn’t even be mad at his hasty retreat. Justin had made the interaction unnecessarily difficult and embarrassing as hell. She wouldn’t be surprised if Paul didn’t bother with her again.

The duffle bag and her purse were heavier now, and she switched them to her other shoulder, wincing under the weight. Justin didn’t seem to notice, or care, for that matter. “So, who was that?”

She groaned and clutching her stomach, headed for up to her apartment. “My friend,” she mumbled.

“Yeah, I heard. And doctor. What was he doing bringing you home?”

No mention of the obvious pain she was in, no mention of the fact Paul had relayed she was in the hospital, no mention of why she even needed a doctor. Deven should have felt relieved he was asking the wrong questions, as insecure and inconsiderate as it was.

In his rush, Justin had left the apartment door wide open. Deven shuffled through, nearly stumbling on the luggage he had left right in the middle of the floor. “You didn’t tell me you were here,” she said, making her way to the bathroom.

“And you didn’t tell me you would be out with your friend.” Justin’s emphasis had Deven rolling her eyes.

“He brought me home. That’s it.”

“Where is your car?”

Good question, but that was none of his business. “Look, I’ve had a rough morning,” she said, finally. “You’ve clearly had a rough morning—”

“No, I’ve had a rough night,” he corrected. “Because I fly in to surprise my lady, and lo and behold she’s spent the night elsewhere.”

Deven whirled around at the insinuation. “If you were so worried about me, why didn’t you call then?” He didn’t have an answer and she didn’t expect one. Sighing, she stepped into the bathroom and shut the door in his face. She couldn’t be sure, but it sounded like he was packing up after he stomped from the door. Good, let him leave.

She eased down onto the toilet and at the same time, searched her purse for her cell phone. Where the hell was Kennedy? Now, she was for sure worried. Deven dialed her number again, already preparing to hear that stupid operator voice once more. To her surprise, Kennedy picked up. Sirens were blaring in the background nearly drowning out the sound of Kennedy’s sobs. She was mumbling something and Deven held the phone tight to her ear, straining to hear better.

“Kennedy, what’s going on?” she was all but yelling.

Kennedy sounded like she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She was hyperventilating, nearly making her words inaudible as she wailed through the phone. “Deven, somebody assaulted me!”

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Surprise was an understatement.