Kate (The Dimarco Series Book 5)

by Jennifer Hanks

  “You can’t save them all, brother.” Jax said quietly.

  I leaned forward. “I won’t be able to live with myself if I don’t try.”

  My head turned when Bear spoke. “We’ll keep her as safe as we can, brother, I can promise you that. We want the same thing you want. We want her out and to have a taste of freedom, but we need to move slowly to do it right.”

  “I may step back, but I’ll still be watching.”

  Bear grinned. “I never doubted it man.”

  I looked back at Brody. “When are you doing the installs?”

  “Today.” Brody said. “Ethan’s already loading the equipment for me.”

  “How long will it take?”

  He ran his hand over the back of his neck. “Couple of days. We have a lot of places to cover.”

  “You doing Grace’s?”

  Brody frowned. “I can’t. Not around her building anyway, but I plan to do inside her apartment.”

  I nodded. “Pop know?”

  Jax snorted. “What do you think?”

  I felt a smirk tug at my lips. The man knows everything that goes on with his family. “He’s good with it?”

  Brody nodded. “Yep. He’s pissed any of the MC’s shit is blowing back on you and Kate, but he’s dealing.”

  “He likes Kate?” I questioned again, still unsure about her comments.

  Brody laughed. “Are you serious? He more than likes her brother. He considers her one of his daughters already.”

  I nodded. “That’s good.”

  “You doubted that?” Brody asked, concern in his voice.

  I shook it off. “Nah, just something she said that bothered me.” Cam walked by me towards the door.

  “You don’t have to worry about Pop.” Chris said. “He likes Kate for you.”

  “He also wants more grandkids.” Brody said, causing everyone to chuckle.

  Jax grinned. “You gonna marry her?”

  “You better fucking believe it.” I started towards the door where Cam was waiting to walk out with me. “Just as soon as I convince her.”

  I grinned at the laughter behind me when we walked out the door and into the parking lot, heading towards our vehicles.

  I stopped beside his truck when he faced me. “You good?”

  I ran my hand through my hair. “Not really.”

  “I didn’t think so.” He admitted.

  “You hear anything from Nick?”

  His face dropped. He was worried about his friend, we all were. Nick would be lucky to leave the MC alive. “Not a word. And I won’t.”

  I shook my head, hating he was in that fucking place. Cam squinted in the bright sun. “Syd told me Maddie’s pregnant.”

  My head shot up. I knew Syd’s partner in the coffee shop and her best friend was dating someone, but I didn’t realize it was serious. I also know Nick’s had a thing for Maddie since he met her. Why the fuck he never did anything about it, has always been a mystery to me. “Nick know?”

  Cam took a deep breath. “No clue.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “But it’s not much fucking incentive for him to get himself out of that MC. I was hoping he would stay safe, play his cards right and get out as fast as he could, maybe finally getting his head out of his ass when it comes to Maddie.”

  “Shit.” I said quietly.

  “I would not want to come back here if Syd was with someone else and pregnant with his baby.” Cam said. “I don’t think I’d give a damn about much of anything if I was facing that.”

  “Including your safety.” I surmised.

  “Exactly.” He ran his hand around the back of his neck. “Something tells me when Nick finds out, he’s not going to be playing this so safe anymore.”

  I ran my hand through my hair. “How the hell did this get so fucked up?”

  Cam slapped his hand against my shoulder and met my eyes, his intense. “We will end them. And I will do everything I can to get Nick out safely.” He closed his eyes, hiding the pain I’ve seen flash through them for his friend. “I just hope he’s not lost to us when he’s free.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  KATE

  “Hey Kate.”

  Sitting at my desk in front of all the offices just behind me, I looked up at the familiar voice and smiled. Aaron had stayed true to his word and I had as well so it wouldn’t be awkward between us. I was flattered by his attention and the more I was getting to know him, the more flattered I was. I had a feeling if Luke hadn’t crashed into my life, I may have considered giving Aaron a chance, but instead I had found a new friend.

  “Hey Aaron.”

  He leaned against the corner of my desk and smiled softly. “How are things?”

  I thought about his question and sighed. It had been one week since I lost everything I owned. One week and it still felt fresh every day. There was nothing left, not even a matchbox car had been found in the ashes of my house. Whoever set the fire had made sure I would be punished.

  “Okay.” I answered honestly.

  He frowned. “Can I do anything to help you guys?”

  Aaron had been asking the same question every day since I returned to work the Monday after the fire. There was no reason not to go to work, honestly, I had every reason now to never miss any work at all. I was looking at re-building my entire life.

  Again.

  I glanced down at my desk briefly before lifting my eyes to his once again. “No, there really isn’t.”

  He exhaled loudly. “I just wish I could do something. I can’t imagine losing everything the way you and Andy have.”

  “I appreciate that Aaron, but there isn’t anything to do. I had insurance, so I’m waiting for that to come through and then we’ll start house hunting again.”

  He laid his arm across the top of my computer monitor and took a drink from the cup in his other hand. “You’re still staying with Luke?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, it seemed like a good idea. Plus, it makes Andy feel safe.”

  He cocked his head. “Just Andy?”

  I let my eyes slide to the side, thinking of a way to avoid his question, but in the end, I didn’t have to because he spoke again. “You don’t have to say anything, Kate, I already know the answer.” I lifted my gaze to his once again. “It sucks I took too long to make my move, but I’m glad you have him. I could tell just meeting him once and seeing you two together that any shot I had died the day you two met.” He leaned in close and laid his hand over mine. “But I am your friend, Kate, so anything that I can do, I will.”

  “You’re too nice.”

  He shrugged. “I know. And trust me nice guys do finish last.”

  I smiled softly and wrapped my hand around his. “That’s not true.”

  He took a deep breath. “Can a friend buy you lunch?”

  I startled when my cell phone rang and glanced down at the screen, seeing Luke’s name. One look at Aaron, who was also looking at the screen, and the smirk on his face had me shaking my head.

  He pulled his hand back and stood straight. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “You don’t have to leave.”

  He chuckled. “Trust me, I do.”

  I nodded and lifted my phone, tapping answer. “Hello?”

  “Hey baby.” I closed my eyes when his voice ran over my skin.

  I was used to him texting me, but not actually calling so I was surprised. “Why are you calling me?”

  “I’m on my way to pick you up.”

  “Pick me up?”

  “I’m taking you to lunch.”

  My eyes snapped to the clock on the wall. “I usually just eat at my desk.”

  “Well, today you’re eating with me.”

  “Umm…”

  “Don’t try to get out of it, Kate, I’m already parking.”

  I stood from my chair and looked outside to see him step him down from his SUV in a spot right in front of the office. He rounded the front end and walked towards the door, all confident, sexy strides, making
the woman in me take notice. Although if I was being honest, he could be sleeping and I’d take notice. Practically living with him this last week hasn’t lessened my attraction at all. Sleeping with him has been torture but he hasn’t tried anything, which surprised me, and neither have I.

  The bell on the door rang when he walked through and grinned at me. He moved right to me, slid his hand along my hip and leaned down, his breath drifting across my ear. “You ready?”

  I was constantly amazed how my body responded to a light touch from him or a whispered word. My stomach would roll every damn time and my panties already felt wet from nothing more than a phone call and his breath along my ear. I swallowed hard. “I have to let my boss know so someone can cover the phones.”

  He squeezed my hip before backing away, his grin widening. “Sure thing, baby. I’ll wait here.”

  I walked slowly to the back office, feeling his eyes on me the entire way and knocked softly when I arrived at her door.

  “Come in.”

  I opened the door and stuck my head in. “Is it okay if I take my lunch now?”

  She frowned but then looked down at the fancy watch dangling from her wrist. “This day is really getting away from me.” She waved her hand towards the hallway. “Sure, go ahead. Forward the phones to me.”

  “Thanks.”

  She didn’t acknowledge me further, only nodded before returning her attention to the computer screen in front of her. She would not be considered a friendly woman by her employees, but from what I’ve heard when she’s with the clients, she’s very friendly and outgoing. I’m starting to believe she only has so much friendliness and she saves it for when it’s absolutely necessary for her success. I closed the door and made my way back across the office building, thinking how much I’d like to find something different, but with no training past high school, my opportunities were pretty limited.

  “All good?”

  Luke’s voice brought me out of my thoughts and I nodded. “Yeah, I need to forward the phones and then we can go.”

  With the touch of a few buttons I was done and ready to go. Grabbing my purse from the back of my chair, I lifted my cell from the desk and shoved it into my purse before throwing it over my shoulder. “I’m ready.”

  He reached down and grabbed my hand, his long fingers wrapping around mine, leading me towards the door. He held the office door open for me and then opened the passenger door of his shiny black vehicle, waited until I got in before closing it and making his way around to his side.

  He had it started, seat belt on and was pulling from the curb when I asked what I’d been wondering for a while. “Do all your brothers hold doors for women?”

  He glanced my way before turning his attention back to the road, but I could see the curiosity in his eyes. “Yeah, why?”

  I looked out the passenger side window and wrapped my hands around the purse lying in my lap. “It just seems odd nowadays. A little old fashioned.”

  Luke chuckled. “My dad would skin me alive if he saw me not holding the door for any woman, but especially for my woman. He taught us from when we were small that some things never go out of style. One of them being chivalry.”

  I thought of Kurt, but couldn’t remember a time when he held a door for me or even reached for my hand. Maybe when we first started dating, but even way back then I couldn’t remember him ever making those gestures.

  Luke reached over and pulled my hand from my purse, wrapping it again in his. “What are you thinking?”

  I looked down at our hands linked together and blinked slowly. I loved the way his hand looked tangled up with mine. I loved the way it felt when he put his arm around me and opened doors for me. It felt foreign, but at the same time it felt comforting and reassuring. It made me feel safe. But more importantly it made me feel loved.

  I took a deep breath and exhaled. “Just I’m glad, that for some men, chivalry is not dead.”

  He squeezed my hand and pulled alongside the curb to the Burger Joint. “This okay?”

  I felt a small wave of discomfort roll through me remembering my dinner with Aaron at this same place and I wondered if Luke knew we’d come here. He couldn’t though, I’d never told him. He probably chose here because it’s close to my office.

  He let go of my hand and came around, pulling open the door and grabbing my hand again when I turned my legs to hop down. We placed our orders fairly quickly considering the time of day, but the girl behind the counter told Luke we’d literally just missed the rush by about ten minutes. We grabbed a booth and I slid in my seat, watching him slide in across from me.

  “I’ve been here before.” I blurted out for absolutely no reason other than Luke was staring at me and I felt the need to say something. Why the hell I chose that, I have no idea.

  “I know.”

  My eyes had been scanning the room, but snapped back to him when he spoke. “You know?”

  He grinned. “Andy told me. He also told me you guys came here with your ‘friend’ from work.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “You asked Andy?”

  He chuckled. “I didn’t have to. He just told me. Asked if I would bring him here so he could play on the slides again.”

  I pursed my lips. “Is that why you brought me here?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. I do like their burgers and I hate the idea of you having been on a date with someone who wasn’t me, so yeah, that’s probably the biggest reason I picked here for lunch.”

  I stared at him when he continued talking, my jaw dropping open the more he spoke. “I also saw him talking to you this morning, leaning in close and I didn’t like it.”

  “Saw him?” I frowned. “How did you see him talking to me?”

  His lips tilted up in what I could only describe as a mischievous grin. “Baby, Brody has eyes everywhere you are right now.”

  My eyes widened. “At my office?”

  His eyebrows raised like he was surprised by my reaction. “Absolutely.”

  I dropped my shoulders and leaned in towards the table. “Does my boss know?”

  He nodded. “Brody met with her, explained the situation and asked her if she was alright with a small security camera in the front office and one that monitors the street. She agreed. Brody said he thought she seemed relieved.”

  I sat back. “Hmm…”

  He cocked his head. “What?”

  “I’m just surprised. She’s tough, I didn’t think she’d want anyone interfering in the office or her space.”

  “Kate, your house was burned down. I’d imagine even the toughest son-of-a-bitch would want to prevent that from happening to them.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest, but thought of something else. “That still doesn’t explain how you saw Aaron talking to me and why you care?”

  Something like anger washed over his features. “All the security feeds that have to do with you are monitored by both Brody and me.” He leaned forward. “And as far as that guy talking to you, Kate, are you fucking kidding me with that question?”

  I dropped my arms and rubbed my hands along my thighs. “We’re just friends.”

  His eyes widened this time and he shook his head. “Kate, do you really believe that?”

  “Yes, I do.” I leaned forward. “I explained to him that I wasn’t in the place for a relationship, he said he understood and backed off. We’re just friends.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “Did you tell him about me, about us?”

  I cleared my throat. “I told him you and I are complicated.”

  He grinned and reached across the table, wrapping his hand around my neck and tugging me towards him. His lips brushed over mine softly, the grin still flirting around his lips. “We are not complicated, Kate.”

  We both looked towards the end of the booth when we heard a throat clear and Luke smiled at the waitress standing there holding two plates piled with food. We moved apart to allow her to set our plates down and Luke dug right in to his hamburger while I picked up a fry. />
  I took a deep breath. “Can I ask you a favor?”

  He swallowed a bite of food and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Anything you need Kate.”

  I hated asking for help, despised it actually, but I was going to ask anyway. “Lanie called earlier today and said she wanted to take me shopping tomorrow to start replacing my wardrobe.” I looked down at my shirt and pants. I’d only bought a few things for work and some necessities for Andy and I this week to get by, but I knew I needed to get more for both of us. “I told her I could go after Andy’s game, but Andy doesn’t want to go.”

  When Luke didn’t answer right away, only held my eyes, I pushed forward. “I can ask his regular babysitter to keep him, but I know he’d rather spend the day with you or Braydon.”

  He once again leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Who does Andy want?”

  He knew Andy asked specifically to spend the day with him. I knew he knew, and he wanted me to say it, which kind of pissed me off, but I didn’t want to disappoint Andy any more. “He asked if he could stay with you.”

  Luke nodded. “One of these days Kate, you’re going to realize you don’t even need to ask.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Can’t you just say yes or no like normal people?”

  He sat back and laughed, causing a smile to cross my face. I watched him until a smile was all that lingered. “Yes, I’ll watch Andy. And no, I’ll probably never do what normal people would do around you.”

  I shook my head in frustration. “Why not?”

  “Because there is absolutely nothing sexier than seeing the flash in your eyes when you get pissed.” He grinned and lifted his chin. “There it is right now.”