Page 9 of Zombie

“You like her.” Arrow’s voice echoed in my head.

He wasn’t wrong. I was so screwed. For a moment, all was forgotten about giving Chief the folder of evidence showing my “relationship” to Ricci and instead I was focused on a blonde-haired pixie with beautiful blue eyes. I would get the folder to Chief the next free moment I had.

SIX

LENNIE

I sat in bed as Ollie and Gwen catered to my every need. Kade had sent them over once he knew I was home. I’d spoken to Kade to get an update on Evan, who was still in the hospital after being attacked. He was getting stir-crazy, but that was nothing new. He always did after he had been severely injured in combat.

Today I would go and visit him, because I knew if I didn’t, he would check himself out of the hospital just to make sure I was okay.

My phone continued to ping with new notifications. I had text messages galore from Jax, Evan, and Kade. For some reason, part of me was sad to see that I hadn’t gotten a text from Dante yet. He had checked in yesterday to see how I was feeling, but nothing yet today.

I’d first learned of Zombie after Phantom had to come clean about her being undercover and her true identity. I knew losing Arrow, who was not only a teammate but a close friend, had devastated Phantom. It made me wonder how Dante was holding up.

I grabbed my laptop and began typing in my databases. I needed to know more about Dr. Dante Spinelli. Something about him was alluring, and it wasn’t just his looks—though he was totally my type with his sweeping dark-blond hair, deep-blue eyes, and a certain boyishness despite his sharp cheekbones and strong jaw.

My fingers danced over the keys as I researched everything, I could find on him. My searches finally got some hits once I tapped into government databases.

DANTE SPINELLI

AGE 33

MALE

Grew up in Irving, Texas. Doctorate Degrees in forensics and pathology, and a Clinical degree in medicine.

I found several articles from a newspaper in Texas recounting how Dr. Spinelli’s forensic findings had helped lead to the arrest of six murderers. Impressive to say the least. Even though Dante didn’t have social media, he was in photos with his squad members. One picture in particular on Phantom’s Instagram had me smiling and chuckling. It was a picture of Dante and Arrow standing next to each other in matching pink DEFCON shirts. Arrow was beaming, his arm swung around Dante’s shoulders. Dante looked less thrilled. The caption read: I swear Zombie likes us.

“What are you smiling about?” Gwen teased as she walked into the room with a mug of tea in her hand. I jumped and slammed my laptop closed.

She raised an eyebrow. “Listen, if you want to look at porn, be my guest, but I would wait to flick the bean until you are feeling a little better, Len.”

My face scrunched up. “I was not looking at porn!”

Gwen just laughed and shrugged before placing the steaming mug on my nightstand. “No shame in it, girlie. Ollie and I need to get going. Are you going to be okay here?”

I nodded, picking up the hot cup. “Yeah, I’m good. Thank you to you both for coming. It really means a lot.”

Gwen leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “Always got your back, boo-boo.”

As Gwen began to walk away, Ollie walked in with a bag of Cheetos. “I’m stealing these.”

I chuckled as she walked over and gave me a small hug, being sure not to squeeze too tightly.

“Bye, my loves, thank you again for coming,” I said as the girls filed out of my bedroom.

They both smiled and waved, and shortly after I heard the beep of my security system letting me know that the door had been opened.

I was getting ready to take a bath when I heard my phone ping with a text from Dante.

DANTE:

Morning, how are you feeling today? I was hoping that I could see you at some point so I can take a look at your bruises and laceration to make sure no infection is brewing.

I smiled at my phone, loving how technical he was. He was a little awkward, but also sweet.

ME: