Open Wounds (Harbour Bay #2)(76)

At some point during her reflection she wished she had died. She’d felt humiliated and used. Her virginity gone. It wasn’t much in this day and age, but it was hers and it had been brutally taken from her. It should have been her decision to make when and where she lost it and with whom. She had dreamt about rose petals and champagne and instead had gotten a dark alley and garbage.

The hardest part had been remembering the feel of the gun pressed against her temple, knowing that was the end. That she would die. Feelings she never expected to feel, that she would remember for the rest of her life, boiled inside her. She’d been powerless to do anything and had meekly prepared herself for death. Never again would she give up. Life was precious and no matter what, meant to be lived.

Kellie opened the door to Amelia’s room and walked in. Memories swamped her, only this time, their positions were reversed. Would Amelia treat her with disdain? After all, it was Kellie’s fault she was in the hospital. How could she have let her go? It hadn’t just been her, though. They’d both given up. She placed the bouquet of flowers she was carrying on the table beside the bed.

Amelia looked up from the bed, her face pale. She frowned at the flowers.

“What’s this?”

“Flowers. The usual gift when visiting someone in hospital. How are you doing?”

Kellie poured a glass of water for Amelia and handed it to her. She took a grateful sip before leaning back in her bed.

“Better.”

“I’m glad. I wouldn’t want to lose one of my only friends.”

Amelia smiled. “Relax. I believe Nick would be happy to take my place. In fact, I’ve been watching myself around him. I think he’s actually been trying to knock me off.”

She was obviously feeling better. Not even a bullet wound could bring her down.

“Well, he should know better. No one can replace Amelia Donovan.”

“Damn right. So how’s everything going down at the LAC?”

“You mean is everything falling apart without you?” Kellie asked. “Sorry, I hate to burst your bubble, but everything is fine. The boys are handling it.”

Amelia snorted.

“Anyway, I just wanted to come by and make sure you’re okay. Also I wanted to tell you that I’ve filed my report on the investigation today.”

Amelia gnawed on her lower lip and Kellie could see the apprehension etched into her face. The job was everything to Amelia and what she wrote in her report would affect her entire career.

She smiled warmly. “I’ll be proud to call you boss one day.”

The tension left Amelia and she sank, boneless, back onto the bed. “Thank you.”

Kellie shook her head. “I didn’t do anything. Your record speak for themselves. I only confirmed what they and your colleagues have to say about you.”

Amelia turned her head but not before Kellie saw the glistening of tears in her eyes. Who knew Amelia Donovan had tear ducts? She wanted to tease her friend but knew now was not the time. Not when she was clearly so emotional.

When she composed herself, Amelia asked, “How’s Darryl?”

“Good. He’ll make a good recovery.” They fell into silence. A moment later, Kellie blurted, “I love him.”

Amelia nodded. “I know. He’s damn lucky. You could do better,” she joked.

“You know?” she asked, bewildered. She’d only worked it out when the real possibility Darryl had died filled her with such emotional agony that her whole world shattered.

“Sure. We all felt the heat between you two.”

She blushed. Nick had mentioned something along the same lines.

“You don’t mind?”

Amelia shook her head. “I want you happy.”

Kellie sank into the chair beside the bed. “Well, I am.”

“He and I will have words if that ever changes,” Amelia said seriously.

“Still protecting me, I see.”

“Always.”

“I’m glad we got a second chance.”

Amelia gave her a pointed look. “Me too.”

Kellie leaned back against the chair and placed her feet on the side of Amelia’s hospital bed. She started talking about inconsequential stuff at first—shoes she’d seen on sale that she was thinking of getting, who she thought would win the State of Origin later that year—just to keep the uncomfortable silence away. Then the conversation turned to personal and suddenly the years melted away and it was like they’d never been separated, their friendship stronger than ever as they shared their histories from the time they’d parted and about Detective Graham who’d been so inspiring and led them both on the path to their calling.

Hours later, their conversation eventually fell upon Coleani.

“With Coleani gone and his business deemed illegal and repossessed, his boys have scattered to the winds. They’ll be back to try to reclaim his territory.”

“That’s just what we need,” Amelia said.

“When the time comes, we’ll stop it. Today, tomorrow, next month…they’re not taking back this city. It’s ours now. It’s a whole new world out there. Hell, maybe I can finally get the closure I need.”

“Well, you know what they say. Open wounds never heal.”

“That’s true. Very true.”