by Kell, Sheila
Jesse walked into the room and stopped. He moved forward with an outstretched arm. “That’s my wife Jen and Reagan when Reagan was one month old.”
Kate handed him the picture. “She’s beautiful.”
He looked at the photo, tenderness in his eyes. “Yes, she was.”
He looked back at Kate. “The guys are here, so I need to go. You can settle in. I won’t wake you when I come to bed, but tomorrow we’ll finish what we started a few minutes ago.”
“Dammit, Jesse! I should be at this meeting. We’ve discussed this. Don’t leave me out.”
“Kate, I’m not trying to leave you out. We’re going to discuss security, that’s all. There’s no need for you to be a part of that. Get some rest.”
She studied him. “Okay, Jesse. If I find out you discussed this case without me, you’re going to regret it.” She had no idea what she’d do, but she’d think of something if the time came. She had to trust him right now that they were only going to talk about security.
He laughed at her. Laughed. She envisioned wringing his neck. Before she could say anything else, he leaned down and gave her a quick kiss then turned to leave the room, taking the photo of his late wife with him.
“I ought to sneak down there and listen,” she muttered to herself. Then she looked at the comfy looking bed and decided that was a better idea. She knew enough about security that she didn’t need to listen to them hash out their schedules.
As she searched in her bag for something to sleep in, she thought about the opportunity she had. Both Jesse and Reagan were here, under the same roof. She didn’t know how much longer she’d be with them but knew she had to use every bit of that time to get them both to love her.
As she put on a t-shirt and shorts, she remembered tomorrow was Jason’s birthday. She should have mentioned it to Jesse. She’d love for the two of them to meet. Jason could use a male figure in his life right now. She knew he still grieved for his parents.
She climbed into the massive bed, choosing the side opposite where Jen’s picture had been.
Jason was important to her. She wouldn’t let Jesse stop her from seeing him tomorrow, technically today.
She’d wanted to stay awake until Jesse returned, but found herself asleep within minutes.
* * * * *
“You put Kate in your room.” Brad’s anger seeped into his voice.
“Yeah. So what if I did?” Jesse narrowed his eyes at him. He wasn’t some little schoolboy. He was a grown man. So what if he put her in his room?
“You’re fucking her, aren’t you?”
He crossed his arms across his broad chest. “Be very careful, Brad.”
“You’re too personally involved with her to provide protection,” Matt injected into the conversation.
Jesse stared at his brothers. They had never ganged up on him before. “Fuck you. I can protect her. What we do has no bearing on this.”
Brad pointed his index finger at Jesse. “You’re the one who told us never to get involved. Besides, it’s part of the basic rules for protection. Everyone knows that. You’re putting her at risk.”
Jesse stared at Brad. He knew the golden rule of protection, but it was Kate. His Kate. He wasn’t going to leave her alone because of some stupid rule. He wouldn’t do anything to put her life in jeopardy. He would give his life for hers. His gritted his teeth.
“I hope you know what you’re doing. Not only for her protection but to Reagan. She’s going to see you two together and hasn’t seen you with anyone before. She may get the wrong idea.”
Jesse startled them by responding, “No, Devon. She’ll get the right idea.” Before his brothers could form a retort, he said, “AJ’s here. Let’s get started.”
He knew he wanted Kate to stay with him, but what would happen if Reagan bonded with her and she didn’t want to stay? She’d finally given in and slept with him. That had to mean something. It had to. He couldn’t contemplate her leaving.
AJ walked up to his brothers and noticed the tension. “Something I need to know about?”
“Yeah, Jesse’s fucking your partner.” Brad crossed his arms over his chest.
“Asshole.” Jesse didn’t want to have this conversation with AJ right now. He needed to ensure the women and girls were safe. Having them all under one roof was a huge relief to him.
“What? It’s true. You can’t hide it when you have her sleeping in your bed.”
Jesse wanted to punch Brad. He wouldn’t leave it alone. He knew how AJ would react.
“Is this true, Jesse?”
He cleared his throat. This had gone on long enough. “Don’t start throwing punches again, AJ. It’s none of your business.”
“Bullshit. You’re using her. I warned you about hurting her.” AJ’s hands fisted at his sides ready for a fight.
“Back off, AJ. I’m not going to hurt her. She’s mine.”
Those two words ended the conversation. Brad, Devon and Matt looked at each other and smiled. AJ wore a disbelieving frown and swore.
“Now, we have a killer to catch.” Jesse walked away from them toward the men. “All right men, let’s get going. Ken, you have a team outside already?”
“We’re covered. We put the FBI detail inside, out of the way.” The men looked at AJ and chuckled. “Does this mean we’re still on to give Ambassador Hahn a couple of men the next two days?”
Shit. He’d been so focused on keeping Kate and Reagan safe he’d forgotten about that assignment. “Can you make it work? You have me, Brad and Matt to add to the mix.”
Ken nodded. “We can cover the house and the detail. We’ll only need Brad and Matt when Emily takes Amber to the doctor.”
Jesse wouldn’t leave any holes in protection, but they had promised Ambassador Hahn these men months ago. He’d never cancelled an assignment.
“I’ll keep Kate here, so there won’t be any problems. Now, I’m sure you’ve all heard of the new note. We’re giving it to AJ for prints, but we’re not holding our breath. You’ve done an excellent job protecting them to this point. Having them in one place should make this easier for you, but don’t relax assuming our system will catch someone. We have the best there is to offer, but no system is failsafe.
“We’ll limit the women to the house, except for Amber’s appointment. I’d prefer they weren’t out in the yard, so don’t let Reagan sweet talk you into taking her out to play.” He stopped for the snickers around the room. The men were a push-over for Reagan. “He’s going to try again. Be ready, everyone.” He turned to Devon. “Dev?”
Devon cleared his throat. “I hate to say this, but we need more time. Joe picked up Ed’s trail again, so hopefully, we’ll have him soon. No hits on hiring out the Facilitator.”
It had never taken his team this long to find someone. “Ed’s our key. Find him.”
The men dispersed and Jesse turned to Devon. “Something is really bothering me. I’ve got someone I want you to check out and dig and dig. There’s something there that we are missing.”
Devon surprised Jesse after he’d disclosed the name of the person he wanted checked out. Devon had already started to do some digging on the person himself.
Jesse walked into his bedroom, stopped and smiled at the glorious sight of Kate curled up in his bed. He never thought he’d have another woman there after his wife died. Never thought there would be any place in his heart for any other woman. He stopped himself. His heart? No. Not his heart.
His brothers had made a great point about Reagan. He had to consider her feelings. She wasn’t old enough to understand. Or was she? She’d never seen him with a woman. He’d never brought one home, specifically because of her.
He undressed and slid into bed, pulling Kate to him. She didn’t wake but cuddled up with him. He relaxed with her safely in his arms. He’d find a way to explain to his daughter why she was in his bed. And, although Kate didn’t know it yet, she was moving in with them when this was over. She was going to be a part of their lives.
He dropped off to sleep worrying about his daughter’s reaction to Kate sleeping in his bed, her reaction to Kate being there all of the time, her reaction to his touching and kissing Kate in front of her and, worst of all, her reaction if Kate died because he screwed up again.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Kate woke with a heavy arm over her waist and Jesse’s hard penis poking her in the buttocks. Hoping she wasn’t dreaming, she slowly opened her eyes and found herself looking into a pair of small, golden-brown eyes.
Reagan stood beside the bed, holding a worn teddy bear and a scrunched up look on her face. “Was you scared? My daddy lets me sleep in his bed when I get really, really scared. I’m a big girl now so I tries to sleep in my bed.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond, feared saying the wrong thing. She didn’t know what Jesse planned to tell Reagan about her being in his bed. She was thankful she wasn’t naked. That really would have been hard to explain.
Jesse lifted his head and looked over Kate at Reagan. “Morning, pumpkin. What are you doing in here?” Under the covers, he teased Kate by slowly rubbing his groin against her.
“Was you helping Miss Kate not be scared, Daddy?” Reagan climbed on the bed and sat beside Kate, her wide eyes looking at her father.
“Something like that. Why don’t you go downstairs and see what Mrs. Kessler is doing?”
Reagan hopped off the bed. “Okay, Daddy. Miss Kate, are you coming? Mrs. Kessler makes scared all better.”
She opened her mouth to say no. “Sure.” The child was hard to refuse.
She rolled out of Jesse’s arms to follow Reagan downstairs. She ran her fingers through her hair in an attempt to look presentable. Her t-shirt and shorts would have to be sufficient since Reagan waited.
Reagan took her hand and tugged. “I’ll show you the way.”
Kate looked back at Jesse, who had a worried look on his face. Her heart sank. He didn’t want her getting close to his daughter. She had her work cut out for her.
They found Emily and Amber in the kitchen with an older, gray-haired woman cooking eggs on the stove.
Emily turned to them. “Good morning, Reagan. Amber’s been waiting for you. Kate, I’d like you to meet Mrs. Kessler. She helps Jesse take care of Reagan.”
Kate smiled and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Kessler.”
The woman surprised her by hugging her instead of shaking her hand. “Lord, it’s about time. Please call me Lorraine. I can’t get any of this bunch to do it.”
Kate looked at Emily who shrugged. “Okay, Lorraine. What can I do to help with breakfast?” She felt awkward standing there looking as if she’d just rolled out of bed. Maybe Reagan wouldn’t notice if she snuck back upstairs and changed.
“Nothing, nothing. I’m expecting all the boys this morning, so you’d best grab a plate before there’s nothing left.”
She turned to a child’s laughter. Dottie licked Reagan’s face. “I love your dog, Miss Kate.”
She walked over and knelt down beside them. “First, call me Kate. Second, Reagan, this is Dottie. Dottie, this is Reagan. Say hello, Dottie.”
Her dog raised her paw to shake. More giggles from Jesse’s daughter floated through the room.
Amber cried out, “Dog, Mama, dog.”
Emily caught her daughter as she tried to climb out of her booster seat. “Not right now, Amber. After you eat.”
Jesse walked into the kitchen. “Good morning, Mrs. Kessler. How is my favorite cook today?” He kissed the girls on the top of their heads, kissed Mrs. Kessler and Emily on the cheek and Kate on the lips.
Kate froze. She hadn’t expected any affection from him in front of his family, in front of Reagan again. This was a good sign. Wasn’t it?
“Right as rain.” Mrs. Kessler turned back to the stove, humming a tune.
“Daddy, Daddy, guess what? Dottie shooked my hand. Watch. Do it again, Kate. Make her do it again.”
Kate taught her the command. Reagan repeated it over and over again. Dottie sat and played, extending her paw each time and occasionally leaning forward to lick the little girl’s face.
“Let’s wash your hands, young lady, and get to the table.” Jesse reached down for his daughter.
As the group settled at the table, Devon, Matt and Brad filed into the kitchen, each stopping to drop a kiss on Mrs. Kessler’s, their sister and nieces’ cheeks.
“Uncle Dev, Uncle Dev.” Reagan almost bouncing out of her chair. “Guess what?”
Devon smiled at her enthusiasm. “What, kiddo?”
“Dottie shaked my hand, and Daddy kissed Kate on the lips.”
Kate stiffened, but saw nothing but smiles from the family.
“How about I kiss you on the lips, my little pumpkin?” Jesse reached over, tipped her chin up and gave her a kiss on the lips. “Now I’ve kissed both of my girls on the lips this morning.”
“Guess what, Kate?” Before Kate could answer, Reagan continued, “You’re Daddy’s girl, too. We get to have all kinds of fun as Daddy’s girls. Mrs. Kessler says Daddy spoils me. Now, he can spoil you, too.”
Again Kate was at a loss for words. First, the kiss then the declaration to his family that she was his girl. She glanced around the room. Emily and Devon shared a knowing smile. Matt played with Amber. And Brad watched them closely.
Mrs. Kessler put food on the table, ignoring the dynamics at the table. Kate looked at Jesse, who wore a huge grin. He winked at her then turned to Emily.
“Em, I heard you have to take Amber to the doctor for shots tomorrow. Brad and Matt are going with you for protection.”
Emily nodded. “Are you planning to end this soon?”
“We don’t fail, Em. You know that.”
Emily made a face at Matt for his remark. “I know you don’t. I’m ready for life to be normal again. I want to go back to class.” She added more dry cereal to Amber’s plate since most of what she’d already given her was on the floor.
Kate watched the closeness the family displayed along with the patience and love the brothers showed the children.
Thinking of children reminded her about Jason. Kate looked at Jesse. “I need to go to the Children’s Hospital today. It’s Jason’s birthday.”
Matt furrowed his eyebrows and looked at her curiously. “Jason?”
Kate beamed at him, pride and love in her eyes. “My sister and I volunteer there and Jason Monroe is a child who recently lost his parents. Since he’s all alone, I thought to see him on his birthday.”
Matt smiled. “Well, it’s a small world. I know Jason. I planned to see him today also. His father was in my unit. I visit him as often as I can since he has no one left. He’s mentioned someone named Kate. I didn’t put it together.”
“The same here. He’s mentioned someone named Matt, but I thought it was a nurse. You should know he idolizes you, Matt.”
“Kate, I know you want to go, but it’s best if you stay out of sight. Stay here.”
“No, Jesse. If I have to, I’ll go with just the FBI detail, but I am going.” She wouldn’t let Jason think she’d forgotten him on an important day for him. He turned thirteen. He became a teenager, a huge milestone in a kid’s life.
He looked at the children then back at her, frowning. “I’m not going to argue with you on this. You’re staying here.”
She wasn’t going to argue in front of the children either, but she was going. “May I go with you when you go, Matt?”
Jesse sighed. “Okay, you win. We’ll go.” He looked at his brothers. “Brad, Matt, I need you two to go since the extra men are tied up with the ambassador.”
The twins nodded.
“We have to go by my apartment and pick up his present.” Kate hadn’t thought to bring it along. She’d been focused on the note.
“Brad can go pick it up. I won’t have you going back there right now.”
Kate took a deep breath to keep calm. If they were going to be together, she’d have to work on his telling her wha
t she was and wasn’t going to do. She gritted her teeth. “Fine.”
* * * * *
They stationed the FBI detail outside the door and led the procession of Hamilton brothers into Jason’s hospital room. Jesse could see the love Kate had for the kid, and the love the kid had for her.
“Kate! Matt!” Jason crawled from the bed to give her a hug. “Look, I can get out of bed now. The doctors said I’m doing good.”
They’d insisted they talk with his doctor before they came to see him. Jesse had watched the relief appear on their faces when the doctor told them Jason was responding well to his treatment.
“Happy birthday.” She held him tight, reluctantly releasing him.
“Happy birthday, Jason.” Matt slapped him on the shoulder with one hand and shook his hand with the other.
He puffed out his chest. “I’m thirteen now. An adult.”
They all chuckled. “Not quite. Jason, meet Matt’s brothers, Jesse and Brad.”
They all shook hands with him.
“What’s that, Kate?” He pointed to the wrapped present she held.
She held it out to him. “This is for you.”
He accepted the gift and greedily tore the paper. “Wow. It’s a football, and it’s signed. Thanks, Kate.” He reached out and hugged her again. “Is that for me, too?” He looked at the gift Matt held under his arm.
“Sure is, buddy.”
He tore into the wrapping paper. “Look, Kate. It’s football cards.”
“There’s a card for every active quarterback. They all signed their card for you.” Matt had spoken with each quarterback and explained Jason’s situation. They were all happy to sign a football card for him.
“Thank you, Matt.”
He looked surprised when Jason gave him a hug.
“Did you two bring presents?”
Jesse knew that question would come up, so he’d sent Matt to pick up gifts from him and Brad.
Jason opened the football target from Jesse to perfect his aim and the playbook from Brad. “Thanks.”
“It gets better.” Kate walked out the door to the nurse’s station and returned with an ice cream cake. “We can’t burn candles in here, so you have to make a wish and pretend.”