Borrowing the Doctor (The Collins Brothers Book 2)

by Victoria Pinder

  “You’ve been so good so far.” Daniel shook his head. Sarcasm wasn’t needed. He needed to think with a clear head. “I’m going to get Kate and go home then. I need to relax.”

  “Security will go with you.”

  Daniel nodded, but his body stayed tense. He’d be no good to anyone if he didn’t stay rational.

  His footsteps echoed heavily on the wood floors. Then he turned around found Kate talking to Gigi, and his mother in the room. He leaned against the door, but stared at her. She talked animatedly about something. Then he knocked to get her attention. “What are you talking about?”

  “Shoes.” Kate nodded. “And clothes. Your mother is a huge Nicole Wyman fan, but what looks good on a movie star isn’t meant to be worn on normal people.”

  Daniel stared into her eyes. “Katie, you ready to go home?”

  She shrugged, like everything was great now. “Okay. If you’re sure.”

  The weight on his shoulders grew heavier. Daniel nodded. “The house is clean. And there are a few things to show you around there.”

  His mother stayed silent, but Kate stood. She turned toward her. “Thank you for the clothes. I’ll get them back here, washed, and pressed.”

  “See that you do,” his mother answered.

  She followed Daniel and her dog out the door, where two armed guards followed behind them. She clutched his arm. “Your mother’s practical. She’s also amazing. I’m glad I ran over there.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. She had to be safe. He stepped back, and ensured they kept walking. His actions made the embrace awkward. “I’m sorry, Katie.”

  “Let’s get back,” she said. “I have some plans to mention.”

  Once at his front door, he unlocked the place. Kate squeezed his hand, then followed him inside. He closed the door behind her, then set the alarm. “This is what you forgot.”

  “I can’t let that happen ever again.” She bit her lip. “Being near you makes me feel safe.”

  “Come.” He motioned for her to follow him upstairs. “Do you know how to shoot a gun?”

  “I’m bad at it, but I’ve been to a range a few times.” She tilted her head and stared at him. “I thought Cape Cod people were anti-gun anything?”

  “If someone is coming at you, lean down, use both hands to stay steady and assume it’s your only shot.” Daniel opened the bottom drawer in his bedroom nightstand. “You need to know this is here.”

  “Why?”

  “The shooter’s not caught.” His shoulders stayed tense. She winced, but then he put his hand on her back. She stared at the run, picked it up and held it. “That’s good.”

  “I’ve been thinking,” she said. “I’ve never seen my father’s body to know if he’s really dead.”

  He froze. “Your father would try to kill you?”

  She nodded. “Yes. And it would be for the company.”

  “He’s dead,” Daniel repeated.

  “I talked to your brother, Sean, about Sparrow, Inc. while you spoke to Liam.” She traced her hand on his back, and coaxed him to relax. “Tomorrow a new management team that is loyal to me will begin work. Sean had the bank accounts changed over to my name. I’ll need to be in Boston’s main office tomorrow to shake hands with investors. I’d like you to be there with me.”

  “You think your father’s alive?”

  “Maybe.” She bit her lip. “If it’s him, he’ll show up to undermine me at Sparrow, Inc. If he’s dead, then it’s someone else connected to Stephanie. She’d stop me, too.”

  His mouth fell open. “You think?”

  She nodded. “I’d like to verify he’s dead because I’ve stopped believing it.”

  Daniel had no idea what to say. His family would do anything for him. It was what family meant. Katie deserved to be safe, not embroiled in this mess. “I’ll be with you the whole time.”

  “Good. I can’t do this on my own.” She squeezed his arm. Then he hugged her. She stayed close and turned her head into his chest. “This is better. If you’re not there, I’m liable to make big mistakes.”

  He rocked her. “How?”

  She shrugged, but stayed tight against his chest. “I’d bite someone’s head off, not listen to a word anyone says, and stay defensive. It’s how they made me friendless and weak.”

  He licked his lips to get her attention. “You’re not friendless or weak.”

  “I have you now, my love.” She gazed at him and her lips puckered.

  He leaned down to kiss her. “Katie, we’ll pull through just fine.”

  He lost his control of everything else, except her kiss and her lips. She tasted like home.

  Chapter 70

  Kate woke up empowered. She could handle today. Daniel was gone, but his side of the bed was warm. He must have just left her side. She stretched, yawned, and then opened her eyes.

  “You’re up finally.”

  Where was he? She sat up, but stayed tangled in the blanket. A sigh escaped her lips. Her sexy husband in his towel and wet hair leaned against the bathroom door. He winked at her, then found a suit in the closet. She stood up, stretched, went to his closet and stared at his clothes selection, “The off black, two to the right. It’s a Sparrow.”

  He moved the hangers until he found the one she pointed out. Then he checked the label. “For someone not working at her father’s company—”

  “My mother’s company,” she corrected him. “It’s my company now. Funny, the only decision I’ve made at Sparrow was hiring Antonion to design our formal wear, and that turned out great. He’s won the most awards.”

  Daniel dropped his towel and flexed his muscles. She laughed. “Were you jealous?”

  He shrugged then stepped into his pants. She covered her lips with her hand. “You’re not putting on underwear?”

  “I’m going to seduce my wife this afternoon.” He winked at her. “But don’t spoil the surprise. She’s going to have a good day where she realizes she’s a smart businesswoman.”

  Daniel’s smile beamed love. Her heart melted, again. She tilted her head. “That’s the plan.”

  “Get showered, Katie.” He threw a white shirt on, but kept it loose. Then he sat on the bed.

  She went over to him and he kissed her shoulder. His face lost his usual scratchy shadow that sent her skin into overdrive. “You shaved.”

  He hugged her waist. “We’re going into my wife’s fashion empire. I thought I better.”

  She nodded. “I’ve never been happy and in charge before. If this keeps up, you’ll never get rid of me, Doctor Collins.”

  He stood up, leaned forward and kissed her. Her arms wrapped around him, and she had enough energy to accomplish anything. “I shower, you cook?”

  “That’s the plan.” He followed her. She sashayed toward the bathroom, and he headed back into the walk-in closet for shoes. “I’ll order moving trucks to get your stuff in Raleigh.”

  She closed the door, and showered fast. The easiness of life with Daniel tempted her. They both ignored her fear of her father right now.

  Finished, she stared in the mirror and took a deep breath. Her eyes read ‘happy’ now. She puffed out her chest. Fear couldn’t exist. She couldn’t let that happen. Daniel’s love empowered her, and she’d get through this. She had to.

  A few minutes later, she found him at the stove and on his phone. She fixed the drinks and found the plates to set up breakfast.

  A limo waited outside their door.

  Good. They arrived, and Daniel stayed close.

  He escorted her inside the building, Kate announced her presence, then directed everyone to the boardroom. Sean had sent his people already to ensure a smooth transition.

  At the door, she stared at the men and women that sat around the boardroom table. They knew she was in charge already. She could read fear in everyone’s faces. They hoped for their jobs and future. At the door, she squeezed Daniel’s hand. “Find my new office for me. I take this meeting alone. I want the
m to see that I call the shots now.”

  “Are you sure?” His gaze narrowed, and he scanned the boardroom through the window.

  “What could go wrong?” Kate swallowed, and hoped, he stayed quiet. She needed to do this. She needed to show her power. “Don’t go far.”

  Daniel nodded, then walked away.

  She rolled her shoulders back, then closed the door behind her.

  Today, she had no choice. She had to win.

  Chapter 71

  “My new board includes Sean Collins. He will review the financial aspects of the company.” Heads nodded.

  Kate kept her gaze on everyone. “He will report where we need progress, but my plan for this company is to return to the ‘allure’ motto. No more pretentious monstrosity. My mother instilled allure into this company’s core values. Besides, practical people desire gorgeous and alluring designs.” Kate smiled then stared at her creative team. “I fought with my father to hire Antonion, and he’s now in charge of the design aspects. His work in formal wear will remain our stable. I will search for more people to join his team. Think Allure in every decision.”

  Antonion’s face broke into a huge smile. She stared at him, and her eyes misted. Then he stood. “Brava, Mrs. Collins.”

  “Kate Sparrow,” Kate said. At home, she’d be Mrs. Collins. Here, she’d be who her mother named her to be. “My mother lived and died to build this company, and I will do her justice.”

  “How?” The hair on the back of Kate’s neck rose. Stephanie’s voice echoed behind Kate. “You lived a horrible lifestyle for years now, sis. Now that you’re married, you get to pretend to know what allure means?”

  Kate’s hands went to her hips. “Aren’t you in jail for attempted murder?”

  Stephanie took a step in the door. “No. That’s crazy talk.”

  Kate’s breath caught in her throat. Goose bumps raced up her arms. Her father was here. She knew it. Kate clasped her hands together, and twisted her head to see out the door. Then she bite her lower lip. Sure enough, her father was there. “Someone call the police.”

  Stephanie folded her arms together and stood at the door. Kate picked up the phone on the conference table. “You won’t get out of here without getting arrested, Dad. Showing up here was a mistake.”

  “Kate.” He stepped closer. “You’re not selling this company to the Collins family. I won’t let you destroy what should be your sister’s. She should be the heir, not you.”

  “You trained her because you were afraid of me.” Kate clutched the phone and listened to the ring. “You never wanted to fight with me. I held the cards you needed. It’s why you set me up to be that party girl.”

  In a flash, her father grabbed the phone out of her hand, then locked her in his grasp.

  Behind her, Stephanie opened a hidden door. Her father faced everyone at the table. “No one will be fired. Everyone’s job is secure. Go back to your desks. Now.”

  Kate clawed at him, but his grip held her throat. Breathing became labored. Her father’s strong hands blocked Kate’s mouth, and he dragged her an inch backward.

  No. She wouldn’t go. Her heels scraped against the floor. She used her nails to dig into her father’s skin, and twisted to knee him.

  She came close. She had to act now. She wouldn’t disappear. Her elbows pushed against him, and she fought.

  Darkness waited behind her. A chill raced down her spine.

  Then something pushed her and her father forward. In the jostle, he released her neck. She scrambled to her feet, and stared back.

  Daniel and his broad shoulders. Kate’s heart swelled. Daniel reached out to help her.

  Stephanie’s blond hair zipped past her, but Kate grabbed her fast.

  Daniel jumped forward and flew past her.

  The men tussled, and Kate held her sister. Stephanie wiggled to be free, but Kate gripped her firmer. “You’re not going anywhere, sis.”

  Then Daniel delivered the final blow, and her father fell backward onto the floor, unconscious.

  Kate nodded and stared at Daniel. He shook the punch off his hand.

  They’d won.

  Chapter 72

  Kate took a deep breath as the officer handcuffed her sister and her dad. She arched back to stand in Daniel’s arms. He smelled of the forest and testosterone. She closed her eyes and licked her lips. “I’m glad you didn’t wear that underwear, handsome. You were right.”

  Daniel grunted, and stared at the police car.

  Her entire body felt light and free.

  Another officer approached. “Who’s Antonion Rochere?”

  “The best fashion designer in the world.” Kate smiled. “Was he the one who spoke to the police?”

  “Yes,” the officer said. “You’re both lucky. I don’t like fathers who kidnap daughters and intend to kill them off. Makes my blood boil. Something’s mentally wrong with these people.”

  “Follow every procedure,” Daniel warned him. “The man’s army of lawyers don’t need any argument to get him out.”

  The officer nodded. “Agreed.”

  Kate held Daniel’s hand, and they walked over to the police car with her sister. Her father was in the other.

  Kate stepped out of Daniel’s arms and rubbed her arms. At the open window of the police cruise sat her sister, in handcuffs. She called out to her sister, “Stephanie, did I do anything to make you hate me or was this all about greed?”

  “You never let me take care of myself.” Stephanie glared at her. “Dad needed me.”

  Kate’s brow wrinkled. She didn’t understand. She opened her mouth, but Daniel rubbed her back. She turned back to him.

  “Katie, don’t let her get to you.” Daniel’s hand stayed on the small of her back. “She wants to confuse you. The scent of greed is all over what she did.”

  “Daniel, tell Eric I miss him?” Stephanie’s high voice held mock sympathy.

  “He joined the Marines, and will be far away from you,” Daniel shot back.

  “Let’s get home, my love.” Kate stayed next to him, and they returned to the limo.

  The darkened windows ensured they had total privacy. She unbuckled her seatbelt, and scooted to sit on top of his lap.

  His eyebrows arched.

  “When we were on the ship, I moved our beds together to get you to stop screaming.” Daniel traced her legs. “What were you afraid of?”

  She settled on his lap, and her hands wrapped around his shoulders. “I feared I’d fall in love with you, then lose the only hero I ever had.”

  “That’s silly.” His chin rested in her neck, and his shadow began to grow back. Her skin became aware of him, and he wrapped his hands around her waist. “I love you.”

  She rolled her head back and laughed. Then she curled into him and stared back at him as he played with hair. “Do we have to wait till we get home to see what’s growing inside your pants?

  He shook his head ‘no,’ then brought her back down for a kiss.

  She rolled him backward onto the seats.

  Love had won the day.