She turned toward him, still pressed against the glass.
“Please, let me through, please. Kate! You can move now!”
She started trying to get through the people as well. “Austin!”
“Kate!”
Finally, people stopped trying to grab him and talk to him. Some of the rougher hockey fans yelled some choice words at the crowd and said, “Move it, people! Can’t you see he’s trying to get to his girl?”
With their help, Austin made progress and finally reached Kate. He wasted no time picking her up and holding her close, breathing in her sweet, clean scent, and burying his head in her neck. Tears pricked at his eyelids. He should’ve been humiliated, as he knew cameras were probably rolling, but he didn’t care. “Kate.”
She framed his face with her hands and said the sweetest words: “I’m here. It’s our time.”
Austin’s breath came out in a rush of relief. Their time. He set her on her feet and captured her lips with his. The crowd roared in approval, but he ignored them and focused on the love of his life, finally in his arms.
When he pulled back, she looked all lit up and as happy as he felt. She wrinkled her nose. “You stink, my love.”
My love? Really. She was really and truly here. All his dreams were coming true. He chuckled. “I’m sure. You’ll wait while I go get pretty for you?”
She nodded, grinning. “Right here. If they try to kick me out, I’ll handcuff myself to a bench.”
He laughed again. Oh, how he loved her. It was harder than sprints to make his arms release her and back away. “I’ll be faster than Dash. I love you,” he said.
“I love you,” she repeated, still smiling broadly at him.
Austin had to push through the horde again to get back to the ice. He usually tried to give his fans attention, but right now, he had no time for anyone but Kate.
His head coach was waiting for him. He wasn’t happy.
Austin just grinned and slapped him on the shoulder. “I found the love of my life,” he told him.
Coach Weatherspoon grunted.
Austin turned and glimpsed Kate again. She was smiling and waving at him. He held up his hand and then rushed for the locker room. Coach’s speech had better be quick, or he was quitting the team and walking out. All Austin cared about was getting back to Kate.
Kate’s heart was racing, and her palms were sweaty. She couldn’t believe it was finally time for her to reunite with Austin. She paced the area next to the glass, anxious to hold him and kiss him, talk through the last four and a half years, and finally be with him.
She’d found a great job before she even graduated law school, and with the signing bonus, she’d hired a lawyer to clear her mom. It had taken almost a year of paperwork and court battles, but they were able to prove circumstantial evidence: all the prosecutors really had were her mom’s fingerprints at the scene of the crime and on the body, as her mom had tried to help her boss when she’d found him with multiple knife wounds in his home office. The murder weapon had never been found, and sadly, the perpetrator was still at large, but at least her mom was free.
Her mom had been compensated for the years she spent in prison, so she’d paid Kate back for the lawyer fees and Kate was able to pay her student loans off. They were living in an apartment on the West End, not far from this stadium. It was amazing to be with her mom again.
The best news had come shortly before the trial. The police contacted them to let them know that Michael Callan’s body had washed up on the shore of the Hudson River. Finally, that threat was gone and she could go for Austin.
Kate had told her mom how much she still loved Austin, and her mom had been intent on getting them together. Unfortunately, it was harder to contact a superstar hockey player than Kate would’ve thought. Austin was well protected from fans and adoring women, including her.
So she’d had to wait. Almost two months. She’d tried getting into hockey practice but had been turned away. For the opening game of the season, she’d spent the money to buy a ticket and watched in awe as number forty-two tore up the ice. She’d watched every game she could on television throughout the last four and a half years, but it was nothing compared to seeing Austin’s prowess and talent in person. Especially because she could focus on Austin and cheer like a crazed fan. She’d wondered if those intense feelings and that love would dim throughout the years, but they hadn’t. If anything, being apart had made her love him more.
Other fans watched her and seemed to be whispering about her, but the area was gradually clearing. Soon she would be in Austin’s arms. She hugged herself happily.
A low whisper drew her head around. “Kate.”
Her eyes widened as she recognized the man standing next to her. Gerald. He had been her parents’ friend when she was a child. He was the only friend who had reappeared when she and her dad had been relocated to Boston. Her mom had claimed he was there the night Dimitri was murdered, but there’d been no proof.
He edged in close, and she instinctively backed away. Grabbing her arm, he leaned his head against the side of hers and muttered, “We haven’t got much time.”
“Let go of me,” she demanded, drawing some attention from departing fans.
“If you want your mom to live, you’ll shut up and listen,” he growled.
Kate froze. “What? You … why?”
“Listen,” he hissed. “Your mom is in a safe spot. I never wanted her to be hurt, but the man who took her will. He’s the man who really killed Dimitri, and he doesn’t want your mom to implicate him.”
Kate’s stomach rolled with horror. The man who’d killed Dimitri had her mother?
Gerald glanced around, but no one approached them. “Your mom told me about Strong, and I’ve been waiting for tonight. Your connection to Austin Strong is going to save us both. Lure him back to your apartment. I’ll have a device to transfer the money from his accounts, and then the man who is holding Marla will release her. If you don’t bring Strong, if you alert the police or warn Strong about this, if I don’t get the money transferred by ten o’clock … she’ll die. Don’t do anything stupid. I want you and Marla to both live.” He released her arm and walked away.
Kate stared after him, panting for air. She could hardly comprehend what had just happened. She wanted to chase after Gerald, demand that he take her to her mom. She needed help. She needed the police. She needed Austin. Austin! She couldn’t bring him into this.
She clenched her hands into fists, her mind whirling with fear and uncertainty. How could this be happening on the night she and Austin finally reconnected? If the man who’d killed Dimitri really had her mom … No! Kate leaned forward and retched. Women squealed, and people jumped out of her way. She backed away from the stink, wiping at her face. What was she going to do?
“Kate?” Austin’s amazing, husky voice came from behind her.
Kate whirled to face him, humiliated, confused, and desperate to help her mom and protect Austin. He was so strong, tall, and handsome. He’d protected her back in college from that attacker, and she’d tried to protect him by not involving him until Michael Callan wasn’t after them. Now it would be worse than ever if she brought him into this mess. No!
His deep brown eyes were watching her with concern. “Are you okay, love?”
She backed away, shaking her head. As much as she wanted to follow Gerald’s orders to save her mom, she wouldn’t bring Austin into this mess. “No,” she groaned, and then she turned and raced away from him. Her entire body was begging her to go back, to love him, to let him help her. She couldn’t do it. Not to him. She loved him too much.
She’d spent all these years working to free her mom, and now her mom was held captive once again, at the hands of a murderous man. What was going to happen to her when Kate showed up at the apartment empty-handed? Could she somehow alert the police and get some help without tipping Gerald off?
Her mind whirled a million directions, and her heart wished she was back with Aust
in, as she ran through the TD Garden Arena.
“Kate!” Austin called to her from behind, accompanied by pounding footsteps that showed he was taking up pursuit.
She was almost to the outside door and wishing she could just stop, run back, and collapse into Austin’s strong arms. A man stepped in front of her, blocking her path. She tried to dodge him. He grabbed her arm and yanked her to a stop.
“Gerald,” she panted out. “Please. I’ll get you money; just leave Austin out of it.”
“You stupid girl. Play your part or she dies.” He whirled her around and shoved her forward.
Austin raced up to her, caught her in his arms, and held her close. Kate clung to him, trembling. She was disoriented, terrified, and yet she felt the rightness of being close to him. Austin was here. He was holding her. For a brief second that was all that mattered.
Then her mom’s sweet smile appeared in her mind. Her mom. No!
Pulling back, she looked up into Austin’s dark eyes.
“Kate,” he murmured, searching her gaze. “What’s going on? Who was that?”
“Oh, Austin.” Kate glanced around but couldn’t see Gerald. She pulled from Austin’s arms but took his hand. “We have to get out of here.”
“Okay.” He held the door for her and escorted her through.
They walked out into a beautiful fall evening, crisp and yet comfortable. Ten minutes ago, Kate would’ve relished and catalogued every detail of this fabulous night, reconnecting with the love of her life. Now she had no clue how to proceed. The only thing she knew for certain was that she wasn’t taking Austin back to her apartment and putting him at risk.
No, there was another thing she knew for certain: Austin was a hero and a gentleman clear through. If he knew the trouble she was in, he would stay with her and insist he help. She couldn’t let him know.
As they walked, Austin smiled down at her. “I can’t believe you’re finally here.”
She returned his smile, her gut churning and her mind spinning. It was after nine. She had less than an hour to ditch him and come up with a plan to save her mom. She knew some trustworthy policemen from her cases over the past year and a half. Could she call one of them to help, without alerting Gerald? Trent Dyer had been a good friend to her. She’d text him and he’d come if he could.
Austin’s brow creased with concern. “Are you sick, love?”
Kate shook her head quickly, wondering how he knew what a mess she was inside. Was she not hiding it well? It felt like they knew each other so well, when in reality they’d only had the two days together and then years to dream about those two days and the kisses and love they’d shared.
“You threw up,” he gently reminded her.
Kate’s face filled with heat. She gave a nervous laugh, tasting the remnants of that vomit. Gross. “I was nervous to see you.”
His grin stretched across his face, and he squeezed her hand. “You should never be twitchy around me. Just know I’m your man who loves you … no matter what.”
Kate felt tears prick at her eyes. He was so good, so devoted to her. After the long, lonely years without him, every instinct was screaming to hold him close, to kiss him deeply—after she found some gum or a toothbrush—and to never let him go. Sadly, she knew she had to fight those instincts.
Their apartment was close by in West End. She had no clue where Austin lived, but she wanted to get him there safely; then she’d deal with Gerald. If miracles happened and she could save her mom, she’d explain everything to Austin and reconnect with him later.
“Thank you,” she murmured. Glancing around, she saw pedestrians and cars and no Gerald. “I, um, need to go home. My mom.”
“I saw about your mom being released from prison.” He tugged her to a stop and stared down at her. “Is that why you had to leave me for so long? To help your mom?”
“Um … yeah.” She didn’t have time to explain.
“I can’t imagine how rough that was, and here I was being a selfish bugger ’cause I only wanted to be with you.” He searched her face. “I wish I could’ve been there for you.”
Kate wished it too. She wished she could let him be here for her now. “I need to go,” she said instead of telling him about all the things she wished they could have together. Would it ever happen for them?
A storm flashed through his eyes, and she knew he’d resist letting her go. It made her love him even more. He leaned closer and whispered, “When can I see you again?”
She shrugged. “I’ll come to your next game.”
“Not soon enough.”
She smiled. It was three days away. He was so irresistible. If only she wasn’t in this mess.
He took both of her hands in his. “Please, tomorrow night. Let me take you on the date of your life.”
Kate’s heart wrenched inside of her. “I can’t. Oh, Austin, I wish I could, but … give me a few days. I’ll come to your game, and we can talk then.”
“You’re killing me here, Kate. You’ve finally come. I can’t even explain how much I’ve wanted you, missed you. I want to be with you every minute. Let’s stay up late and talk the night away—or kiss it away, if you like.” He winked and gave her the most irresistibly charming look she’d ever seen on a man.
Kate smiled so she didn’t cry. Why couldn’t her life ever be simple enough to kiss and talk the night away with the man she loved? She pulled him close and simply held on to his strong back. He wrapped her up tight. His muscular chest pressed against her, making her feel safe and treasured.
“I’m so sorry,” she forced herself to say. “I know you’ve waited too long, but can you please give me three more days?”
Austin clung to her, hugging her so tight he lifted her off her feet. “Ah, Kate,” he groaned. He placed a chaste kiss to her lips, probably remembering that she’d just thrown up, and then released her. “I’ll do anything you say. I’m your whipped puppy just begging for some scraps. You know I am.”
Kate felt bereft without his touch, and she just wanted to break down and cry at his silly but sweet words. Instead, she gave him a brave smile, turned, and strode away. She didn’t let herself look over her shoulder. She didn’t let herself turn back. She did let the tears stream down her face.
After turning several corners and picking up her speed, Kate ducked into a small coffee house. She looked around but couldn’t see Austin or Gerald. She breathed a sigh of relief and texted her closest police friend, Trent. I’m in trouble. Please meet me at my apartment at quarter to ten. Don’t bring anyone else. She left him the address, but he’d been there before to pick her up for dinner. He was a nice guy, and she always explained they were going to eat as friends, not a date. She’d had to reiterate several times that she wasn’t interested in anything beyond friendship.
She glanced around again and then darted out into the night. She’d go home and wait for Gerald. Hopefully, Trent would get there. If not, she’d be facing the demon on her own.
Chapter Eight
Austin felt like he’d been sucker punched. He’d honored Kate’s wishes for four and a half years, but this was too much. She’d finally found him again, her mom was freed, and he thought she needed him. She was hiding something, and he wasn’t about to stand around and wait for her to come back to him. Not this time.
Back in college, he’d become quite the expert at following her night after night. Now he cautiously trailed her through the city streets. When she ducked into a coffee shop, he waited. A few minutes later, she was moving again. He kept his head down and followed.
Finally, she arrived at a high-rise apartment complex. When she stepped into the elevator, he panicked. How could he know what floor she went to, what apartment? He had no choice but to barge through the exterior door and rush the elevator. The doors were closing. He jammed his arm in, and the elevator door hit his arm and bounced back.
Kate screamed as he stumbled into the elevator. Her eyes brimmed with fear as she backed into the corner, and the sight made hi
m feel horrible. When her expression changed to one of relief and joy, his heart leapt.
“Austin!” She flung herself against him. The elevator doors closed as he cradled her close. She melted into him, and all was right in his world. For a brief instant.
Then she yanked back and wrapped her arms across her chest, as if to protect herself from him. What on earth? “You need to leave,” she said in a tone that brooked no argument.
Austin was going to argue. “In what world do you think that is happening?”
“I’m so sorry. I love you. I want to be with you. You need to leave, right now.” She tried to push around him to get to the elevator panel.
Austin grabbed her before she could. “No. I’m here. For better or worse, Kate. I love you, and I’m sticking to you like peanut butter baby.”
“You don’t understand,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’m trying to protect you.”
“From what?”
She shook her head and held herself so stiff in his arms that he didn’t know what to do. How could he convince her that he’d always be there for her? He could fight if she needed protection. He was a hockey player, after all. Why wouldn’t she let him help her?
He felt her body tremble as she leaned against him. “Oh, Kate …” He cuddled her close, rubbing her back, praying she’d trust him. “Please. Let me help you. Are you in danger?” He’d fight her every battle if she’d let him. “Is it something with your mom?”
She stiffened again. The elevator beeped and opened. Kate pulled free of his grasp and rushed out and down the hallway. She pulled out a key and inserted it into a lock with trembling hands.
Austin reached her. He covered her hand with his and said, “Let me help you.”
She focused on the door, not on him. A tear crested her cheek and rolled down it.
Austin was sick inside. What was going on?
“Please, Austin, if you love me, please leave.”
Austin turned her toward him. “Kate. I listened to you back in college. I let you go. It was … darker than purgatory. I can’t go through that again. We’re meant to be together. You know it. I know it. I used to be sure of myself and on top of the world. Without you, I’m nothing. Please don’t ask me to leave you ever again.”
The Strong Family Romance Collection Page 105