Where I Belong
Chapter 73

"It's just work related" I lied "Anyway enough about that, what are you feeding me tonight?" I asked. Hearing his laughter on the other end of the phone made butterflies erupt in my stomach.

"I'll feed you whatever you fancy baby just as long as you don't expect me to cook it". Now it was my turn to laugh. Just as I was about to reply my beeper started. "Listen Nate I have to go but I'll call you once I'm finished if it's not too late". "Doesn't matter if it's too late Ava call me at anytime you know that".

"I know I really have to go I'll speak soon bye". Disconnecting the call I placed my phone in my top drawer and left my office.

Leaving my office my stomach dropped when I noticed Josh speaking with two men that looked very much like cops. You have got to be kidding me? Surely he wasn't stupid enough to phone the police? Not that I blame him right enough no one deserves to be attacked at their work place. Walking towards then I stopped as I approached them.

"Dr Mendez this is lieutenant Michelson and his partner detective Jamison. There's been a hit and run and they just want to discuss the patient".

Shaking both their hands I gave them a forced smile. Something told me they already knew who I was especially with the look they were both giving me.

"Nice to meet you but could you maybe discuss it with my colleague here?" I asked as my beeper starter up again. "Josh I'm sure you're capable of taking care of this yes?". Before Josh could answer lieutenant Michelson spoke up. "I'm afraid not Miss Mendez it has to be you. You are in charge here are you not?"

"I am but as you can see I am very busy" I said giving him a tight smile. It didn't have to be me I'm sure Josh could handle it and fill me in later. "Josh will answer all your questions but I really have to go" I said as my bleeped started going once again. "Sorry".

As I started to walk away an arm clamped around my wrist. "We like to deal with the person in charge Miss Mendez".

"Take your hand off of me detective Jamison" Something wasn't right about these two. They gave of a weird vibe and my gut was telling me to get the hell away from them.

"We are only trying to do our job it will only take a short bit of your time".

"And I am trying to do my job now please remove your hand from my arm. I told you Josh can handle it now if you would excuse me" Walking away from them I moved quickly down the halls not realising where I was going until I closed the door behind me.

Turning around I leaned against the door letting out the breath I didn't know I was holding

"A you look like you've seen a ghost what's wrong?" My mom asked.

"Where's dad" I questioned all sorts of thoughts running through my head. Were those guys real cops? Something felt off!

"He had to take care of a few things what's wrong Ava?" She asked again

"Nothing nothing's wrong I- I have to get back to work I'll come and see you later on before you get discharged". With my hand on the door knob I froze as my full name fell from her lips.

"Ava Maria Mendez I know when you are hiding something now tell me what the hell is going on and why you're asking for your dad. You never ask for your dad".

"Nothing is wrong mom" I lied "Now I have to go" Rushing out the door and down the corridor I turned a corner slamming into a hard chest almost falling to the ground if it wasn't for the arms that circled my waist.

"Woah you okay?"

Nate... Nate was here?

Circling my arms around his waist I held him close to me. I was a little freaked out with the way those cops treated me. You don't just grab a doctor like that or speak to one the way they did.

"Ava what's wrong?" He asked pulling back slightly so he could look into my eyes. "You're as white as a sheet what's happened?".

"I'm okay I just haven't had anything to eat yet" I lied. I couldn't tell him the truth I couldn't tell him what was running through my head because if I did and what I thought was true then me telling him would mean involving him and I didn't want that. Nate was too good of a person to be involved with the shit that's been happening.

"Has anyone ever told you you are a shitty liar?" He asked causing my eyes to divert to the floor and my teeth to sink into my bottom lip. "And every time you lie you sink your teeth into your bottom lip" He whispered.

I really needed to stop doing that

"What's really going on Ava and please don't lie to me".

Taking his hand in mine I pulled him in the direction of my office. Once inside I closed the door behind us and leaned against it.

"Maybe it's my imagination or maybe my gut feeling is right". I spoke more to myself than to Nate.

"Babe what are you talking about?" He asked

"Two cops came by before you arrived and something is telling me they are dodgy. There was a hit and run and they specifically said they needed to discuss the patient with me because I was the one in charge. You should have seen the way they looked at me Nate and when I offered that they speak with Josh one of them grabbed me by the arm....-"

"He did what?" He snapped

"He grabbed my arm telling me that they were just trying to do their job but from the first look they gave me I didn't get a good feeling. It's like they already knew who I was because of my dad. Different thoughts started running through my head. What if they were dirty cops working with Vagos?".

Taking both my hands in his he pulled me closer to him. "I think I need to get you out of here and back to my place because I want to know everything that has went on. I want to know everything that has happened Ava. If we are going to give this relationship a go then you have to let me in sweetheart".

Could I tell him everything? I didn't want Nate to get involved because then there was a chance he could get hurt. But could I really tell him everything? Everything right down to when I killed someone?

Yes I could because I trust him...

"I get off at 6 we could talk then?"

"Have you told your dad?" He asked changing the subject.

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"He's away dealing with something but now I'm quite glad I never told him. It may be nothing but my imagination playing tricks on me and knowing my dad he would blow it all out of proportion and put me on lockdown again. I don't need that Nate I don't want to have someone following me around all day. It's never going to stop" I sighed squeezing my eyes shut as my head started to throb.

"It might always be like this baby but you can't stop living your life because of it"

"So I have to walk around like a target waiting for someone to put a bullet in me" I snapped immediately regretting it. "Sorry" I sighed rubbing at my temples. First day back and already it was a disaster.

"I won't let anyone hurt you Ava" Taking both my hands he placed them on his shoulders and pulled me against his body so I was flat against his chest. "We'll talk about everything tonight and then we'll take it from there".

"I killed someone" I blurted out. He wanted to know everything that had happened and that was the worse thing I have ever done. Feeling his grip loosen on me my stomach dropped at what was about to come. I couldn't blame him, who would want to be with me after what I had done? Placing both hands on my shoulders he pushed me back gently so he could look into my eyes.

"Me too sweetheart! You aren't the only one with skeletons in your closet".

What?

Taking a step back from him I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip. How could a sweet guy like Nate have killed someone?

"It was a long time ago" he whispered snapping me out of my own thoughts. "Please don't give me that look Ava I'm nothing like my brother".

I was lost for words. Yeah I had killed someone but I had no choice and if I hadn't of pulled the trigger I'd probably be dead. But not Nate, Nate was one of the good guys he wasn't a killer but then maybe he had no choice either. "Please say something" Moving closer to me he placed his hand on my cheek causing my eyes to close.

"I don't care Nate" I whispered opening my eyes. "I don't care what you have done in your past. I want to be with you I want to give us a proper shot, starting with tonight. I want you to come over I'm going to cook you dinner". Watching the smile appear on his face I couldn't help but match it. "You're smart, funny, beautiful and you cook? I think you're a keeper miss Mendez". He winked causing a laugh to fall from my lips.