Desire (Desire, Book 1) - By Missy Johnson Page 0,68

as I looked around the room. I couldn’t see him. “He’s in the living room.” Ara said, seeing my confused look.

Oh. I struggled to sit up, letting Ara place my bathrobe around my shoulders. My stomach fluttered, but not from pain. This was excitement. He’d come to see me. As I walked into the living room I caught sight of Devon sitting on the couch. I stopped, all the joy rushing from me. He wasn’t alone. He was with the older man from yesterday. This wasn’t a social call. I sat down.

“Hello Kaitlin, how are you feeling?” I cringed at the formality in his voice. He wouldn’t even look at me. And what was this Kaitlin business?

“Fine. I’m fine thanks.” I cleared my throat.

“We need a statement from you regarding yesterday’s attack, if you’re up for that.” Devon said.

Oh. So that was why he was here. He wasn’t here to see me, he was here because he had to be.

“Uh, sure.” I propped myself up on the couch with pillows, not meeting Devon’s eyes.

“Can you tell us what happened? What you remember?” The older man addressed me, while Devon sat, pen poised on his notepad, eyes down.

“I had gone into work for my pay check. I’d just resigned, and was picking up my final pay.” I began, sneaking a glance at Devon. His mouth was in a tight line, and his expression was hard. I fought back tears, “Charlie came in while I was there.”

“You knew Charlie, then?” Detective Maslow asked. I nodded.

“He was my English lit professor, and also my, uh, client.” I looked down as the words tumbled out of my mouth.

I didn’t want to know whether Devon was looking at me, and I sure didn’t need to see his face to know he was angry. I could feel it.

“How long was Charlie a client of yours?” Detective Maslow asked.

“A few weeks maybe? He was my only client.” I added, my face flaming. I knew that probably made no difference, evidence wise, I just wanted to make sure Devon knew that.

“Kaitlin, it’s okay. You’re not on trial here. He’s the one who attacked you.” Detective Maslow spoke in a soft voice, his expression sympathetic.

I almost laughed. I’m not on trial? Tell that to Devon!

“Go on.” He pressed.

“I started the job as a receptionist after Neri and Sam came to live with me. I’m in my final year of college, so I needed something flexible to work in with the kids and my schooling. I didn’t realize where the job was when I first had the interview. The people were lovely though, and it paid well. So I took it. The job, that is.” I paused as Devon let out something that sounded like a cross between a laugh and a cough. I shot him a look. He looked down, avoiding my eyes. Detective Maslow raised an eyebrow at Devon, who shrugged.

“Sorry.” He muttered, cocking his head to the side, eyes still firmly planted on his notepad.

“So Neri needed money for a camp. She told me it was going to cost ten grand. Some pre-med camp that was going to pretty much guarantee her entry into Yale.” I added, quickly, realizing that it sounded like one hell of an expensive camp.

“When Charlie walked in, I was embarrassed and shocked. But then he asked for me. He offered me a grand for a standard appointment. One grand for half an hour. I’d put my siblings through so much, I just wanted to be able to give her this.” My voice shook as I took a moment to breathe.

Do not cry, I begged myself.

“So you went to pick up your pay?” Said Detective Maslow. I glanced at him gratefully.

“Yes. Charlie came in. He was so angry when I told him I had left. He went to hit me, so Barry, the security guard, threw him out.” I took another deep breath. What came next was blurry.

“I left shortly after. Barry walked me to my car, but then I realized I’d left my purse inside. I was only a few feet from the door, so I raced over. He came out from behind the building, grabbed me, and…I-I kind of blacked out.” My voice choked.

Ara wrapped her arms around me, kissing my cheek. I jumped, not realizing she was in the room. She sat down next to me, holding my hand.

“I remember him saying ‘I couldn’t just cut him off’. If I wouldn’t give it to him, he’d take it because I