You Can't Run by Hope Davis (best way to read books .txt) 📗

shrugged as she placed her coffee on the table by the door to slip on her socks and shoes. “I just like the idea of men and women being equals in a relationship. Again, maybe it’s because I’m a cop, but this isn’t 1890, if I’m with a man it’s because I want to be, not because I need him to survive.”

He opened the door and held it open for her as she grabbed her coffee and exited, then he handed her his coffee so he could use both hands to lock the door.

“And as a man, I don’t want a woman who relies on me for everything. I want her to be able to stand on her own two feet. It’s crazy how quick emotions and stress can get out of control when someone is relying on you for everything.”

Naya had never thought about it from the guy’s perspective, but he was right. If you were expected to single-handedly support your woman and any children, it could put a lot of stress on your shoulders that may be hard to handle.

She handed Kevin back his coffee as they headed for the truck. Once they were inside, she set her coffee in the cup holder and sent a quick text to Vance, making sure he was feeling alright, and that everything had gone well the night before.

“Did you want to stop for food before I drop you off?” Kevin asked politely. “Usually, I would have offered to cook but that would take time, and I know you’re in the middle of a case right now.”

She shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m already going to be late as it is, and I’ll have to explain why to Atlas.”

She pinched the bridge of her nose. Like Kevin always did, she knew Atlas would be able to read her like an open book and he would know exactly why she was late.

“So is you not answering a ‘no’ then?” Kevin asked as he kept his eyes on the road.

Naya looked over at him, observing the way his jaw was clenched. It seemed like he was a bit nervous too. “Can I think about it? It just feels a bit fast for me is all.” She explained.

Kevin kept his face stoic but she saw his shoulders drop a bit. He was disappointed. “Of course.”

They pulled up in front of her house and Naya noted that there were indeed two additional vehicles parked out front with the ones that belonged to her and Vance. Trevor and Sebastian must’ve both spent the night.

She leaned across the center console and gave Kevin a quick peck on the lips.

“Can I see you tonight?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I can text you when I get off?”

“Okay, I’ll probably be here anyway. I’m going to go home and shower and stuff, but I told your parents and Vance that I would spend the day with them.”

Naya rolled her eyes. “How is it that my parents instantly adopted you into our family?”

“Because Vance isn’t the only one who can tell I’m a good guy.” He smiled at her seductively as she stepped out of the car.

She rolled her eyes again. “Sure, bye, text me.” She sassed, shutting the door she sprinted inside to change.

She was done and back in her car within five minutes. She had peaked her head in on Vance on her way out and he had been sound asleep. She had been tempted to check the living room for Trevor and Sebastian but hadn’t wanted to risk waking them.

It was just after nine when she got to her desk, but sure enough Atlas was already there and her late arrival didn’t escape him.

“Tsk-tsk You’re late to your overtime Saturday shift. How dare you have a life outside of work.” He didn’t even look at her as he said it, clearly too engrossed in whatever else he was doing though he said it lightheartedly.

Naya tossed her pad of sticky notes at the back of his head but she was blushing and didn’t say anything about it for fear he would look up.

She slid into her chair and powered up her computer to check her emails. She had access to them on her phone, but it was almost dead from not being charged at any point during the night. She hoped what measly battery power remained would be enough for the seven or so hours she was about to spend here.

“Any new developments?”

“Nada. I was hoping maybe something would miraculously come through late last night, but I’m sure now we won’t see anything ‘til Monday.”

“Does that mean we’re taking tomorrow off?” The minute the words left her mouth she could tell they sounded much too excited and that she shouldn’t have said anything.

Atlas finally lifted his head and looked at her. “Why, you have a hot date?”

She blushed bright red and Atlas chuckled.

“So that’s why you were late. This is a development!” He spun his chair to face her. “So, you better tell me about him just in case you wind up missing.” The beaming smile on his face teasing.

“Like anyone could kidnap me.” She retorted as she noted there was nothing of use in her inbox and minimized the screen. He was far too excited in her opinion.

Atlas was still waiting patiently for the details, but Naya ignored him and instead pulled up an internet search engine to resume her research from before.

Realizing he wasn’t going to get any juicy details out of her, he changed the subject as he pulled up his own search engine.

“What should I be looking into?”

“Well, he is clearly injecting them with something that doesn’t show up in an autopsy. So, it must be something that is already in the human body. I want to know what benefit he would get from