“I have no friends, remember?” he said with a bitter smile.
“You have me.” Even after what had happened tonight, it was still true.
His smile faded and his eyes grew serious. “How long before you betray me?” he murmured.
“I won’t betray you,” I replied, shocked. “Why would you say that?”
“Because everyone does, eventually.”
My heart broke a little at the resignation in his voice, the dead certainty in his eyes.
“I swear. I will never betray you.”
I couldn’t say whether he believed me or not, though I hoped he did. He leaned down, and my breath caught, but his lips grazed my forehead.
“I should go,” he rasped, the backs of his knuckles brushing my cheek.
I allowed him to lead me to the door in silence, my fingers threaded through his.
It was cold outside, the frigid air drifting into my apartment as Kade stood, framed in the doorway. He pulled me toward him, his arms encircling me, and I rested my head on his chest.
“Be careful,” I murmured.
“For once, maybe I have a reason to be,” he replied, sounding surprised. His chin rested on the top of my head, and I could feel the beat of his heart against my fingers. We stood there like that, the silence comfortable, not oppressive.
“Am I interrupting?”
I jumped guiltily backward out of Kade’s arms, my eyes going to the spot over Kade’s shoulder where Blane now stood.
Kade leisurely turned, raising an eyebrow. “Do I detect a hint of jealousy, brother?”
The look on Blane’s face was murderous. My heart lurched into my throat.
“Relax,” Kade huffed in exasperation, loosely gripping Blane’s shoulder as he made to pass him.
Blane grabbed Kade’s wrist, pushing him away. “How many other times have you been with her when I’m not around?” he snarled.
Kade’s eyes narrowed, his body stiffening. “A lot,” he retorted. “In case you’ve forgotten, you’re the one that made me stay with her to protect her when you couldn’t.”
“That was a mistake I don’t intend to repeat.”
“Good to hear,” Kade shot back.
I watched, barely breathing, unsure if I should intervene, say something. To my relief, Blane said nothing further as Kade warily turned his back and left.
“Are you through playing alpha dog with your brother?” I snapped, angry at the way he’d treated Kade, and not sure I wanted to do this right now. I was exhausted, angry, and disappointed, but in the end, I relented.
Wordlessly, I opened the door wide, then turned and walked inside. I went into the bathroom, retrieving some salve for my injured hand and a few bandages for the deepest cuts. Sitting cross-legged on my couch, I examined the wounds.
Blane remained standing, watching me.
“What happened to your hand?” he asked.
Like I wanted to tell him. “Why are you here, Blane?”
“I came by to explain,” he said.
I didn’t reply, not trusting my emotions or temper to not say something I’d regret.
“I did use that information to get the case dismissed.”
My hand faltered slightly as I fumbled with the salve, his confirmation killing something inside me. My optimism, maybe.
Blane took the seat next to me. I shifted away from him, his presence overpowering. I didn’t want to succumb to his influence or manipulation. Not this time.
“Kat. Look at me.”
I unwillingly met his gaze.
“Hear me out. The rape conviction, it’d give him twenty years. He’d be out in five. That’s why I took what you gave me and went to the feds with what I knew.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Kade got enough to give them so they can pursue the human trafficking,” he explained. “They’re going to prosecute him for that. The penalty for trafficking is twenty years per violation.”
I stared at him, trying to understand.
“He’s going away for good,” Blane said. “I honored my part of the deal with Summers. You’re in the clear. But the feds have enough now for warrants. They’re watching and listening.”
“Why didn’t Chance tell me this?”
“Maybe they hadn’t talked to Chance before this went down. It happened really fast,” he answered. “The point is, he’s not getting away.”
I shook my head, partly amazed at his machinations in outwitting Summers, partly chagrined at yet again being the last to know.
“The point is, you don’t trust me,” I said. “Haven’t trusted me. I don’t think you’ll ever trust me.” My anger had dissipated, but not the hurt. “So much could be avoided if you’d just talk to me. You should have told me from the beginning that Summers was blackmailing you. Why didn’t you?”
Blane stared at me. “Do you think I wanted you to know? Would want you to feel guilty for something that wasn’t your fault?”
I tried to protest, but he interrupted.
“I know you,” he said. “So don’t tell me that wouldn’t have happened. I could see the guilt on your face the second I did tell you.”
I couldn’t say he was wrong. I had felt guilty, still did.
“We’re in this together,” I said. “If you want me to be open and honest with you, then I have to trust you’re doing the same.”
“You’re not going to change the fact that I’m going to protect you, whenever I can,” Blane said, his voice flat. “That’s too ingrained in me.”
“Understood. So long as you know that I don’t react well when I find out you’ve been keeping things from me.”
“Understood.”
We sat for a moment before he cracked a small grin. I couldn’t help a tiny smile back.
“I do think it’s really cool that you outsmarted that SOB,” I admitted.
“You do, do you?” he asked, a twinkle coming into his eyes.
“I mean, for a lawyer and all, it’s pretty clever,” I said archly, teasing him.
Glancing down at my hand, Blane’s smile faded. “You want to tell me what happened to your hand? Why Kade was here?”
I reached for the salve and bandages. “Just another day in the life,” I dismissed. “A guy Kade knew broke into your house. I got in the way and he decided I could use a few less fingers, then thought he’d use me as leverage against Kade, yadda yadda yadda.”
“Why would he think you could be used as leverage against Kade?” Blane asked.
I shrugged. “He followed me to Kade’s apartment the night it got blown up, then to your house.” I carefully smeared more salve on the cuts while Blane wordlessly placed the bandages.
After Blane had covered the last wound, he asked, “Why did you go to Kade’s the other night?”
Something in his voice made me look up at him, and I remembered how angry he’d been that Kade had been here tonight. His expression was guarded.
“I’d said something,” I answered, choosing my words carefully. The last thing I wanted was to cause any more discord between Blane and Kade. “Said something awful to him, and I wanted to apologize. He was… entertaining… a woman when I got there. I think she was working with Garrett.”
Blane nodded, as though he understood my attempt at tactfulness. His expression eased and I relaxed.
“I wanted to tell you”—he took both my hands in his—“that I decided to not take that position the Navy offered me.”
My breath caught. “So you’re not going to be deployed again?” I asked, hardly daring to hope.
“No. That part of my life is over. I’m quite anxious to start the next part.”
I threw my arms around his neck, squeezing him tightly. “I’m so glad! I would have hated to see you go, hated you being gone.”
He hugged me back just as tight. After a few moments, he released me, easing me back and taking my hands again.
“About the next part,” he said, “I’ve decided to announce my candi
dacy for governor.”
“Blane, that’s fantastic!” My smile was somewhat forced this time.
Governor. Wow. My heart sank. How could I possibly fit into the life of the governor of Indiana?
“My uncle Robert is arranging the announcement, a big party, press, the works. It’s Friday night downtown at the Hyatt.”
“Sounds great,” I enthused, hoping I didn’t sound fake.
“I want you there,” Blane said, his grip tightening on my hands. “I need you there with me. But not as my girlfriend.”
My forced smile faded. Not as his girlfriend?
“I want you there as my fiancée.”
Stunned, I just stared at him. Memories of the last time we’d discussed marriage immediately came to mind.
He smiled. “I know what you’re thinking, but this isn’t like last time. I did everything all wrong. This time, I’m going to do it right.”
He slid off the couch and got down on one knee in front of me. Then his image blurred as tears welled in my eyes.
My hands shook in his as he said, “Kathleen Turner, I’m in love with you. You’re everything I’d hoped to find in a woman. I want you by my side, now and always. Would you do me the honor of being my bride?”
My tears were flowing freely now and I almost didn’t notice the small velvet box he’d taken out of his pocket. Opening it, he displayed a beautiful diamond solitaire ring, its large square gem sparkling even in the muted light.
I looked back up into his gray eyes, surprised to see a hint of uncertainty there, as though he weren’t positive of my answer. As if I would have any other answer than yes.
I managed to say through my tears, “Yes, I will.”
His answering smile was wider than I’d ever seen it. He pulled me off the couch and into his arms, kissing me fervently. I twined my arms around his neck, hardly daring to believe what had just happened.
When he pulled away, it was only to place the ring on my finger. Slightly too big, it still fit well enough to wear.
“You look good with my ring on your finger,” he whispered against my lips. Then he was carrying me into the bedroom. And we celebrated.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Dawn found me awake, Blane asleep next to me. I gazed at the ring on my finger, the early morning light making it sparkle. Contentment curled low in my belly, joy spreading to my limbs like warm sunshine, making sleep impossible. Afraid I’d accidentally wake Blane, I eased out of bed, pulled some clothes on over my nakedness, and put on a pot of coffee.
Checking my phone, I saw that there were no missed calls or texts from Chance, though there were several from Blane. I was worried about Chance, but resolved to give him a few more hours before I really started to panic.
I was sipping my second cup of coffee when my cell rang. I grabbed it.
“Hello?”
“Miss Turner,” an unfamiliar voice said. “This is Senator Keaston.”
I was immediately on guard. What was I going to tell him? What would he say when he found out about Blane’s proposal?
“I trust you know by now that Blane has decided to declare his candidacy for governor, and that you remember our conversation?”
“Yes.”
“Have you decided to take me up on my very generous offer?”
I steeled myself. “I’m not going to break up with Blane,” I said. “Not for you or anyone. I love him and he loves me.”
Silence, then, “I see.”
“I know you think I’m not good enough for him,” I said, “but he doesn’t think like you do, and it’s really his decision, not yours. He respects you very much, Senator. I’m sure he’d want your blessing. We both do.”
“Blessing on what?” he snapped.
I took a deep breath. “On our engagement.”
“You are incredibly naive, Miss Turner.” The menace in his voice made the hair stand up on my arms. “More’s the pity.”
The line went dead.
My earlier happiness had evaporated, and my hand shook as I put down the phone. What was Blane going to say when he found out how much his uncle was against our engagement? Would it affect how he felt about me?
I sat staring into space, my coffee growing cold. Finally, I roused myself enough to go into the kitchen for a fresh cup.
“How’s my beautiful bride this morning?” Blane pressed against my back, his arms around my waist as he nuzzled my neck.
“All right,” I said, leaning into him. “But I’m worried about Chance.”
Blane released me, reaching over my head to get another coffee mug out of the cabinet. “Why? Where is he?”
“That’s the point,” I said as he poured the steaming liquid. “He called yesterday and said that he had to get Lucy out of town. That if I hadn’t heard from him by this morning, I was supposed to call this number he gave me and ask to speak to Detective Wells.”
Blane took a sip of the coffee, his brow furrowing. “Have you called him?”
“I was about to.”
Blane handed me my phone. “Call.”
I did as he said, my stomach in knots as I dialed.
“May I speak with Detective Wells?” I asked the man that answered the phone.
I was put on hold, and then another voice came on the line.
“Detective Wells,” he identified himself.
“Detective, my name is Kathleen Turner. I was given your number by my cousin, Chance Turner. He told me you would know how to reach him.”
“Miss Turner, I’m sorry, but I don’t have good news.”
My heart lurched in my chest.
“Chance was supposed to check in with us six hours ago, and we haven’t heard from him. When was the last time you spoke with him?”
“Yesterday morning,” I replied. “Don’t you have someone else with him? Another officer?”
“I’m sorry, I’m not at liberty to answer that question,” the detective said.
My frustration mounted. “He said he was going to get Lucy and Billy out of town,” I said. “Did anyone go by Xtreme? Maybe they’re there.”
“We can’t search Xtreme,” the detective said. “We have no warrant. And if Chance is still undercover, we’d be compromising him by doing so.”
“Then I’ll go,” I retorted. “I’m supposed to work there tonight anyway.”
A pause. “You work there?”
“Yes,” I explained. “I was investigating the disappearance of Amanda Webber. I work for the law firm representing her boyfriend.” Technically, that should have been in the past tense, but I wasn’t going to argue semantics.
“Hold on, please.”
I waited impatiently while he covered the phone with his hand. I could hear muffled voices. Blane sipped his coffee, watching me intently.
“Miss Turner,” the detective said, “would you be willing to come down to the station and speak with me?”
“Come to the station?” I asked. Blane’s gaze sharpened. “Um, sure. When?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Okay.”
“I’m going with you,” Blane said the minute I hung up the phone.
“That’s fine with me,” I agreed.
We showered and dressed quickly before heading to the police station downtown. An hour later, I was asking for Detective Wells.
He was younger than I thought he’d be, looking to be in his late twenties. His hair was a dark auburn, his eyes tawny brown. At about six feet, he towered over me but didn’t achieve Blane’s height. He wore jeans and a long-sleeved dark-gray shirt, his gun tucked in to the holster at his side.
“Miss Turner?” he asked.
I nodded, shaking his proffered hand.
“I’m Detective Nathan Wells.” His gaze shifted to Blane, who likewise held out his hand.
“Blane Kirk. Her attorney.”
The detective’s eyebrows climbed skyward. “An attorney wasn’t necessary,” he said stiffly.
“She’s my fiancée.”
Thos
e words made me glow on the inside.
“Ah. I see,” replied Detective Wells.
He led us back to a small conference room, motioning for us to take a seat. “Would you like some coffee? Water?”
“No, thank you,” I said. Blane declined as well.
He closed the door and took a seat next to me. “Let me get right to the point, Miss Turner—” he began.
“Please call me Kathleen,” I interrupted.
“Kathleen,” he continued, “you’re in a unique position to help us.”
“Help you?”
“Other than Chance, we have no one on the inside at Xtreme,” he confessed. “If you work there, have been working there, then you already have an advantage.”
I just looked at him, waiting.
“We were hoping you’d consent to wear a wire tonight when you go in.”
I was taken aback. “A wire? But I’m not a cop.”
“I know, but you don’t have to worry. All you need to do is work as usual, perhaps ask a question or two, that’s all. Our team will be across the street. We’ll hear every word.”
“What’s the point of me wearing a wire?” I asked. There was something they weren’t telling me.
“We think David Summers is going to be there tonight.”
“David Summers? Matt’s uncle?”
Wells nodded. “If we can tie him to the illegals they’re smuggling into the country, we can take his whole organization down. That’s what Chance has been working on.”
“Absolutely not,” Blane cut in. “There’s no way you’re going to put a civilian in danger.”
“She won’t be in any danger,” Detective Wells argued.
“You don’t know that,” Blane shot back. “It’s not worth the risk.”
I interjected before the detective could respond. “Will this help find Chance?”
“If we can get Summers, there’s a good possibility he’ll know where Chance is.”
I studied Wells, hoping he was telling me the truth, though he didn’t seem like the type to make empty promises. I didn’t know if I agreed with him that I wouldn’t be in danger, but if it meant finding Chance, then I didn’t really have a choice.
“Okay,” I agreed.
“Kat, don’t—”
I held up my hand, silencing Blane. “It’s my decision,” I said quietly. “I can’t just leave Chance, not if there’s a possibility I could help find him.”
Turning Point (The Kathleen Turner Series) Page 27