by Mari Brown
Justin bursts into the waiting room. I don’t know where he’s been, but I know he’s going fucking crazy. He has been out of his mind since she was taken, and honestly, this is the first time that I’ve ever seen Justin take something as being serious. Most people think of him as the jokester, but he is deeper than you think.
“How is she?” He directs his eyes at Cole.
“We don’t know, man,” Cole answers, his hand constantly moving up and down my arm. It’s the only sign from Cole that he is bothered more than he wants to admit. Bruce and the police finish and come back over to where we’re sitting. The older cop speaks to our group again, telling us that we each need to come down to the police station tomorrow to make statements. We agree to his request, and as they leave the hospital, Bruce comes, takes Seth from me, and sits down with his son in his lap. Trish still hasn’t shown up and I find myself getting angry with her all over again. I want to beat the fuck out of her. The double doors open and a nurse steps through them.
“Mr. Knight?” She calls out loudly. Bruce gazes up at her, and she walks over to us. “The testing is complete. The doctor’s given her a sedative to keep her pain free while we wait for test results. He wants to speak to you. Can you follow me?”
“Can we go sit with her now?” he asks, shifting in his chair.
“We can allow two of you back at a time,” she says.
“Give me Seth back, Bruce. I’ll sit with him. You and Justin should be with Julie right now.” I walk over to him and take Seth.
“Dad, I’m taking Kat and Seth back to the house.” Cole stands up and looks back and forth between his dad and me.
“That’s a good idea, son. There isn’t much anyone can do here.” He and Justin stand to follow the nurse.
“Bruce,” I call out, shifting from one foot to the other. “If she wakes, tell her I love her.” Then I turn to Cole and say, “Let’s go home.”
Cole places his hand on my lower back, guiding me forward. “Drew, you coming with us, man?” Drew’s eyes shift around as he has a silent conversation in his head.
“Pete, stay with Drew.” Cole says to his guard and friend.
Pete grunts an acknowledgment and moves over to a seat near Drew. My brother slouches back into the seat, looking lost, which make me a little worried. It’s not like him to be so emotional over something. I hope it’s not what I think is going on because Drew does not need to go there. I’m so lost in my thoughts that it takes me a moment to realize Cole is nudging me to move.
“Sorry,” I say quietly
“Come on, Kitten. Let’s go.”
When we get to the car, Cole unlocks the doors, and I watch in awe as he carefully places Seth into the backseat and fixes his seat belt. Cole being so gentle with his little brother makes my heart thump. I settle into the passenger seat before pulling the door closed behind me. I’m so lost as I pull the seat belt around me that I don’t realize that Cole’s in the car until he fires up the engine and slowly backs out of the parking spot.
As we pull out onto the highway, I steal a glance over at Cole. Worry lines etch along his face. His hands grip the wheel a little tighter than needed, giving way to the fact he’s anxiously concerned about his sister. My heart speeds up, I don’t know if it’s from fear, anticipation, or what, but right now, it doesn’t matter.
Fifteen minutes later, we pull up in front of his dad’s house. He comes around and gets Seth and carefully lifts him out of the car. “Babe, I’m going to put him to bed. Go start a shower while I do that.”
I nod, not saying a word. As we walk in the door, Hunter greets us. To be honest, I’d forgotten he was at the house.
“How is she?” he asks me as Cole makes his way upstairs with Seth.
“Not good,” I say, fidgeting in place. “It’s going to take a while for her to heal from the damage. I’m tired. I need to shower, and then I’m going to curl up in my bed and pass out,” I say to Hunter as I turn and slowly walk up the stairs. Each step is harder to climb, and my legs seem to be getting heavier. I reach the top and lean against the wall for a moment, trying to gather the energy I need. I move down the hall to my room, and leaving it open for Cole, I head straight for the bathroom. My first real glimpse of myself in the mirror since this all started freezes me in place. I bring my hand to my face, caressing my own cheek. I can’t believe how tired I appear, or just how bad I look.
“Kitten.” Cole walks up behind me. “Are you okay?” he asks, wrapping his arm securely around my waist. He tucks me into him, his breath fanning across my cheek.
“I’m fine,” I say as I snuggle against him. I let myself become completely surrounded by everything Cole. “I’m just glad they’re safe and we have them back”
“Babe, you shot a man,” he says as if I don’t know this. “It’s the first time you’ve ever shot someone. Are you sure you’re okay? I’m still not happy you knew how to use a gun in the first place.” He is exasperated with me, yet he’s pulling me tighter to him.
“I had Drew teach me.” I press closer to him. “I knew if I was going to be with you, I needed to learn to fight and how to protect myself.”
“I don’t know whether to be pissed, or turn you over my lap and spank your ass, or just fuck you, because you’re so damn hot,” Cole says while both of his hands begin roaming my body.
Well that’s good, because right now, with those words, I don’t know whether to run for the hills or let him fuck me senseless. I slowly turn to face him. With my body pressed against his hard one, I place my forehead on his chest, resting for a moment while I collect myself.
“Cole, I knew you would never stand for it. Why do you think I asked Drew?” I smile as I pull away a bit to get a better glimpse of his handsome face. “Let’s take a shower and get some sleep. I’m beyond tired.”
He releases me and follows me into the shower. I’m in the middle of washing my hair when he pushes my hands out of the way and begins massaging my head. I admit I’m slightly surprised, but it feels so good. His fingers scrub against my scalp, and I fight a moan that wants to escape. He finishes lathering my hair then places me under the full stream of water and his fingers comb through my hair as he rinses the shampoo. My body relaxes more with each second that passes.
“Kitten, you’re beautiful.” I can tell he is a little turned on.
I shiver. “Cole, please don’t. Not tonight.” I plead with him, looking him up and down before facing him. “I won’t be able to say no tonight.”
Emotions flash across his face as he caresses my skin and his eyes bore into mine, gazing deep into my soul. Honestly, I don’t think I want him to see what’s in there. I don’t want him to know just how deep I’ve fallen for him. If I give in, he’ll never let me leave for school. Yes, I’m obsessed with leaving, especially after the last few days. I can’t stay. I need to try to do something different with my life. I shot a man today and didn’t even blink… no hesitation, no remorse, and that scares me. What will I do if I find myself in a sticky situation again?
“Katarina.” He pulls me into a hug and just holds me. I let myself settle against him. “Just let me hold you tonight, please.” My eyes cut up to see him gazing at me. The water is still spraying all around us.
“I want you to hold me,” I say before stepping back and letting the water pour over me. I reach for my body wash and soap my body up as Cole watches me. As I finish cleaning off, he steps under the water.
“Get out and wait for me in bed,” he says.
I step out, grab the towel off the rack, and wrapping it around me, walk out to the bedroom where I finish drying my body. After pulling out my nightclothes, I go back into the bathroom to throw my wet towel in the hamper.
I stop dead in my tracks when I notice what Cole is doing. Granted, I can only see his silhouette and the reflection of his movements have mesmerized me. I should turn and leave, but I find myself stepping closer to the shower. I want to pull the curtain back and watch him closely. I can’t take my eyes of
f the movements of Cole jerking himself off in the shower. That’s why he let me leave the shower. He was trying to respect my wishes. And now, here I am perving on him when I should make my way to bed. My breathing becomes a little heavier. I want to strip and hop back in the shower with him, but I don’t. Instead, I stand there watching as he strokes himself over and over. He’s not gentle, either. I can’t believe I’m standing here watching this. Moisture forms between my legs. I’m so turned on right now that I want to finger my own clit, but that would give me away. Instead, I keep watching until I hear him let out a small groan as he cums all over the shower wall. That’s when I make a quick move out of the bathroom. I jump in bed and lay there, trying to calm myself down.
I have my eyes closed, so I don’t realize Cole is beside the bed until he speaks. “Did you enjoy watching?” Amusement laces his voice.
“Fuck! I should have known better.” I can’t even be embarrassed about being caught because I’m still too heated. I peer at him from beneath my partially closed eyelids.
“Oh no, Kitten! You said not tonight. I’m a man of my word. I won’t touch you tonight, no matter how much you want me to.” He lets out a small laugh at the look on my face as he throws off his towel. “Your punishment is to lay in my arms tonight, untouched,” he says huskily as he slips his shorts on and climbs into the bed with me.
“Asshole,” I say with a small grunt of frustration.
“Maybe, but you love me,” he says, yanking me into his arms. Immediately, our legs tangle together.
Sometime in the middle of the night, I wake snuggled in my man’s arms, our legs entwined, and our bodies fused together. The only reason I figure I’m awake right now is because the bright blue eyes of Seth peer at me, highlighted by the moon shining through my window.
“Hey buddy, what’s wrong?” I ask him quietly.
“I keep having bad dreams about the bad man who took Julie and hurt her,” he says. The distinct sounds of a sniffle can be heard. The poor boy has been crying and he’s scared. I manage to untangle myself from Cole as I turn to glance at Seth.
“Want to sleep with me tonight?” I ask. His little head bobs up and down. I scoot over against Cole, who shifts and moans a little. I hope I don’t wake him as Seth scrambles into my bed and scoots up right next to me.
“What’s going on?” Cole sleepily mumbles. So much for not waking him.
“Nothing, Seth had a bad dream, so he’s sleeping with us now,” I say quietly.
Cole lifts his head, glances over at his little brother, and a small smile crosses his face before he lays back down. He curves his body back around mine, his hand resting on Seth’s side.
My heart warms and a smile covers my face as I drift off back to sleep.
I wake the next morning feeling as if I’m being squeezed on both sides, probably because I am. I’m sandwiched between Cole and Seth, and I’m not sure if I could move if I wanted to. Little Seth’s eyes flutter open and he looks at me sleepily as an innocent smile crosses his face. I see the love shining in his eyes and wish I’d had the chance for the life Seth is going to lead.
“Why don’t you run use your bathroom while I use mine, and we’ll meet in the hallway and go down for breakfast together.” I say to Seth as he listens intently.
He hops out of bed and begins running off, then he stops short. Turning to eye me, that sweet voice says, “Thanks for letting me sleep with you, Kat. My mommy wouldn’t.”
“No problem,” I say, keeping a fake smile planted on my face until he leaves the room. Then I storm into my bathroom, stomping all the way and slam the door behind me. I take care of business and am at the sink washing my hands when Cole walks in behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.
“Try not to kill my stepmother this morning. We have enough going on without you going to jail for that.” His smirk reflects back at me in the mirror.
“That bitch deserves a beat down. Who tells their own son they can’t sleep with them when he has a nightmare after being kidnapped?” I ask, the anger clear in my voice.
“That bitch,” Cole replies smartly.
I turn and leave Cole in the bathroom as I make my way out to find Seth. He’s sitting in the middle of the hall in front of my door when I open it. he looks so lost, and my heart breaks for him. He needs a parent who will comfort him. Right now, Bruce is dealing with Julie at the hospital, and Trish is too busy snorting coke. I determine that I will be there for him as long as I can. I won’t let him go through this time thinking he’s alone.
“Come on, buddy. Let’s head downstairs.” I say, reaching out my hand. His little hand clasps mine tightly as we begin the trek downstairs. We travel quietly until about half way down the stairs.
“Kat,” I pause and look down at him, then continue walking, “I’m glad you shot that guy who hurt Julie.”
I come to a complete stop right there on the stairs. I sit down so that I’m eye level with him.
“I wish it never happened. No one should’ve taken you or your sister.” I look him straight in the eyes. “They should never have been able to hurt Julie that way, and I’m thankful they didn’t hurt you, too, and that we have you home again.” I pull him into me, hugging him as my tears fall.
“I love you, Kat!” The little voice says right by my ear and my heart melts. This little boy has made me a mess of emotions. We’re sitting there hugging when, out of the corner of my eye, I see Cole coming towards us. His long legs take the stairs with ease until he stops near us, and then he sits on the step above me.
“What’s going on?” he asks quietly, looking more at Seth than me. Seth gazes up at his big brother, lets go of me, and throws his arms around Cole. My heart breaks when Seth sobs on his brother’s shoulder. “Hey bud, what’s with the tears?” Cole’s tender manner with his little brother touches me.
“I love Kat. She saved Julie!” His little high-pitched voice squeaks, paralyzing me in my spot. I’m no hero and he makes it sound as if I am.
“Kat’s pretty badass.” Cole states, which makes Seth giggle.
“You said a bad word, Cole.”
I start snickering, I can’t help it, and my snickers soon turn into full on laughter. Seth has such a unique way of seeing situations.
“Let’s go get breakfast.” Cole swoops Seth up in his arm, then holds his free hand out to me. I take it, pull myself up off the stairs, and the three of us make it the rest of the way downstairs. As we walk into the kitchen, we’re greeted by Hunter at the breakfast table with a plate of eggs, bacon, and hash browns. My stomach rumbles in response to the smell of food. Cole sets his brother down and tells him to go get a seat.
“Mornin’,” Hunter says, looking up from his food as we settle in around the table.
“Mornin’,” I mumble back. “How much longer will you be staying?”
“Mr. Knight has a few things he wants me to take care of before I leave, but I should be able to go home tonight,” he says while wiping his mouth with a napkin.
“Well, I guess that’s good.” I reach across the table to grab the pitcher of orange juice and pour some into Seth’s glass before handing the pitcher to Cole. Seth doesn’t wait long before the cook heads over with a plate of scrambled eggs and places it in front of him.
I lean my head on Cole’s shoulder, still exhausted from the last few days. I want to eat and then head to the hospital to check on Julie. I’m still extremely worried about her. When the cook sets plates in front of Cole and me, chatter ceases around the table as we all eat. After finishing my breakfast, I push away from the table, pick up my plate up, and carry it over to the sink. As I walk back across the kitchen, Trish comes in the room. She takes one look at me and sneers, “Whore,” to which I reply, “Bitch,” and the next thing I know, I’m being picked up off the ground.
“Excuse us. I need to take my girlfriend back to bed,” Cole says a little too cheerfully. Hunter is laughing behind me and Trish lets out a loud groan. Once he has us back out in the foyer, he se
ts me down on my own two feet.
“What was that for?” I ask, looking at him as if he has lost his mind. He gives me a sheepish smile.
“I didn’t want you beating my stepmother down again, and I like making her think we fuck like rabbits.”
“You’re fucking weird.” I stand on my tiptoes, plant a kiss on his cheek, and send him a bright smile before heading up the stairs to go shower and dress.
When I step back into my bedroom after my shower, Cole is stretched out on my bed in a pair of unbuttoned jeans and no shirt. I can’t help but stare at his gorgeous chest on display. This guy makes me hot any time I’m near him.
“Kitten, stop looking at me like that. You make it hard to resist you when you look all sexy turned on like you do right now,” he says, his voice low but clear.
“You think it’s easy for me?” I ask as I walk into my closet to get dressed. “I struggle, too. I want to change my own mind all the time about waiting six months.”
I pull on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt to wear to the hospital. I want to be comfortable while I’m there. “Cole, you should see if your dad or Justin needs us to bring them anything.”
“Already done. The maid is gathering both of them a fresh set of clothes to take with us,” he hollers back at me. I finish dressing and slip back into my bedroom. Cole is still sprawled across the bed.
“Come on, Cole. Finish dressing and take me to the hospital. I’m ready to see your sister.”
He moves off my bed, walks over to the dresser, and grabs a T-shirt off of it. When he slips it over his head, it forms to the contours of his body and I bite my bottom lip at the sight of him. I don’t need to keep letting my mind travel to this place.
“Let’s go, Kitten.” Cole says, bringing my thoughts back to our need to get to the hospital.
A part of me dreads what I will see when I get there. Julie looked so bad yesterday when we finally got her back. I haven’t seen my brother since the hospital. The way he acted has me worried about him. I need to find him today, talk to him, and see what is going on in his mind.