Borrowing the Doctor (The Collins Brothers Book 2)

by Victoria Pinder

  “Did your boyfriend tell you why he’s with you?” Stephanie said in a deliberate show to ensure that everyone heard her.

  “Don’t,” Daniel said, low and clear.

  Kate withdrew her hand from his. What was happening?

  Daniel turned to her, and his eyes pleaded. “You should know I haven’t spoken to Stephanie once I met you, Katie.”

  “He’s lying.” Stephanie smiled at her sister, and Kate wrapped her arms around her waist. “He doesn’t want you to know. You see, Eric begged him to babysit you on this cruise. He’s not your boyfriend at all. He’s the jailer I picked out for you, to keep you away from me.”

  “No,” Daniel said. “I don’t do anything I don’t wish to do. Katie, I’ve been—”

  Kate stumbled to her feet and headed for the door. Once in the back of the chapel, she turned around to face everyone. She stared at her hand. She tried to take the engagement ring off, but the band wouldn’t budge. She dropped her hands to her sides in fists. “I never needed a babysitter. I hope one day to meet a man who doesn’t follow orders. And, Stephanie, I don’t have any family left, including you. Never get in a car accident and need my blood. And that necklace is always going to be mine.”

  Stephanie rocked on her feet. “No. It’s mine.”

  Daniel was rapidly approaching, but she ran out the backdoor. He’d not find her again.

  The deck was full of people enjoying the sunny day. She raced through the crowd.

  Kate refused to cry. She wiped her face, relieved to see it she wasn’t wet. She’d refuse to think about a man who wasn’t hers.

  Chapter 44

  Kate tripped on her stupid flappy heels, twice.

  Halfway down a flight of stairs, she halted. She couldn’t make it back to her room, and she didn’t want to.

  She roomed with Daniel. Would he dare show up?

  If he knocked, she’d shout. It might not be enough to stop him. Her chest was empty and cold. She clutched her hands and shook.

  The world sucked sometimes.

  In a daze, she wandered to the women’s bathroom.

  No other place was safe.

  She locked the stall, and closed her eyes. For the first time ever a man broke her. Kate’s cheeks became wet with tears.

  “Kate.” Gigi. Her heels clicked on the floor.

  Kate took a few deep breaths to choke back her tears. “Go away, Gigi. I’m fine.”

  “Kate, I’m not here to defend Daniel. He’s an idiot.” The louder click of her heels meant Gigi was coming closer. “I’m checking on you.”

  “Who put you up to it?” Kate snarled. “It’s not like anyone does anything about me out of the goodness of their hearts.”

  Gigi’s silver heels were right in front of the door. “Daniel and Liam both believe you are in danger on this ship and that someone tried to kidnap you already.”

  “Who cares? My dad is dead now. They won’t bother me. No one is paying them.” Kate opened the door, but held her breath. “At least they can be honest about what they want and not lie to me.”

  Gigi’s eyes held sympathy. Kate rubbed her arms. She was a lousy judge of character. Kate moved past Gigi to the sink.

  Gigi came to stand next to her and stared into the mirror. “Liar. You love him, though you are justifiably angry at the moment.”

  “You don’t read enough newspapers. I step on men before eating my breakfast.” Kate held her head up, recited the vicious lies she’d read about herself. “Just leave me alone, Gigi.”

  Kate brushed her dress to get out a wrinkle. Then she scurried out the other door, and into the hallway.

  Cruises had nonstop parties. She’d find one, and stay up all night if she had to. Later, she’d get her passport then get off the ship.

  Chapter 45

  Daniel ran back to his room, hoping he’d find Kate there. She’d have to listen to his apology. His palms sweat. Yes, he’d promised Stephanie and Eric before he met Kate, but everything had changed. He enjoyed every day since she stayed in his hotel room. Kate was perfect, and she deserved better. He should have told her.

  He opened the door and froze. Kate’s bag and belongings were scattered all over the floor.

  He swallowed. Some of her clothes had been ripped apart. He went to the phone and dialed his brother. Had Kate been here? He doubted she did this. Liam could investigate the room, but he needed to find Kate. If someone hurt her, he’d never forgive himself.

  His heart pounded, as he scouted the hall. He had to find Kate. Make sure she was safe.

  She’d left the watch with the GPS in their room, so he’d have to do this the old-fashioned way.

  He slammed the door and ran down the hall.

  Kate had to be fine.

  He’d apologize. He’d made that stupid promise to Eric and Stephanie before he’d ever met Kate. And Kate deserved better.

  Chapter 46

  Goose bumps formed on Kate’s neck and body. She inhaled, hit the slot-machine button then swiveled around in her chair.

  She scanned the room. No one she recognized stood near. She almost swiveled back until she glimpsed movement out of the corner of her eye. Her blood froze.

  The other man who had kidnapped her. The one she didn’t know.

  She shot to her feet and kicked off her strappy heels. Then she pushed past them then ran like hell.

  Footsteps echoed behind her.

  Someone was hot on her trail, and Daniel’s shoulders weren’t here to keep her safe. Where should she go? She cleared through the piano bar, ran up the flight of round stairs, and hoped to hide in a dress shop or ask for help.

  Her heart beat fast, and adrenaline pumped in her veins.

  She reached the top stairs and ran into another of her father’s men. She stepped back, and turned around.

  At the bottom of the stairwell, she stared at Harry.

  She swallowed. She had no avenue of escape. She gulped for air and tried to find another way.

  Ouch.

  Harry stepped closer and grabbed her by her hair. Then he dragged her along. “If it isn’t Miss Troublemaker herself.”

  “My father’s already dead,” she said, “please let me go.”

  Harry pinched her neck and the other man shook his head. “You have something we want.”

  The third man she never saw until this trip showed up and had something in his pocket. A gun?

  Kate swallowed hard, and tried to think. She clutched her heels.

  She’d have to find her own way out of this mess.

  Today was not a good day to die.

  Chapter 47

  Daniel met his brothers in the promenade. No one had seen Kate, except Gigi. His mind raced. Something bad had happened to her. His gut told him she needed him.

  He’d find her. He passed his brother for the second time in the past fifteen minutes, but still no sign of Kate. “I should have put my watch on her.”

  “Does she have any electronics of any kind?” Liam asked.

  “The room key.” Daniel nodded. “It’s in her purse.”

  “It might work. We’d have to be in close range if I can even get a scanner,” Liam said, but stepped away. “Daniel, we’ll find her.”

  He sucked in his lip.

  Liam patted his shoulder. “We’ll find her. The ship has a crew. Someone is watching everywhere.”

  Daniel sucked in his breath. He’d comb every inch of this ship. Her disappearance was his fault. His stomach was in knots. His other brothers found them and agreed to pitch in.

  Gerard stared at a schematic of the ship and assigned everyone floors.

  Daniel stopped him. “I need you to question Stephanie about that necklace. It ties in, somehow, and she knows something. You’re the lawyer, so get her to talk. Liam’s working on spy equipment, I guess, which leaves Sean and myself to walk the ship.”

  “I’m on it.” Gerard nodded at Daniel.

  His family kept him level-headed, and soon enough he’d find Kate. She had to be fi
ne.

  Chapter 48

  Kate’s head pounded, but she opened her eyes. The light sent a splitting pain through her brain. Oww. Did they have to knock her out like that?

  Why had Daniel lied to her and used her? Couldn’t she just once get the guy who might fall in love with her and not betray her? Stephanie had set her up. Even in high school, her life was not hers to lead. She sighed and the headache made everything worse. How had she been so stupid? She had been the model citizen of not falling for a guy’s lies. Guess she proved what she knew about herself anyhow. The Kate Sparrow of the tabloids didn’t fall in love. She couldn’t.

  Her relationship with Daniel had been a cruel illusion.

  But now she needed to get herself out of this mess. The gentle rocking meant she was still on the cruise. The room had the same dimensions as her cabin, minus a balcony, but there was a porthole. Did the window open?

  She twisted to get her body up to check and see, but her feet clinked with the chair. Damn. She tugged on her arms, but she was handcuffed behind her back.

  She swallowed.

  She wouldn’t panic.

  She wiggled and moved the chair under her body.

  Did she have her phone? She wiggled. Yes, it was in the secret pocket of her dress. But how could she reach it? And would it even work at sea? Daniel paid for his. She had taken it with her for the time.

  She tapped her foot and stared out the window. How did she pull this off? She needed to get to her phone.

  Chapter 49

  Daniel searched everywhere for Kate’s phone. It wasn’t in the room. She might have that in her dress. Then his stomach dropped. He’d never asked for her number. She had slept beside him, for nights, and he hadn’t bothered with details. He’d find her and apologize. Everything had to be fine. He rubbed his chin. How had he not asked for something so important?

  He checked the room one more time. The phone wasn’t here. She had to have it with her.

  He nodded, gave up the search, and then called Gerard. His brother answered on the second ring. “I’m with Miss Stephanie.”

  “Get Kate’s number, then call Liam,” Daniel told him. “She might have that on her.”

  Then he hung up with Gerard, and he walked down the hall. His fingers had tingles and called Liam. “Her phone isn’t in the room. I think Kate has it.”

  “What’s her number?” Liam asked.

  Daniel shook his head. “I don’t have her number.”

  “Oh. I wait. I do. I’ll get it turned on right now.”

  “How?”

  Liam answered fast. ”I work for the FBI. How do you think we spy on people these days? Phones have chips.”

  Daniel shook his head. “No. How do you have her number?”

  “I asked her for it when she turned out in your cabin as your date. Got it in my contacts. Meet me at the coffee shop in two minutes.”

  “I’m on my way.” Daniel’s hands became fists. “We need to be in time.”

  He hung up the phone and headed up stairs. He’d find her soon. Then he’d apologize until she forgave him. She could stay mad at him, but she needed to be safe.

  Chapter 50

  How did Kate maneuver and get her arms under her legs tied to the chair? Her body twisted unsteadily. Her shoulders bent a bit to pick up her arms. Then she froze. She swallowed at the creak that told her the door opened. She closed her eyes and listened to her father’s men who spoke. She swallowed and sat on her hands. “Kate, where are the numbers?” The shadow of a man stood in front of her. A shiver raced through her, but she kept her eyes closed. “Open your eyes. You’re awake.”

  How would he know? Then she blinked. It was better not to make things worse. She opened her eyes and stared, unsure what to say.

  “Start talking,” the man who she hadn’t recognize said. His slicked back greasy black hair and his dark eyes suggested he was Italian, or Greek.

  “What numbers?” she asked. “I don’t have any numbers.”

  “Your father indicated you or your sister would have what we need.” The man’s chin jutted out below his mouth.

  A shiver would have gone through her, but she held herself together and shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My father hated me.”

  The man kept his hands in his pockets and jingled something metallic. Ice raced down her spine. “If you don’t have the account numbers, we’ll take Stephanie next.”

  Stephanie. Numbers. The papers in her father’s files. Her sister knew far more than she did about Dad. Kate remembered her mother and cringed. She had promised to protect Stephanie. She swallowed, then met the man’s gaze. “What kinds of numbers are you talking about?”

  She bit her lip. Her phone vibrated on her hip, and then stopped.

  “What was that?” the man asked.

  “One of your phones must be on vibrate.” Kate kept her voice steady and smooth, then stared at the man on the left. “Harry? Was it your phone?”

  “She knows your name?” the greasy-haired man asked.

  “Harry attended many parties my father threw.” Kate kept her eyes open and alert. The strange man’s eyes grew darker. “I walked away from my father’s life when I turned eighteen. Harry can tell you my dad and I were not close.”

  “Not my problem,” the hard man told her, then he turned around and addressed the other two men. “Come with me.” The two men stood. The European man said, “We’ll be right back. Think of every numbered account your father has.”

  Kate kept her body still to stop a shiver until she heard the door clicked shut.

  Phew! She scrambled to see if she could lift the chair. The handcuffs chaffed the skin on her legs, but she wiggled.

  Her phone vibrated again. Daniel? She concentrated and maneuvered her chair onto two legs. Then she twisted to get the handcuffs past her feet.

  A smile broke out on her face, and she stepped over the cuffs.

  Amateurs.

  Her phone vibrated for the third time, but this time she reached for it. A New York number flashed on the screen? She shrugged, picked it up, and answered. “I have been kidnapped. Please call the police. I am on a cruise ship.”

  “Katie,” Daniel said, “are you okay?”

  Her eyes misted. He’d help her. “I don’t know where I am on the ship. The room is like ours but with a porthole. Please help.”

  “Keep your phone on and keep talking to me,” Daniel said. “I’m using Liam’s phone tracker. We’ll find you.”

  At least Daniel would get her out of this mess. She kept the phone on her ear, and continued to untie the rope at her feet. “I shouldn’t have run away.”

  “We’ll talk soon,” he promised, and her heart skipped. “Is there any way you can get to fall to the ground, sweetheart?”

  “Yes.” She threw herself down to the floor, and tugged at the ropes.

  Bang! A loud explosion rocked outside. Her heart raced. Was Daniel shot? She licked her lips. Was that a gunshot? She untied the knot on her feet. Good. Then she bite her lower lip and scanned the room for anything to defend herself with.

  Bang!

  Her heart fell into her stomach. Daniel better not be hurt out there. She fumbled but finished unwinding the rope. Her legs were free. She turned to get up and run. A tremble rushed through her as someone crashed against the door. She froze. There was no other way out. Then the door handle twisted. She covered her head and prayed as the door opened.

  “Katie.”

  Daniel. She flew to him. He hugged her close and petted her hair. “Let’s go.”

  “Thank you.” She clung to his solid chest.

  He rocked her a bit, and sighed.

  “I’d never let anyone hurt you.”

  She’d never had a hero, but Daniel had certainly helped her through this nightmare.

  “Let’s get out of here.”

  In the hall, she saw two of his brothers and cruise security. She glanced down and on the ground lay Harry. The other two were missing. She he
ld her hands out and showed everyone her handcuffs, then asked, “Did someone get a key?”