28. Shiloh
Chapter 28
Shiloh
I didn’t know how I hadn’t seen this before. Caz was the epitome of the perfect person. Underneath her quick wit and sassiness, she was a kind and understanding human who seemed to bring out the best in me. Not to mention, she, by far, had the best lips I’d ever kissed. It was easy to get lost in her until the mayhem became unavoidable.
“Police!” The loud voice ruined the moment, causing me to pull away and nearly topple out of her bed.
“I got you,” Caz whispered, tightening her grip around me. “I promise never to let you fall.” The gentle touch of her breath on my skin sent waves of goosebumps down my body.
“I don’t know if you’d say that if you knew how clumsy I was.” I laughed, but she stared at me with such intensity.
“I’m ready for the job.” After gently kissing my forehead, she quickly sat up as the sound of approaching footsteps filled the air.
“I’m looking for the owner of this place.” The cop's scolding tone sent a wave of anxiety coursing through me, so I cautiously slipped out of bed to allow him to speak with Caz alone.
I hobbled toward the rest of the gang, but that still didn’t give them much privacy. “Where’s Davia and her accomplice?”
“Devon and me had them pinned to the ground, but then the po-po came and cuffed them before hauling them away. We were badasses.” Sonya puffed up her chest like an alpha.
“Do we know everything that happened?” I looked at Matrix, hoping he would answer because he seemed to be the most sensible.
“Not really. The cops said they would search their vehicles for any stolen goods, but they would need to take Caz to the hospital for tests and then see if she wanted to press charges.” Matrix didn’t take his attention off Caz as she spoke to the officer.
We couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I hated the idea of her having to continue to deal with this situation. Being drugged was bad enough, but having to relive it was probably worse, especially if she had to do it alone.
Just then, she and the policeman joined the rest of us, and I rushed to her as fast as my injured foot would allow me.
“Are you okay?” I questioned, with pain in my eyes.
“If I’m honest, I think I’m doing better than you.” She nodded toward my foot, and I sighed.
“I don’t care about me. I’m worried about you.” And that was the truth. I was hurting physically, but I’d get over it. But what if this event emotionally scarred her? Would she ever be the same?
“I promise you, Shy. There is nothing to worry about. Davia will get what’s coming to her, and I will start living my best life with you next to me.” My heart raced like a hummingbird fluttering against my ribs as she wrapped her arm around me.
“We need to get her to the hospital and collect statements from all of you.” The cop pointed to Caz and the rest of the group.
“She’s coming, too.” Caz squeezed me tighter as she spoke. “She’s injured, and I want her to get checked out,” she demanded, and my cheeks heated with embarrassment because I didn’t need a doctor, but I didn’t want to leave Caz’s side.
“Fine. She can ride in the ambulance. The rest of you should make your way downstairs and provide your account of what happened.” The officer ushered us to the elevator, and Caz slid her hand into mine, holding me tightly.
Was it possible for someone to evoke both a sense of nervousness and a feeling of complete security? That was how I felt with Caz near me. It was somewhat unsettling, yet comforting, how natural our connection was.
Caz and I loaded into the back of the ambulance while Sonya, Devon, and Matrix stayed behind.
“So, do you know what happened?” I asked her, but she shrugged.
“Not really. I mean, Davia drugged me, but I’m not sure what she did while I was out. Something about pictures and stuff to sell, but the cops said they would confiscate her phone and check her car. But what happened to you?” She squeezed my hand, and I rested my head against her shoulder.
“It’s really nothing. My foot got caught in the door of Java Jive, and I might have broken my toe.”
She turned her ocean gaze on me. “Please say this was because you tripped running from Ember?” There was a lightness in her voice, and I buried my face in her neck.
“I wish I had been that smart.” I shook my head, and her fingers gently combed through my hair.
“Aww, you’re just a learn-the-hard-way kind of person. At least you won’t have to go through that lesson again because now you have me, and I’m obviously who you were looking for.” Her laughter was contagious, and I couldn't help but join in.
“That is true, but was I who you were looking for?” I pulled back to stare at her as I waited for her response.
Her fingers gently cupped my cheeks, sending a warm sensation through my skin. “Shy, you might speak softly, but you leave a lasting impression. From that first conversation, I already sensed a spark between us, and I didn't want that connection to end. I thought I was helping you, but I had it all wrong—you were the unexpected answer to a question I didn't even know existed within me.”
She was so damn perfect. Was this reality, or was I on a trip? As soon as our lips connected, a surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins, and I knew I was alive.
“Oh my god, I want that.” A sing-songy voice interrupted us, reminding me we weren’t alone. When Caz and I broke apart, the EMT put her hands over her mouth. “I’m sorry. Did I ruin your fairytale?”
Caz stared at her, and I could see the wheels turning. She was about to say something sarcastic, but I put my hand on her forearm.
“No need to apologize. We got tied up in the moment.” I didn’t want her to feel bad for our indiscretion.
“That’s what she said,” Caz muttered, and I gave her a side-eye. “What?” she mouthed.
“You two are adorable. How long have you been together?” Her question caught me off guard.
Did I tell the truth and say an hour? Or did I say what it felt like, which was, since before we met? Both answers were ludicrous. Caz was someone who was meant to be in my life, and how long I knew her was irrelevant. What mattered were our interactions and how she made me feel.
Caz never made me question who I was or who I was supposed to be. She encouraged me to embrace my awkwardness. And with her near, I felt empowered to make bold choices. She wanted me to step outside my comfort zone and helped me overcome my self-doubt.
“Long enough,” Caz replied, not waiting for me to get my thoughts in order, but I was happy not to have to answer. She laced her fingers through mine, and thankfully, the ambulance stopped before we had to make any more small talk.
“All right, we have two adult females. One needs a drug and rape kit, and the other needs a possible x-ray,” the EMT spouted to the people holding wheelchairs outside of the lift.
“Do you think Davia raped you?” Nausea bubbled in my stomach upon hearing those words.
“Are you kidding? If I wasn’t giving, I was useless to her.” She rolled her eyes as the man standing below helped her down. “I can walk myself.” She waved him off, but he didn’t take no for an answer.
I gladly took the seat because the less pressure I put on my foot, the better.
“We’ll get you checked in, but the police are here to talk to you,” the woman pushing me stated.
“Okay.” I turned to Caz, who had her hand over her face, probably trying to hide who she was.
Once inside, they took us to separate locations, and I didn’t like that. I wanted to be there for her and know how she was doing.
The woman wheeled me to the X-ray room and left me with someone in scrubs. “Hi, I’m Stacy. I’ll take the images of your foot. Is it all right if I take off your shoe?”
I nodded, but I just wanted this to be over. I knew Caz didn’t think Davia did anything physical to her, but when the cops told her everything they knew, it would be emotional.
After sliding off my Converse, she peeled off my sock, but it was coated in blood, and I flinched. “I’m so sorry, but the cloth has dried to the skin.”
“Rip it off quickly.” I closed my eyes, but they popped open when she screamed.
“Oh my god, the nail came off.” She covered her mouth, and I peeked down at the black-and-blue toe that was covered in red.
No wonder it hurt so badly—it looked like something from a cartoon.
“Let me get your foot up here.” She positioned me in several different directions and took the pictures she needed. “The doctor will be with you shortly to review the findings.” By the grimace on her face, I didn’t need a doctor to tell me it wasn’t good.
“Thanks.” I left my sock and shoe off, and a nurse came and wheeled me to a private room. “Where is Caz?” I questioned before she could leave me there alone.
“I don’t know who that is, but the police need to speak with you.” She shut the door, making me feel like I was about to be interrogated.
There was a knock, and the door opened before I could tell them to come in.
“Ms. Wilbers, I’m Officer Babbs.”
“Hello. Is Caz okay?” Hopefully, he would be more helpful.
“I’m here to discuss Davia Mikaelson.” He opened his notebook and positioned his pen in place.
“What do you mean?”
“How long have you known her?” His voice was laced with suspicion.
“I don’t know her.” What was he getting at?
“Tell me how you knew she was there and drugged Ms. Montgomery.” He tapped his pen impatiently.
“I didn’t know any of that. When I showed Matrix the text from Caz that said she was back with Davia, he said something was wrong and he was going to check on her. But I wasn’t about to let him go alone because Caz is… special, and I wanted to make sure she was okay.”
“Interesting.” He wrote something down.
“Am I a suspect or something? Ask Caz. She’ll tell you I’m her…” How did I finish that?
I definitely wouldn’t say girlfriend after two kisses. Even if they were mind-blowing, I wouldn’t be the one to jump the gun.
“Don’t tell me how to do my job, miss.” He gave me a stern look, and I buckled.
“No. I’m not.” Hot tears rolled down my cheeks. “I just want to be there for her, but I feel like I’m somehow in trouble.” I didn’t handle punishment well, especially when I didn’t deserve it.
“Please don’t cry. I’m sorry.” He handed me a tissue. “It’s my first day on the job, and I want to impress the boss.”
I sniffled. “By making me cry?”
“No!” He shook his big bullhead. “If I caught something they missed, it would make me look good.” He hitched a shoulder up nonchalantly, and I narrowed my eyes.
“So you have no authority to interview me in this manner?”
He appeared scared as his eyes widened, and he swallowed hard. “Miss. I was merely asking the questions that seemed relevant. I want to clarify that I wasn't accusing you of anything.”
“Then let me see Caz, and I won’t report you.” I had no idea if I could report him or not, but the emotional blackmail seemed to work because the next thing I knew, he was wheeling me to her room.
“Are you okay?” I questioned as soon as I saw her lying in bed, staring at the ceiling.
“Dandy. How are you?” She shuddered as she took in my foot.
“It looks worse than it is. What did you find out?”
“Nothing I couldn’t have guessed. There was ketamine in my system. The cops found some embarrassing photos of me and them on their phones, but I was still in the clothes I had on, so they don’t think there was foul play.” Her voice was almost robotic. “Oh, they also took my underwear.”
“Oh my god. I’m so sorry, Caz. How do you feel… emotionally?”
She shrugged. “I guess… stupid for believing Davia could ever change. And violated.”
That was what I had been afraid of. What if the kiss was a trauma response? Or drug-induced?
“You’re not stupid, and this isn’t your fault.” I moved my chair toward the bed, but I didn’t touch her.
She needed a friend right now, and I didn’t want her to think I was taking advantage.
She sighed and reached for me. I hesitated, but she didn’t give me the option as she pulled me closer.
“I know I’m not the one to blame, but I don’t want to be Davia’s victim again. She doesn’t deserve that power over me.” Her crystal eyes were watery, but there was a glimmer of joy inside them, which brought a smile to my lips.
“I don’t think anyone has power over you.” I let out a soft chuckle, but she just shook her head.
“That’s not true.” As she leaned in closer, the sweetness of her taste replayed in my mind. “When I’m around you, I have no control over myself.” She eliminated the space between us, crashing her lips against mine.
I had to know something before I could give in to this kiss. “Are you sure this is what you want?” I asked against her mouth.
She drew back and stared at me. “Are you having second thoughts?”
Now, I put doubts in her mind. “Not at all. I know a lot has happened, and I wanted to double-check to make sure it wasn’t a trigger response.”
“Hmm.” She appeared to deeply contemplate what I said, and my worst fear was coming true. “Will you stop overthinking for one fucking minute and just kiss me?”
I didn’t need to hear anything else. Caz was self-assured and knew what she wanted, which, for some reason, was me. I might not understand it, but I definitely wouldn’t fight it. Instead, I would thank the universe for putting Caz in my life and teaching me to accept the good things without question.