“I need to talk to you about something after we finish breakfast,” Neil said, his tone serious.
“Has something else happened? I heard the phone ring earlier. Is everything okay with your family?”
“Yes, my family is fine.”
Kate had eaten maybe half of a pancake. She just couldn’t get any more down. “I’m done. I just can’t eat with everything going on and now you have more to tell me. Is it ever going to end?”
“Let’s go inside so we can talk,” Neil suggested. When they took their trays into the kitchen, he asked her to have a seat on the sofa.
“Before you woke up this morning I made a call to a security firm that we do business with. I have hired them to protect you when you go anywhere without me.”
Kate looked at him with wide eyes. “What? You want someone to follow me around all day? Do you really think that is necessary?”
“I think that, given the circumstances, it would be a good idea for you to have protection when you leave home. Roger has proven that he is resourceful.”
“Well, it’s going to be pretty hard for him to find me at school.”
“He knows what kind of car you drive. He just needs to find your car and follow you. It will be easier for him than you think.”
“But it’s a huge campus with multiple parking lots and countless buildings. He has no idea what classes I take. I can’t imagine that he would find me.”
“He didn’t have any trouble finding you at work.”
“But that’s different. It wasn’t a stretch for him to figure out that I transferred to another store. In fact, it was stupid of me to think that would have worked.”
“That’s why I wanted you to quit your job to begin with,” Neil said, aggravated that the conversation wasn’t going the way he planned. “But you wouldn’t listen to me.”
She scowled when she heard his “I told you so” comment. She wasn’t ready to totally give up her independence and have him be in control of everything. Their relationship was still too new for her to rely on him completely. But here she was, having to rely on him for a place to live and a job. It went against her nature and how she had been raised to not expect anyone else to take care of her.
“I know that I didn’t listen to you. I need you to understand that it is difficult for me to count on another person, especially a man. I couldn’t count on my father ever. He wasn’t there for me. His lack of providing has made it difficult for me to trust.”
“I’m not your father, Kate. I’m the man who loves you and wants to protect you. I’m not going to let you down like he did.”
“I know you’re not my dad. It’s just hard for me to accept. I feel like everything has happened so fast. Me being in danger has put our relationship into overdrive.”
Neil took Kate’s hand. “I really would feel better if you had security. If Roger is a killer, wouldn’t you feel better having a former Navy Seal looking after you and protecting you if necessary?”
Kate sat there staring back at him. How had her life become so complicated and out of her control? She wanted some control back, but that seemed out of her reach right now. “Okay. I agree with you that security is a good idea. When do they start?”
“When you return from Minnesota,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.
“I appreciate you doing that for me,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m so sorry to put you through so much trouble.”
“You are not trouble, Kate. I want to keep you safe.”
“You do know how to get your way, don’t you, Mr. Statton?”
“I sure do. Right now, I just want my way with you, baby,” he said scooping her up in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck. She could see where this was heading.
“Hold on tight, baby,” he whispered.
Chapter 7
Roger woke up, realizing that he was going to have to end this fling with Rose sooner rather than later. She was too clingy and needy. He hated that in a woman. Sure, she was beautiful and great in bed, but it was annoying that she didn’t seem to have anything going on in her life. She had been available to him every night since they met, either spending the night at her house or at his apartment. He liked her, but she hadn’t taken his mind off of Kate. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to juggle her, Kate, and Paulina when she arrived with Jacob in a few days. Something was going to have to give.
He had made excuses not to see Rose over the weekend. He told her that he had plans with friends that he couldn’t get out of. She tried to invite herself along, but he didn’t answer her. He was going to spend the weekend looking for Kate at Nordstrom again. It was his best bet for finding her. Perhaps the woman he spoke with had been protecting Kate and had lied about her quitting. It just seemed too convenient that she had quit the week before he was looking for her.
If he struck out at Nordstrom, he would go to SDSU on Monday morning and drive around looking for her car. If he spotted it, he would just wait for her and follow her home. The only problem was that there were several places that she could park and he could spend time perusing one area and she could leave from another area. Maybe she was even parking in a different structure each day. He doubted that she had a different car. If she had, then he would have to actually spot her leaving campus.
He would go to Charlie’s work on Monday afternoon and follow her in case she and Kate were still roommates. He had a lot of surveillance to do, but finding Kate would be worth all of the time and effort. He was sure that deep down, she was wanting him to find her.
***
San Diego State had been a huge disappointment. He couldn’t find Kate’s car in the two structures that he searched. By the time he made it to the third structure, he realized that she would be gone. “Damn it,” he said, hitting the steering wheel. This was taking too long. His best chance would be later at Charlie’s work.
He made it to Charlie’s office about four-forty-five. He drove around the parking lot, but didn’t see her car. He decided to wait just in case she had bought a new car. He stayed until six, but he never saw her leave the building. This day had been a total waste of time and he was no closer to finding Kate.
He went home and decided to drown his anger by pulverizing the punching bag for a while. But, that didn’t work. He needed Rose’s body to take away the disappointment of not finding his Kate. He would see how far he could push things when he fucked Rose. It wouldn’t be fun for her tonight, but she was so desperate for love she’d take everything that he had to give her and more. She would make him feel better.
Chapter 8
Wednesday rolled around and Neil was going to spend his lunch break taking Kate to the airport. He wanted to make sure that she got there okay and caught her flight without any problems. She had checked online to ensure that her flight would be on time. Having packed only one bag, it was small enough to carry on. As she didn’t want to check her luggage, she wore the coat that she would need for Minnesota and took only the shoes on her feet.
Neil pulled up to the terminal to drop her off. She had her ticket ready and was going to check in with the skycap. Neil put his hand on hers.
“I’m going to miss you, baby. I wish that I could go with you.”
“I’m going to miss you too, but it will only be for a couple of days.”
“I know, but it is going to be tough.”
“I’ll have my brother. He’s meeting me at the plane. He’ll be good moral support.”
“I’m glad you two are close. How’s he taking the loss of your dad?”
“He really hasn’t said too much about it, but he feels that dad abandoned him, as well.”
“Are you ready?”
“Yes,” she said. “I just need some tissues.”
“I think there are some in the glove compartment,” he said, leaning over to open it. He then reached down to pop the trunk and opened the car door. Kate found the tissues, but she also noticed a small photo album. She took it out and put it in her purse without N
eil seeing. She wanted to take some pictures of him with her as a small comfort whilst away. Neil had already taken out her luggage and had placed it on the curb. He turned to hug her tight. He didn’t want to let go. Wrapped in Neil’s arms felt like being wrapped in a warm towel just out of the dryer on a cold winter’s night—safety and love rolled into one gorgeous package.
***
Roger was circling the terminal to pick up Paulina and Jacob. He nearly caused an accident when he spotted Kate hugging some man. He pulled up, stopping practically right behind them. They didn’t notice him. He opened his glove compartment and took out a pen and paper jotting down the license plate number. He would have Rose run the plates and get an address on this guy. He couldn’t believe that he had just stumbled upon her. It was fate. He was meant to find her. This validated that she was the one for him.
Searching so far had been a waste of time. He finally realized that she had actually quit her job. No doubt that this guy had talked her into it. SDSU had been pointless. Following Charlie had been a bust, too. She wasn’t at work the day he went there.
To think, he was running into her here at the airport.
He wanted to follow whoever this guy was home, but he couldn’t since he had to pick up Paulina and Jacob. He pulled out to circle again. He couldn’t risk Kate seeing him. She had already turned and walked up to the check-in. He smiled broadly just like the day that he first talked to her on the phone. Everything was falling into place.
Suddenly a worrisome thought crossed his mind. Where was she going and how long would she be gone? She only had one bag, so it couldn’t be for more than a few days. At least it didn’t look like she was leaving and never coming back. He would give it a few days and then he would begin watching this guy’s place. Coming up with an excuse for his absence to placate Paulina would be simple.
***
Kate wheeled her suitcase behind her as she made her way to security. The line was long, but she had plenty of time. She stood in line behind a couple who looked very much in love. They reminded her of Neil and her. She wondered if they were going on their honeymoon. She noticed her brother about ten people ahead of her. Seeing him relaxed her, and she was glad that she wouldn’t have to fly alone. He was only two years younger and they had always been very close, so she would cherish this time with him, thankful that he was good company.
She thought that she would catch up with him once she made it through security, but a woman in front of her ended up being searched, causing her to be delayed. She finally found her brother at the gate.
“Hey, Bro!” she said, hugging him. “It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too,” he said, hugging her back. “Are you ready for this?”
“As ready as I’m ever going to be,” she said.
“Yeah, me too. I have to tell you that I’m not looking forward to the funeral at all. I haven’t had anything to do with dad since I was twelve-years-old. But I’m going to pay my respects.”
“I know. He was a lousy father. I know it means a lot to Aunt Donna that we attend and she has always been really good to us.”
“Yes, she has.”
An announcement was made that they would start boarding the plane in a few moments. Kate just wanted to get on the plane so that she could get this all over with. She felt somber to say the least and she hated leaving Neil. He had been her rock during the past couple of months.
***
Kate and her brother settled into their seats. The woman sitting in the window seat was staring blankly out the window. She seemed to be contemplating something. Kate was sitting next to her in the middle seat and her brother had the aisle. She buckled up and felt a knot grow in her stomach. For some reason, she always dreaded taking off in a plane. It felt like her stomach was falling out of her body. The idea of something so big being able to fly was a mystery beyond her comprehension.
Once the flight departed, the woman looked over at Kate. Her natural beauty was astounding. She was completely gorgeous and didn’t have on an ounce of make-up. She smiled graciously. “Are you traveling for business or pleasure?” she asked nonchalantly.
“Neither. We’re going to our dad’s funeral. He passed away a couple of weeks ago.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m going to a funeral as well.”
“Was it someone that you were really close to?” Kate asked.
“He was the one who got away—my college sweetheart,” the woman answered. She had to stop for a moment to collect herself as her big blue eyes filled with tears. “I always thought that we would get back together somehow, but I was foolish. I didn’t let him know that I still loved him.”
“I’m so sorry. That is terrible. You must be a wreck,” Kate said.
“I have been a wreck since I got the call from his best friend. Well, actually, he was our best friend in college. The three of us were inseparable for four straight years.”
“Wow, you were together for a long time. Why did you break up, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I don’t mind. I took a job as a nurse in San Diego and Tim, my ex, stayed behind in Minnesota. I assumed that he would follow me out. He told me that he didn’t want to leave his family, but I figured that he would just do what I wanted. We ended up breaking up over it. I tried to control him and it obliterated our relationship.”
She looked down at her hands in her lap and Kate’s heart broke for her a little. The woman next to her had lost out on years of love, just like she had lost time with her dad.
Kate put her hand to her chest. “It sounds like you never got over him.”
“I didn’t. I dated other guys, but I always compared everyone to him. No one has stood a chance with me. I had recently gotten in touch with Tim and his best friend Aaron over Facebook. We had been communicating for the past couple of months. I was actually thinking about quitting my job and moving back to Minnesota to see if we could make a go of it. But Tim was in a car accident last week and didn’t make it.”
This sounded all too familiar to Kate. She had been like the woman sitting next to her. She lost her love David and had avoided men for years. That was until Neil came along and demanded that she love him. She had tried to resist him, but couldn’t. She loved his strong, commanding side.
“I know what it is like to lose a boyfriend. My high school boyfriend died in a car accident when we were sophomores in college. I thought that we were going to get married.”
“That must have been devastating for you. How have you gotten through it?” she asked with great despair in her eyes.
“It has taken a few years of therapy and meeting someone new, who opened my heart to love again. I hadn’t dated anyone for almost three years. Then I met an amazing man who has completely swept me off my feet. Opening myself up to him has helped me to let go of my old boyfriend.”
“I’m glad that you have been able to move on. I guess I just kept thinking that we would get back together. I know that was silly of me. We have been apart for ten years, leading our own lives. But when we reconnected and I found out that he had never married, I figured it was just a matter of time before we were together again,” she said, rubbing her arms.
“It’s understandable. Letting go of love is the hardest thing to do. Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s not like you knew he would be in an accident,” Kate said, trying to console the woman. She understood what she was going through. She had blamed herself for David’s death for years.
“It’s hard not to blame myself. I left him and then expected him to come chasing after me when he told me flat out that he wouldn’t. I didn’t realize how foolish I was being. I took love for granted and missed out on years of happiness with Tim. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be,” she said, gazing off into the distance for something that wasn’t there.
“Oh, you can’t blame yourself. One of the reasons I needed to go to counseling was because I allowed the guilt of David dying stop me from living. It has been real
ly helpful to work through that incorrect assumption. It gave me closure.”
She grew quiet for a few moments, seemingly deep in thought. Kate didn’t say anything else. She turned to her brother, whom she had forgotten about. He was listening to his iPod, oblivious to the conversation that had taken place. Must be nice to be a guy sometimes.
The flight attendants came around with drinks and peanuts. Kate got a Sprite. She didn’t want anything with caffeine as she already felt jittery enough. She sipped on it for a few minutes. Then she decided that she would take out her Kindle and read. When she opened her purse, she saw the album that she had taken out of Neil’s car. She had so much on her mind that she had forgotten all about it. She opened it up, expecting to see pictures of Neil. Her eyes widened, not believing what she was seeing. The first picture was of Neil and a woman she assumed was Elizabeth, in Italy. Normally, this would not be surprising, but the resemblance between herself and Elizabeth was uncanny. She was a ringer for Neil’s dead wife. She sat there staring at the picture, not sure what to do. Emotions were crashing over her like the waves in the sea.
“When did you and your boyfriend go to Italy?” the woman asked, glancing at the album.
Kate didn’t know what to say. She was speechless. Should she just make something up? She really didn’t want to disclose that she was the look-a-like for her boyfriend’s dead wife. But she couldn’t think of a good lie, so she told the truth. Telling a complete stranger seemed harmless somehow.
“This isn’t me in the picture. I took the album out of my boyfriend’s car when he dropped me off at the airport. He doesn’t even know that I have it. I found it in the glove compartment when I was looking for a tissue,” she said, running her hand through her hair.
“Oh, she just looks so much like you. Who is she then?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s his wife. She died of cancer not long after they were married.”
“Did you know that you two looked this much alike?”
Taken By You Page 6
